Before I ran the Philadelphia Marathon, I spent quite a while online searching for race-day tips. There were a few nuggets of advice out there, but I still found myself with plenty of questions when race day arrived. So, I thought I’d contribute to the collective knowledge by sharing my own top tips – just in case you’re planning to run it in the future.

If you have any questions, please reach out. And if you’re a runner who has completed Philadelphia before and would like to add your own race-day wisdom, feel free to share it below; I’d be delighted to incorporate additional insights into future versions of this post (with attribution, of course).

I had a brilliant experience running the Philadelphia Marathon. I didn’t quite hit my time goal, but I loved the course, the city, the cheering crowds, and the overall atmosphere. Here are a few of my tips to ensure that you also have a fantastic race-day experience:

Before Race Weekend

Book your hotel early. Rooms close to the start/finish fill up fast. Use the hotel links on the marathon website and request a fridge/microwave if you need them for your breakfast on race day morning.

Make dinner reservations in advance.The city is heaving with runners and their families over the marathon weekend and carb-friendly restaurants book out quickly. It’s easy to find lunch without a reservation, but not dinner.

If you’re traveling to Philly by train, book early.  Booking our tickets three months before the race cost $80, but were $210 the weekend before.

Expo & Logistics

Expect a calmer expo than the marathon majors. It’s well-organised, friendly and relaxed – perfect for grabbing your bib without the overwhelm. There are great events on the main stage, so it’s worth checking the schedule before you go. The usual running companies are also there so if you need a last minute pair of socks, or some gels, you’ll be sure to find them.

Check if timed tickets are required. Some years, the expo uses booking windows to manage crowds, so pick a time that will work well for you. The expo is open late on Friday night, so it might be worth getting bib pick up done early so that you can relax on Saturday.

Familiarise yourself with the start area the day before. Walk to the start line or include it as part of a shakeout run. Knowing entrances, corrals and walking distance really reduces race-morning nerves. The start is really close to the centre of the city, so it’s not too much of a trek to find it.

Race Morning

Consider how to get to the start. There are buses to the start line, but if your hotel is in downtown Philly, it’s probably faster for you to walk, and you’ll get a warm-up done at the same time. It took me 20 minutes to walk from the Club Quarters hotel, and there were lots of other runners heading in the same direction, so it felt very safe.

Arrive early. It was really quick getting through security this year, but then the lines inside for the porta-potties and bag drop were incredibly long! I waited 30 minutes for the bathroom and in the end, gave up.

Bring warm throwaway layers. November in Philadelphia is chilly, and the wait in corrals is long. Fleece tops and joggers are perfect. I also brought a hat, gloves and some ‘Hot Hands’ to put in my pockets, which were game changers.

Carry fluids but be ready for inconsistent security rules. You can definitely bring in empty containers and empty hydration vests, but security wasn’t consistent with full, sealed bottles of liquids, e.g. Gatorade. There is water inside the start area, so have a plan B in case you can’t bring your drink of choice in.

Consider whether you need to check a bag. I had initially been thinking about checking a warm outfit for after the race but I was really glad that I didn’t. I think it took people just as long to get their bag back as it took for me to walk back to the hotel with a heat sheet keeping me warm. Walking back was also great for my legs!

Pacing & Course Strategy

Don’t be tempted to blast through the first 8 miles. These city miles feel quick and exciting as they are flat and the crowds are dense and loud – conserve energy for later. It’s a pretty run, through lovely streets, so enjoy the views and the amazing buildings. Get ready to get screamed at by supporters as you run around Rittenhouse Square!

Run the hills by effort, not pace. The zoo section (roughly miles 8–13) is far hillier than the elevation map would have you believe. Keep it controlled and protect your legs. There are a few steep downhills too, so don’t go too crazy!

Use the out-and-backs for motivation. Encouragement between runners is amazing, especially on the hilly sections. Cheer on the runners on the other side of the road as you pass, as it’ll also give you a boost.

Expect rolling terrain even after the city. The river path and Fairmount Park area aren’t flat-flat –  train for undulating long-run miles. I actually find it refreshing on my legs to have a change in elevation, so hopefully you will too!

Save something for Manayunk. It’s loud, lively and hilly. Let the atmosphere lift you, but don’t empty the tank too soon. Since I slow down on hills and there’s an aid station on the hill as you leave Manayunk, I decided to take advantage of that aid station and take a long drink and a gel before heading back into the city.

The return from Manayunk is your time to shine. Flat, wide and less crowded –  perfect for finding your strongest sustainable pace and to use up any remaining gas left in the tank.

Don’t rely on late mile markers. I’m sure the mile markers were there, but they were very easy to miss, I didn’t see any from mile 17 onwards. They were probably hidden by the crowds, so be prepared to rely on your watch. 

Prepare mentally for an invisible finish line. There’s no overhead arch and no countdown signs and it’s hard to see the finish in the distance. Use your watch to pace yourself so you don’t end up like me and sprinting for much longer than you’d like!

Spectators & Support

Plan spectator spots ahead of time. Miles 1, 6.5, 13 and 26 are all excellent and easy for supporters to reach. I’m sure there are other spots too, but my little cheer team was able to get to all of these and get coffee/snacks in-between.

Give your spectators something to wear that will help them stand out in the crowd. I gave mine fluorescent green gloves so that when they stuck their hands out to wave, I could see them from miles away! They worked perfectly every time! You could also get them to hold signs though, or perhaps wear a big hat.

Expect brilliant crowd support. Bubble machines, music, signs everywhere and people cheering your name (your name is on your bib).  Philadelphia really shows up! Some residents also come out of their homes with huge plates of oranges and bananas, as well as boxes of tissues for the cold weather!

Post-Race

The finish chute is busy but well-run. Volunteers are fantastic and the medal is genuinely special (yes, it has a bell inside!).  There are also lots of snacks and drinks at the end to quickly refuel with.

Don’t meet your loved ones right outside the finish shute. There were so many people waiting for their friends and family directly outside of the finish shute that the runners were finding it extremely hard to get out. Plan to meet your people someone else so that you don’t add to the chaos, and it’ll also be faster for you to connect with them.

Know that walking back to your hotel may be easier than gear check (see note above). The lines at the end of the race looked long and I couldn’t imagine standing in the cold waiting for my bag.

For medal Monday, head to either the City Hall (easy to get to and right down town) or walk out to the Art Museum and the Rocky statue. The latter is the best by far, and you’ll meet other runners there doing the same thing, but it’s about a 1.5 mile walk on tired legs, so your choice will be dependent on how you’re feeling.

Training Advice

Add mid-run hills to your long runs. The course isn’t as flat as the reputation suggests –  hill strength pays off massively. Plan for rolling hills and a few steep climbs in the middle of your long runs.

Practise strong finishes without visual cues. Perfect prep for Philly’s unseen finish line.

I hope these tips help you feel more prepared and confident heading into the Philadelphia Marathon. It’s a well organised, energetic race in a city filled with history, character, and some of the most enthusiastic spectators you’ll ever encounter. Whether you’re chasing a time, soaking up the atmosphere, or simply aiming to enjoy every mile, Philadelphia offers something special. If you do run it, let me know how you get on – I’d love to hear about your experience and cheer you on from afar. Happy training, and best of luck on race day!

Oh, and if you have tips to add to this list, please let me know below.