Philadelphia Marathon

Philadelphia Marathon 2026 Course Analysis

Philadelphia Marathon is a full marathon held in Philadelphia, United States of America, scheduled for Sunday 22 November 2026. The course is run on road surface with 134m of total elevation gain, reaching a maximum altitude of 42m above sea level. For registration and full race details, visit the official Philadelphia Marathon website.

Elevation Profile

With 134m of elevation gain, this is a moderately undulating course. The route ranges from 2m to 42m above sea level (40m total range). While not completely flat, the elevation changes are manageable for most runners and shouldn't significantly impact pacing strategy.

Expected Race Day Weather

Based on historical weather data for November, the expected race day conditions are as follows. Cold conditions are expected, with temperatures between 0°C and 9°C. While cold weather reduces overheating risk, runners should dress in layers and be prepared for potential wind chill. There is a low chance of rain (2%), so dry conditions are likely.

Surface Type: Road

Philadelphia Marathon is run on road surfaces, which provide the fastest and most predictable conditions for marathon running. Road courses allow for consistent pacing and are typically the best choice for runners targeting a personal best time.

How Difficult Is Philadelphia Marathon?

Our difficulty rating for Philadelphia Marathon is calculated using a model that combines elevation gain, temperature impact, and surface type. Use the difficulty calculator above to enter your target finish time and see exactly how many minutes this course would add or subtract compared to a perfectly flat, cool, road-based marathon. Faster runners and slower runners are affected differently by the same course conditions, so the difficulty is personalised to your pace.

Looking for an easier marathon or a tougher challenge? You can also compare Philadelphia Marathon against other marathons to find the right race for your goals.