Everything to know about Philadelphia Marathon 2023 weekend
The Philadelphia Marathon returns for its 30th year. Here is everything you need to know to attend or avoid the race.
The Philadelphia Marathon returns for its 30th year starting the weekend of Nov. 17. Athletes from all over will race through the city’s streets while drivers must maneuver through road closures.
The three-day event will be held rain or shine, from Friday, Nov. 17 to Sunday, Nov. 19. Starting at the Philadelphia Museum of Art at 22nd Street and Benjamin Franklin Parkway, the race weaves through Fairmount Park, along the Schuylkill River, University City, and Manayunk.
Here is what you should know about the 2023 Philadelphia Marathon and what roads you might want to avoid:
🧑🏻🤝🧑🏾 For spectators
If you are planning on watching the races in person, spectators won’t be admitted until 8 a.m. each day and must enter through gates #E4 on Park Towne Place, #E5 on Kelly Drive, or #E6 on Spring Garden and Bridge.
❌ What you can’t bring
Weapons (regardless of permits), fireworks, suitcases, bulky items larger than 12″x12″x6″, containers that can hold more than 1 liter of liquid, alcohol, illegal drugs, bicycles, scooters, any kind of face or head covering (except religious headwear and masks), drones, coolers (soft-sided ones are allowed), selfie sticks, large umbrellas, or pets (except for service animals).
While the rule prohibiting headphones is no longer enforced, it recommended that you do not wear them during the race to hear situations and directions given by race officials. Large blankets, comforters, sleeping bags, backpacks, handbags or shoulder bags of any kind (clear plastic participant bags are permitted), and action cameras are discouraged.
Runners can bring a hydration vest but it must be carried into the venue. Take the empty vest through the security line. After being admitted to the secure zone, you will be able to fill the vest at the water station next to the entrance to the Painted Street, near the corrals.
Transportation to the races
🚌 Bus: Lines 7, 32, 38, 43, 48, and 49 can take you within a two-minute walk from the Philadelphia Museum of Art. But, due to the race, they will operate with detours — they will begin at 6 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 18 and Sunday, Nov. 19. Check SEPTA’s system status for the latest schedules. Detours routes include:
Routes K to 12: K, R, 2, 4, 5, 7, 9, 12
Routes 16 to 31: 16, 17, 21, 23, 25, 27, 30, 31
Routes 32 to 47: 32, 33, 35, 38, 40, 42, 43, 47
Routes 47M to 125: 47M, 48, 57, 61, 64, 65, 124/125, Trolley Route 15 (Bus)
🚴♀️ Bicycle: The Parkway is within an 11-minute ride from many locations in Center City. If you rent an Indego bike, there are four stations to return it near the race.
Where to park
You won’t be able to park along Benjamin Franklin Parkway, but here are some alternate lots and garages near the start line:
Franklin Institute Garage: 249 N. 21st Street
2001 Pennsylvania Ave. Lot - P1801: 2001 Pennsylvania Avenue
Logan Square Parking: 1815 Cherry Street
Sheraton Philadelphia Downtown Hotel Garage: 201 N. 17th Street
Parkway Corp - 1919 Arch St. Lot: 1919 Arch Street
Use Park Whiz to help you find parking and/or reserve a spot ahead of time.
Road closures Friday, Nov. 17
Benjamin Franklin Parkway inner-drive lanes will close, in both directions, from 9:30 a.m. to. 2:45 p.m., when outbound lanes will open for afternoon rush hour. After evening rush hour, inbound and outbound inner lanes from Binswanger Triangle to 22nd Street will remain closed. Cross traffic will be permitted on 22nd and 21st Streets. Note: Residents and businesses will have access at traffic control points controlled by Philadelphia Police.
Road closures Saturday, Nov. 18
Over twenty roads will be closed for the race route weekend. If you are parked on any of these streets, make sure to move your car or the city will relocate it beginning at 2 a.m. on Saturday.
Closing times will be in effect for the Dietz & Watson Philadelphia Half Marathon and the Rothman Orthopaedics 8K from 2 a.m. to 3 p.m. Near 18th Street, the Parkway, and Logan Circle area will open as early as 11:30 a.m.
All streets (with the exception of Eakins Oval) will reopen no later than 2 p.m. on Saturday, plus many roads in Center City opening earlier in the day. Eakins Oval will be open to traffic by 5 p.m. The inbound inner drive of the Parkway will be closed until Sunday afternoon at 5 p.m.
Closing at 2:00 a.m.
Benjamin Franklin Parkway, from the 2000 to 2400 block.
Spring Garden Street, from Pennsylvania Avenue to Benjamin Franklin Parkway
23rd Street, between Pennsylvania Avenue and Benjamin Franklin Parkway
22nd Street, from Winter Street to Park Towne Place
21st Street, between Pennsylvania Avenue and Winter Street
Closing at 4:00 a.m.
I-676 Westbound: Off-ramp at 22nd Street
I-76 Eastbound: Off-ramp at Spring Garden Street
Closing at 6:00 a.m.
17th Street, from Arch to Vine Streets
18th, 19th, and 20th Streets, from Arch Street to Callowhill Street
21st and 22nd streets, from Arch Street to Spring Garden Street
Benjamin Franklin Parkway, from 16th Street to 20th Street
Market Street, from 6th Street to 16th Street
Chestnut Street, from 5th Street to 8th Street
6th Street, from Market Street to Chestnut Street
5th Street, from Chestnut Street to Race Street
South Penn Square
Juniper Street, from Chestnut Street to Market Street
John F. Kennedy Boulevard, from Juniper Street to 17th Street
15th Street, from Race Street to Chestnut Street
16th Street, from Chestnut Street to Race Street
Race Street, from 6th Street to Columbus Boulevard
The southbound lanes of Columbus Boulevard, from Vine Street to Washington Avenue
Southbound off-ramp, from I-95 at Washington Avenue
Washington Avenue, from Columbus Boulevard to Front Street
Front Street, from Washington Avenue to South Street
South Street, from Front Street to 7th Street
6th Street, from Bainbridge Street to Locust Street
Lombard Street, from 5th Street to Broad Street
13th Street, from Bainbridge Street to Chestnut Street
Walnut Street, from 12th Street to 34th Street
33rd Street, from Walnut Street to Spring Garden Street
34th Street, from Spring Garden Street to Girard Avenue
Spring Garden Street, from 32nd Street to 34th Street
Girard Avenue, 33rd Street to 38th Street
33rd Street, from Girard Avenue to Cecil B. Moore Avenue
Reservoir Drive, from 33rd Street to Diamond Drive
Mt. Pleasant Drive
Fountain Green Drive
Kelly Drive
Road closures Sunday, Nov. 19
Much like Saturday, “No Parking” regulations will continue to be enforced on Nov. 19. Move your car before 2 a.m. All streets are set to reopen by 2 p.m. Eakins Oval and Benjamin Franklin Parkway will be fully open by 5 p.m.
Roads closed at 2 a.m. and 4 a.m. on Saturday will also be closed on Sunday. But at 6 a.m., closures change:
Closing at 6:00 a.m.
17th Street, from Arch Street to Vine Street
18th, 19th, and 20th Streets, from Arch Street to Callowhill Street
21st and 22nd Streets, from Arch Street to Spring Garden Street
Benjamin Franklin Parkway, from 16th Street to 20th Street
Arch Street, between 3rd Street and 16th Street
4th Street, between Arch Street and Vine Street
Race Street, from 6th Street to Columbus Boulevard
Columbus Boulevard (southbound lanes), from Vine Street to Washington Avenue
Southbound off-ramp, from I-95 at Washington Avenue
Washington Avenue, from Columbus Boulevard to Front Street
Front Street, from Washington Avenue to South Street
South Street, from Front Street to 7th Street
6th Street, from Bainbridge Street to Market Street
Chestnut Street, from 6th Street to 16th Street
15th Street, from Chestnut Street to Walnut Street
Walnut Street, from Broad Street to 34th Street
Chestnut Street, from 33rd Street to 34th Street
34th Street, from Chestnut Street to Girard Avenue
Lansdowne Drive, from Girard Avenue to South Concourse Drive
South Concourse Drive, from Lansdowne Drive to West Memorial Hall Drive
East Memorial Hall Drive, from South Concourse Drive to Avenue of the Republic
Avenue of the Republic, from East Memorial Hall Drive to Catholic Fountain
Belmont Avenue, Montgomery to Parkside Avenue
States Drive to Lansdowne Drive
Lansdowne Drive to Girard Avenue
Girard Avenue Bridge, from Lansdowne Drive to 33rd Street
33rd Street, from Girard Avenue to Reservoir Drive
Reservoir Drive, from 33rd Street to Edgley Drive
Edgley Drive, from Reservoir Drive to Fountain Green Drive
Fountain Green Drive, from Edgley Drive to Kelly Drive
Kelly Drive
The Falls Bridge
Ridge Avenue, from Schoolhouse Lane to Manayunk Avenue
Main Street, from Ridge Avenue to Conarroe Street
Where does the money go?
The money raised through registration fees funds cancer cure research, education, prevention, and advocacy with a goal of $600,000.
Awards
Last year, race winners received cash prices between $1,000 to $10,000 depending on the category. Finishers receive a technical shirt, post-race refreshments, a finisher medal, and an online finisher certificate. “The Philadelphia Marathon Weekend will pay out equal prize money for men, women and non-binary top finishers, along with age group awards for all gender categories,” according to the website.