Dietz & Watson Philadelphia Half Marathon: a rolling loop course in Philadelphia. Pacing by section, fueling, and race-day tips.
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The Dietz & Watson Philadelphia Half Marathon is part of Philadelphia Marathon Weekend in November. It starts on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway, runs through Old City, Center City, University City and Fairmount Park, and finishes in front of the Philadelphia Museum of Art. The first miles are flat and the middle miles have three climbs.
| Fact | Value |
|---|---|
| Location | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA |
| Distance | 21.1 km (half marathon) |
| Usually held | November |
| Course | rolling, loop |
| Official site | https://www.philadelphiamarathon.com/ |
A runner's guide describes fast, flat miles at the start, then three climbs from about mile 7.25 to mile 10.5, then a mostly downhill and flat finish. Bank no time early. Keep energy for the climbs in University City.
| Section | Terrain | Advice |
|---|---|---|
| mile 1–7 | Flat streets through Center City and Old City | Run goal pace or a touch slower and stay relaxed. |
| mile 7–10.5 | Three climbs on Walnut Street, 34th Street and 33rd Street | Run by effort, not pace, and use the downhill by the zoo to recover. |
| mile 10.5–13.1 | Fairmount Park, Reservoir Drive and Kelly Drive, mostly downhill and flat | Build pace on the downhill, then hold steady over the last small rise by Boathouse Row. |
No aid-station positions were found on the pages we checked. Take a gel before the first climb at about mile 7 if you use them.
The first 7 miles and last 2.5 miles are mostly flat or downhill, but a runner's guide describes three significant climbs between about mile 7.25 and mile 10.5. We found no official elevation figures.
It starts at 22nd Street and the Benjamin Franklin Parkway and finishes in front of the Philadelphia Museum of Art.
It is held in November, as part of Philadelphia Marathon Weekend.
Facts checked 2026-10 against the sources below. Race details change from year to year — confirm with the official site before race day.
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