PHILADELPHIA DISTANCE RUN

World class fast.

Welcome to the Philadelphia Distance Run (PDR)! Our world class half marathon and 5K will take place on Sunday, September 20, 2026. PDR is among the fastest Half Marathons in the world (6 world records have been broken here) and is known for its super fast and flat course. Whether you are an elite runner, looking for a new PR, or just want to breeze through the City of Brotherly Love with thousands of fellow runners, there is something for everyone at PDR!

Your registration includes:

• Race entry
• Race Tech Tee
• Chip timing w/splits
• Finisher's Medal
• Post Race Party with a complimentary beer (1 per person. 21+)

PDR aims to make registering as accessible as possible. If you are are unable to pay digitally or via a check with a paper registration, please email us so we can assist.

Expo
Details to come!

More Info
Stay tuned to our website for more information on the course, expo, corral assignments, and other helpful tips.

Refund/Deferral Policy
Due to the year-round nature and costs of event planning, PDR does not offer refunds but we do offer the ability to defer or transfer your registration for a fee.

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

 

2025 Info coming soon!

Do you love running, talking about running and inspiring others to run?

The Philadelphia Distance Run Half Marathon & 5K wants you to join our team! The PDR ambassador program is looking for athletes of all abilities to help reach a wider audience of athletes and inspire, motivate, and encourage their participation in the half marathon and 5K. Ambassadors help cultivate community and are the PDR cheer zone, super fans, hype squad - eager to share about racing in Philadelphia with others online and in real life.

Athlete Tracking

LIVE Results and Tracking

Family and Friends can stay connected and fully engaged with real-time updates, no matter where they are.
They can simply search for your name & click the favorite button and we’ll take care of the rest!

Push Notifications

With our innovative push notification system, your family and friends will receive timely updates delivered straight to their mobile.

Real Time Event Information

We’ve packed all the key information your event needs into one convenient app

 

Instructions

Download the Second Wind Timing app using the links above.

Once the app is installed, select the "Philadelphia Distance Run" icon and provide permission to receive notifications.

Then, simply search for your favorite athlete and click on the plus arrow to follow them on race day!

Important Note:

Athletes will only appear in the tracking app after they’ve been assigned a bib number.

If you’re not seeing someone you’re trying to follow, it likely means they haven’t received their bib yet—or the app hasn’t updated with their assignment. As bibs are assigned and synced, tracking will automatically update.

We recommend checking back closer to race day if you’re not seeing someone listed just yet.

Happy tracking!

OFFICIAL RACE CHARITY 

Students Run Philly Style is a co-owner of the PDR, a unique nonprofit/for profit model that ensures race proceeds are invested back into the community. As a charity runner, the amount that you raise will directly support their running & youth mentorship program.

Run The PDR & fundraise for Students Run Philly Style, the official race charity. Questions? Email Danny at dburke@studentsrunphilly.org 

Additional Charity Partners

American Cancer Society DetermiNation

When you join the American Cancer Society’s Team DetermiNation, you’re not just participating in an endurance event. You’re pushing yourself to help save lives from cancer. Just like hard work goes into your event training, the American Cancer Society gives it our all through things like breakthrough research, patient programs and services, and a free 24/7 cancer helpline. Together, we’ll tackle every course, rally every community, and stay absolutely relentless in the fight against cancer.

By joining DetermiNation, you become part of something bigger. Your efforts support the largest private source of cancer research funding in the world. When you run or walk on our 5K or Half Marathon teams at the Philadelphia Distance Run this September, you will gain access to professional coaching, exclusive events, and VIP amenities on race day!

For more information on our program, or to pre-register for our team, email Jillian Pereira or call 609-293-2137.

 

ATHLETE FAQs

What does my entry include?

Your registration includes:

• Race entry (Either Half Marathon or 5K)
• Race shirt
• Chip timing w/splits
• Race Medal
• Yards beer (21+)
• Complimentary bag check

Is my entry refundable?

Registration is nonrefundable. However, runners who can’t make it on race day can elect to defer or transfer for a fee. Runners must elect to defer or transfer by August 15, 2025.

*Please note- in the event the PDR is cancelled due to COVID-19, registrants will have the option to defer their entry for no cost for up to two years. There will not be refunds in the event of a cancellation due to COVID-19.

I deferred in 2024, how do I register for 2025?

We will email all deferrals by February 4th, 2025. There is nothing additional you need to do at this time.

How do referrals work?

Participants can refer their friends to run the PDR Half Marathon. Once 5 people sign up using your unique referral link, you will be eligible to have your entry refunded. All refunds will be processed after the event and by October 10th. Registration fees are not included in the refund. Referrals are valid for the Half Marathon only.

Is this a USATF event?

Yes, the PDR course will be USATF certified and the event is part of the Mid-Atlantic Grand Prix.

I can’t pick up my race bib, can a friend pick mine up?

Sure! Just make sure that they have a copy of the confirmation email you were sent when you registered.  A photocopy, or digital picture, will work.

I am coming in from out of town and can’t make it to the bib pick-up, how can I get my bib?

There is no race day pick up.

If athletes cannot pick up their bib at the Expo, we will be offering a race morning paid pick up option. We cannot guarantee accommodation for anyone who cannot get their bib prior to race day.  Note that items for virtual participants will be automatically shipped.

Can I check a bag at the start?

Yes, we will be offering bag check on race morning.

When you pick up your bib, you will receive a clear plastic bag for checking items on race morning. Your items must fit completely into this bag (15" x 18") or your bag will not be accepted. All bags must be checked no later than 30 minutes prior to race start.

Is PDR a charity race?

The Philadelphia Distance Run is a hybrid nonprofit/for profit event. We are co-owned by Students Run Philly Style, a 501(c)(3) and they are also our official race beneficiary meaning they receive a portion of both pre-profit dollars and post-profit dollars. The for-profit entity of PDR is made up of a collection of local runners who own The Philly 10K, Philadelphia Runner, Philly Run Fest, and Out & Back Creative.

All partners of the event are focused on using the PDR to increase accessibility in running to a broader, more diverse audience of Philadelphians and to reinvest in the local community.

See our PDR Impact page for more info.

Can I run both the 5K and Half Marathon?

As of now, athletes will choose one or the other. We are exploring the ability to run both but cannot guarantee it at this time.

Will there be water and electrolyte on the course?

Absolutely!  The 5K course will feature one water/electrolyte stop and the Half Marathon course will feature 8 stops, roughly every 1.5 miles.  Half of these stops will have electrolyte as well.

Will there be race day bib pick-up?

Race day bib pick up is only available to runners who prepaid for race day pick up during registration. There will not be race day pick up available for any runners who did not previously reserve race day pick up.

Can I defer to next year?

We do offer deferrals up until August 15th for a fee of $25. Please email us for more info.

Please note - In the event of a cancellation or postponement, we will waive deferral fees.

Can I transfer my bib?

Yep! BUT…. Please read this very carefully:

If you registered with us and now are unable to run you may transfer your bib.

All bib inquires/transfers must be completed by August 15th, 2025.  After this date we will not be able to handle any bib requests. Bib transfers require a fee of $15.

If you have any questions, please email us.

Are strollers or dogs allowed?

No. Due to the nature of the course and for the safety of all race participants, strollers and dogs are not permitted. In future non-COVID years, we aim to make the start and finish area as family-friendly as possible.

How do I get to the start on race morning?

The start and finish are accessible by SEPTA (Market-Frankford Line to 15th St or 30th Street station), Uber / Lyft, and Indego.

I can’t take public transportation to the race, where can I park?

Parking is very limited for the PDR near the Start and Finish areas.  Due to the road closures and the extended no parking areas, we suggest looking for street parking and avoiding areas within 4 blocks of the start and finish.  Use https://www.bestparking.com/ to find parking lots around Eakins Oval.

Is the race walker friendly?

The PDR is a running race. Athletes must be able to maintain a 15 minute per mile pace for both the 5K and Half Marathon. Those who are unable to maintain a 15 minute pace will be asked to move to the sidewalk by the sweep vehicle. For safety and logistical reasons, course support such as water stations and toilets can't be guaranteed for anyone who falls behind this pace. If you think you will not be able to make the 15 minute mile cutoff, please bring extra water!

Will there be pace groups?

Yes!  We will be providing a pair of pacers for the following finish times: 1:30, 1:40, 1:50, 2:00, 2:15, 2:30, 2:45 and 3:00.  No need to sign up in advance.  Just look for runners in blue and orange singlets that say PACER and are holding a time sign.  Finish with confidence!

Where can family and friends watch?

Anywhere! The Half Marathon course goes through Center City and around with Loop with a Start and Finish that are very close to each other…perfect for catching your athlete at multiple locations.  Keep in mind that it runs within dense city neighborhoods, so moving around on foot is usually the best/only way to do it. We also have water stations on the course that always need additional volunteers.  Email us if you are interested in helping out!

Is there prize money?

We are proud to support elite athletes with a total prize pool of $27,900

Prize money for the fastest gun time for Half Marathon Male/Female/Non-Binary Runner and Push Rim wheelchair participants is:

1st $2500

2nd $1000

3rd $500

4th $250

5th $150

Top Masters

1-$250

I notice you mention that the PDR is making running more accessible to a wider audience of participants. What does that mean?

One of our top priorities in bringing the PDR back is to use the event to grow  participation beyond the traditional demographics that have historically made up running. We have a multi-prong approach that includes:

• Non-profit partner. Students Run Philly Style is a co-owner of the event, a unique nonprofit/for profit model that ensures a significant amount of race proceeds is invested into a non profit that serves over 1,500 students in Philadelphia each year.
• Reduced fee bibs for participants experiencing hardship.
• Dedicated marketing and outreach in underserved communities with onsite registrations, and the ability to register without a credit card or bank account or internet access.
• A non-binary gender option during registration and equal prize money for elite categories and awards for age groups for non-binary runners. 
• Use of data to track our success in diversifying our event participation as well as our vendor partners.

A brief history of the race…
Special thanks to former Race Director Tony Desabato and Head Cross Country /Track Coach of Jefferson University, Dave Thomas for providing information on this page.

The Philadelphia Distance Run originated in 1978 under the auspices of the Philadelphia Family of YMCA's to actualize the vision of Gene Martenson who wished to showcase the beauty of Philadelphia through a first class foot race that Philadelphia area runners could be proud of. The succeeding Race Director, Bill Jackson, augmented that vision by adding world class competitors to the field. In year one U of Penn star Julio Piazzo (1:07.35) and Nora Johnson (1:24.34.) won the race which at the time boasted the largest field of any first race in the country with 3400 competitors. The next year, multi -Olympic Gold medal winner Lasse Viren (1:04.48) and Lena Hollmann (1:20.06) won the event. The race continued to grow in size and prestige. World records were set in the race by Rod Dixon in 1981 (1:02.12), by Michael Musyoki in 1982 (1:01. 35), by Joan Benoit Samuelson in 1983 (1:09.14) and 1984 (1:08.34), by Mark Curp in 1985 (1:00.55), by Dionicio Ceron in 1990 (1:00.46), and by Matthew Kisorio (58:46) in 2011.

In 1988, the YMCA decided it could no longer support the race as it evolved and a Board of Directors comprised of former race directors and key volunteers formed a non-profit corporation and negotiated with the YMCA to acquire the rights to the Philadelphia Distance Run. Despite the initial absence of a named sponsor, the 1988 race took place without compromising its world class and community nature as former marathon world record holder, Steve Jones, won the race in 1:02:07 as a precursor to his 1988 New York City Marathon victory. He was joined in the winners' circle by former Virginia and Boston University star Leslie Welch Lehane (1:10.47)

In the late 2000s, Rock N Roll acquired the Philadelphia Distance Run and continued to elevate the race, at one point attracting nearly 20,000 runners to Philadelphia and maintaining a course known around the world for its fast speeds.

In the fall of 2020, a local group consisting of Students Run Philly Style, Philly Run Fest, and Runhouse, re-launched the race under its original name, the Philadelphia Distance Run, and have begun to write the next chapter in the event’s illustrious history.

CHAMPIONS LIST
Past champions are categorized based on Men’s and Women’s results. Beginning in 2021, the list of champions will include male, female, and non-binary champions.

MEN’S
1970s

1978 JULIO PIAZZA (USA) 1:07:35

1979 LASSE VIREN (FINLAND) 1:04:48

1980s

1980 ROD DIXON (NEW ZEALAND )1:03:39

1981 ROD DIXON (NEW ZEALAND) 1:02:12

1982 MICHAEL MUSYOKI (KENYA) 1:01:36 (WR)

1983 MICHAEL MUSYOKI (KENYA) 1:02:49

1984 DEAN MATTHEWS (USA) 1:02:14

1985 MARK CURP (USA) 1:00:55 (WR)

1986 MARK CURP (USA) 1:01:43

1987 MARTYN BREWER (USA) 1:02:07

1988 STEVE JONES (WALES) 1:02:17

1989 EL MOSTAFA NECHCHADI (MAR) 1:02:01

1990s

1990 DIONICIO CERON (MEXICO) 1:00:46

1991 ROLANDO VERA (ECUADOR) 1:03:00

1992 NOEL RICHARDSON (IRELAND) 1:03:13

1993 LUKETZ SWARTBOOI (NAM) 1:01:26

1994 WILLIAM KIPTOO KOECH (KEN) 1:02:04

1995 JOSEPH KAMUA (KENYA) 1:01:30

1996 JOSEPH KAMUA (KENYA) 1:01:02

1997 KHALID KHANNOUCHI (MAR) 1:00:27 (WR)

1998 PETER GITHUKA MWANGI (KEN) 1:01:58

1999 KHALID KHANNOUCHI (MAR) 1:00:47

2000s

2000 KHALID KHANNOUCHI (MAR) 1:01:17

2001 RONALD MOGAKA (KENYA) 1:01:25

2002 RONALD MOGAKA (KENYA) 1:02:22

2003 LABAN KIPKEMBOI (KENYA) 1:01:29

2004 JULIUS KIBET KOSGEI (KENYA) 1:01:17

2005 GUDISA SHENTAMA (ETHIOPIA)1:02:23 (AR)

2006 WILSON KEBEBEI (KENYA) 1:01:05

2007 JULIUS KIBET KOSGEI (KENYA) 1:02:02

2008 YEREFU BERHANU (ETHIOPIA) 1:01:22

2009 RYAN HALL (USA) 1:01:52

2010s

2010 MATTHEW KISORIO (KENYA) 1:00:16

2011 MATTHEW KISORIO (KENYA) 58:46 (WR)

2012 STANLEY BIWOTT (KENYA) 1:00:03

2013 STANLEY BIWOTT (KENYA) 59:36

2014 BITAN KAROKI (KENYA) 59:23

2015 TIMOTHY RITCHIE (USA) 1:01:23

2016 AUGUSTINE CHOGE (KENYA) 1:03:24

2017 GALEN RUPP (USA) 1:02:18

2018 SHURA KITATA (USA) 59:16

2019 DANIEL MESFUN 1:02:58

WOMEN’S
1970s

1978 NORA JOHNSON (USA) 1:24:34

1979 LENA HOLLMAN (SWEDEN) 1:20:06

1980s

1980 JAN YERKES (USA) 1:17:56

1981 JAN YERKES (USA) 1:13:33

1982 JUDI ST HILAIRE (USA) 1:13:13

1983 JOAN BENOIT (USA) 1:09:10 (WR)

1984 JOAN BENOIT (USA) 1:08:34 (WR)

1985 JOAN BENOIT (USA) 1:09:44

1986 MIDDE HAMRIN (SWEDEN) 1:11:41

1987 SYLVIA MOSQUEDA (USA) 1:10:47

1988 LESLEY LEHANE (USA) 1:10:47

1989 NAN DOAK-DAVIS (USA) 1:11:24

1990s

1990 CATHY O'BRIEN (USA) 1:09:39

1991 KIM JONES (USA) 1:12:53

1992 WILMA VAN ONNA (NED) 1:10:59

1993 COLLEEN DE REUCK (RSA) 1:10:26

1994 ANNE MARIE LAUCK (USA) 1:10:03

1995 TATYANA POZDNYAKOVA (UKR) 1:12:56

1996 CATHERINE NDEREBA (KENYA) 1:09:46

1997 COLEEN DE REUCK (RSA) 1:10:06

1998 CATHERINE NDEREBA (KENYA) 1:09:46

1999 CATHERINE NDEREBA (KENYA) 1:10:31

2000s

2000 CATHERINE NDEREBA (KENYA) 1:10:01

2001 CATHERINE NDEREBA (KENYA) 1:08:30

2002 CATHERINE NDEREBA (KENYA) 1:09:20

2003 LEAH MALOT (KENYA) 1:11:20

2004 NUTA OLARU (ROMANIA) 1:09:38

2005 DEENA KASTOR (USA) 1:07:53

2006 LINETH CHEPKURUI (KENYA) 1:10:09

2007 PAMELA CHEPCHUMBA (KENYA) 1:08:45

2008 LILLYA SHOBUKHOVA (RUSSIA) 1:10:21

2009 CATHERINE NDEREBA (KENYA) 1:09:43

2010s

2010 MESERET DEFAR (ETHIOPIA) 1:07:45

2011 KIM SMITH (NEW ZEALAND) 1:07:11

2012 SHARON CHEROP (KENYA) 1:07:21

2013 LYUDMILA KOVALENKO (UKR) 1:08:58

2014 ABERU KEBEDE (ETHIOPIA) 1:08:41

2015 MAEGAN KRIFCHIN (USA) 1:09:51

2016 BUZE DIRIBE (ETHIOPIA) 1:11:49

2017 MESERET DEFAR (ETHIOPIA) 1:08:45

2018 DESIREE LINDEN (USA) 1:11:48

2019 CAROLINE ROTICH (KENYA) 1:10:59

2025 info coming soon!

2024 Hotel:

The Westin Philadelphia
99 South 17th Street
Philadelphia, PA 19103
Booking Link: Book Your Room for the Philadelphia Distance Run

 

ALL RUNNERS WELCOME
PDR will honor its competitive past while building a future where running is more inclusive and accessible to everyone.  PDR will follow a unique nonprofit/for profit model ensuring that the event has long term success while providing tangible impact on the community.  We believe the future of PDR is a world class event that expands the world of running to a wider, more diverse audience, and is strongly rooted in the Philadelphia community.

Initiatives

• Non-profit stakeholder. Students Run Philly Style is a co-owner of the event, a unique nonprofit/for profit model that ensures a significant amount of race proceeds is invested back into the community.
• Reduced fee bibs for participants experiencing hardship and underserved communities.
• Gathering data and emphasizing hiring of BIPOC contractors and vendors.
• A non-binary gender option during registration and equal prize money and awards for non-binary runners.
  Demographic and financial opt-in data collection to baseline our initiatives and help us better accomplish our goals and serve our community.
  

Students Run Philly Style
Students Run Philly Style (SRPS) is a free, nonprofit mentoring program that engages young people in distance running. For nine months each year, our student runners sign up to train side-by-side with their volunteer mentors to complete distance races up to and including a full marathon.

On race day, when our school buses pull up and hundreds of teenagers from all over Philadelphia clad in blue and green shirts spill out, it’s hard to miss that Students Run Philly Style has arrived.  But when our students—who are mostly Black and Brown youth—spill out of those buses into a sea of hundreds or thousands of runners, it’s hard not to miss that the majority of people there don’t look like them. 

We are constantly toeing the line between trying to build the world we want our young people to grow into while simultaneously equipping them to operate in the world that exists. We want them to walk with courage into races and running spaces as runners, having put in the training for any miles ahead. We also respect our students enough to prepare them for environments that weren’t built with them in mind. PDR affords our students an opportunity to walk off the bus to the start line of a race that was built with them in mind.

Virtual participants may complete their run and submit results anytime between Friday, September 19 and Monday, September 22 at 12:00 PM (noon).

On Friday, September 19, you will receive an email from our official timing partner, Second Wind Race Timing, containing detailed instructions and a personalized link to submit your finish time.

You can run your race wherever and whenever it works best for you within the submission window—just be sure to upload your results before the deadline to be included in the official virtual results listing!

5K: T-Shirt

5K Virtual: T-Shirt

Half Marathon: T-Shirt

Half Marathon Virtual: T-Shirt