2026 Philadelphia Marathon - Nov 22 Countdown

Q: How do you enter the Philadelphia Marathon — is there a lottery?

There is no lottery — entry is open registration on a first-come basis until the field fills. The marathon fee typically runs about $140–190 depending on the tier, with prices rising as race day approaches. The 20,000-runner field fills every year, and the 2026 marathon is now sold out — charity bibs through partners such as Make-A-Wish are the remaining way in. For 2027, register early, before general entry closes.

Q: Is the Philadelphia Marathon course flat, and how much elevation gain is there?

It is a mostly flat, fast course with roughly +744 ft (226 m) of total climbing — most of it concentrated in the first 8–9 miles, after which the long Kelly Drive out-and-back along the Schuylkill River is essentially river-flat. That profile is a big reason it is a popular PR and Boston-qualifying race.

Q: Is the Philadelphia Marathon a good Boston qualifier?

Yes. The course is USATF-certified and a Boston qualifier, and its flat, fast layout makes it one of the better late-season BQ options on the East Coast — around 8.7% of finishers hit a Boston-qualifying time in a recent year. Pair it with our Boston Qualifying Calculator to check your target.

Q: What is the Philadelphia Marathon start time and time limit?

The full marathon starts at 7:00 a.m. on Sunday and carries a 7-hour time limit — about a 16-minute-per-mile pace — with the finish line closing around 2:00 p.m. Runners who fall behind that pace may be asked to move to the sidewalk so streets can reopen on schedule.

Q: What is the weather like in Philadelphia in late November?

Expect a cold start near 43°F / 6°C, often warming into the upper 40s°F (around 8–9°C) by late morning, with wind off the Schuylkill the main variable. Dress in light, sheddable layers and bring throwaway gloves — conditions are usually crisp and dry rather than wet.

Q: Where does the Philadelphia Marathon start and finish?

The race starts on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway and finishes at the famous Art Museum 'Rocky' steps. In between it passes Old City and the historic district, the Schuylkill River, University City, and runs the Kelly Drive corridor out to Manayunk and back.

Q: How big is the Philadelphia Marathon?

The marathon field was recently expanded to around 20,000 participants, with the broader Philadelphia Marathon Weekend (half marathon and 8K) drawing a much larger crowd. TIAA became the title sponsor starting with the 2026 edition.

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Race Information

Race	2026 Philadelphia Marathon - Nov 22
City	Philadelphia
Date	2026-11-22 at 07:00
Field Size	~20,000 runners
Time Limit	7 hours
Timezone	America/New_York
Official Site	Philadelphia Marathon Weekend
Registration	Sold out · charity entry only · Official Site

Race Day Weather

Average Temperature	6°C / 43°F
Humidity	60%
Wind	13 km/h
Rain Chance	25%
Typical Conditions	Cold, crisp late-November morning — classic East Coast fall racing

What to Prepare: Late November in Philadelphia means a cold start around 43°F / 6°C, often warming into the upper 40s by late morning. Wind off the Schuylkill River can sharpen the chill on the long Kelly Drive out-and-back. Throwaway gloves and an old long-sleeve at the start line are smart — most runners shed layers within the first few miles.

Based on historical averages for race week. Use our Weather Score Calculator and What to Wear Guide for personalized advice.

Wind Impact on Race Day

Wind at 13 km/h can affect your marathon pace by 5-15 seconds per kilometer. Headwinds slow you down exponentially — a 20 km/h wind costs more than twice a 10 km/h wind.

Calculate your wind-adjusted pace →

Course Profile

Course Type	City loop
Elevation Gain	226m
Terrain	Road (city streets and river drive)
Profile	A flat, fast city course built for PRs and Boston qualifiers — about +744 ft (226 m) of gentle total climbing. Starting on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway, it tours Old City, the historic district, and University City through the first half, then settles onto a long, river-flat out-and-back along Kelly Drive and the Schuylkill to Manayunk before finishing at the iconic Art Museum 'Rocky' steps. USATF-certified, with open registration rather than a lottery.
Boston Qualifier	Yes — Check your BQ time

Prepare for 2026 Philadelphia Marathon - Nov 22

Use our free training tools to get race-ready:

Running Pace Calculator — Min/km, Finish Time & Pace Chart

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Marathon Wake-Up Time Calculator — Race Morning Timeline

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What to Wear Running by Temperature — Clothing Guide

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Elevation Gain/Loss Impact Calculator

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Grade Adjusted Pace (GAP) Calculator — Hills & Strava

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Featured In

Easiest Boston Qualifying Marathons 2027 Best Marathons for Charity Running in 2026 Best Fall Marathons in 2026 (Sep-Nov) Best US Marathons 2026

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you enter the Philadelphia Marathon — is there a lottery?

There is no lottery — entry is open registration on a first-come basis until the field fills. The marathon fee typically runs about $140–190 depending on the tier, with prices rising as race day approaches. The 20,000-runner field fills every year, and the 2026 marathon is now sold out — charity bibs through partners such as Make-A-Wish are the remaining way in. For 2027, register early, before general entry closes.

Is the Philadelphia Marathon course flat, and how much elevation gain is there?

It is a mostly flat, fast course with roughly +744 ft (226 m) of total climbing — most of it concentrated in the first 8–9 miles, after which the long Kelly Drive out-and-back along the Schuylkill River is essentially river-flat. That profile is a big reason it is a popular PR and Boston-qualifying race.

Is the Philadelphia Marathon a good Boston qualifier?

Yes. The course is USATF-certified and a Boston qualifier, and its flat, fast layout makes it one of the better late-season BQ options on the East Coast — around 8.7% of finishers hit a Boston-qualifying time in a recent year. Pair it with our Boston Qualifying Calculator to check your target.

What is the Philadelphia Marathon start time and time limit?

The full marathon starts at 7:00 a.m. on Sunday and carries a 7-hour time limit — about a 16-minute-per-mile pace — with the finish line closing around 2:00 p.m. Runners who fall behind that pace may be asked to move to the sidewalk so streets can reopen on schedule.

What is the weather like in Philadelphia in late November?

Expect a cold start near 43°F / 6°C, often warming into the upper 40s°F (around 8–9°C) by late morning, with wind off the Schuylkill the main variable. Dress in light, sheddable layers and bring throwaway gloves — conditions are usually crisp and dry rather than wet.

Where does the Philadelphia Marathon start and finish?

The race starts on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway and finishes at the famous Art Museum 'Rocky' steps. In between it passes Old City and the historic district, the Schuylkill River, University City, and runs the Kelly Drive corridor out to Manayunk and back.

How big is the Philadelphia Marathon?

The marathon field was recently expanded to around 20,000 participants, with the broader Philadelphia Marathon Weekend (half marathon and 8K) drawing a much larger crowd. TIAA became the title sponsor starting with the 2026 edition.