Skip to content

Philadelphia Marathon 2026: What to know about road closures, parking and race times

Plan ahead for the 2026 Philadelphia Marathon Weekend, Nov. 20-22, with a guide to road closures, parking restrictions, race routes, start times and more.

The first of.some 17,000 runners head out on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway at the start of the annual Philadelphia Marathon Sunday, Nov. 23, 2025.
The first of.some 17,000 runners head out on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway at the start of the annual Philadelphia Marathon Sunday, Nov. 23, 2025.Read moreTom Gralish / Staff Photographer

The Philadelphia Marathon returns Nov. 20-22 for what organizers expect to be the largest race weekend in event history.

Runners from around the world will compete in the 8K, half marathon and 26.2-mile marathon, which stretches from Manayunk to the Delaware River waterfront.

The first Philadelphia Marathon was held in 1994 with just 1,500 participants. This year, organizers expect nearly 40,000 runners across four races.

With that many runners hitting the streets, Philadelphians can expect road closures, parking restrictions and traffic detours throughout the weekend.

Here’s what to know before the 2026 Philadelphia Marathon Weekend.

Race start times and locations for the Philadelphia Marathon

All four races start near the Philadelphia Museum of Art. The marathon, half marathon and Children’s Run begin at 22nd Street and Benjamin Franklin Parkway, while the Rothman Orthopaedics 8K starts at 25th Street and Kelly Drive.

  1. Dietz & Watson Philadelphia Half Marathon: Saturday, Nov. 21, 6:55 a.m. (wheelchair participants); 7 a.m. (runners and walkers)

  2. Rothman Orthopaedics 8K: Saturday, Nov. 21, 10:55 a.m. (wheelchair participants); 11 a.m. (runners and walkers)

  3. TIAA Philadelphia Marathon: Sunday, Nov. 22, 6:55 a.m. (wheelchair participants); 7 a.m. (runners and walkers)

  4. Philadelphia Children’s Run: Sunday, Nov. 22, 11 a.m.

Race routes for the Philadelphia Marathon

Each race follows a unique route. The marathon and half-marathon wind through Center City, Chinatown, Old City, Queen Village, Rittenhouse, and University City, with portions of the courses passing through Fairmount Park, Kelly Drive, and the Benjamin Franklin Parkway.

Health & Fitness Expo

The Philadelphia Marathon Weekend Expo returns to Hall F of the Pennsylvania Convention Center, at 12th and Arch Streets.

  1. Friday, Nov. 20: 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.

  2. Saturday, Nov. 21: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The expo features vendors showcasing apparel, shoes and running gear, along with free product samples and educational booths focused on health and fitness. Both days will also feature a speaker series and meet-and-greets with some of the country’s top runners.

For spectators of the Philadelphia Marathon

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.

  1. Large umbrellas, coolers, alcohol, bicycles, scooters and animals (except service animals) are prohibited. Organizers also discourage spectators from bringing large blankets, backpacks, handbags and cameras.

Road closures

All-weekend closures

Friday, Nov. 20, through 5 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 22

  1. Benjamin Franklin Parkway (all lanes) between 22nd Street and Eakins Oval

  2. Kelly Drive (inbound) closed at 25th Street, with local traffic permitted to Anne d’Harnoncourt Drive

  3. Spring Garden Street Bridge and MLK Drive (inbound) traffic detoured onto 24th Street

  4. Spring Garden Street closed between Benjamin Franklin Parkway and Pennsylvania Avenue

Saturday, Nov. 21

2 a.m. closures

  1. 2000-2400 Benjamin Franklin Parkway

  2. Spring Garden Street, from Pennsylvania Avenue to Benjamin Franklin Parkway

  3. 23rd Street, from Pennsylvania Avenue to Benjamin Franklin Parkway

  4. 22nd Street, from Winter Street to Park Towne Place (local access to Park Towne Place maintained)

  5. 21st Street, from Pennsylvania Avenue to Winter Street

4 a.m. closures

  1. I-676 off-ramp at 22nd Street (westbound)

  2. I-76 off-ramp at Spring Garden Street (eastbound)

6 a.m. closures

  1. 17th Street, from Arch Street to Vine Street

  2. 18th Street, from Arch Street to Callowhill Street

  3. 19th Street, from Arch Street to Callowhill Street

  4. 20th Street, from Arch Street to Callowhill Street

  5. 21st Street, from Arch Street to Spring Garden Street

  6. 22nd Street, from Arch Street to Spring Garden Street

  7. Benjamin Franklin Parkway, from 16th Street to 20th Street

  8. Market Street, from Sixth Street to 16th Street

  9. Chestnut Street, from Fifth Street to Eighth Street

  10. Sixth Street, from Market Street to Chestnut Street

  11. Fifth Street, from Chestnut Street to Race Street

  12. South Penn Square

  13. Juniper Street, from Chestnut Street to Market Street

  14. John F. Kennedy Boulevard, from Juniper Street to 17th Street

  15. 15th Street, from Race Street to Chestnut Street

  16. 16th Street, from Chestnut Street to Race Street

  17. Race Street, from Sixth Street to Columbus Boulevard

  18. Columbus Boulevard (southbound lanes), from Vine Street to Washington Avenue

  19. I-95 southbound off-ramp at Washington Avenue

  20. Washington Avenue, from Columbus Boulevard to Front Street

  21. Front Street, from Washington Avenue to South Street

  22. South Street, from Front Street to Seventh Street

  23. Sixth Street, from Bainbridge Street to Locust Street

  24. Lombard Street, from Fifth Street to Broad Street

  25. 13th Street, from Bainbridge Street to Chestnut Street

  26. Walnut Street, from 12th Street to 34th Street

  27. 34th Street, from Chestnut Street to Girard Avenue

  28. Spring Garden Street, from 32nd Street to 34th Street

  29. Girard Avenue, from 33rd Street to 38th Street

  30. 33rd Street, from Girard Avenue to Cecil B. Moore Avenue

  31. Reservoir Drive, from 33rd Street to Diamond Drive

  32. Mount Pleasant Drive

  33. Fountain Green Drive

  34. Kelly Drive

Access and reopening

  1. Local access for residents and businesses will be maintained at police-controlled points.

  2. Access to the Philadelphia Museum of Art will be available via Spring Garden Street (Bridge and Tunnel) to Anne d’Harnoncourt Drive.

  3. Motorists and pedestrians can expect delays when trying to cross roads or streets along the racecourse.

  4. Police will allow traffic through intersections when possible, depending on runner flow.

  5. All streets (except Eakins Oval and the Parkway) are scheduled to reopen by 2 p.m. Saturday. Many Center City roads will reopen earlier as they are cleared and serviced.

Sunday, Nov. 22

As part of enhanced security for the TIAA Philadelphia Marathon, “No Parking” regulations will be strictly enforced. Vehicles on the race route will be relocated beginning at 1 a.m. Sunday.

2 a.m. closures

  1. 2000-2400 Benjamin Franklin Parkway

  2. Spring Garden Street, from Pennsylvania Avenue to Benjamin Franklin Parkway

  3. 23rd Street, from Pennsylvania Avenue to Benjamin Franklin Parkway

  4. 22nd Street, from Winter Street to Park Towne Place (local access maintained)

  5. 21st Street, from Pennsylvania Avenue to Winter Street

4 a.m. closures

  1. I-676 off-ramp at 22nd Street (westbound)

  2. I-76 off-ramp at Spring Garden Street (eastbound)

6 a.m. closures

  1. 17th Street, from Arch Street to Vine Street

  2. 18th Street, from Arch Street to Callowhill Street

  3. 19th Street, from Arch Street to Callowhill Street

  4. 20th Street, from Arch Street to Callowhill Street

  5. 21st Street, from Arch Street to Spring Garden Street

  6. 22nd Street, from Arch Street to Spring Garden Street

  7. Benjamin Franklin Parkway, from 16th Street to 20th Street

  8. Arch Street, from Third Street to 16th Street

  9. Fourth Street, from Arch Street to Vine Street

  10. Race Street, from Sixth Street to Columbus Boulevard

  11. Columbus Boulevard (southbound lanes), from Vine Street to Washington Avenue

  12. Columbus Boulevard (northbound lanes), from Washington Avenue to Callowhill Street

  13. I-95 southbound off-ramp at Washington Avenue

  14. Washington Avenue, from Columbus Boulevard to Front Street

  15. Front Street, from Washington Avenue to South Street

  16. South Street, from Front Street to Seventh Street

  17. Sixth Street, from Bainbridge Street to Market Street

  18. Chestnut Street, from Sixth Street to 15th Street

  19. 15th Street, from Chestnut Street to Walnut Street

  20. Walnut Street, from Broad Street to 34th Street

  21. 34th Street, from Chestnut Street to Girard Avenue

  22. Lansdowne Drive, from Girard Avenue to South Concourse Drive

  23. South Concourse Drive, from Lansdowne Drive to West Memorial Hall Drive

  24. East Memorial Hall Drive, from South Concourse Drive to Avenue of the Republic

  25. Avenue of the Republic, from East Memorial Hall Drive to Catholic Fountain

  26. Belmont Avenue, from Montgomery Drive to Parkside Avenue

  27. States Drive, from Lansdowne Drive to Girard Avenue

  28. Girard Avenue Bridge, from Lansdowne Drive to 33rd Street

  29. 33rd Street, from Girard Avenue to Reservoir Drive

  30. Reservoir Drive, from 33rd Street to Edgley Drive

  31. Edgley Drive, from Reservoir Drive to Fountain Green Drive

  32. Fountain Green Drive, from Edgley Drive to Kelly Drive

  33. Kelly Drive

  34. Falls Bridge

  35. Ridge Avenue, from Schoolhouse Lane to Manayunk Avenue

  36. Main Street (Manayunk), from Ridge Avenue to Conarroe Street

Access and reopening

  1. Local access for residents and businesses will be maintained at police-controlled points.

  2. Access to the Philadelphia Museum of Art will be available via Spring Garden Street (Bridge and Tunnel) to Anne d’Harnoncourt Drive.

  3. Expect delays at crossings along the course; police will allow traffic through when possible.

  4. All streets (except Eakins Oval and the Parkway) are scheduled to reopen by 3 p.m. Sunday; many Center City roads will reopen earlier as they are cleared and serviced.

  5. The outer lanes of Benjamin Franklin Parkway, Eakins Oval and Kelly Drive will be reopened to vehicular traffic by 5:00 p.m. on Sunday. All affected roads will be reopened by 8:00 a.m. on Monday, November 23.

Transportation to the races

🚌 Bus

Lines 7, 32, 38, 43, 48, and 49 normally stop within a short walk of the Philadelphia Museum of Art. However, race-related detours are expected throughout the weekend.

Check SEPTA’s system status for the latest route changes and schedules.

🚄 Trains

Athletes and spectators can take the Market-Frankford Line to 15th Street at City Hall or Drexel Station at 30th Street, then connect to nearby routes 7, 32, 38, 43, 48, and others to reach the museum area.

Visitors can also board the Broad Street Line to Fairmount and Broad-Spring Garden stations, and transfer to connecting routes 7, 32, 48, 49, or others serving stops near or at the museum.

🚆 Regional Rail

Visitors can take SEPTA Regional Rail to Suburban Station or 30th Street Station to reach the start and finish areas. Check SEPTA’s website for schedules and service updates.

🚴‍♀️ 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 does the money go?

Proceeds from the Philadelphia Marathon support several charities and nonprofits, including local organizations such as B Inspired Philadelphia and the Mazzoni Center.

See a full list of partnering nonprofits on the Philadelphia Marathon website.

Awards & prize money

Cash prizes range from $1,000 to $10,000, depending on the race, with the Philadelphia Marathon’s professional division offering the largest awards.

See a full list of awards and prize money on the Philadelphia Marathon website.