PHILADELPHIA DISTANCE RUN

2025 Philadelphia Distance Run Athlete Guide

PDR Expo presented by Brooks Running

Race Week begins with the PDR Expo presented by Brooks Running.  The PDR will host a pre-race Expo where athletes can pick up their bibs, race shirts and hang out with fellow athletes.

The Philadelphia Distance Run Expo presented by Brooks Running will take place at Lloyd Hall 1 Boathouse Row, Philadelphia, PA. Schedule below:

Friday 9/19 from 11:00am – 6:00pm
Saturday 9/20 from 9:00am – 5:00pm
If you are picking up for a friend, please bring a picture of their ID and a note that states permission for you to pick up. Philadelphia Runner will offer exclusive PDR merchandise for sale as well as any last-minute items you may need to succeed on race day.  

BROOKS ACTIVATION

Prepare for Race Day with Brooks Running at the PDR Expo! Take some strides on their Brooks Power Pad and enjoy a pre-run massage in Normatec compression boots. On Friday at the Expo, Brooks will be partnering with Philadelphia artist, Emily Joynton for custom chain stitching on site with their gift with purchase. See you there!

SHOE RECYCLING

The Philadelphia Distance Run is partnering with Community Shoe Recycling to collect new/gently used shoes at this year’s packet pick-up / expo. Start gathering up your new and gently used shoes (running shoes, sneakers, dress shoes, heels, men’s, women's, children—all shoes accepted) to bring to the PDR Expo on September 19th & 20th. Your shoes will be processed and donated to shelters and communities in need and kept out of our local landfills. Thank you for your participation.

BROOKS GROUP RUNS @ PHILADELPHIA RUNNER

Start Race Week with Philadelphia Runner x Brooks!

Celebrate race week with some easy miles at our community group runs:

Wednesday, September 17th @ 6PM - PR University City 3621 Walnut Street
Thursday, September 18th @ 6PM - PR Center City 1711 Walnut Street
Meet fellow runners, try the latest from Brooks Running, pick up any last minute race day essentials, and get into the race week spirit. All paces are welcome!

SHAKEOUT RUN/WALK & TALK WITH BLACK MEN RUN!
Join Black Men Run Philadelphia chapter for a pre-race shakeout run on Saturday, September 20, starting and finishing at the PDR Expo @ Lloyd Hall. Warm-up begins at 9:00a.m. followed by a 2-3 mile run and post-run refreshments. Black Men Run encourages health and wellness among African American men by promoting a culture of running/jogging to stay fit, resulting in "A Healthy Brotherhood," and BMR Philly is proud to host the 2025 Eastern Regional meet up! 

 At 12:00p.m. BMR Philly will host a panel discussion on the history of BMR.

STUDENTS RUN PHILLY STYLE EXTRA MILE

Join Students Run Philly Style to kick off Philadelphia Distance Run weekend
with Philly centric food & drinks, on Friday, September 19, 6:00-8:00p.m. at 1735 Market Street. Your presence at this annual fundraiser supports mentorship and builds community. Purchase $25 tickets here!

RACE DAY PACKET PICKUP

Any runner that has pre-paid for Race Day Packet Pick Up will be able to pick up their Race Bib and Race T-Shirt at the Packet Pick Up Tent located in Eakins Oval on Sunday, 9/21 from 5:30am-7:00am.

5K START TIME AND LOCATION

5K STARTS @7:00AM, ALL 5K PARTICIPANTS WILL BEGIN @7:00AM.
Please plan on arriving on race day, Sunday, September 21, no later than 6:00am to give yourself enough time.  The 5K Race Start is located on Ben Franklin Parkway, NW of 22nd Street, just below Binswanger Triangle.  The 5K Course can be found here. 

HALF MARATHON START TIME AND LOCATION

HALF MARATHON STARTS @7:30AM, ALL HALF MARATHON PARTICIPANTS MUST BE LINED UP IN THEIR CORRALS BY 7:10AM. Please plan on arriving on race day, Sunday, September 21, no later than 6:00am to give yourself enough time.  Please check your Bag @Gear Bag Check located in Eakins Oval and Walk to the start.  Race Start is located on Ben Franklin Parkway, NW of 22nd Street, just below Binswanger Triangle. The first wave will begin at 7:30am. The Half Marathon Course Map can be found here.

* Please note that if for any reason you cannot finish the race, please wait at the nearest water stop and the Water Stop Captain will radio for a Sag Wagon to pick you up and bring you back to the Finish Area in Eakins Oval. 

PARKING

Parking is available in the following areas found here. We suggest you plan to take Septa if it is available (Market-Frankford Line to 15th Street or 30th Street Station) Uber, Lyft and Citi-Bike are also alternatives.

COURSE SUPPORT

There will be 8 water stop locations along the half marathon course, approximately every 1.5 miles. The 5K course will feature one water stop at 1.5 miles. Lemon-Lime Gatorade will be available at all water stop locations. Electrolyte replacements will be offered at water stop #4 on MLK Drive. 

PACE GROUPS

We are thrilled to be partnering with the Philadelphia Runner Pacer Team!  There will be pacers available for the Half Marathon for a time of 1:20, 1:30, 1:40, 1:50, 2:10, 2:20, 2:30, 2:45 and 3:00.  There will be pacers available for the 5K for a time of 7 Min/Mile, 8 Min/Mile, 9 Min/Mile, 10 Min/Mile, 11 Min/Mile,  12 Min/Mile, 13 Min/Mile, 14 Min/Mile.   No need to sign up in advance.  Just look for runners in singlets that say PACER and are holding a time-sign in the Corrals at the start line. 

ON COURSE ENTERTAINMENT

The course entertainment has been a highlight over the last few years and this year will be our best lineup yet!  There will be 12 fantastic performance locations planned to create a non-stop entertainment experience on both the Half Marathon and 5K Courses. The entertainment locations can be found here.

AWARDS CEREMONY

The Award Ceremony will begin at 9:30am in Eakins Oval across from the Brooks Recovery Zone & YARDS Beer Garden.

PDR POST RACE PARTY@ BROOKS RECOVERY ZONE

Grab a banana, Herr’s chips, pretzels and popcorn, and Smartwater cans as you make your way through the post race walk off area and into the Brooks Recovery Zone, featuring PDR merch and more -- Brooks will be offering free massages from local businesses Phila Massage, and El Merkury taquitos for runners!

YARDS BEER GARDEN

Must have a valid ID to enter the beer garden. Hope to see you all at the YARDS BEER GARDEN for a post-race cold one, you deserve it! Non-Alcoholic Beer will also be offered.  Keith, our favorite YARDS bartender @PDR, will have everything chilled and ready to go by the time you finish! 

VOLUNTEERS

Last call for Volunteers. We’re still looking for a few additional hands to help out at Packet Pick Up at Lloyd Hall on, Friday 9/19, from 10:30am–2:30pm or 2:00pm-6:30pm  and Saturday 9/20, from 8:30am–2:30pm or 2:00pm–6:30pm to hand out Race Bibs and T-Shirts and wish our runners well. Volunteers receive a cool tee shirt, a Philadelphia Runner Gift card, food, and appreciation from Team PDR and our runners.  Register here!

GET HYPED!

We are so excited to be bringing this race to you and look forward to seeing your smiling faces on race morning!  We’ll be cheering you on at the finish line.

Cheers,
Barb McKeever, Race Director & Team PDR