Between the Dietz & Watson Philadelphia Half Marathon, which starts at 6:55 a.m. for wheelchairs and 7 a.m. for runners and walkers on Saturday, Nov. 21; the Rothman Orthopaedics 8K, which starts at 10:55 a.m. for wheelchair participants and 11 a.m. for runners and walkers on Saturday; and the TIAA Philadelphia Marathon, which starts at 6:55 a.m. for wheelchairs and 7 a.m. for runners and walkers on Sunday, Nov. 22, there are many ways to enjoy all the chaos.
Billy Penn’s Violet Comber-Wilen has been a runner and spectator for the marathon, and will be running the half marathon this year. She is sharing some of the best spots along the route to both stand to cheer or be cheered on. Note: The cheer zones differ slightly each year – use these as an estimate, not a definitive guide.
For spectators
Weaving in and out of the race courses – which go through Center City, Fairmount Park and Manayunk – can be a pain. But there are several good spots along the course to either harness crowd energy, or be one of only a few in the crowd.
Mile 0 & Miles 12.5-13:Philadelphia Museum of Art: If you want to catch your runner twice and not spend too much time moving around, you can hang out around the Philly Museum of Art. You won’t be able to get up close and personal with your runner at the start, but the last stretch of the race (the race website has designated North and South viewing areas along Kelly Drive) is a great spot to watch your runner finish the race.
Miles 5-6: Historic District, 219 S. 6th St. toward Walnut and Broad streets: This is one of the first easily accessible spots you can find your runner during the race. Although it is further East, it is a great spot to catch your runner before the chaos in Center City.
Miles 6-7:Walnut and Broad streets heading to University City: Easily accessible on the Broad Street Line, this stretch of the race is the most popular. It is harder to get in and find a spot because of crowds, but if you want to hone in on the collaborative crowd energy, this is a great spot to stand. Enjoy run clubs throwing confetti, some unhinged signs and,of course, coffee shops to caffeinate the rest of your spectating.
Mile 9:Girard Avenue by the Philadelphia Zoo: This is where your runner may be starting to hurt – and it is also the last stop before runners start to enter the Fairmount Park area. If you’re already around West Philly or would prefer a space that is a little less crowded (or a little more supportive to your runner) – this is a good spot to park yourself.
For those looking for more locations to see your runner, there are several other spots to look. Miles 10 and 11 loop through Fairmount Park – and can be great if you’re looking to give your runner support during what is arguably the toughest time of the race. But it is a bit out of the way, so plan transit accordingly. Miles 1 and 2 also have great energy as runners go from the Philadelphia Museum of Art toward Christopher Columbus Boulevard – but with big crowds of both runners and spectators, you may find it hard to locate or cheer on your runner.
Mile ~1:16th and Arch streets toward Race Street: Catching your runner at the beginning of the race is a great way to give them the support they need for the remaining 25.2 miles. It’s relatively easy to find a spot here, and this area is close to other nearby cafes and spectator spots.
Miles 5-7:219 S. 6th St. to University City: Much like the half marathon, these early cheering zones will be packed, but if you’re looking to join in on the energy, these are the spots for you. This is a way to catch your runner in the first fourth of their race and enjoy the collaborative energy of different run clubs and cheer zones throughout the city.
Miles 9 and 12:Philadelphia Zoo/West Philly: This part of West Philly near Fairmount Park is a great spot if you’re planning to drive/park, and will allow you to find your runner twice. Further off of the Center City part of the course, this area is great to be a bit more far removed from the huge crowds, and is more easily accessible by car.
Miles 13.5 and 15.3:Fountain Green Drive and Reservoir Drive in Fairmount Park: This is a great way to catch your runner twice as they loop through Fairmount Park. This part of the course has infamous hills – which can test your runner (or at least, it tested me!) If you want to find a good place to park yourself and catch your runner halfway – this is a great spot.
Miles 14.7 and 24.6:Kelly and Fountain Green drives: Another great place if you’re trying to catch your runner twice, this spot allows you to reunite with your runner once they’re done with the Fairmount Park hills and again as they closely approach the finish line. This spot can fill up, but is less crowded than other popular Center City spots. It’s the perfect balance between positive cheering vibes without feeling like you’re shouldering your way into finding a good spot.
Miles 18.3 and 21.9:Ridge Avenue and Kelly Drive: Another much less crowded area, this allows you to go a bit further out to see your runner without having to go all the way into Manayunk. This spot is another “wall-hitter” – where your runner may need your support.
Mile 20(ish):4266 Main St. in Manayunk: After passing through Center City and Fairmount Park, the race weaves through Kelly Drive until runners turn back toward the finish in Manayunk. Mile 20 is where many runners hit the wall – so your runner may appreciate your presence here. The spot is pretty packed already, but there are normally plenty of spaces to put yourself here. You can catch runners on the out and back, too, which is great for a double sighting.
Miles 25+:North and South viewing areas by the Art Museum:The official race website FAQ calls these two viewing spots the best to watch runners near the finish line. You can enter the north viewing area from the north side of Kelly Drive at 25th Street, or the south viewing area by entering any other spectator entry points and walking through the Eakins Oval.
There are other popularcheering spots throughout the race depending on your willingness to move around, and what miles you want to catch your runner at. One note: Race officials have told us that the marathon this year will be a bit stricter on how runners can move in and out of cheer zones. Make a plan, but make sure it is flexible.
For runners
If you’re participating in the races, crowd support can be an important part of the strategy. Here is where you can expect major support, and here’s where you may need to dig a bit deeper without the crowds.
Miles 0-2.5:Art Museum toward Christopher Columbus Boulevard: There is plenty of crowd support here! The beginning of this race is electric. You will start running down the Benjamin Franklin Parkway, away from the Art Museum. Make sure you conserve your energy and don’t start too fast (if that’s your strategy).
Mile 2.5-5:Race Street toward Christopher Columbus, Christopher Columbus toward Historic District: This is where it can get a little quiet. As you go onto Christopher Columbus Boulevard, spectating is limited. But hang tight, once you are around mile 4, the crowds start to pick up, especially as you enter the Historic District at mile 5.
Miles 5-8:Historic District, Center City and University City: This is one of the most crowd-supported parts of the race. One of the most crowded spots is between miles 6-7, as you head down Walnut Street through Market East, Rittenhouse Square, and into University City. Use this flat part of the race through cheer zones to remain strong (but again, prepare for upcoming hills!).
Miles 8-9:West Philly: This part of the race still has lots of crowd support – oftentimes from students on Greek Row from surrounding universities. But these are also the first substantial hills of the race. Plan accordingly, and soak in the spectators ahead of Fairmount Park
Miles 9-12:Fairmount Park: After you pass the Philly Zoo and over the Girard Avenue Bridge Overpass, it’s time to lock in. There are pockets of crowds in Fairmount Park, but it is one of the less-spectated parts of the course. Stay strong on the hills and appreciate any crowds you do see during this time – but be prepared.
Miles 12-13.1:Kelly Drive down to Art Museum: With one mile left in the race, you can rely on crowd support to carry you through. You’ll see lots of spectators on Kelly Drive that’ll push you through the finish. Appreciate all the hard work you put in and get ready for an epic celebration!
Miles 1-9: Refer to the above half marathon guide, as the courses are the same.
Miles 9-10:Philly Zoo into Fairmount Park: This is where you will experience some more significant hills. There are still pockets of crowds in this area – especially over by the zoo area. As you enter further into Fairmount Park, crowds will lessen. Make sure to conserve your energy at this point, as you are still early in the race.
Miles 10-12:Fairmount Park toward Girard Avenue Bridge Overpass: This will be one of the quieter parts of the race. Although groups of people still tend to cheer here, there are much fewer crowds than the Center City parts of the race. It will still be a bit hilly over here.
Miles 12-13:Crossing Girard Avenue Bridge Overpass into Fairmount Park: From here, you’ll go from West Philly back across the Schuylkill River. You’ll head back into Fairmount Park, where there will be some more rolling hills. Crowd support here varies – normally with some pockets in and around the bridge.
Miles 13-16:Fairmount Park Loop: Not only will you see some spectators on this part, but you may also see other runners ahead of you. This loop brings you into the park and back out on a loop, meaning you will pass runners exiting the park as you enter. It is fun to get support from other runners and the crowds that make it out here.
Miles 16-18:Kelly Drive toward Manayunk: There will be a good amount of crowd support at mile 16 as you exit Fairmount Park, but from there, it is a bit more difficult for spectators to get out to this area. Prepare for less crowd support for these two miles as you head toward Manayunk.
Miles 18-22:East Falls into Manayunk and back down Kelly Drive: Crowds will slowly increase as you push toward Manayunk – one of the famed spectator spots of the race. Although East Falls and Manayunk are a bit further to get to, many residents of these neighborhoods show up and show out! There are rolling hills here, so it is a good time to check in as you approach the end of the race. Let the crowds of 19-21 carry you through – especially the major Manayunk energy at the turnaround on mile 20. From there, it’s back to Center City, and past the crowds and runners still heading into Manayunk as you go back onto Kelly Drive.
Miles 22-24:Kelly Drive toward the Art Museum: This part of the race can also lack major crowd support. It is a bit hard for spectators to get out here, unless they are biking down the Schuylkill River Trail or able to move around quickly. Dig deep and use the pockets of crowds (because there will still be people) to get you excited for the very end.
Miles 24-26.2:Last pushes toward the Art Museum and finish!: From here, it’s smooth sailing. Crowds begin to pop up and get bigger as you approach the finish line at the Art Museum. Combat the sneaky hill that shows up during the last mile heading back up to the Art Museum, but otherwise, let go and enjoy the hard work you’ve put in!
So, how do I get to these places?
Now that you know the spots to cheer, here are some notes about logistics.
If you’re staying in the Center City area, you can get around on foot between central parts of the course.
If you’re feeling adventurous, you can go between parts of the course on Kelly Drive where there are Indego bikes. With stations through Farimount Park and along the Schuylkill River trail, these can be a good way to get around quicker than on foot, but without dealing with the headache of parking or transit delays.
If you’re looking to use transit, you can look at trains and buses.
Train-wise, you can take the Market-Frankford Line (the L) to 15th Street/City Hall or 30th Street/Drexel Station to get to popular cheer spots around Center City and University City. You can also use the Broad Street Line (B), to come into the city from North and South Philly. You can also use the Regional Rail lines to connect from Jefferson and Suburban Station from Center City to Manayunk if you choose to go up there.
If you’re driving, parking will be limited – especially with road closures. For a full list of road closures, click here.
And, if you’re planning to watch your friends or family, you may be subject to security rules around bags and things you’re carrying – to be safe, avoid bringing large backpacks and handbags and if you do want to bring a bag, make sure it’s clear.
Bicycles and scooters are also prohibited for spectators. There are certain areas outside the course where you can hop on an Indego bike to follow the course, but plan accordingly so you are riding outside the course.
There are also certain parts of the course you will not be able to access. You can find a list of entrances that will be protected by security here.
