Philadelphia, US · November 2026
Philadelphia Marathon
Philadelphia Marathon pacing strategy with per-km splits from your VDOT, adjusted for the typical 4–13 °C climate baseline in Philadelphia.
- Distance
- 42.20 km
- Elevation gain
- 229 m
- Typical temp
- 4–13 °C
- Cutoff
- 7:00:00
The short version
A genuinely hard course
- ▸Most runners crack near km 32 — fuel before km 30, not at it.
- ▸Low sun in your eyes around km 1–4 — bring a cap or shades.
Next edition
22 November 2026
Typical race-day conditions
4–13 °C
We lock the real forecast into your plan in race week.
Course difficulty
HardDriven by 229 m of climbing. Harder than Movistar Madrid Maratón (5.6), easier than TCS Sydney Marathon (5.6) — tougher than 56% of the races we cover.
Race data quality
Medium confidence
Last verified: source review pending
Course distance, climate, and broad course features are suitable for pacing previews. Elevation profiles and aid-station details are approximate and should be checked against the official race packet before race day.
Elevation profile
Verified profile
Paid strategy guardrail
Official race packet remains source of truth
- Published race organizer materials
- Public course maps and elevation references
- Historical climate normals for the race month
Step 1 · Free preview
See the course-adjusted plan first
Enter one recent result. The preview returns course cost, first splits, and fuel target from the deterministic engine and the current course data model.
VDOT
49.1
Estimate
3:14:47
Course cost
+1:03
Fuel target
90 g/h
First 5 km preview
full race locked
- km 14:41
- km 25:01
- km 34:35
- km 44:34
- km 54:44
First race free · then €7 Race Pass · no monthly subscription
Uses an approximate course model; verify final logistics against the official race packet.
Step 2 · Your full Philadelphia Marathon plan
The preview shows the shape. The plan races it for you.
Course preview
Free
what you see now
- ✓Difficulty score & course data
- ✓Course-cost & toughest km
- ✓Your first full plan free, ever
Race Pass
€7
one-time, this race
- ✓Every km split, weather-adjusted
- ✓Nutrition & fluid timeline
- ✓Heat, wind & sun race tactics
- ✓Danger zones + watch file (GPX)
- ✓Race-week forecast & reminders
Annual
€19
per year, every race
- ✓Everything in Race Pass
- ✓Unlimited races, all year
- ✓Re-plan as your fitness changes
No subscription required — one race is a one-off €7. Cancel anytime on Annual.
Continue with approximate course data →Course elevation
229 m total gain · 215 m loss · max 70 m, min -8 m.
Fly the course
Sun & shade
Sun in your eyes
14 km
Sun on your back
13 km
Side / overhead
15 km
Expect low sun roughly in your eyes around km 1–4 — pack a peaked cap or shades; low glare hides kerbs and potholes.
Approximate — solar position from the route geometry and a 07:00:00 start (timezone estimated from longitude), for a mid-pack finishing time.
Aid stations
8 stations on course — plan your fueling around them.
Race overview
Philadelphia is a large late-season US marathon with a rolling profile and strong crowd support. The course is honest enough that holding effort on the hills matters more than fixed split perfection.
How hard is this course?
Reference table — how the Philadelphia Marathon compares to a flat sea-level course for four typical fitness levels. Computed from the route profile, mean course altitude, and typical race-week climate (9 °C / 65 % humidity). Your personal strategy uses your VDOT, per-km splits, nutrition timing, and the typical climate baseline for this static sample; paid strategies use Open-Meteo when a verified race date is inside the forecast window.
| Runner | Flat-course finish | Philadelphia Marathon finish | Course cost | Adjusted pace |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Beginner (VDOT 35) | 4:16:08 | 4:17:31 | +0.5% | 6:04/km |
| Intermediate (VDOT 45) | 3:28:17 | 3:29:25 | +0.5% | 4:56/km |
| Trained (VDOT 50) | 3:10:41 | 3:11:43 | +0.5% | 4:31/km |
| Competitive (VDOT 60) | 2:43:24 | 2:44:17 | +0.5% | 3:52/km |
Reference nutrition
For a 70 kg runner finishing in 3:11:43 at 9 °C. Adjust to your weight and tolerance — these are ISSN-window targets, not prescriptions.
- Carbs / hour
- 90 g
- Total carbs
- 288 g
- Fluid / hour
- 640 ml
- Sodium / hour
- 500 mg
FAQ
How hilly is the Philadelphia Marathon?
160 m of cumulative elevation gain across 42.2 km. Rolling profile — budget effort across the climbs.
What is the typical weather on race day?
4–13 °C with 65 % relative humidity. Heat acclimatization makes a measurable difference when the race-week forecast trends warm.
Get your personalized strategy
The numbers above are samples. Sign up free and get the full Philadelphia Marathon strategy from your VDOT, the current course model, Open-Meteo race-week forecast when available, and your nutrition preferences.
First race free · €7 per additional race · €19/yr for unlimited
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New to the marathon? Start with our marathon pacing strategy guide or run the VDOT calculator.