Marathons in Pennsylvania

From the big-city Philadelphia Marathon to two of the Northeast's best Boston qualifiers — flat Erie at Presque Isle and net-downhill Steamtown — Pennsylvania covers flat, fast, hilly and historic. Pick yours below.

Updated 2026-07-13 Sorted by race date. Field sizes and course data are checked against each race's official source.

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About marathons in Pennsylvania

Spring and fall. Pennsylvania races almost entirely in two cool windows: a single spring date and a deeper autumn block where the Appalachian air turns crisp and forgiving. The flagship Philadelphia Marathon (Nov 22) is a fast, mostly flat city course past Independence Hall and along the Schuylkill River; Pittsburgh (May 2) is the rolling counterpoint, built around the city's yellow steel bridges and crossing all three rivers — net-flat on paper but a genuine strength-and-hills test in the second half. For pure time-chasing, Erie at Presque Isle is a pancake-flat double loop and Steamtown is the net-downhill point-to-point classic into downtown Scranton.

Choosing one. Chase a fast time or a Boston qualifier at the flat fall courses, or run the well-supported big-city party at Philadelphia, which has the easiest travel access — SEPTA's airport line reaches Center City in about 20 minutes. Entry across all four is standard first-come registration rather than a lottery — so the popular fall qualifiers fill earliest.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the biggest marathon in Pennsylvania?

The Philadelphia Marathon is by far the largest, with a field of roughly 20,000 runners. It is also the flattest and fastest of the state's big-city races, rolling through historic downtown and along the Schuylkill River each November. Pittsburgh is the next largest at around 5,000, while Erie and Steamtown are smaller, qualifier-focused races.

Which Pennsylvania marathon is best for a Boston qualifier or PR?

Two stand out. The Erie Marathon at Presque Isle (September) is a USATF-certified, near-flat double loop with under 250 feet of total elevation change and a long reputation as a last-chance Boston qualifier — it lands each year just before Boston registration opens. The Steamtown Marathon (Scranton, October) is a net-downhill point-to-point, dropping close to 1,000 feet overall, that runs fast but tests the quads with a few short uphills near the finish. Philadelphia is flat and fast too, but Erie and Steamtown are the dedicated time-chasing courses — check your target with the Boston Qualifying calculator.

When is marathon season in Pennsylvania and how do I enter?

The season splits into a single spring date and a larger autumn window. Pittsburgh runs in early May, while Erie (September), Steamtown (October) and Philadelphia (November) anchor the fall. Entry for all four is standard first-come registration rather than a lottery, so the flat fall qualifiers fill earliest — register early if you are targeting Erie or Steamtown, and check each race's official site for the exact opening date and current fee. Use the month chips above to jump straight to your window.

Which Pennsylvania marathon is the most scenic or hardest?

Pittsburgh is both the toughest and arguably the most distinctive: a rolling May course that crosses all three of the city's rivers over its signature yellow steel bridges, climbing roughly 930 feet total despite a near-zero net — the climbs bite hardest in the second half. For scenery without the suffering, Erie at Presque Isle loops a flat state-park peninsula on Lake Erie, while Philadelphia trades on its history, passing Independence Hall and finishing by the Museum of Art steps.

Which Pennsylvania marathon is best for a first-timer?

Philadelphia is the friendliest debut: a flat, big-city course with deep crowd support, full aid stations and the easiest logistics of the four. The flat profile of Erie at Presque Isle also suits a first marathon if you prefer a smaller, low-key field over a big-city atmosphere. New runners can map their pacing with the pace calculator and an honest goal with the race time predictor.

How do I get to the Pennsylvania marathons?

Philadelphia has the easiest access of the four — Philadelphia International (PHL) is served by most major airlines, and SEPTA's airport line reaches Center City in about 20 minutes. Pittsburgh flies into PIT with a short ride downtown. Erie and Steamtown (Scranton) are smaller cities most easily reached by car, or by connecting through Philadelphia or Pittsburgh.