This year’s sold-out marathon weekend boasts four races, a free two-day Health & Fitness Expo, all-star partners, community activities, and more
PHILADELPHIA – The City of Philadelphia and Philadelphia Marathon Weekend race officials have an all-star lineup of title partners and events ahead of the 31st running of the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) Philadelphia Marathon.
Race Weekend 2024 features the AACR Philadelphia Marathon and Nemours Children’s Run on Sunday, November 24; the Dietz & Watson Philadelphia Half Marathon and Rothman Orthopaedics 8K on Saturday, November 23; and a free two-day Health & Fitness Expo on Friday, November 22 and Saturday, November 23. In addition to the races, open to the public will be a Children’s Zone, offering family-friendly activities including a rock-climbing wall, bounce zone, obstacle course, face painting, and more.
“We’re thrilled to welcome participants from around the world to Philadelphia’s Marathon Weekend,” said Kathleen Titus, Race Director, City of Philadelphia’s Marathon Weekend. “The energy and spirit of Marathon Weekend in Philadelphia are truly unmatched. As we celebrate the 31st running of the AACR Philadelphia Marathon, I invite everyone to join us along the race route to experience the excitement, inspiration, and unity that resonates throughout each neighborhood. We’re proud to partner with our community to deliver an exhilarating and unforgettable weekend for all.”
This year’s Marathon Weekend will be the largest anticipated attendance in race history at 37,000 participants. Registration for the AACR Philadelphia Marathon, Dietz & Watson Half Marathon, and Rothman Orthopaedics 8K officially sold out nearly two months earlier than last year’s sell-out date. Registration closed in September 2024 with:
- 17,000 participants for the AACR Philadelphia Marathon.
- 15,000 participants for the Dietz & Watson Half Marathon.
- 5,000 participants for the Rothman Orthopaedics 8K.
Registration for the Nemours Children’s Run is currently open but is also anticipated to sell out.
New this year, the City of Philadelphia and Philadelphia Marathon Weekend announced there will now be prize money and awards for the top finishers in the Open Division across the three gender categories (Men’s, Women’s, and Nonbinary). This will be the first year in the history of the Philadelphia Marathon that participating non-professional athletes can compete to win prize money as top finishers. This change expands opportunities for local and non-professional athletes to receive cash awards.
“Our continued commitment to improvement led to the implementation of prize money and awards in the Open Division. This new change celebrates a broader array of participants,” said Deputy Managing Director David G. Wilson, Executive Director, City of Philadelphia’s Marathon Weekend. “We feel that the increased interest and participation in our race, reflected by all three sold-out race events, is a direct acknowledgment that Philadelphia hosts one of the top races in the country.”
AACR Title Partner of the 2024 AACR Philadelphia Marathon
The American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) has proudly served as the title partner for the AACR Philadelphia Marathon since 2017 and race officials are ecstatic to have cultivated a unique partnership with a prestigious and groundbreaking cancer research organization. Headquartered in Philadelphia, AACR is the world’s first and largest professional organization dedicated to advancing cancer research and patient care.
AACR has raised significant funds for lifesaving cancer research through the AACR Runners for Research program, which brings together a diverse group of survivors, advocates, researchers, and those wishing to honor or memorialize a loved one.
More than 800 AACR Runners for Research team members, from novice runners to seasoned athletes, will participate in this year’s Philadelphia Marathon Weekend. They have raised $450,000 in support of cancer research so far in 2024, with the total expected to increase in the coming weeks.
“The AACR is honored to return for its eighth year as title partner for the AACR Philadelphia Marathon,” said Mitch Stoller, Chief Philanthropic Officer and Vice President of Development, AACR Foundation. “Our dedicated team of supporters has helped raise more than $2.7 million to propel lifesaving cancer research forward, which is making a meaningful difference for cancer patients and their loved ones. I’m energized by the groundbreaking progress we’re making against cancer—together.”
Dietz & Watson Title Partner for the 2024 Dietz & Watson Philadelphia Half Marathon
Once again, Dietz & Watson will be joining the 2024 Philadelphia Marathon Weekend activities as the title partner for the Dietz & Watson Philadelphia Half Marathon, recently named one of USA Today’s 10 Best Half Marathons Across the Nation for 2024.
“At Dietz & Watson we are committed to quality above all else. That’s why we take pride in doing things The Right Way. That means handcrafting the world’s best meats and cheeses using only the finest ingredients, time-honored family recipes and enforcing responsible manufacturing practices in every step of our process.
“For 85 years, Dietz & Watson has been honored to serve our hometown of Philadelphia with delicious products in every flavor and format. From bold to sweet, to smoky to savory, there’s something for everyone in the family!
“Meat us at the finish line of this year’s events, where athletes, their families and friends are invited to enjoy a complementary Dietz & Watson hot dog, sausage, and other fine treats,” Taylor Grissinger, Director of Marketing, Dietz & Watson.
Rothman Orthopaedics Title Partner for the 2024 Rothman Orthopaedics 8K
Rothman Orthopaedics returns as the title partner for the 2024 Rothman Orthopaedics 8K, a unique distance and a fantastic way to take part in the race weekend excitement.
“Rothman Orthopaedics is proud to once again sponsor the Rothman Orthopaedics 8K during Philadelphia Marathon Weekend. This event brings together athletes and families from all over to celebrate the spirit of endurance, dedication, and community — values that align with our mission to help people get back to doing what they love,” said Dr. Alexander R. Vaccaro, President of Rothman Orthopaedics. “We’re excited to support these runners every step of the way and to be part of such an iconic event in our hometown.”
Since 1970, Rothman Orthopaedics has provided communities with high-quality and compassionate care and has grown into one of the nation’s largest and most respected orthopedic practices.
Rothman Orthopaedics devotes its resources to the development of new treatments and the pursuit of excellence in education and research.
Nemours Children’s Health Title Partner for the 2024 Nemours Children’s Run
Philadelphia Marathon Weekend officials are thrilled to announce Nemours Children’s Health as the title partner for the 2024 Nemours Children’s Run. This partnership fosters opportunities to engage with and promote whole child health in local communities.
“Nemours Children’s vision is to create the healthiest generations of children. To do this, we think of health as going well beyond medicine. This involves going outside of our hospital walls to reach kids where they live, learn and play,” said Mark Marcantano, Regional President, Nemours Children’s Hospital, Delaware. “This is why we are so excited to be the title partner of the Nemours Children’s Run. When we all prioritize whole child health, like coming together as a community to celebrate a fun run, we can truly create the healthiest generations of children.
The Nemours Children’s Run features short-distance, and non-competitive events for youngsters four years to 12 years of age. Each age group will enjoy dashes, half mile or full-mile distances on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway on Sunday, November 24.
About Philadelphia Marathon Weekend
The Philadelphia Marathon Weekend, now in its 31st year, has grown tremendously since the first race in 1994. What started as a small local event of just 1,500 participants has become one of the top 10 marathons in the country. The course guides participants through a unique experience of centuries of history and architecture, diverse and lively neighborhoods, and remarkable views throughout Fairmount Park and along the Schuylkill River. Each year, spectators line the course, eager to cheer on athletes, because there’s nothing Philadelphians love more than champions.
For more information about the Philadelphia Marathon Weekend, visit philadelphiamarathon.com.
About AACR
The mission of the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) is to prevent and cure cancer through research, education, communication, collaboration, science policy and advocacy, and funding for cancer research. Through its programs and services, the AACR fosters research in cancer and related biomedical science; accelerates the dissemination of new research findings among scientists and others dedicated to the conquest of cancer; promotes science education and training; and advances the understanding of cancer etiology, prevention, diagnosis, and treatment throughout the world.
For more information about visit AACR.org.
About Dietz & Watson
Founded in 1939 by Gottlieb Dietz, and still family-owned and operated today, Dietz & Watson remains true to their original old-world recipes and Gottlieb’s commitment to “quality above all else.” Creating the freshest and leanest beef, ham, pork, turkey breast and chicken breast, Dietz & Watson’s offerings are enhanced only with all-natural spices and seasonings for optimum flavor profiles. All Dietz & Watson deli meats and cheeses are free of artificial flavors, colors, fillers, extenders and MSG. Headquartered in Philadelphia, Dietz & Watson continues their tradition of family commitment and to leading the industry in the crafting of the world’s best premium deli meats and artisan cheeses.
The company is led by founder Gottlieb Dietz’ grandchildren, Louis Eni (President and CEO), Chris Eni (COO) and Cindy Eni Yingling (CFO). Today, the fourth generation of the family, Lauren Eni, Christopher Yingling, Timothy Yingling, Michael Eni, Greg Yingling and CJ Eni have joined the company to carry the tradition further.
Learn more at DietzAndWatson.com.
About Rothman Orthopaedics Institute
Rothman Orthopaedic Institute is the largest musculoskeletal practice in the United States according to Becker’s Review. A world leader in the field of orthopedics, Rothman Orthopaedics partners with health systems, hospitals and physicians to build enduring musculoskeletal systems of care in communities that are high-quality, compassionate, affordable and grounded in evidence-based medicine. Rothman Orthopaedic Institute orthopedists treat patients in 37 locations and has surgical privileges at 71 facilities in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York and Florida.
With experts in nine orthopedic sub-specialties including spine, hip & knee, foot & ankle, shoulder & elbow, hand & wrist, sports medicine, physical medicine & rehabilitation, orthopedic oncology and trauma, Rothman Orthopaedics is recognized for excellence in clinical treatment methods, research, education and technology. Consistently recognized as national and regional “Top Docs,” Rothman Orthopaedics is proud to be the official team physicians for the Philadelphia Eagles, Phillies, the Orlando Magic, The Big EAST Conference, as well as over 60 college and high school teams.
For more information about Rothman Orthopaedic Institute, please visit RothmanOrtho.com.
About Nemours Children’s Health
Nemours Children’s Health is one of the nation’s largest multistate pediatric health systems, which includes two free-standing children’s hospitals and a network of more than 70 primary and specialty care practices. Nemours Children’s seeks to transform the health of children by adopting a holistic health model that utilizes innovative, safe, and high-quality care, while also caring for the health of the whole child beyond medicine. Nemours Children’s also powers the world’s most-visited website for information on the health of children and teens, Nemours KidsHealth.org.
The Nemours Foundation, established through the legacy and philanthropy of Alfred I. duPont, provides pediatric clinical care, research, education, advocacy, and prevention programs to the children, families and communities it serves.
For more information, visit Nemours.org.
