FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
City and GORE-TEX® Philadelphia Marathon Officials Announce Plans
for Upcoming 21st Annual Race on The Ben Franklin Parkway
Details on Weekend Activities Transportation, Parking,
Security and Cultural Institutions Near Race Route.
PHILADELPHIA, November 17, 2014 - City and GORE-TEX® Philadelphia
Marathon officials released details about plans for the upcoming 21st
annual race on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway and areas across the city.
The City of Philadelphia will welcome 60,000 spectators and more than
30,000 runners at the 2014 The GORE-TEX ® Philadelphia Marathon Race
Weekend. Beginning Friday, November 21st, and running through Sunday,
November 23rd, Race Weekend offers an action-packed series of events
featuring three competitive races as well as history exhibits at City Hall
and the Marathon Health & Expo at the Pennsylvania Convention Center.
The marathon is fun for the whole family will allow runners and spectators
to get a taste of Philadelphia's beauty, culture, heritage and hospitality.
From a high five with Mayor Michael A. Nutter at the starting line to a
Philly Finish near the Philadelphia Museum of Art on the Benjamin Franklin
Parkway - and all the scenic miles in between - the Philadelphia Marathon
ensures runners and guests a great race weekend experience.
"Philadelphia is a premier destination for great sports traditions,
including events like the Independence Blue Cross Broad Street Run, the
Parx Casino Cycling Classic and the Aberdeen Dad Vail Regatta," said Mayor
Nutter. "Philadelphia's Marathon is a top-10 National marathon in its 21st
year, and continues to grow in enthusiastic spectators, dedicated
volunteers and community involvement. The Marathon course runs through
Fairmount Park with its historic landmarks and beautiful views, making it
one of the country's most scenic races. I want to thank the title sponsor,
GORE-TEX® Running Footwear, for another year of generous support."
City officials remind those attending or participating in the Marathon to
make a plan regarding public transit, driving, parking and supervision of
children. The following is pertinent information about the GORE-TEX®
Philadelphia Marathon:
RACE WEEKEND ACTIVITIES
The annual race attracts everyone from casual runners to top-seeded
athletes, and boasts one of the nation's fastest and most attractive
courses.
Friday, November 21st and Saturday, November 22nd: Health & Fitness Expo
Noon to 9 p.m., Friday, November 21st; 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.,
Saturday, November 22nd;
Pennsylvania Convention Center, 12th and Arch streets, Hall 'F' on
first floor
Saturday, November 22nd: The Rothman Institute 8K
7:30 a.m., 22nd Street & Benjamin Franklin Parkway near the
Philadelphia Museum of Art
Kids Fun Run: 10:30 a.m., 22nd Street & the Benjamin Franklin
Parkway near the Philadelphia Museum of Art
Sunday, November 23rd: The GORE-TEX® Philadelphia Marathon and Half
Marathon
Wheelchair and hand cycle participants begin at 6:57 a.m.;
competition for runners begins at 7 a.m., 22nd Street & the Benjamin
Franklin Parkway, near the Philadelphia Museum of Art
Spectators can watch the race from more than 20 perches or designated
fan-friendly marathon Cheer Zones featuring entertainment and food
throughout the course, from University City to Center City and elsewhere.
In addition, through Choose Your Course, a partnership with some of
Philly's best restaurants, the GORE-TEX® Philadelphia Marathon offers
the runners and general public delicious dining options before the race on
Saturday, November 22nd. New this year is the GORE-TEX Philadelphia
Marathon Finisher Festival offering a music stage, food, race merchandise
for marathon fans and a family area for runners to reconnect with family
after their run -- from 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., on November 23rd. For a
schedule of entertainment including a list of participating Choose Your
Course restaurants and Cheer Zones, visit www.philadelphiamarathon.com
ROAD CLOSURES
Streets will be closed in many parts of the city in connection with the
GORE-TEX® Philadelphia Marathon Weekend. Delays can be expected;
motorists are advised to use alternate routes, avoid areas along the race
course, and allow for extra driving time and to proceed with caution. Due
to increased security in the Parkway area, parking and traffic regulations
will be strictly enforced. Police officials urge motorists to refrain from
double-parking, which creates congestion, limits traffic flow and is
illegal. Spectators, motorists, runners and all visitors to the Parkway
district are urged to arrive promptly.
Here is detailed information on street closures in the immediate marathon
start and finish area on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway:
Street closures are enforced on a "rolling basis", and will be implemented
as runners go by. All closures in the Parkway vicinity will be in effect by
the early morning of Sunday, November 23rd.
Saturday, November 22nd
Inner lanes of Benjamin Franklin Parkway, from Logan Circle to
Martin Luther King Jr. Drive, will be closed between 6 a.m. and 2 p.m.
Martin Luther King Drive, from the Philadelphia Museum of Art to
Montgomery Drive, will be closed between 5 a.m. and 2 p.m.
Sunday, November 23rd
Kelly Drive to Ridge Avenue will be closed, from 5 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The entire width of Benjamin Franklin Parkway, from 18th to 25th
streets, including the cross streets, will be closed, from 3 a.m. to 6 p.m.
The 22nd and 23rd Street Off-ramps, from I- 676 East & West, will
be closed on Sunday morning. (Runners should plan to use alternate exit
ramps when traveling to the start of the race such as 15th/Broad Street off
of I-676 or Girard/Spring Garden off of I-76 .)
There is absolutely NO PARKING permitted along the race course on
November 23rd, beginning at 2 a.m.
For more information on marathon-related streets closures, visit
www.philadelphiamarathon.com
PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION
SEPTA will operate normal weekend schedules on Saturday and Sunday. Regular
fares will apply for all travel. However, many bus routes and the Route 15
Trolley will operate using detour routings, especially on Sunday to
accommodate the marathon's course. Runners, spectators and others headed to
the affected areas are encouraged to use rail alternatives including
Trolleys, Subways, and Regional Rail to avoid potential surface travel
delays. Suburban Station on the Regional Rail Lines and 15th Street/City
Hall Station from the Broad Street, Market-Frankford and Trolley lines
provide easy walking access to the Parkway.
On Saturday, 6 SEPTA bus routes will operate on detours around the Benjamin
Franklin Parkway to accommodate the Rothman Institute 8K and Kids Fun Run,
beginning at 4 a.m. until the conclusion of events.
On Sunday, more than 30 bus routes and the Route 15 Trolley will be
detoured starting as early as 4 a.m. and lasting until the conclusion of
events. Bus Routes that run north/south through the city will turn back at
Walnut and Vine streets to the Broad Street Line, where passengers can use
subway trains to bridge the detoured areas. SEPTA has created a special
webpage listing the affected lines along with travel tips at
http://www.septa.org/events/philadelphia-marathon.html. During race
weekend, riders can receive real-time service information by downloading
the Official SEPTA App, available as a free download for Apple and Android
devices. For updates and information about public transit in the
Philadelphia and New Jersey areas (visit http://www.septa.org and
http://www.njtransit.org or contact SEPTA customer service at 215-580-7800.
Here is a detailed list of affected bus routes:
Route 7
Northbound via 22nd St.: Right on Market St., Left on 16th St.,
Left on Spring Garden St., Right on 22nd St., then resumes regular route.
Southbound via 23rd St.: Left on Spring Garden St., Right on Broad
St., Right on Vine St., Left on 15th St., Right on JFK Blvd., left on 21st
St., then resumes regular route.
Route 32
Northbound: Following the regular route to 16th and JFK Blvd.,
Right on 16th St., Left on Spring Garden St., Right on Pennsylvania Ave.,
then resumes regular route.
Southbound: Following the regular route to Pennsylvania Ave. and
Spring Garden Ave., Left on Spring Garden Ave., Right on Broad St., Right
on Vine St., Left on 15th St., Right on JFK Blvd., Left on 17th, Left on
Market St., then resumes regular route.
Route 33
Southbound: Following the regular route to 19th St. and Spring
Garden St., then via Left on Spring Garden St., Right on Broad St., Right
on Vine St., Left on 15th St. to Market St., then resumes regular route.
Northbound: Following the regular route to 16th St. and JFK Blvd.,
Right on 16th St., Left on Vine St., Right on 20th St., then resumes
regular route.
Route 38
Westbound: Following the regular route to 16th St. and JFK Blvd.,
Right on 16th St., Left on Spring Garden St., Right on Pennsylvania Ave.,
left on 25th St. into Art Museum Dr., then resumes regular route.
Eastbound: Following the regular route Art Museum Dr. and Kelly Dr.
via straight across Kelly Dr. onto 25th St., Right on Pennsylvania Ave.,
Left on Spring Garden St., Right on Broad St., Right on Vine St., Left
on15th, then resumes regular route.
Route: 43
Westbound: Following the regular route to Spring Garden and
Pennsylvania Ave. Via a Right on Pennsylvania Ave., Left on 25th St.;
Cross Kelly Dr. onto Art Museum Dr., Right on Spring Garden St., then
resumes regular route.
Eastbound: Following the regular route to Spring Garden and Art
Museum Dr. via a Left on Art Museum Dr. and via straight across Kelly Drive
onto 25th St.; Right on Pennsylvania Ave.; Left on Spring Garden St., then
resumes regular route.
Route 48
Northbound via Arch St.: Right on 16th St., Left on Spring Garden
St., Right on 22nd St., then resumes regular route.
Southbound via 23rd St.: Left on Spring Garden, Right on Broad St.,
Right on Vine St., Left on 15th St., Right on JFK Blvd., Left onto 17th
St., Left on Market St., then resumes regular route.
Route 2
South to north (cutback) via 17th St.: Left on Vine St., Left on
13th St., Left on Vine St., Right on 16th., then regular route is resumed.
North to south (cutback) via 16th St.: Right on Locust St., Left on
13th St., Left on Walnut St., Left on 17th St., then resumes regular route.
Route 4
South to north (cut back) via Broad St.: Right on Vine St., Left on
15th St., Left on Vine St.; take layover on Vine St., between Broad St. and
13th St.
North to south (cut back) via Broad St.: Right on Washington Ave.,
Left on13th St., Left on Walnut St., Left on Broad St., then regular route
is resumed.
The PHLASH trolley also offers convenient transportation in Center City and
to other areas citywide. Philadelphia Marathoners can ride the Philly
PHLASH transportation for free on Race Weekend (just show your 2014 race
bib to the driver) and can hop on the Philly PHLASH Downtown Transit Loop
to be connected to key attractions. (Runners' family and friends pay just
$2 per ride or $5 all-day). Find PHLASH on-the-go with live updates at
www.RidePhillyPHLASH.com and visit www.phillyphlash.com for a schedule and
route details related to Marathon Weekend.
Parking
Center City -- the start and finish location of the marathon -- is compact
and walkable. On Marathon weekend, runners and spectators are encouraged to
walk to the Benjamin Franklin Parkway or use public transportation,
particularly on Sunday, November 23rd. No on-street parking is permitted
along the Benjamin Franklin Parkway, starting Saturday, November 22nd. If
driving is necessary, commercial off-street parking lots and garages are
located conveniently in the Parkway vicinity. Some lots have an automated
teller unit, upon exiting. Contact individual facilities in advance for
rates and availability, or visit the Philadelphia Parking Authority's
website at http://philapark.org/ for a list of parking options. The
GORE-TEX® Philadelphia Marathon is not affiliated with any of these parking
facilities.
Cultural Institutions
The cultural institutions along or near the Benjamin Franklin Parkway will
experience the greatest impact of the race. They generally will maintain
normal weekend hours of operation during Marathon Weekend. These
institutions include: Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University,
Barnes Foundation, Fairmount Water Works, The Franklin Institute, Free
Library of Philadelphia / Parkway Central Library, The Galleries at Moore
College of Art and Design, Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts,
Philadelphia Museum of Art and the Perelman Building Annex, Rodin Museum
and Eastern State Penitentiary. Parking is available at or near the
cultural institutions, but using public transportation is strongly
encouraged. Please refer to the institutions' individual websites for
information on exhibit hours, ticketing and parking accommodations, go to
parkwaymuseumsdistrict.org.
Marathon Venue Details
Spectators, motorists, runners, patrons of the cultural institutions and
all visitors to the Parkway district are urged to proceed with caution,
arrive promptly and to expect delays. Attendees are encouraged to visit
www.philadelphiamarathon.com for information on items that are permitted,
as well as other pertinent event information.
SECURITY PROCEDURES AND INFORMATION
On Sunday, November 23rd, there will be enhanced public safety efforts by
the City of Philadelphia and Philadelphia Police Department to ensure the
enjoyment and safety of everyone at the race. Runners and attendees may
experience delays upon arrival, and authorities urge patience.
The race Start/Finish areas, spanning the entire width of the Benjamin
Franklin Parkway, from 18th to 25th streets, will be a Secure Zone.
Checkpoints have been established for those entering the starting area and
ALL visitors and runners will be screened. All items are subject to
inspection and re-inspection at entry and beyond that point. Entry
checkpoints are at 18th, 20th, 22nd (south side only) and 25th streets.
Allow time for possessions to be thoroughly searched by security detail at
checkpoints along the Parkway perimeter. It is strongly recommended that
spectators and runners limit what they take into the race area, bringing
only essentials (limit bags, backpacks, or satchels). All bags are subject
to search. Leave no bags or items unattended. In an emergency or to report
a suspicious person, activity or item (a backpack, a package or container),
notify a police officer immediately or call 9-1-1. Do not try to open,
move, cover or touch a suspicious item.
ENTRY GUIDELINES:
Runners should arrive early for entry to the start-finish line
areas.
Runners should plan ahead, allowing time to get through designated
entry checkpoints.
The start of the race will not be delayed due to lines at security
checkpoints.
Runners should have their race bibs fastened and visible on the
front of their jerseys at arrival.
Spectators are strongly discouraged from carrying bags.
Only clear bags will be allowed within the race areas, which will
be subject to inspection.
Only clear plastic Marathon-issued bags will be accepted at the
runners' Gear Check.
Runners should arrive with the event-issued gear check tag (top of
bib tear-off strip) affixed to their bags.
No backpacks or satchels of any kind will be allowed (exceptions
may be made for diaper bags, after a search).
Small personal-item or hydration packs/bags/belts are permitted but
are subject to a search.
Factory-sealed, plastic water bottles (1 per person up to 1 liter)
permitted.
No coolers.
All items deemed dangerous or inappropriate will be confiscated or
denied access at the sole discretion of security personnel.
Attendees are encouraged to visit www.philadelphiamarathon.com for
information on items that are permitted at the venue, as well as other
pertinent event information.
Weather and Alerts
The GORE-TEX Philadelphia Marathon is a rain-or-shine event; however in the
case of severe weather or other occurrences, information will be available.
Sign up at www.readynotifypa.org for text or e-mail alerts, or text PHILA
to 411911 to sign up.
###
|
