I stayed at a hotel across the street from expo, but just over a mile from race start/finish. I was expecting a walk to/from race. But I was pleasantly surprised to find out when I checked into hotel that there are shuttles... both ways! They also had breakfast set out (coffee, fruit, and other grab and go items). I hate it when race hotels don't do much to accommodate runner, so I give the RD credit for this. The race course was not as flat as I was expecting, but it was a nice course with lots of spectator support. It was extremely windy, but sunny and not too cold for this Texas girl... I didn't see much of a post race "party" (no beer and the food was average at best). Great long sleeve shirt and medal! I would consider doing this one again!

I enjoyed the close proximity of everything. My hotel was across the street from the Expo and Reading Terminal Market which contains restaurants of seemingly every cuisine. Race start was 1 mile from the hotel (easily walkable but I took the shuttle). Historical sites were also within a mile or so walk. Expo was easy but merch seemed unusually expensive. Porta potties at start were numerous but many lacked TP. Few (any?) porta potties in last 10 miles. Course has good variety - mostly flat, 3 hills of note but manageable. Last 10 miles were undulating terrain. Crowd support was AMAZING thruout!! I counted 4 informal adult beverage stops. Post race was typical but included warm chicken broth. Shirt and medal were nice! Temps upper 40s with 10-15 mph winds at start.

Ran the Independence Challenge (8k & marathon) and both events were really well organized. Plenty of course support and the spectators were motivating. Marathon course was mainly flat, some rolling hills near the end (starting around mile 17), none of which were particularly daunting. After race offerings were good, there's a warming tent to hang out in, free sausage hotdogs, and the gear check trucks were easy to use. Got to run up the Rocky steps after the race for a photo op.

I've run this race three times, and the only issue I have with any aspect of it is the lack of porto-potties on the second half of the course.

I ran the Philadelphia Marathon on 11/21/2021. It was a fun, fast, and challenging course. The weather was perfect, plenty of crowd support, hydration and fuel stations had ample supply. The volunteers and race marshalls were extremely helpful. The Expo volunteers made getting bib and race shirts a cinch. I look forward to running this race again next year. I recommend this marathon to any runner who wants to see a beautiful historic city, and run a fun race.

very organized lots of water and Gatorade, course is marked every mile and 20K,25K,30K. lots of port potty people were amazing alot of cheering .excellent job volunteer and course director i felt safe and very pleased.see you 2022

Fabulous! I loved the history, architecture, and food! The people were very supportive and cheered you along the way. What a blast!

The packet pickup at the expo was well-organized, the course was peppered with a few hills, but nothing crazy, the aid stations were well-placed and quite regular, and the finisher’s medal featured a ringing Liberty Bell! Philly really showed up with the local support; the Manayunk neighborhood was absolutely unhinged at mile 20, and it was amazing! There were hot dogs in addition to the bananas and granola bars at the finish, which seemed odd at first, but they were delicious haha. Overall, would recommend!

The out and back from mile 14-26 sucks but otherwise this is a great race. Well organized.

Gate entrance to marathon start/ gear check was limited to only 1 line and took a long time. Gear check also very long line. Other than that, great scenic views for first 14 miles. The next 12 miles seemed forever with the 6 miles back and forth I really didn’t like. But support was great. Wish there was better post nutrition, but still great!!

Lots of support and fun on this course. I liked Philly a lot and enjoyed the start/finish location near the Philadelphia Art Museum. On the day of the 8k, if you were doing the Independence challenge you could also see the kiddy race, 5k and Half marathon taking place. That made for a great finish line atmosphere. The only downside, I would say, was the finish line food. I guess its tough to feed the masses so no complaints- but smaller races definitely rock the finish line food way better. I left the Marathon hungry and needing something substantial and hot, so I headed to a food stand on the way back to the train.

The expo and packet pickup were easy. Shuttles ran from many hotels. Getting into Benjamin Franklin Park and to the corrals was a little chaotic: security 15 minutes; bathrooms 20 mins; bag check 10 mins. I would arrive 90 minutes before the start to eliminate that stress.

Once the race started everything was great. Corrals were color coded based on estimated finish time, so no weaving around slower runners. The first ~7 miles were right through downtown with awesome crowd support and music. Aid stations were frequent and well run. Crossing the river and into the zoo area presented the few hills on the course, which seemed steeper on the downhills than up, otherwise a flat course.

The finish was electric, food and beverages were being offered immediately after receiving the Liberty Bell medal, and warming tents were helpful. It was a little too cold to stick around for post-race festivities, so it was back on the shuttle for me.

Did the challenge, 8k and Marathon. Loved route, volunteers, race was amazing. Great sites, aid stations. Loved marathon shirt, medal and anniversary blanket.

This was my 3rd time running the Philadelphia Marathon. Philadelphia always outdoes itself and exceeds expectations. Organization A++. Course A++. Ease of getting to the marathon, through security and getting back after A++. For 2019 they added on shuttle buses to and from the race. There were FREE athlete heating tents at the start! Compare to paying a few hundred dollars for a VIP tent at the NYC marathon. For those that like medals - good luck finding a cooler more awesome medal than this year's with the dinging Liberty Bell! Hydration stations - NEVER seen more on a course - felt like they were every 2 miles. I am not a big eater at the end but saw more food options only once before and that one charged for it. Tech shirt - YES - not some junk. DID I MENTION DES LINDEN AND MEB at the EXPO meeting and taking pictures with ALL runners FOR FREE? Oh and I am not a big expo guy but wow - seriously cool things being given to runners at the Philadelphia Expo!