Philadelphia Marathon

I ran the Philadelphia half marathon this past November and I found it to be a slightly difficult and challenging but beautiful course through the city. The spectators were present throughout the course and really helped in terms of motivation and the energy was strong. Overall, a worthwhile race.

Course changes this year added a lot of ups and down to the course after ten miles. Should have been warned when for the first time the race shirt did not have the race course on the back. The course has changed over the years from the fast and flat course of late 1990s to a relatively hilly first half marathon and flat and fast last half the last decade or more. I was running with friends who had never done this race and was telling them what to expect. I spent a lot of time apologizing later. It still has the wonderful mostly gentle downhill over the last 5 so still a fair course and will do it again. Crowd support on the course seemed the best in over a decade and race is very well managed and support was superior. Still a great marathon.

The weather was miserable this year (rain in low 40s) but the course is fast, great course support and spectators despite the weather. However, for reasons I don't understand there were more portapotties OUTSIDE of secured area (you have to pass security to get to the corrals) than inside. The bathroom lines insides secured area were enormous; it was quicker to go outside the secured area and be re-screened provided that you'd already done your gear check. All comments below regarding the portapotties are accurate--this needs serious improvement. Many runners were 'going' on the side of the road early on in the race. Everything else was great and I ended up with a PR.