Rock ‘n’ Roll Philadelphia 1/2 Marathon
Philadelphia, PA
- Half Marathon, 7.6K, 5K
- Road (Paved)
- Official race website
2020 and 2021 EVENTS CANCELED. *** Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon Series rocks the City of Brotherly Love. It’s fast, flat and fun. Don’t miss the Humana Rock ‘n’ Roll Philadelphia Half Marathon! Enjoy live bands, music and entertainment along the 13.1 mile course – as well as plenty of cheering … MORE
Local Historical Weather (Sep 19):
| 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | |
| H (°F) | 79 | 74 | 84 | 79 | 77 |
| L (°F) | 65 | 51 | 65 | 70 | 69 |
Find Nearby Lodging (hotel, rental, etc.):
Flat Fun View of the City
This race is completely flat...well there's a bump at mile 13 that can hardly be characterized as a hill under normal circumstances. The first 4 miles wind you through downtown. … MORE
This race is completely flat…well there’s a bump at mile 13 that can hardly be characterized as a hill under normal circumstances. The first 4 miles wind you through downtown. Then the remaining parts of the race are an out and back along the Schuylkill River. The finish line is near the “Rocky Steps” aka the Philadelphia Museum of Art. Food is typical of a RNR race. But, I will say I appreciated the pretzel. Apparently that’s a Philly thing I was not previously aware of. This is good if you need PA. And I did Wilmington, DE the day before, so 2-state weekend. Woot!
Flat, downhill & HUMID!
RnR in Philly was well organized. They provided a ton of water/Gatorade at each station. There were at least 6 water stations. Loved that the course was mainly flat and … MORE
RnR in Philly was well organized. They provided a ton of water/Gatorade at each station. There were at least 6 water stations. Loved that the course was mainly flat and a ton of downhill along the river. This year’s race was HUMID! Started out at 90% humidity. Cool bling, but wish it was a bit bigger. 🙂
Cue the Eye of the Tiger...
One of my favorite expos because of the theme, swag, and Brooks vendor allowing you to run on treadmills and learn more about your run style and recommend shoes to … MORE
One of my favorite expos because of the theme, swag, and Brooks vendor allowing you to run on treadmills and learn more about your run style and recommend shoes to you. Lots of opportunity to sight-see and eat yummy food before and after the race.
First time meeting 50 staters and the course had lots of great sights to see….but it was so hot and the inclines were shocking. It was mostly flat, but I didn’t train for what inclines did exist, so they kicked my butt. I didn’t realize how much the heat affected me until after the race where I crashed and could not get up until I had to visit a portapotty and throw up. I thought I wasn’t going to be able to walk, but my legs weren’t weak, it was my tummy from chugging chocolate milk, gatorade and water too quickly after the race. Otherwise, a nice destination race.
Feel Like Rocky
This was my second time to race the RNR Philly half marathon. RNR does a wonderful and consistent job managing these races. I especially like Philadelphia for the course that … MORE
This was my second time to race the RNR Philly half marathon. RNR does a wonderful and consistent job managing these races. I especially like Philadelphia for the course that provides for downtown city streets and lake side running. It’s a great way to see the city.
The crowd support is good in the early miles of the course while in the downtown area and is sparse along the lake. That didn’t bother me as I enjoyed the beautiful scenery. Course support of the aid stations and volunteers was great.
The expo is okay with Brooks as the main attraction but included some other booths you’d expect to see. The medal was awesome with the liberty bell as the focus and the race shirt was normal for RNR races. The swag bag had some samples and coupons, nothing special.
I paid a little extra for the VIP access and it’s worth it. A tent and table seating with breakfast in the morning and lunch, beer/wine, and massages after the race. Most importantly, private porta potties… no lines!
One of my fastest half marathons.
It's a flat course and the weather was cool starting off, but it got hot towards that last few miles. Make sure to eat a philly cheesesteak while you are … MORE
It’s a flat course and the weather was cool starting off, but it got hot towards that last few miles. Make sure to eat a philly cheesesteak while you are there.
Flat and entertaining course!
The course is not challenging and there is PLENTY to look at while you run. The course balanced downtown views with more scenic views along the river. There were a … MORE
The course is not challenging and there is PLENTY to look at while you run. The course balanced downtown views with more scenic views along the river. There were a lot of runners but I never found myself in any bottleneck situations or traffic jams where I couldn’t get around people. I really like Rock n’ Roll marathons new gel (SIS). They had 2 available on the course which was awesome!
Loved running in Philly
It was a Rock n' Roll so the swag was good. I thought the expo was a little lame, however. Race day was a little warm for me. I loved … MORE
It was a Rock n’ Roll so the swag was good. I thought the expo was a little lame, however. Race day was a little warm for me. I loved running around in the city.
Large Production Race - Flat and Fast
This is my first RnRPhilly. It was a large production race with the early expo pick up. Corrals were large and really no adherence to where people should be at … MORE
This is my first RnRPhilly. It was a large production race with the early expo pick up. Corrals were large and really no adherence to where people should be at the start made for a slow first mile. Otherwise, it was a flat and fast course. Last mile was next to the river and in full sun. On the fence about doing another.
Some improvements this year
This was my 4th year running RnR Philly. This year, a few changes were made such as reverting to a course much like the original which takes out the huge … MORE
This was my 4th year running RnR Philly. This year, a few changes were made such as reverting to a course much like the original which takes out the huge hill up past the Eastern State Penitentiary, the mile markers play music, and more bands on the course.
However, the expo was smaller than in years past with fewer vendors and the vendors they had did not have very good giveaways.
I was very excited to see the course was changed back. Not just because the huge hill is now gone, but you get to see more of the landmarks in Philly.
Weather was nice…until the sun came out. The last 1.5 miles or so basically have no shade so it got hot fast.
There was no security that I could see aside from a sniffer dog and the corrals were in no way secured or policed. At one point, a vendor with a shopping cart full of pretzels and water was *in* the corrals.
I ran this as part of a Remix weekend (ran the 10k the day before) for an extra medal, so I’m happy with that time all things considered.
Good for remixing
I ran the 5k last year, but the medal was meh this year so I did the 10k. The course is an out and back along the Delaware River, so … MORE
I ran the 5k last year, but the medal was meh this year so I did the 10k. The course is an out and back along the Delaware River, so the only thing to see is the river and the trees along the course. The course is basically flat with the occasional upward incline, but no real hills.
There were about 2 water stops on the course and a few music stops, but the only spectators were really at the finish line.
I’m not sure I’d make a point to run the 5k or 10k at RnR weekend, but it’s a nice race for the Remix Challenge.
Nice medal
I really like running in Philadelphia. The organization of the race is good and there was a lot to look at running through the park. The medal was really nice. … MORE
I really like running in Philadelphia. The organization of the race is good and there was a lot to look at running through the park. The medal was really nice. Would definitely recommend this race.
Lots to look at
I really enjoyed this race. There are so many statues and they ran us through some great parks. It was one of my favorite races of the rock n roll … MORE
I really enjoyed this race. There are so many statues and they ran us through some great parks. It was one of my favorite races of the rock n roll series, I would definitely recommend it.
Great race!!!
Everything about this event was fun!!!! The RnR race series is a class act from top to bottom at all of there events and this one was no different. Plus, … MORE
Everything about this event was fun!!!! The RnR race series is a class act from top to bottom at all of there events and this one was no different. Plus, I got to run the same streets as Sylvester Stallone did in “Rocky”. What more could you ask for????
Well put on race as usual
Once again, RnR Philly was a well executed race. The expo was about the same as usual, not huge, but of a good size. The shirt this year was generic … MORE
Once again, RnR Philly was a well executed race. The expo was about the same as usual, not huge, but of a good size. The shirt this year was generic and the medal was smaller than in years past and smaller than the photo the race released made it seem. In fact, the 5k medal (okay it was a different shape) seemed larger than the medal for the half.
The course is the same not going through the historic district with the Liberty Bell, so I wish there was more to see as I don’t find the Eastern State Penitentiary to be a “sight to see” (though it was decorated for Halloween). The course itself is pretty fast with one monster hill going past the Penitentiary (but then you get to go down it).
I did the remix challenge again this year and this year’s remix medal was an improvement. It was bigger and more interesting than last year’s.
This year was more hot and humid than in years past, but med tents were handing out bags of ice and there were cold towels at the finish. There was also plenty of water on the course and water and food at the finish. However, the race was handing out Glukos around mile 8.5 and I never saw it being towards the back of the pack. They had never run out in years past, but apparently did this year. Either that, or the volunteers stopped handing it out.
Good performance despite the weather
This year was warm and humid. For me, this was a very good time as I'm on the slower side and I managed to finish in the top 50% of … MORE
This year was warm and humid. For me, this was a very good time as I’m on the slower side and I managed to finish in the top 50% of the field. The course itself isn’t very exciting. It’s just an out and back along the Schuykill river (so it’s flat), but you get a nice view of the Philadelphia skyline on the way back to the finish.
The shirt this year was generic, but the medal was nice.
(Relatively) Flat Philly
This is my 2nd Rock N Roll Philadelphia race (and I've run the Philadelphia marathon once) and Philly is one of my favorite running towns. It is mostly flat. You … MORE
This is my 2nd Rock N Roll Philadelphia race (and I’ve run the Philadelphia marathon once) and Philly is one of my favorite running towns. It is mostly flat. You run near/through parks and the river.
RnR Philly has multiple events over the course of the weekend. 5k and 10k on Saturday and then the half marathon on Sunday. If you run one of the Saturday races plus the Sunday race you get an extra medal (the “Remix Challenge” medal).
RnR generally has good swag – nice shirts and medals. While I wouldn’t say these were the best RnR medals, they were nice.
This was a hot one
I know the race director can't choose the weather, but I wasn't expecting such a hot race. Overly warm and Humid, which made it hard for me, a desert girl, … MORE
I know the race director can’t choose the weather, but I wasn’t expecting such a hot race. Overly warm and Humid, which made it hard for me, a desert girl, to complete.
The scenery was gorgeous, and the views of the city were pretty great. Expo wasn’t much to look at, I’m really disappointed in the most recent RNR expos.
Disappointing course change
The expo for this race is big and awesome. If you run the 5k the day before you get a third medal (which is cool). My hotel was an easy … MORE
The expo for this race is big and awesome. If you run the 5k the day before you get a third medal (which is cool).
My hotel was an easy walk to the start/finish. The course this year was a little disappointing. They had changed it so you no longer run past the Liberty Bell and Independence Hall. Instead, you run over to the Eastern State Penitentiary (which brings with it a long hill).
There are a decent number of bands on the course as well as the usual RnR cheer stations and inflatable Brooks rocker dude.
The tech shirt and medal were nice (as usual with Rock ‘n’ Roll races) and post finish, walking to the Reading Terminal Market for breakfast isn’t so long a walk.
Fun 5k
I ran the 5k as part of the remix challenge this year (running both the 5k and 13.1). The shirt and medal were awesome (Ben Franklin with a running headband). … MORE
I ran the 5k as part of the remix challenge this year (running both the 5k and 13.1). The shirt and medal were awesome (Ben Franklin with a running headband). The scenery is okay. It’s just an out and back along the (closed) road overlooking the river and Art Museum. Going out you aren’t really looking at anything, but coming back you’re chasing the Art Museum.
Burn off a Philly Cheesteak!
We think running a half marathon is the best way to see a city, and running Rock n Roll Philadelphia proved this philosophy true once again. Though we'd been to … MORE
We think running a half marathon is the best way to see a city, and running Rock n Roll Philadelphia proved this philosophy true once again. Though we’d been to Philly a number of times, our two night stay (car-free) allowed us plenty of time to see the city on foot, both during the half marathon and during our down-time before and after race. Some things we loved about the race:
1. Hotel rooms within walking distance to the start and finish lines were easy to find and not exorbitantly priced.
2. Staying in just the right spot means easy walking or cheap Ubering to places like the art museum, Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell, and Spruce Street Harbor Park.
3. Course was beautiful! Runners get about 4 miles of city running and 9 miles of running along the Schuylkill River, and all the views an old city affords runners.
4. The race expo had just the right vendors. We took three trips through it: twice by ourselves and a third time with family members. It was their first expo and a memorable event for them.
5. Rock n Roll is both a race and a party. Philly is no exception.
6. Wow! What a finish line! This might be the best Rock n Roll finish: right in front of the famed Rocky Balboa/Philadelphia Museum of Art Steps.
7. We scored so many freebies from running this race we had an extra bag with us when we flew back home.
All in all: don’t overlook Philadelphia as a running destination. Ten years ago the city made news as one of the fattest cities in America. This can’t possibly be true now with Rock n Roll in town and the beautiful Schuykill River Trail available to residents. This was our favorite Rock n Roll event and we’ll definitely be back.
For more information on Rock n Roll Philadelphia visit: https://www.serialrunner.com/half-marathon-race-recaps/rock-n-roll-philadelphia-half-marathon