Philadelphia Distance Run (PDR)
Philadelphia, PA
- Half Marathon, 5K
- Road (Paved)
- Official race website
World class fast. Welcome to the Philadelphia Distance Run (PDR)! This world class half marathon and 5K will take place this September . 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. … MORE
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Longer than a 5K
I ran the race in 2023 and 2024, and in both races I ran approximately 3.25 miles despite keeping my turns tight, starting and stopping my watch promptly, etc. the … MORE
I ran the race in 2023 and 2024, and in both races I ran approximately 3.25 miles despite keeping my turns tight, starting and stopping my watch promptly, etc. the extra .15 or so miles cost me a sub-23 time. The other runners I spoke with after each race also reported running more than 3.1 miles. We can’t all be wrong. I don’t mind running an extra .05, but running another .1 mile is not ideal. I did not travel for a 5K to not run a 5K.
Flat and fast
The course is an out and back along the river. There was a change in the course for 2023 where it doesnt go through the city - not sure if … MORE
The course is an out and back along the river. There was a change in the course for 2023 where it doesnt go through the city – not sure if its permanent or not. The course is flat and fast, with a gradual incline heading towards the finish. The course can be a bit quiet as it’s hard to get to parts of the course as a spectator – but the volunteers and other runners are quite supportive in the out and back portion.
3rd year in a row
They changed the course from last year and now it is nearly entirely along the river which kind of gets boring, out, across the bridge, out and back, then back. … MORE
They changed the course from last year and now it is nearly entirely along the river which kind of gets boring, out, across the bridge, out and back, then back. They have lots of pace groups. The shirts are ridiculously small. Fortunately I emailed and got a response that they were exchanging at the race so I brought it with me and was able to exchange. The shirts and medals are nearly identical from the previous 2 years. I only got a banana and a beer after, I had no idea the food trucks were free until I read the other review.. which is really not the best way to find out about it! The packet pickup isn’t ideal if you don’t live in the city. Fortunately I had a friend who picked it up for me. My main complaint was there was no Gu at mile 8 like the race guide said, I don’t know if they ran out or just didn’t have it but that was very disappointing. Fortunately a spectator had Munchkins on the bridge so I had a little sugar to keep me going. Of course I’ll do it again next year.
Scenic and flat course.
The finisher medal is nice. Race production is good. Course is flat. Overall nice experience. Appeared to be around 3000 runners, give or take. Nice to see crowd support along … MORE
The finisher medal is nice. Race production is good. Course is flat. Overall nice experience. Appeared to be around 3000 runners, give or take. Nice to see crowd support along the course. Post race food was better than expected with one free beer, free food trucks, pretzels, bananas, candy gummies, and apples. Brooks was a race sponsor and provided the food trucks. The most disappointing aspect was the race packet contents and location of packet pick up. Hopefully the race grows back to 20000 people so there is a proper race expo.
2nd year in a row
The race course was changed up a bit from last year which was nice. There's about 4 miles out and back so you can see everyone ahead of you which … MORE
The race course was changed up a bit from last year which was nice. There’s about 4 miles out and back so you can see everyone ahead of you which for me makes it more difficult. Nice weather although they could start the half at 7 and start the 5K at 7:30. The food afterward was sad.. really green bananas and an unsalted soft pretzel. The beer was delicious but the area seemed smaller than last year with no tables or chairs set up. The shirt is cut funny, seems tight on everyone. No one is checking that you’re in the assigned corrals (at least towards the back) but the course is wide enough it doesn’t matter as everyone spreads out pretty quick.
Flat course with great crowd support
Was in town for work so ran this while here. The crowd support was second to none, the November Project was having a meet up and wow, can they make … MORE
Was in town for work so ran this while here. The crowd support was second to none, the November Project was having a meet up and wow, can they make noise! I love that the packet pick up was scattered over multiple days, that increases ease of access tremendously. The start was easy to navigate and they only let corrals go one at a time which really eased crowding early on (much appreciated, I wish more races did this). Lots of porta potties spread out all over so no need to wait in a single, painful line. The course is flat as a pancake without unnecessary twists and turns. I love that you know where the finish is based on running past it at about mile 5…that mentally focuses you. There were more than enough water stops with great volunteers working them. The weather was sunny and humid, but it had been nice days prior so just luck of the draw that I got a humid day. The course is pretty enough and you get to see the elites circle back since the course doubles back at mile 9. Medal was good, post course food could have really used chocolate milk but otherwise had decent spread. No AG awards.
Historic Philadelphia
First section of the run is through downtown Philadelphia. Get to check out all the historic attractions as you run. The back half of the run is up and back … MORE
First section of the run is through downtown Philadelphia. Get to check out all the historic attractions as you run. The back half of the run is up and back along the river. It’s a flat run through historic city with a large crowd there to support you.
Historic Philadelphia
First section of the run is through downtown Philadelphia. Get to check out all the historic attractions as you run. The back half of the run is up and back … MORE
First section of the run is through downtown Philadelphia. Get to check out all the historic attractions as you run. The back half of the run is up and back along the river. It’s a flat run through historic city with a large crowd there to support you.