Philadelphia Marathon
Sunday, November 22, 2026
Elevation Gain
60m
Elevation Range
39m
Avg Temperature
45°F / 7°C
Course Profile
flat
Course Map & Elevation
Course Overview
A mostly flat loop course with 60m of total elevation gain, front-loading gentle hills in Fairmount Park and hiding one brutal late-race surprise: the Manayunk Wall at km 32-33, a steep climb to 60m that comes right at mile 20 on tired legs. This is a fast BQ course that rewards patience and tactical discipline.
Key Segments
Center City to University City
Terrain: Flat to gently rolling from 20m down to 8m through Center City and South Philly, then gradually rising to 42m approaching Fairmount Park
Challenge: The fast flat opening through Center City tempts aggressive early splits before the real terrain begins
Tactic: Run at goal pace but resist any surges. The early crowd energy near Independence Hall and LOVE Park is exciting — enjoy it, don't chase it.
Fairmount Park Hills
Terrain: Rolling hills between 12-42m through Fairmount Park, with moderate climbs near the Zoo and Mann Center
Challenge: Multiple moderate climbs that sap energy if you attack them instead of running even effort
Tactic: Run by effort on the hills. Keep cadence up on climbs. These hills are manageable if you don't fight them.
Manayunk Wall
Terrain: Sharp climb from 38m to 60m (the Wall at km 32-33), followed by a fast descent back to 18m through East Falls
Challenge: The only sustained steep climb on the course, and it arrives at mile 20 when glycogen is depleted
Tactic: Shorten stride, increase cadence, run by effort. Do not try to maintain goal pace up the Wall. Crest it knowing the hardest climb is done.
Kelly Drive to Eakins Oval
Terrain: Pancake-flat along the Schuylkill River at 13-20m. Exposed, long straightaway.
Challenge: Pure mental and fitness test — flat, exposed, with fatigue from the Manayunk Wall still in your legs
Tactic: Reset after the Wall descent. Find rhythm, lock into cadence. Run strong past Boathouse Row — the crowd builds toward the finish.
Race-Specific Training
- •Include 'surprise hill' long runs: 30+ km runs on flat terrain with one steep 1-2km climb inserted around km 25-28 to simulate the Manayunk Wall on tired legs
- •Practice post-climb recovery running — after the hill effort, immediately settle back into goal pace on flat terrain for 5+ km
- •Run at least two long runs with a flat, exposed 10km section to build mental resilience for the Kelly Drive return stretch
Conditions & Environment
Altitude
Near sea level. Start and finish at 20m. Maximum elevation 60m at the Manayunk Wall. No altitude concerns.
Weather
Late November. Typical race-morning temps 2-10°C (36-50°F). Cool, ideal conditions for fast racing. Occasional cold rain or wind.
Sun & Wind
Kelly Drive along the Schuylkill River is exposed to wind. Limited shade on the return stretch. Low November sun angle can be in your eyes.
What to Wear
Dress in throwaway layers for the start. Arm sleeves and gloves are common. Expect to shed layers by km 5-8.
Pacing Strategy
| Segment | Pace | Note |
|---|---|---|
| km 0-13 | Goal pace | Flat terrain through Center City. Settle in, don't surge. Save energy for Fairmount Park. |
| km 13-20 | Goal pace, effort-based on hills | Fairmount Park rolling hills. Accept slightly slower pace on climbs, recover on descents. |
| km 30-34 | 10-20 sec/km slower on the Wall, then recover | The Manayunk Wall is effort-based only. Do not chase pace uphill. Descend controlled into East Falls. |
| km 34-42.195 | Goal pace or faster | Flat Kelly Drive return. The payoff for patience. Run strong past Boathouse Row to Eakins Oval. |
Race Day Tip
The Manayunk Wall is shorter and less steep than it feels at mile 20. Experienced Philly runners say the real race starts after you crest the Wall — if you have saved energy for the Kelly Drive return, you will pass dozens of runners who went out too fast.
Race details subject to change. Verify with the official race website.
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