Philadelphia Marathon 2017: routes, street closures, and more

Brace yourselves, Philly: This weekend, thousands of people will take to the streets to hit some serious pavement for the 24th annual AACR Philadelphia Marathon. The big 26.2-miler takes place on Sunday, but shorter-length races will kick off Marathon Weekend on Saturday.

As of right now, Accuweather is predicting a pretty nice Sunday, with a high of 50 degrees, so whether you take to the streets to run or watch, conditions shouldn’t be too cold.

Here, find everything you need to know about the big races this weekend, including the roads and parking spots to avoid if you’re trying get around the city.

What time is the marathon?

The marathon is happening on Sunday, November 19, with the wheelchair and handcycle division kicking things off at 6:55 a.m. Runners and walkers start at 7 a.m.

What’s the Philly marathon route?

The marathon is sticking to the same route as last year, starting at the top of the Benjamin Franklin Parkway toward City Hall. They’ll head over to Arch Street toward Old City, run along Columbus Boulevard, then back up toward Chestnut Street. The route continues down that street all the way into University City, then goes into West Fairmount Park. It then loops back to the art museum and up Kelly Drive all the way to Manayunk. The final stretch runs the same route back down Kelly Drive to the museum.

TLDR; here’s the official course map.

Where can I watch the Philly marathon?

So many places! The Philadelphia Marathon has a long list of official “Cheer Zones,” which anyone is welcome to camp out and cheer on the runners.

What streets will be closed for the Philly marathon?

Are you ready for it? Street closure begin on Friday, November 17 and all of them will reopen by 6 p.m. on Sunday, November 19 following the race.

Friday, November 17

The outer lanes of the Parkway will be closed from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. At that time they’ll reopen for Friday rush hour.

Saturday, November 18

These streets will be closed on Saturday from 2 a.m. to 3 p.m. for the Half Marathon and another race.

• 18^th Street, from Arch to Callowhill Streets
• 19^th Street, from Arch to Callowhill Streets
• 20^th Street, from Arch to Callowhill Streets
• 21^st Street, from Spring Garden to Arch Streets
• 22^nd Street, from Spring Garden to Arch Streets
• Benjamin Franklin Parkway, from 16^th to 22^nd Streets
• Arch Street, from 6^th to 16^th Street
• 6^th Street, from Market to Chestnut Streets
• 5th Street from Chestnut to Race
• South Penn Square
• Juniper from Chestnut to Market
• John F. Kennedy Blvd., from Juniper to 17^th Streets
• 15^th Street, from Race to Chestnut Streets
• 16^th Street, from Chestnut to Race Streets
• Race Street, from 6^th Street to Columbus Boulevard
• Columbus Boulevard (Southbound lanes), from Vine Street to Washington Avenue
• Southbound off-ramp, from I-95 at Washington Avenue
• Washington Avenue, from Columbus Boulevard to Front Street
• Front Street, from Washington Avenue to South Street
• South Street, from Front to 7^th Streets
• 6^th Street, from Bainbridge to Locust Streets
• Lombard from 5th to Broad Streets
• 13th Street from Bainbridge to Chestnut Street
• Walnut Street from 6th to 34th Streets
• 34th Street, Walnut to Girard Ave.
• Girard Ave., 40th to 33rd St.
• 33rd St. from Girard to C.B. Moore
• Reservoir Drive from 33rd to Diamond
• Mt. Pleasant Drive
• Fountain Green Drive
• Kelly Drive

Sunday, November 19

• 18^th Street, from Arch to Callowhill Streets
• 19^th Street, from Arch to Callowhill Streets
• 20^th Street, from Arch to Callowhill Streets
• 21^st Street, from Spring Garden to Arch streets
• 22^nd Street, from Spring Garden to Arch Streets
• Benjamin Franklin Parkway, from 22^nd to 16^th Streets
• Arch Street, between 16^th to 3^rd Streets
• 4^th Street, between Arch to Vine Streets
• Race Street, from 6^th Street to Columbus Boulevard
• Columbus Boulevard (Southbound lanes), from Vine Street to Washington Avenue
• Southbound off-ramp, from I-95 at Washington Avenue
• Washington Avenue, from Columbus Boulevard to Front Street
• Front Street, from Washington Avenue to South Street
• South Street, from Front to 7^th Streets
• 6^th Street, from Bainbridge to Market Streets
• Chestnut Street, from 6^th to 34^th Streets
• 34^th Street, Chestnut Street to Girard Avenue
• Lansdowne Drive, from Girard Avenue to South Concourse Drive
• South Concourse Drive, from Lansdowne to West Memorial Hall Drives
• West Memorial Hall Drive, from South Concourse to Avenue of the Republic
• Avenue of the Republic, from West Memorial Hall Drive to Catholic Foundtain
• Belmont Avenue, Montgomery to Parkside Avenue
• Black Road
• Martin Luther King Drive
• Kelly Drive
• The Falls Bridge
• Ridge Avenue, from Schoolhouse Lane to Manayunk Avenue
• Main Street, from Ridge Avenue to Green Lane

Where can or can’t I park?

There’s going to be enhanced security at this year’s race, so there are certain areas where parking will be prohibited on both Saturday and Sunday.

Beginning at 2 a.m. on Saturday., all cars and vehicles along the race route will be relocated. Same goes for Sunday. On marathon day, the Parkway between 20th and 25th streets will be closed from 2 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Can’t find your car or need more information? The Philadelphia Parking Authority can help you out.

How can I get around during the Philly marathon?

SEPTA has released a full list of all the trolley and bus routes that will be detoured during marathon weekend, so plan accordingly.