Will be in Philly this weekend, need to do a long run. Any one familiar with the area? Will be staying downtown.
did you guys get 100 in saturday?
the wissahickon is totally recommended. the valley itself (forbidden drive) is about 5 miles in each direction of nothing but pure nature-y goodness on hardpack, wide, mostly flat trail. tack on a circuit on the drives (Kelly & West River/Martin Luther King) to get up close to 20 miles, and enjoy a totally philadelphia endurance athlete experience. the valley will be shaded and cool, the drives will be sunny and hot. but watch out! phila triathlon is on the drives this weekend … if you can see me, i’m not going fast enough.
Yes, essentially. I had 96 on my computer when I got back home. I called it a day then. Good solid ride.
The easiest option would be to head over to the Art Museum, where you can pick up a rec path along the river that follows an 8.4-mile loop along Kelly Dr, across Falls Bridge, back down West River Dr. Dead flat, bathrooms at Lloyd Hall near the museum, water fountains along the way, mileage marked. The jog over to the path plus 2 loops equals a nice long run.
HOWEVER–be aware that the Philly Tri is going on this weekend (sprint Sat, Oly Sun). If you don’t mind the congestion and want to watch the race, run early. If you want a clear path, run after the race is over. If you want to volunteer to help out on the run course, let me know. 
How long is “long???”
I used to live there and ran this route every day.
If you’re staying on or near the Parkway, you could run the Fairmount Park Loop.
Of course you could run the Distance Run or Philly Marathon routes.
Philly Tri is this weekend if you are coming into town (sprint Saturday, Oly Sunday). Just as an FYI and also there are some maps of the course which may interest you for your visit/long run course planning www.phillytri.com It should be a great weekend here so enjoy your visit.
Thanks all, I will be spectating the Philly tri, so I’ll be running on Sat well before it. Dawhead, the trails sound great. Tell me what you are wearing on Sunday and I’ll watch out for you.
2 -2 1/2 hours. Depending on how much beer I have to drink Friday night.
uniqueness would dictate my DeSoto Triple-T tank; team duties would dictate my T3 cycling jersey. so basically, i have no idea. enjoy your stay in philadelphia. the wissahickon really is a marvel by any standards.
I was in Philly for a month for work and ran along the Schuylkill river all the time. If you are staing in the City Center you can run down Ben Franklin Parkway to the Art Museum do the steps and then head down to the path. It is a nice run in the morning because there are always a lot of people out.
Sadly, yes, you HAVE TO do The Rocky Steps.
A little known fact is that the steps around back are longer and steeper.
The north/west most end of the Fairmount Park loop is Falls Bridge. One side is Kelly Drive, the other is Martin Luther King (formerly West River Drive). When you get to the bridge, make sure you stay on the East side and then continue along the side walk. After about 3/4 of a mile, you will get to a bus stop on your left. Cross the road and you will continue up Forbidden drive. Turn around and come back.
Here’s the loop from the Art Museum.
And here’s where you can tack on to Forbidden Drive to get in a long run.
…and yes, you have to do the Rocky Steps (complete with pumping you fists in the air)…and yes, I spelled bus with 2 s’s.
Good luck to BarryP and Dawhead at the PhillyTri–Dawhead, just pretend like i’m chasing you
And OP, do the rocky steps, and remember that to locals Pat’s and Geno’s are highly overrated. Go to Jim’s on South Street.
thanks Barry. you racing this weekend?
got it, Jim’s on South Street. Thanks.
I’ll pretend you are chasing me…until the run. Then I do the chasing (hopeing for a top 10 run!) = )
"And OP, do the rocky steps, and remember that to locals Pat’s and Geno’s are highly overrated. Go to Jim’s on South Street. "
AGREED!
Yes. I’ll be in the third wave, tall, skinny, pale, bald, probably shirtless, and look like this (I’m the one getting blasted):
I’m surprised no one said the Fishtown/Delaware Ave/Italian Market/City Hall/Art Museum route.
For God’s sake, man - DON’T do the Art Museum steps. Nothing screams “Tourist!” quite like that.