Everything you need to know about the 2024 Philadelphia Marathon
Thousands will be in Philadelphia on Nov. 22-24 for the Philadelphia Marathon. Here's how to prepare for road closures, parking restrictions, and more.
Soon, thousands of the country‘s fastest runners will flock to Philly for the annual marathon weekend that shuts down large swaths of the city and brings a festival to the Philadelphia Museum of Art.
The Philadelphia Marathon returns Nov. 23 and 24 with a 26.2-miler, 13.1-miler, 8K, and children’s run, all promoting healthy living and raising money for the Philadelphia City Fund. More than 30,000 people will lace up their sneakers, prep racing wheelchairs, and hit the pavement, with thousands more cheering along the race routes.
Expect plenty of road closures, parking restrictions, and traffic. But, with proper planning, the marathon weekend can be filled with huge celebrations and thrilling finishes at the end of the races.
Race start times and locations
All races, except the Nemours Children’s Run, start at 22nd Street and Benjamin Franklin Parkway, near the Art Museum. The Nemours Children’s Run begins at Von Colln Memorial Field, at 2276 Pennsylvania Ave., adjacent to Eakins Oval.
Dietz & Watson Philadelphia Half Marathon: Saturday, Nov. 23, at 6:55 a.m. for wheelchairs and 7 a.m. for runners/walkers.
Rothman Orthopaedics 8K Run: Saturday, Nov. 23, at 10:55 a.m. for wheelchairs and 11 a.m. for runners/walkers.
AACR Philadelphia Marathon: Sunday, Nov. 24, at 6:55 a.m. for wheelchairs and 7 a.m. for runners/walkers.
Nemours Children’s Run: Sunday, Nov. 24, at 10 a.m.
Race routes
Each race follows a unique route, with the the marathon and half-marathon winding through Center City, Chinatown, Old City, Queen Village, Rittenhouse, and University City, with significant portions covering Fairmount Park, Kelly Drive, and the Benjamin Franklin Parkway.
Health & Fitness Expo
The Philadelphia Marathon’s Expo is coming to the Pennsylvania Convention Center on Friday, Nov. 22, from noon to 9 p.m., and on Saturday, Nov. 23, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The Expo is filled with vendors showcasing apparel, shoes, gear, free product samples, and educational booths on health and fitness.
Located in Hall F of the convention center at 12th & Arch Streets, it‘s a free event perfect for seasoned and new runners alike, or the curious visitor looking to see what it’s all about.
Friday and Saturday bring a speaker series to the Expo and meet-and-greets with some of the country’s top runners. On Friday evening, there will be kids activities.
🧑🏻🤝🧑🏾 For spectators
Spectators are welcome to line the race routes to cheer on runners but will be restricted from the starting lines and in secure running areas until after 8 a.m. on Saturday and Sunday to ensure smooth race starts.
The Philadelphia Marathon has a list of prohibited and discouraged items for spectators, available in full on its website. Large umbrellas, coolers, and animals (except ADA service dogs) are not allowed. The marathon also discourages bringing large blankets, backpacks, or cameras.
Road closures
Intermittent local access will be allowed for residents and businesses at intersections controlled by Philadelphia Police.
The Philadelphia Museum of Art can be accessed via Spring Garden Street (Spring Garden Street Bridge) to Anne D’ Harnoncourt Drive during race hours.
Friday, Nov. 22
The inner lanes of Benjamin Franklin Parkway will be closed from 9:30 a.m. to 2:45 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 22. At 2:45 p.m. the outbound inner lanes will be reopened for rush hour traffic. So will the inbound inner lanes from 22nd to Logan Circle. After rush hour, all inner lanes will be closed from Binswanger Triangle to 20th Street. Cross traffic will be allowed through on 22nd and 21st Streets.
Saturday, Nov. 23
Starting at 2 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 23, “No Parking” signs will be posted along the race routes and parking regulations will be strictly enforced. Any cars parked along the race route will be “courtesy towed.”
The following streets will be closed for the half marathon and 8K on Saturday from 2 a.m. to 3 p.m.
2:00 a.m. Closures
2000-2400 Benjamin Franklin Parkway (inner drives)
Spring Garden Street, from Pennsylvania Avenue to Benjamin Franklin Parkway
23rd Street, from Pennsylvania Avenue to Benjamin Franklin Parkway
22nd Street, from Winter Street to Park Towne Place (Local Access to Park Towne Place)
21st Street, from Pennsylvania Avenue to Winter Street
3:00 a.m. Closures
I-676 off-ramp at 22nd Street (westbound)
31st & Spring Garden Street (soft close)
Eastbound I-76 ramp at Spring Garden Street (top of the ramp) at 3:00 a.m. No traffic into Center City; traffic for the Art Museum & the Art Museum garage is allowed on Saturday, Nov. 23, and Sunday, Nov. 24.
5:45 a.m. Closures
Columbus Boulevard, Callowhill Street to Walnut Street (southbound only)
6:00 a.m. Closures
17th Street, from Arch Street to Vine Street
18th Street, from Arch Street to Callowhill Street
19th Street, from Arch Street to Callowhill Street
20th Street, from Arch Street to Callowhill Street
21st Street, from Arch Street to Spring Garden Street
22nd Street, 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
Columbus Boulevard (southbound lanes), from Callowhill 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 Walnut 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
6:45 a.m. Closures
Columbus Boulevard, Callowhill Street to Washington Avenue (southbound)
Columbus Boulevard, Snyder Avenue to Callowhill Street (northbound)
All streets (except Eakins Oval) are scheduled to be reopened by 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, November 23.
Sunday, Nov. 24
Starting at 2 a.m. on Sunday, Nov. 24, “No Parking” signs will be posted along the race routes and parking regulations will be strictly enforced. Any cars parked along the race route will be “courtesy towed.”
The following streets will be closed for the marathon on Sunday from 2 a.m. to 3 p.m.
2:00 a.m. Closures
2000-2400 Benjamin Franklin Parkway (inner drives)
Spring Garden Street, from Pennsylvania Avenue to Benjamin Franklin Parkway
23rd Street, from Pennsylvania Avenue to Benjamin Franklin Parkway
22nd Street, from Winter Street to Park Towne Place (Local Access to Park Towne Place)
21st Street, from Pennsylvania Avenue to Winter Street
3:00 a.m. Closures
I-676 off-ramp at 22nd Street (westbound)
31st & Spring Garden Street (soft close)
Eastbound I-76 @ Spring Garden Street (top of the ramp) at 3:00 a.m. No traffic into center city; traffic for the Art Museum & the Art Museum garage is allowed on Saturday, November 23, and Sunday, November 24.
5:45 a.m. Closures
Columbus Boulevard, CallowhilI Street to Walnut Street (southbound only)
6:00 a.m. Closures
17th Street, from Arch Street to Vine Street
18th Street, from Arch Street to Callowhill Street
19th Street, from Arch Street to Callowhill Street
20th Street, from Arch Street to Callowhill Street
21st Street, from Arch Street to Spring Garden Street
22nd Street, 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 Streets
Race Street, from 6th Street to Columbus Boulevard
Columbus Boulevard (southbound lanes), from Callowhill 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 Walnut Street to Girard Avenue
Girard Avenue, 33rd Street to 38th Street
Lansdowne Drive, from Girard Avenue to South Concourse Drive
South Concourse Drive, from Lansdowne to West Memorial Hall Drive
East Memorial Hall Drive, from South Concourse 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
6:45 a.m. Closures
Columbus Boulevard, Callowhill Street to Washington Avenue (southbound)
Columbus Boulevard, Snyder Avenue to Callowhill Street (northbound)
Transportation to the races
🚌 Bus
Lines 7, 32, 38, 43, 48, and 49 drop riders within a two-minute walk from the Art Museum. But, due to the race, there will most likely be detours — SEPTA hasn’t announced them yet. Check SEPTA’s system status for the latest schedules.
The following bus routes will be detoured starting at 6 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 23, and Sunday, Nov. 24.
Routes K-12
K, R, 2, 4, 5, 7, 9, 12
Routes 16-31
16, 17, 21, 23, 25, 27, 30, 31
Routes 32-47
32, 33, 35, 38, 40, 42, 43, 47
Routes 47M-125
47M, 48, 57, 61, 64, 65, 124/125, Trolley Route 15 (Bus)
Bus Routes 7, 32, 33, 38, 43, 48, and 49 will be temporarily detoured during the setup of marathon events on the Ben Franklin Parkway. Information will be posted to SEPTA’s System Status before the event.
🚴♀️ Bicycle
The race’s starting line is within a 10-minute ride from the City Hall area and subway stop and other locations. Check the map of Indego bike share stations to rent bikes and return them at a station near the Art Museum.
Where to park
22nd & Walden Sts., SP+ Parking, (215) 568-4025
222 N. 20th St., Standard Parking, (215) 448-1391
1815 Cherry St., Logan Square Parking, (215) 567-3744
16th & Race St. (Sheraton Hotel), Standard Parking, (215) 196-0293
1815 JFK Boulevard, Central Parking System, (215) 568-8030 (Entrance on 1850 Cuthbert St.)
1901 JFK Boulevard, Central Parking System, (215) 557-3821 (Entrance on 19th Street)
1700 Benjamin Franklin Parkway, the Windsor Suites, (215) 569-0899
36 S. 19th St., Central Parking System, (215) 561-1187
Where does the money go?
Revenue earned and money raised from the Philadelphia Marathon goes to various charities and nonprofits, including local ones like B Inspired Philadelphia and the Mazzoni Center.
See a full list of partnering nonprofits on the Philadelphia Marathon website.
Awards & prize money
Monetary prizes range from $225 to $10,000 depending on the race, with the Philadelphia Marathon’s Elite Division being the most competitive.
See a full list of awards and prize money on the Philadelphia Marathon website.