I’ve done several Half IMs, but running is not my bag. Just want a respectable finish so I can plant the Full IM seed in my head! The thread about the last long run before the NYC marathon got me thinking about when to do my last long run…
has anyone done it before, what was the weather like? What did you wear–I tend to dress warm.
SZ
Did Philly in '03, it’s a great 1st time marathon. Course is great it runs you through downtown and then an out and back to Manayunk along Kelly Drive. It’s great for spectating as you start and finish at the Art Museum and also pass by there at Mile 12.5. Spectators can hoof over to Chestnut St after the start and pick you up at Mile 6 or 7 as well. It is a fast course and has only a few minor hills.
Weather has been perfect last several years usually 40s at the start and warming up to 50s. You can do it in a singlet and gloves if you want or long sleeve shirt if you dress warm.
I’m in no shape to race it this year but I might use it as a 20-22 mile trng run for an early Spring marathon. Not sure what pace you’re looking for but I’ll probably be doing a steady 7:30 - 7:45 pace, unless I get too caught up in it and decide to go all the way 
Keith
Have to agree with strider124…very good 1st time marathon and in my opinion a good marathon period. The weather is fairly cool but last year it was warm enough for shorts and t-shirt…no gloves or long sleeves necessary. Definitely not the crowd of spectators you get at some of the other big city mary’s but you’re also not dodging other competitors like in bigger races.
Hey Steve,
I’m doing Philly as my first this year so can’t offer much advice. My sister has run it and I went towatch her one year (2000 I think) and it was BRUTALLY cold and windy. I’m hoping for the weather they’ve got the last couple. Oh, and I’m aiming for 3:45–'bout an 8:30 pace.
I’m with you, JohnnyKay. Philly will be my 1st ever marathon, and I too am shooting for 3:45. Good luck.
I’m doing Philly, this will be my 6th start (with one DNF in '96). Hoping to run 3:15 and get a Boston spot but it’ll be tough for me to do.
Strider124, do you run with the Valley Forge Striders?
Nope, just a co-ink-ee-dink
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8K baby
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Hopefully I will be seeing a lot of you along the way then.
i’ll be there, i am just hoping to finish i am having such foot issues, i just want to cross the line…
Philly is a great 1st time marathon, relatively flat and scenic, one hill around mile 10 on sweat briar (small hill). The crowds are big in the city and Manayunk, and it has a pretty good Expo.
Good Luck
Trust
Good luck with that. It would be a great accomplishment.
Thanks, it will be quite an accomplishment if I can do it! I know several guys who have no desire to do Boston and they’re all sub-3:00 guys who can easily qualify. I wish.
I also did Philly in '03 as my first, very nice course. A word of caution - fanatical abortion protest usually around the 14 mile marker, just past the Art Museum. Huge graphic images of aborted fetuses. A$$holes.
Count me in for Philly…
Coming down from NYC and having a heck of a time getting a hotel room, any suggestions…
I would love to go sub 4.
B.
did you try south jersey? just over the bridge from center city, probably cheaper. if you have questions about location, ask me
you’ll probably have a better chance taking a shot at a hotel in NJ. it’s just across the river and will take just 15 minutes by “Speedline” to get you to 16th & Locust. other than that, all the hotels in downtown philly are already booked for that day.
like someone suggested, let me know if you need a ride or help in getting there come race day. heck, we can even bike over the B.Franklin bridge and bike to the toe line.
. heck, we can even bike over the B.Franklin bridge and bike to the toe line.
probably doesn’t change your plans, but this showed up in my inbox:
Walkway on Ben Franklin Bridge to Return to Regular Hours Effective Monday, October 17
Effective Monday, October 17, 2005, the walkway on the Benjamin Franklin Bridge will return to its regular hours of 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. The walkway had been open for extended summer hours (6 a.m. to 7 p.m.). At this time, the north walkway is open, and the south walkway is closed due to bridge painting activity taking place on the south side of the bridge.
The Delaware River Port Authority is a regional transportation and development agency. DRPA owns and operates the Benjamin Franklin, Walt Whitman, Commodore Barry and Betsy Ross bridges, and the PATCO High Speed Line, the AmeriPort Intermodal Rail Center, the Philadelphia Cruise Terminal at Pier 1 and the RiverLink Ferry.
Philadelphia Bicycle News Blog
yes, the walkway was opened again last week and now they’re painting the other side. but it does give me the creeps biking over that bridge in almost total darkness. but its the only time i can do it as i have to be at work by 8:00am. but it’s a cool quick hill workout if you can call it that.