Philadelphia Marathon

The Philadelphia Marathon (aka the Philadelphia Independence Marathon), founded in 1954, is an annual marathon sporting event hosted by the city of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on the third Sunday of November each year. The course is a certified 26.2 miles, and is sanctioned by the USA Track & Field.

Course

The course begins and ends at the Philadelphia Museum of Art on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway. Throughout the race, runners will travel through the heart of the city, including around City Hall. The course also features a trip along the Schuykill River and a visit to Manayunk.

Digital splits are provided at each mile marker and the finish line. Water stations are supplied at the race start and miles: 2.5, 5, 7.5, 10, 12.2, 14, 15.5, 18, 19.5, 20.5, 22, 24, and the race finish. Replacement Fluid (Gatorade) will start at the Mile 5 water stop and continue to the Finish Line.

Runner info

Baggage can be checked at the Eakins Oval, beginning at 5:30 AM, and ending at 2:00 PM. Lost and found is also located there.

The event's November date can result in weather that is chillier than that which many runners from warmer climates are accustomed, and extra insulation is recommended.

Photos are taken of all participants by [http://www.islandphoto.com/ Island Photography] and can be purchased simply by entering one's bib number on the Philadelphia marathon [http://www.philadelphiamarathon.com website] .

The event also serves as a qualifying race for entry into the Boston Marathon for participants whose times meet age group bracketed standards. The race also features a state of the art timing system, using a small chip that attached to a shoe of each runner that provides a 'chip time' for when the person has crossed the start and finish lines, as well as giving a traditional 'gun time'.

Awards

Several cash prizes are awarded.
*1st - $3500 one male & one female
*2nd - $2000 one male & one female
*3rd - $1000 one male & one female
*4th - $750 one male & one female
*5th - $500 one male & one female
*1st - Masters - $1000 one male & one female
*1st Philadelphian - $500 one male & one female (must be a resident of Philadelphia County, determined by ZIP code)

All runners receive
* A Philadelphia Marathon T-shirt
* A Finisher Medal
* Post-race refreshments
* A result postcard with individual information
* A Finisher Certificate

8K

The Rothman Institute sponsors an 8-km (about 5 miles) companion race to the Philadelphia Marathon. This race follows a shorter loop of the marathon and is a very enjoyable course. All runners receive a T-shirt, a goodie bag, refreshements, and a postcard with his/her results.

Winners

Notes: 1954 was the inaugural year. Event was known as the Shanahan Catholic Club Marathon for 1954-1965(a), the William Ruthrauff Marathon for 1965(b)-1969, the Philadelphia Marathon for 1970-80, the Greater Philadelphia Independence Marathon in 1981-82, and the Fairmount Park Marathon for 1988-89. The course length for 1954-59 was about 26 miles, and the 1965 course is also considered to have been short.

ee also

External links

* [http://www.philadelphiamarathon.com/ PhiladelphiaMarathon.com] - 'History is Alive and Running: Philadelphia Marathon' (official website)
* [http://arrs.net/HP_PhiMa.htm ARRS.net] - 'Philadelphia Independence Marathon, Philadelphia PA/USA: Race Winners' (through 47 editions)
* [http://results.active.com/pages/page.jsp?eventLinkageID=2467&year=2007 Results of past six years]
* [http://www.athlinks.com/results/6773/8828/Philadelphia-Marathon-Run-26-2Mi.aspx 2005 results]
* [http://www.athlinks.com/results/13230/18601/Philadelphia-Marathon-2004-Marathon.aspx 2004 results]
* [http://www.athlinks.com/results/10665/14636/Philadelphia-Marathon-2003-Marathon.aspx 2003 results]
* [http://www.athlinks.com/results/15826/22507/Philadelphia-marathon-Run-26-2Mi.aspx 2002 results]
* [http://www.athlinks.com/results/8683/11692/Philadelphia-marathon-Run-26-2Mi.aspx 2001 results]
* [http://www.athlinks.com/results/15842/22524/Philadelphia-marathon-Run-26-2Mi.aspx 2000 results]
* [http://www.athlinks.com/results/15164/21494/Philadelphia-Marathon-RUN-MARATHON.aspx 1998 results]