Race Guide - Philadelphia Marathon

0-2 miles. The first couple of miles are slightly downhill to the river and only contain a couple of turns. The start is on Benjamin Franklin Parkway, which is plenty wide enough. With about .3 miles done, you'll be directed one way around a roundabout - don't worry too much about staying on the racing line here because it will be so busy. As you start to get closer to the river, the streets get slightly narrower.

2-4 miles. Most of this section is along the river - it's flat and wide again, but not well supported. You'll turn right and right again at about 3.7. There is normally a water station on this tight turn and that can cause chaos, so stay wide and use your own bottle if you've brought one.

4-7 miles. Running back through the city. This section is very slightly uphill, but also one of the best supported in the race. You're also running through Philly's historic center - enjoy it! At 7 miles you cross the Schuylkill for the first time.

7-8.5 miles. Here comes the hill. It starts very gradually as you continue from the bridge along Walnut St, then ramps up as you turn right on 34th. It's not that long and not super steep at any point, but it can take it out of your legs at this point in the race. Give it some respect and know that you've got some immediate payback on the other side.

9-12.5 miles. You're running round Fairmount Park. Just before 9 you turn left and start to climb up into the park - this is the first time in the race you'll running an out and back section and you may see runners coming towards you on the other side of the road. Once you've made it into the park it's overall quite flat until you've done the loop and start heading downhill back to the Schuylkill.

12.5-15.5 miles. Cross the Schuylkill for the second (and final) time. You're then running in East Fairmount Park, which unfortunatley is a lot more undulating than the West side. It's not hilly, just rolling. Support can be a bit patchy in places here.

15.5-20 miles. Just after 15.5 you get the biggest downhill in the race as you head out the park down to the Schuylkill. It's steep and can be tough on your quads at this point in the race. If you're feeling good, it can be a place to let yourself go a little bit, but be careful you don't beat your legs up too much! You run under a stone arched bridge and then right onto Kelly Drive and onto the out and back section. The course along the river is fairly flat but if it's windy this is where you'll feel it. When you get to Manayunk people will be handing out beer if you're feeling so inclined! 

If you're feeling good, start pushing the pace as you head into Manayunk - you know most of the course on the way back (because you've just run it), so there's nothing to be afraid of!

20-25 miles. The turnaround point is normally very tight - take care here, your legs are more tired than you realize and dancing round a cone may be challenging. You're then on the final stretch! You'll enjoy (or not) the opposite wind conditions compared to the way out, so be prepared for that.

25-26.2 miles. This is the time to start ramping up the pace if you have it in the legs, or if not, to be holding on. This is fairly flat until you get to 25.8, where the road ramps for 400m. It's one of those hills that really isn't that bad, unless you've just run nearly 26 miles. It doesn't go on for that long and when you get to the top you have ~300m to go and it's downhill! Enjoy the run-in and the crowd support!