
PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Philadelphia Marathon weekend is here! Thousands flocked to the Ben Franklin Parkway Saturday as runners took their marks for the half marathon and 8k.
Liz, who finished the half marathon for the first time, said it was rough at some points.
“And I would say up to mile six, I was having such a great time and then we got to UPenn area and the incline just killed my soul, but I'm so happy I finished.”
Her friend Olivia said some practice could have helped their experience.
“I think it would have been better if we would have trained for it, but we haven't ran in about three or four weeks… So, feeling a little sore at the finish line today.”
Saturday's races are over, but the excitement continues Sunday with the 26.2-mile race.
Race director Kathleen Titus says all three races sold out, meaning 37,000 people will be running through the streets — a record amount.
“We have 37 countries represented so it’s not just a domestic race, it’s a global race,” Titus said. “We’re one of the top 10 marathons in the United States. We’re the eighth largest, so it’s definitely something that’s growing.”
Maureen Roberts said she's running to inspire her son, at least in part.
“To push myself, to show my son that I can, to support the city,” Roberts said.
Julie Ritter is also hoping to impress her two sons.
“This’ll be my fourth major world marathon, but this’ll be the first time I’ll have my boys at the finish line,” Ritter said.
Titus says marathoners are an elite group. Only about 1% of the population has finished one. But she says Philadelphia is an ideal city to go for it.
“It’s 18 weeks of training. If you start training with us in June, we’ll get you there. It’s very possible, very doable. I know people that started in their sixties and do marathons until their eighties.”
Registration is officially closed for this weekend’s races but if you’re feeling inspired, registration just opened for the 2025 marathon.
And, to get more intergenerational runners interested, there will be a Kid’s Fun Run after Sunday's marathon.