North America / United States / Philadelphia
TIAA Philadelphia Marathon 2026
At the starting line
A race worth the journey.
The Philadelphia Marathon starts near the Philadelphia Museum of Art and Benjamin Franklin Parkway, runs through city neighborhoods and follows the Schuylkill River toward Manayunk before returning to the finish.
Know the course
Race route
Explore the course and the climbs before you get to the starting line.
Marathon
Official course mapThe organizer’s course map is ready.
Open the official map to see the route, start and finish.
Elevation data not available
Organizer course source · Checked
Event history
First held in 1994
The present Philadelphia Marathon began in 1994. The organizer distinguishes the modern event from Philadelphia’s older history of marathon racing.
Previous winners
The last ten completed editions where results can be verified. Overall men's and women's winners for this distance.
| Edition | Men | Time | Women | Time | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Melikhaya Frans | 2:13:57 | Anna Oeser | 2:34:55 | Results ↗ |
| 2024 | William Loevner | 2:16:13 | Katie Florio | 2:32:44 | Results ↗ |
| 2023 | Benard Kiptoo Koech | 2:14:26 | Mercy Jerop Kwambai | 2:30:52 | Results ↗ |
| 2022 | Pius Dominic Ondoro | 2:14:20 | Amber Zimmerman | 2:31:35 | Results ↗ |
| 2021 | Mike Chesire | 2:13:28 | Leslie Sexton | 2:28:34 | Results ↗ |
| 2019 | Deriba Degefa | 2:16:31 | Feyne Gudeto Gemeda | 2:32:49 | Results ↗ |
| 2018 | Tadesse Dabi | 2:14:47 | Serkalem Biset Abrha | 2:32:53 | Results ↗ |
| 2017 | Boniface Kongin | 2:16:24 | Sarah Kiptoo | 2:38:13 | Results ↗ |
| 2016 | Kimutai Cheruiyot | 2:15:53 | Taylor Ward | 2:36:25 | Results ↗ |
| 2015 | Teklu Deneke | 2:17:44 | Gisela Olalde Granados | 2:40:05 | Results ↗ |
Ten completed editions through 2025; cancelled 2020 excluded. Current World Athletics official marks used in 2024, 2022 and 2018; 2025 uses the organizer-linked timing leaderboard’s displayed seconds. The Inquirer’s contemporary reports provide 2023 and 2017, differing by one second from some later secondary tables. The 2016 City of Philadelphia press release identifies the winner as Kimutai Cheruiyot; some secondary tables call him Jonathan Cheruiyot.
Runner perspectives
Selected summaries of public runner reviews. These describe the editions and distances noted, and experiences may change.
The 2017 women’s winner liked the course but found the wind challenging, especially when trying to hold her pace. Her interview emphasizes maintaining focus despite conditions.
Sarah Kiptoo · Read review ↗2017Marathon; post-race firsthand interview
Richie’s 2017 post-race interview describes a more aggressive start than his previous race, followed by a difficult final stretch in the Kelly Drive wind.
Patrick Richie · Read review ↗2017Marathon; post-race firsthand interview
Typical race weather
November in Philadelphia
- Average daytime high
- 12.7°C
- Average overnight low
- 2.3°C
- Average monthly precipitation
- 90 mm
November averages suggest cool days and cold nights, with overnight lows only a few degrees above freezing. Waiting clothes may need to be warmer than the clothes you choose for running. Average daily highs are 12.7°C and overnight lows 2.3°C. Average precipitation totals about 90 mm over the whole month. Rain preparation is sensible, but the total does not give the chance or timing of rain during the race. The National Weather Service’s Philadelphia station table records a small November snowfall average for 1971–2015, so occasional snow is possible; it does not predict race-day snow. These are historical regional averages, not a forecast or race-hour temperatures; the coast, hills and start line may differ.
Climate source ↗ · NASA POWER / MERRA-2 grid near Philadelphia (39.95°, -75.17°); not a weather station · November 2001–2020 (20 years) · Additional weather context ↗
Historical averages describe typical conditions, not the forecast or the temperature at the starting line.
What to wear
- Racing: consider a technical T-shirt with shorts or light tights; removable sleeves or a thin long-sleeve layer may suit a cooler forecast.
- Waiting at the start: bring a removable warm layer and, if rain is forecast, a rain shell or poncho. If the start-time forecast is cold, consider light gloves and a hat or headband that you can remove.
- After finishing: keep a dry top and an extra layer in your finish bag.
- These are editorial clothing suggestions. Check the forecast close to race day and adapt to your own comfort.
Check the forecast close to race day and adjust your clothing to the start time and your own comfort.
Guide sources checked on .
Checked on 4 Oct 2026 · Event source
Map pins locate the host city, not the start line or race course.