The AACR Philadelphia Marathon offers a quintessential big-city race experience, celebrated for its fast, scenic, and historic course. The route provides a comprehensive tour of Philadelphia, beginning and ending near the iconic Philadelphia Museum of Art.

From the start, runners journey through the heart of the city's historic district, passing landmarks like Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell, before heading along the Delaware River waterfront and through the vibrant streets of South Philadelphia.

The middle section of the race introduces rolling hills as it winds through the expansive Fairmount Park, one of the largest urban parks in the country. This segment, which includes stretches past the Philadelphia Zoo and Memorial Hall, presents the course's most significant elevation changes and serves as a critical test of pacing and strength.

After leaving the park, the marathon transitions to a long, flat out-and-back section along Kelly Drive, following the Schuylkill River. This portion challenges mental fortitude as much as physical endurance, demanding focus and steady rhythm from runners who must maintain their pace through this extended straightaway.

The late-November race date typically delivers cool conditions conducive to strong performances. Based on historical data, temperatures at the 7:00 a.m. start generally range from 3-4°C, warming to approximately 10-11°C by early afternoon.

The combination of a predominantly flat profile with concentrated, manageable hills and favorable running temperatures makes Philadelphia a prime destination for runners seeking personal bests.

• Event Date: November 23, 2025
• Event Type: Road Marathon
• GPX Course Length: 42.43 km
• Course Type: Loop
• TrailScore: 46.01
• Total Ascent: 197.37 m
• Total Descent: 197.16 m
• Longest Uphill:
  • Starting at Kilometer 6.23, 0.82 km at an average grade of 0.49%
• Longest Downhill:
  • Starting at Kilometer 13.29, 0.98 km at an average grade of -2.13%
• Steepest Uphill:
  • Starting at Kilometer 14.93, 0.49 km at an average grade of 4.69%
• Steepest Downhill:
  • Starting at Kilometer 19.2, 0.33 km at an average grade of -5.71%
• Significant Climbs:
  • There are a total of 5 significant climbs on the course.
• Significant Descents:
  • There are a total of 5 significant descents on the course.
• Grade Distribution:
  • Flat: 74.1%
  • Minor Incline: 11.2%
  • Minor Decline: 8.5%
  • Moderate Incline: 3.1%
  • Moderate Decline: 2.3%
  • Challenging Decline: 0.8%

The race begins on the grand Benjamin Franklin Parkway with a 7:00 AM start, just five minutes after sunrise. These initial kilometers will be cool and filled with palpable energy as you make your way through this almost entirely flat opening section that guides you through the historic core of Philadelphia.

You'll run past landmarks like Logan Circle, City Hall, and Independence Hall, absorbing the city's rich history while your legs are still fresh.

Your primary objective here is establishing rhythm, not chasing speed. The flat, spectator-lined streets will tempt you to push the pace—resist this urge. Instead, settle into your planned marathon effort and conserve both physical and mental energy for the hills ahead.

Use this forgiving terrain and the dense crowds to find a comfortable rhythm you can sustain for the entire race. Think of these early miles as your opportunity to calibrate your effort level while the conditions are ideal.

• Early Pacing Discipline: The electric atmosphere and flat terrain can lure you into an unsustainable pace. Adhere strictly to your race plan to conserve energy for the challenging middle section of the course.

• None.

• None.

• Columbus Boulevard, South of Race Street (Km 3.7)
  • Offerings: Water, NUUN
  • Toilet: Yes
• Front Street & Washington Avenue (Km 6)
  • Offerings: Water, NUUN
  • Toilet: Yes
• 6th & Walnut Streets (Km 8.2)
  • Offerings: Water, NUUN
  • Toilet: Yes

• Logan Square (~Km 0.5): A historic public square and traffic circle, featuring the Swann Memorial Fountain.
• Chinatown Friendship Arch (~Km 2.14): The ornate entrance to Philadelphia's vibrant Chinatown neighborhood.
• Independence Hall & Liberty Bell (~Km 8.37): Run past the birthplace of the United States, a major historical landmark.
• 22nd and Walnut Street Cheer Zone (~Km 11) (Spectator Zone): A designated spectator cheer zone.

This section is where the race truly begins to test you. After crossing the Schuylkill River into University City, the course shifts from flat city streets to a series of rolling hills as you traverse the vast Fairmount Park. You'll pass the Philadelphia Zoo before tackling several notable climbs between kilometers 12 and 20.

This is the time to shift your focus from maintaining a specific pace to maintaining a consistent effort. When climbing, shorten your stride and increase your cadence to work the uphills efficiently. Use the downhills to recover your rhythm and regroup.

Successfully navigating these rollers by managing your effort—rather than fixating on pace—will set you up for a strong final third of the race.

• Navigating the Rollers: This section contains four of the five significant climbs and four of the five significant descents. Your goal is to float over these hills, not attack them. Shorten your stride and maintain a consistent effort on the uphills to conserve energy, and lengthen your stride on the downhills to let gravity aid your recovery.

• Climb #1: Km 12.3 to Km 12.63, 0.33 km, avg grade 3.9%, total gain 12.83 m
• Climb #2: Km 14.93 to Km 15.42, 0.49 km, avg grade 4.69%, total gain 22.95 m
• Climb #3: Km 19.69 to Km 19.86, 0.16 km, avg grade 4.5%, total gain 7.43 m
• Climb #4: Km 20.69 to Km 20.85, 0.16 km, avg grade 3.67%, total gain 5.98 m

• Descent #1: Km 13.62 to Km 13.95, 0.33 km, avg grade -4.26%, total drop 14.01 m
• Descent #2: Km 14.6 to Km 14.77, 0.17 km, avg grade -4.49%, total drop 7.43 m
• Descent #3: Km 19.2 to Km 19.53, 0.33 km, avg grade -5.71%, total drop 18.59 m
• Descent #4: Km 24.8 to Km 25.29, 0.49 km, avg grade -4.63%, total drop 22.8 m

• 31st & Walnut Streets (Km 11.4)
  • Offerings: Water, NUUN
  • Toilet: Yes
• 34th Street & Fairmount Avenue (Km 13.7)
  • Offerings: Water, NUUN
  • Toilet: Yes
• Avenue of the Republic at Belmont Avenue (Km 16.4)
  • Offerings: Water, NUUN
  • Toilet: Yes
• Lansdowne Drive @ Sweetbriar Lane (Km 19)
  • Offerings: Water, NUUN, XACT Energy fruit bars
  • Toilet: Yes
• Edgely Drive before Power Corps HQ (Km 23.2)
  • Offerings: Water, NUUN
  • Toilet: Yes

• 34th and Girard Avenue (Philadelphia Zoo) Cheer Zone (~Km 13.9) (Spectator Zone): A designated spectator cheer zone near the Philadelphia Zoo.
• The Mann Cheer Zone (~Km 17.1) (Spectator Zone): A designated spectator cheer zone at States Drive & Avenue of the Republic.
• Edgely and Reservoir Drive Cheer Zone (~Km 23.2) (Spectator Zone): A designated spectator cheer zone near the aid station.

This long, flat out-and-back along Kelly Drive is a test of mental endurance. As you head out towards the turnaround in the bustling neighborhood of Manayunk, you'll encounter faster runners already making their return journey. Stay focused on your own race and resist the temptation to compare paces.

The terrain is flat, providing an ideal opportunity to settle back into a steady rhythm after navigating the hills of Fairmount Park.

The turnaround in Manayunk marks a significant psychological milestone in the race. Take a moment to absorb the energy from the enthusiastic crowds lining the streets, and channel that support to power your return journey to the city center.

This section features frequent aid stations, making it an excellent opportunity to maintain your fueling and hydration strategy for the final push ahead.

• Mental Endurance on the Out-and-Back: This long, flat stretch can feel relentless. Break it down mentally from one aid station to the next. Use the vibrant turnaround in Manayunk as a key milestone to reset and refocus for the final push back toward the finish.

• Climb #5: Km 31.86 to Km 32.19, 0.33 km, avg grade 2.49%, total gain 8.12 m

• Descent #5: Km 32.84 to Km 33.17, 0.33 km, avg grade -2.89%, total drop 9.5 m

• Kelly Drive @ John B Kelly Statue (Km 26.1)
  • Offerings: Water, NUUN
  • Toilet: Yes
• Kelly Drive & Ferry Street (Km 28.6)
  • Offerings: Water, NUUN, XACT Energy fruit bars
  • Toilet: Yes
• Main Street & Ridge Avenue (Manayunk) (Km 30.4)
  • Offerings: Water, NUUN
  • Toilet: Yes
• Main & Cotton Streets, Winnie’s LeBus (Outbound) (Km 31.9)
  • Offerings: Water, NUUN
  • Toilet: Yes
• Main & Cotton Streets, Winnie’s LeBus (Return) (Km 32.5)
  • Offerings: Water, NUUN
  • Toilet: Yes

• Kelly Drive & Ferry Road Cheer Zone (~Km 28.6) (Spectator Zone): A designated spectator cheer zone.
• Ridge & Main Street Cheer Zone (~Km 30.4) (Spectator Zone): Spectators welcome runners into Manayunk.

This is the home stretch. With the hills and the long out-and-back behind you, the final kilometers offer a flat, direct path to the finish line. The route continues along Kelly Drive, with the Schuylkill River on your right and the picturesque Boathouse Row coming into view as you draw closer.

The disciplined pacing you've maintained throughout the race will serve you well here, allowing you to preserve strength and form when it matters most.

The course curves around the base of the Philadelphia Museum of Art, passing the famous Rocky Statue before turning onto Eakins Oval for the final straightaway. As you approach the finish, the crowd's energy builds, providing a powerful surge of motivation.

Draw on that energy, trust your training, and finish strong in the shadow of this national landmark.

• Executing a Strong Finish: While the terrain is flat, your body will be feeling the accumulated fatigue of the marathon. Concentrate on maintaining good running form—run tall, keep your cadence steady, and use your arms. The finish line is close; let the energy of the crowd pull you forward.

• None.

• None.

• Main Street & Ridge Avenue (Km 34.3)
  • Offerings: Water, NUUN
  • Toilet: Yes
• Kelly Drive & Ferry Street (Km 35.9)
  • Offerings: Water, NUUN, XACT Energy fruit bars
  • Toilet: Yes
• Kelly Drive @ John B Kelly Statue (Km 38.9)
  • Offerings: Water, NUUN
  • Toilet: Yes

• Boathouse Row (~Km 41.3): A historic and scenic row of 19th-century boathouses lining the Schuylkill River.
• Rocky Statue (~Km 42.3) (Spectator Zone): The iconic bronze statue of the fictional boxer Rocky Balboa, located near the base of the Art Museum steps.