Philadelphia Marathon road closures and best cheering spots
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This weekend's Philadelphia Marathon will draw more than 30,000 runners to the city.
Why it matters: The races bring three days of festivities, plus widespread road closures and parking restrictions.
Driving the news: Philly's full marathon on Sunday, among the largest in the U.S., kicks off at 6:55am by 22nd Street and Benjamin Franklin Parkway near the art museum.
- The free Health and Fitness Expo is Friday and Saturday.
- The half marathon and 8K will step off on Saturday.
- The children's run is Sunday at 10am.
Plus: The Children's Zone will be open Saturday-Sunday at Von Colln Memorial Field.
- Count on family-friendly activities, like a rock-climbing wall, face painting and obstacle course.
👀 Where to watch: Spectators can line the race routes or gather at cheer zones.
- 📸 Iconic picture: Chestnut and Broad streets for the full marathon (and Walnut Street for the half) is a prime spot to catch runners dashing in front of City Hall.
- 🥳 Party time: Manayunk's Main Street is always a bumping place to cheer on runners and party throughout the day.
☝️ Pro tip: Spectators can't enter the secured area around the starting line until after 8am on Saturday and Sunday.
🚨 Between the lines: Enhanced security measures will be in place.
- Metal detectors, which are new this year, will scan everyone entering the secured area around the start and finish lines near the Oval.
- The list of prohibited items includes firearms, suitcases and containers holding more than a liter of liquid and drones.
🚧 Road closures: Crews will close roadways along the race routes.
- On Friday, the inner lanes of the Benjamin Franklin Parkway in both directions will close from 9:30am-2:45pm. The outbound lanes and a stretch of inbound inner-drive lanes will reopen for afternoon rush hours, then close again.
- The I-676 westbound off-ramp at 22nd Street and the I-76 eastbound off-ramp at Spring Garden close at 3am on Saturday and Sunday.
🚌 Detours on certain SEPTA bus routes are scheduled to begin at 6am on Saturday and Sunday.
🟢 Streets are expected to reopen by 2:30pm on Sunday, except for Eakins Oval and parts of the parkway (5pm).
🅿️ Be smart: "No parking" regulations will be strictly enforced.
- All vehicles along the race routes will be relocated starting at 2am on Saturday.