The Philadelphia Marathon is Amplifying the Runner Experience through Inclusion and Increased Prize Money

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Jennifer Sherlock

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City of Brotherly Love Celebrates a Newly Improved Philadelphia Marathon Weekend

The Philadelphia Marathon, Already One of the Top 10 in the Country, is Amplifying the Runner Experience through Inclusion and Increased Prize Money

Philadelphia, PA (October 25, 2022) – Runners from around the world will gather in Philadelphia for a significantly enhanced Marathon Weekend. This year, city officials have worked diligently to expand opportunities for runners which will likely result in another sellout for next month’s race events.

The annual Philadelphia Marathon Weekend starts with the Dietz & Watson Philadelphia Half Marathon, Rothman Orthopaedics 8K, and the returning Kids Fun Run on Saturday, November 19. The full AACR Philadelphia Marathon will be held on Sunday, November 20. Wheelchairs will start at 6:55 a.m. and Runners/Walkers will start at 7:00 a.m. at 22nd Street & Benjamin Franklin Parkway, near the Philadelphia Museum of Art.

Philadelphia Marathon Weekend leadership is excited to announce that the overall prize money for the 2022 Philadelphia Marathon Weekend has increased by $54,000, making the grand total $121,800, the highest it has ever been. This year, prize money will be given to the wheelchair category’s second-, third-, and fourth-place finishers. Additionally, prize money for ALL of the races—the Dietz & Watson Philadelphia Half Marathon, the Rothman Orthopaedics 8k, and the AACR Philadelphia Marathon—has been increased for participants in 2022. 

Some brand-new partnerships including Ford, ASICS, and Hylands Naturals have allowed city officials to increase the prize money which in turn has already attracted the largest number of elite runners to date. 

Elite Paralympic Athlete, Michelle Wheeler, will be engaging with runners and competing in all events. Wheeler is a member of the Boston Marathon U.S. Elite Team and participated in the 2019 Marathon World Championships. Wheeler claimed the 2018 Los Angeles Marathon title and has competed in several marathons all over the world, including the Abbott World Marathon Majors. 

City officials have also made major strides to grow the adaptive athlete category. Many people worldwide wish to check off “complete a marathon” on their bucket lists, but not many have the support or determination to do it. Chris Koch, a 40-year-old Canadian, will be competing at this year’s Philadelphia Marathon Weekend on his longboard. Koch was born with a partially developed right leg and foot which he uses to propel him across the finish line. Koch has become an inspiration to many as he has completed races ranging from 5K’s to marathons all across the country. 

Lastly, the 2022 Philadelphia Marathon Race Weekend will feature a nonbinary category for the first time ever, providing a space for every athlete to register, race, and be celebrated exactly as they are. There’s been a push for gender inclusion in sports across the world, and this year Philadelphia made the change that is allowing participants to compete without having to register in the men’s or women’s divisions. 

City of Philadelphia Deputy Managing Director for General Services, Arts, and Events, David Wilson says, “These changes are critical to build upon and improve the Philadelphia Marathon Weekend experience. Runners are coming from all over the world, so we see these changes as necessary to continue to attract participants and to continue the growth of this historic race weekend.”

Race Director Kathleen Titus is proud to be a part of this step forward and explains that “Racers will have the option to enter the races as male, female, or nonbinary – a term used by people who don’t identify solely within the gender categories of man or woman.” She goes on to say that “No athlete should be forced to participate in a category that does not fit their identity, and the Philadelphia Marathon wants to make sure its races are 100% inclusive.” 

About Philadelphia Marathon Weekend:

The Philadelphia Marathon Race Weekend, organized by the Office of the Managing Director, welcomes over 30,000 runners, 60,000 spectators, and 3,000 volunteers each year. Race Weekend 2022 features a free two-day Health & Fitness Expo on Friday, November 18, and Saturday, November 19; the Dietz & Watson Philadelphia Half Marathon, Rothman Orthopaedics 8K, and Kids Fun Run on Saturday, November 19; and the AACR Philadelphia Marathon on Sunday, November 20. Race participants pass many of Philadelphia’s famous attractions on the swift and scenic USATF-certified course, which is a Boston qualifier.

**Philadelphia Marathon Weekend Officials recommend all 2022 participants be up to date on vaccinations protecting them against Covid19 and wear a face mask around others in public spaces.**