The Dietz & Watson Philadelphia Half Marathon presents a journey through the heart of American history, guiding runners on a course that blends scenic beauty with urban energy. Beginning in the grand Museum District on Benjamin Franklin Parkway, the route tours the nation's birthplace, winding through the historic streets of Old City, the bustling core of Center City, and across the Schuylkill River into University City.

The course then presents its main challenge in the rolling hills of Fairmount Park before a final, flat push along the river to a spectacular finish at the Philadelphia Museum of Art.

The course layout presents a distinct strategic challenge. The first seven miles are almost entirely flat, encouraging a quick rhythm through the city's historic core. However, this initial speed must be tempered by the knowledge that the race's defining test lies in wait.

A hilly, four-mile segment through Fairmount Park begins around mile 7.7, demanding conserved energy for a series of climbs and descents. The final miles return to flat terrain along the Schuylkill River, offering a chance for a strong finish if you've paced the middle section wisely.

Scheduled for late November, the race typically features cold conditions. Historical weather data indicates morning temperatures likely in the high 30s to low 40s Fahrenheit. The 7:00 AM start occurs after sunrise, adding to the initial chill at the starting line.

Wind can also be a factor, especially in the exposed final miles along the river. A thoughtful layering strategy will be essential for maintaining comfort and performance from the cool start to the potentially warmer finish.

• Event Date: November 22, 2025
• Event Type: Half Marathon
• GPX Course Length: 13.16 mi
• Course Type: Loop
• TrailScore: 21.47
• Total Ascent: 365.52 ft
• Total Descent: 364.73 ft
• Longest Uphill:
  • Starting at Mile 9.42, 0.61 mi at an average grade of 1.53%
• Longest Downhill:
  • Starting at Mile 10.95, 0.61 mi at an average grade of -2.77%
• Steepest Uphill:
  • Starting at Mile 8, 0.21 mi at an average grade of 3.35%
• Steepest Downhill:
  • Starting at Mile 11.06, 0.4 mi at an average grade of -3.78%
• Significant Climbs:
  • There are a total of 3 significant climbs on the course.
• Significant Descents:
  • There are a total of 2 significant descents on the course.
• Grade Distribution:
  • Flat: 76.7%
  • Minor Decline: 8.5%
  • Minor Incline: 7.8%
  • Moderate Decline: 3.9%
  • Moderate Incline: 3.1%

With a 7:00 AM start on the grand Benjamin Franklin Parkway, your race begins in the cool, dawn light. The first four miles take you on a flat and fast tour through Logan Circle, past City Hall, and into the historic heart of Old City, where you'll pass landmarks like Independence Hall. The route then follows the Delaware River waterfront, offering a scenic and straightforward opening segment.

The energy from the crowds and the flat terrain will tempt you to push the pace early. Your primary goal here is to resist that urge.

Settle into a comfortable, controlled rhythm, conserve your energy, and navigate the city's turns smoothly. This section is about patience and setting yourself up for a successful second half.

• Pacing Discipline: The flat, crowded, and exciting initial miles create a perfect recipe for starting too fast. Adhere strictly to your pacing plan to conserve critical energy for the hills that await.
• Efficient Cornering: Old City's street grid features numerous 90-degree turns. Focus on running the tangents to cover the shortest possible distance and maintain your rhythm through the corners.

• None.

• None.

• Columbus Boulevard south of Race Street (Mile 2.8)
  • Offerings: Water, NUUN
  • Toilet: Yes
• Front Street & Washington Avenue (Mile 4.2)
  • Offerings: Water, NUUN
  • Toilet: Yes

• Logan Square / Swann Memorial Fountain (~Mile 0.4): Runners circle the beautiful Logan Square and its famous fountain early in the race.
• Independence National Historical Park (~Mile 1.9): The course passes by key historical sites including Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell.
• Front Street & Washington Avenue Cheer Zone (~Mile 4.2) (Spectator Zone): A designated cheer zone located at the southern-most point of the course.

Leaving the waterfront, the course heads west back into the city grid, taking you through vibrant neighborhoods like Washington Square West and Rittenhouse Square. The terrain remains flat, offering a steady, rhythmic segment of running.

This is a critical time for a mental and physical check-in. Take a moment to assess how you're feeling, execute your nutrition and hydration plan, and mentally prepare for the shift in terrain ahead.

The crossing of the Schuylkill River via the Walnut Street Bridge near mile 7 signals the end of the easy miles and the approach to the course's main challenge.

• Maintaining Focus: This long, flat section can be a mental lull between the excitement of the start and the difficulty of the hills. Use this time to stay focused on your form, breathing, and fueling strategy. Don't let your effort drift up; the goal is to arrive at the hills feeling strong and prepared.

• None.

• None.

• Juniper & Walnut Streets (Mile 6.2)
  • Offerings: Water, NUUN
  • Toilet: Yes
• 34th & Chestnut Streets (Mile 7.6)
  • Offerings: Water, NUUN, XACT Energy fruit bars
  • Toilet: Yes

• 22nd and Walnut Cheer Zone (~Mile 6.9) (Spectator Zone): A designated cheer zone in the Rittenhouse Square neighborhood.
• 34th and Walnut Cheer Zone (~Mile 7.6) (Spectator Zone): A designated cheer zone in the heart of University City, near the University of Pennsylvania.

Here, the race changes entirely. As you enter Fairmount Park, the cityscape gives way to scenic, tree-lined roads, and the course profile shifts from flat to rolling. This four-mile segment contains all of the course's significant climbs and descents.

These hills are not long, but they arrive when your legs have already settled into seven miles of flat running. The sudden change in terrain can make even modest inclines feel more challenging than they actually are.

Your ability to manage effort through this section will define your race. Focus on maintaining consistent effort rather than chasing a specific pace. On the uphills, shorten your stride and quicken your cadence to maintain momentum. On the downhills, lean forward slightly and let gravity work with you—this allows for controlled recovery without overtaxing your quads.

• Managing the Rolling Hills: This is not a single climb but a series of them. The steepest pitch arrives between miles 8.0 and 8.2, but others follow. Focus on a steady, rhythmic effort on each uphill and recover on the downs and flats between them to avoid burning out.
• Controlled Downhill Running: The sharpest descent occurs between miles 11.06 and 11.46. Use gravity to your advantage, but avoid uncontrolled sprinting or over-striding, which can trash your quads and leave you with nothing for the final push.

• Climb #1: Mile 8 to Mile 8.2, 0.21 mi, avg grade 3.35%, total gain 36.29 ft
• Climb #2: Mile 9.22 to Mile 9.32, 0.1 mi, avg grade 3.12%, total gain 16.57 ft
• Climb #3: Mile 9.83 to Mile 9.93, 0.1 mi, avg grade 3.29%, total gain 17.91 ft

• Descent #1: Mile 8.81 to Mile 9.12, 0.31 mi, avg grade -3.57%, total drop 57.71 ft
• Descent #2: Mile 11.06 to Mile 11.46, 0.4 mi, avg grade -3.78%, total drop 80.87 ft

• Reservoir Drive – Smith Memorial Playground (Mile 10.4)
  • Offerings: Water, NUUN
  • Toilet: Yes

• Mount Pleasant Drive Cheer Zone (~Mile 11.1) (Spectator Zone): A designated cheer zone located near the historic Mount Pleasant Mansion, offering support through the park's hills.

Emerging from the hills of Fairmount Park, you make the final turn onto Kelly Drive for the last push to the finish. This segment is flat and fast, running along the scenic Schuylkill River. With the challenging terrain behind you, this is where you can begin to increase your effort if you've paced yourself well.

Historic Boathouse Row comes into view, signaling that you're getting close. These iconic Victorian boathouses, illuminated at night and picturesque by day, serve as a welcome landmark for runners approaching the final stretch.

The finish line at Eakins Oval awaits, with the Philadelphia Museum of Art providing a stunning backdrop. This final straightaway can feel longer than expected, but the growing crowd energy and these iconic Philadelphia landmarks will help pull you through to a strong finish.

• Executing the Final Push: After the hills, your legs will be tired. Mentally break down this final 1.6 miles into smaller, manageable pieces. Pick a landmark ahead, run to it, and then pick the next one to stay engaged and maintain your form to the finish.
• Potential Headwind: The final stretch along Kelly Drive is exposed and can be windy. If you face a headwind, tuck in behind other runners if possible and focus on maintaining a steady effort rather than forcing a specific pace.

• None.

• None.

• Kelly Drive just south of Girard Avenue Bridge (Mile 12)
  • Offerings: Water, NUUN
  • Toilet: Yes

• Boathouse Row (~Mile 12.5): Run past the iconic series of 19th-century boathouses lining the Schuylkill River.
• Rocky Statue (~Mile 13.1): A famous landmark located near the base of the Art Museum steps, signaling you are moments from the finish line.
• Philadelphia Museum of Art (~Mile 13.16) (Spectator Zone): The course finishes in front of this renowned museum, famous for its steps featured in the 'Rocky' films.