Philadelphia Marathon Race Weekend Moved

Philadelphia Marathon

Philadelphia Marathon officials announced that the date of the race has been changed from the weekend of November 22-24 to the weekend of November  15-17 — one week earlier than planned — to adjust to the scheduling of a prestigious national trade convention on sustainability in Philadelphia and to ensure the best experience and amenities for race participants.

Now during the weekend of the 22nd, the Greenbuild International Conference and Expo, a sustainable building conference, will be at the Pennsylvania Convention Center in Center City — the venue where the marathon’s key pre-race Health & Fitness Expo activities traditionally have been held. The Greenbuild Conference is the largest conference and expo dedicated to green building.

Philadelphia Marathon Executive Director Desiree Peterkin-Bell said that the race-date change provides an opportunity for two highly visible events to take place on back-to-back weekends. She said it would   showcase Philadelphia as a desirable world-class destination for both marathoning and other large-scale attractions.

“The Philadelphia Marathon decided to move the date for the 2013 Philadelphia Marathon to secure space in the Pennsylvania Convention Center (PCCA) for the Marathon Health & Fitness Expo,” said Peterkin-Bell. “As we have been informed by authorities at the Convention Center, it would have been difficult for the City to host the Philadelphia Marathon and the Greenbuild International Conference & Expo, while providing the hotel space needed for nearly 60,000 combined attendees at the PCCA on the same weekend. As we do every year, we have worked with our hotel partners citywide to set aside a number of rooms at a favorable rate for our runners. On April 1st, registration for the Marathon will open, and participants will be able to reserve reduced-rate hotels rooms available through our website.”

Added Peterkin-Bell: “We continue to work closely with the PCCA and the Philadelphia Convention & Visitors Bureau on these efforts. This November, we will host two major events which will generate significant revenues for our city during two consecutive weekends. While we regret any inconvenience to our runners, we are excited to host them in 2013 for the 20th anniversary of the Philadelphia Marathon.”

Peterkin-Bell said the marathon is looking forward to hosting the more than 30,000 people expected to participate in the race, one of the nation’s largest marathons.

Jack Ferguson, president & CEO, Philadelphia Convention & Visitors Bureau, commented: “Hosting U.S. Green Building Council 2013 is a prestigious honor for Philadelphia, where thought leaders from around the world in sustainability will be coming together during a time when the City and Mayor are focused on being the top green city in America. At the same time, the Philadelphia Marathon is certainly an important staple event for the city. U.S. Green Building Council is a full building show and even requiring meeting facilities in our hotels, so we thank the Marathon organizers for moving the date so the City is able to host both of these amazing events in the City and at the Pennsylvania Convention Center. The official hotel room block for the Marathon will be open in April when registration for the Marathon opens. Combined, these two events will generate more than $55 million in economic impact and bring nearly 60,000 visitors to our great city.”

Peterkin-Bell said this year the Marathon falls on Sunday, November 17, which is a day earlier than the 2012 race.

“We are still holding the race within the same time frame this year,” she said. “We understand that marathoners have invested a great deal of time, training and dedication to prepare, and greatly appreciate their flexibility. The new date ultimately allows them to have the same quality experience they are accustomed to. We hope to see everyone out on the course the weekend of November 15th.”