Next race
Saturday, 21 November 2026
7:00 am start
Distance
42.195 km / 26.2 mi
Urban road
Elevation
Rolling · 198 m gain
198 m climbing
Race profile
The Philadelphia Marathon draws approximately 5,500 finishers on an urban road in Philadelphia, United States. The course starts and finishes at the Philadelphia Museum of Art — the 'Rocky Steps'. The route passes Independence Hall, the Schuylkill River trail, and Boathouse Row. Mostly flat along the river with gentle undulations.
Philadelphia Marathon is a certified 42.195 km (26.2 mile) marathon — the standard World Athletics marathon distance.
Approximately 5,500 finishers
Course & terrain
The Philadelphia Marathon is a city loop starting and finishing at the Philadelphia Museum of Art, passing Independence Hall, the Schuylkill River trail, and Boathouse Row. The Schuylkill and riverfront sections are the easiest because they stay mostly flat and flowing, while the short rises toward the art museum and the urban rollers back to the finish are tougher; spectators are loudest at the Rocky Steps, around Independence Hall, and along Boathouse Row.
The Philadelphia Marathon course is rolling over 42.195 km (26.2 miles). Runners cover 198 metres of climbing and 195 metres of descent, with a net climb of 3 metres from start to finish.
Rolling · 198 m gain — approx. 12 m above sea level
↑ 198 m · ↓ 195 m · net +3 m
Registration
For the Philadelphia Marathon, yes. The mostly flat urban course, cool November conditions typically between 3 °C and 12 °C, and strong field size make Philadelphia one of the most popular BQ attempts on the East Coast for mid-pack competitive runners.
Getting there
Philadelphia International Airport (PHL)
11 km / 7 mi
Race footage
Common questions
Official resources
Last updated 11 October 2026. Edition dates and course details are reviewed regularly.
Close to this race
Other races closest to Philadelphia.
The Atlantic City Marathon draws approximately 1,400 finishers each October on a boardwalk and coastal road in Atlantic City, United States. It is one of the oldest marathons in the United States and still leans into classic resort-city character. The course passes the boardwalk, marina districts, and long seaside stretches beside casinos and beaches. The course is very flat throughout.
Next race: Sunday, 18 October 2026
The Jersey City Marathon draws approximately 2,313 finishers each April on an urban road in Jersey City, United States. It is one of the fastest spring marathons in the Northeast because the profile stays flat almost all day. The course passes Exchange Place, Liberty State Park, and long Hudson River stretches with skyline views toward Lower Manhattan. The course is very flat throughout.
Next race: Sunday, 18 April 2027
The TCS New York City Marathon is the largest marathon in the world, taking runners through all five boroughs — Staten Island, Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx, and Manhattan. The course crosses five bridges and finishes in Central Park, delivering an unmatched big-city marathon experience.
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The Coastal Delaware Running Festival Marathon draws approximately 747 finishers each April on a scenic coastal road in Rehoboth Beach, United States. The spring anchor of Delaware's Coastal Running Festival draws more than 700 marathon finishers on a mostly flat certified course. The route links Rehoboth Beach, Cape Henlopen State Park roads, and southern Delaware coastal scenery. Gentle undulations are the only breaks on an otherwise flat profile.
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The Rehoboth Beach Seashore Marathon draws approximately 980 finishers each December on a scenic coastal road in Rehoboth Beach, United States. Delaware's largest marathon by finisher count, held each December with a flat coastal course and strong Boston-qualifier percentages. The course follows Atlantic Ocean beach roads, boardwalk stretches, and Sussex County coastal neighborhoods. Gentle undulations are the only breaks on an otherwise flat profile.
Next race: Saturday, 5 December 2026
The Baltimore Running Festival Marathon draws approximately 1,625 finishers each October through Charm City on the Chesapeake Bay. The course passes Fort McHenry (birthplace of the Star-Spangled Banner), the Inner Harbor, and Johns Hopkins University on rolling Mid-Atlantic terrain. October's crisp Baltimore autumn and the harbour-city scenery make it Maryland's premier marathon.
Next race: Saturday, 17 October 2026
Planning guides
Practical guides to help you plan, train for, and run this race.
What flat, rolling, and hilly really mean — and how to read elevation gain, net change, and altitude on a marathon course.
How temperature, humidity, wind, and rain affect marathon performance — and how to use typical race-day weather when choosing a start line.
Match a race to your goals — personal bests, sightseeing, atmosphere, or a major milestone — using course data and realistic expectations.
