Now that the dust has finally settled and the results of the 25th annual Philadelphia Marathon are in, it’s time to take a look at this time-honored tradition. Philly is a city of sporting tradition – and sometimes even superstition – and it was all on display from Nov. 16-18, 2018 as runners covered a 26.2-mile course that weaved through some of the city’s most scenic areas. What’s more, a record-setting number of participants joined in the action as an 8K and children’s run were held on Saturday before Sunday’s main event. It’s safe to say that runners and their fans who cheered from the finish line worked up an appetite over the weekend and set sights on getting a Philly cheesesteak in Philadelphia afterward. If you’re looking to learn more about the annual marathon that’s already scheduled for 2019, or want to find that quintessential cheesesteak in South Philly, then we encourage you to read on!
After two hours, 14 minutes and 46 seconds, Tadesse Yai Dabi crossed the finish line and set a new record in the process. The marathon’s website says that an “elite male master” entry for the full course must be accompanied with documents that show they’ve completed an 8K in 26 minutes. The overall American Association for Cancer Research’s (AACR) Philadelphia Marathon course stretched from Center City, Old City and Manayunk before routing back onto the Parkway near the Philadelphia Museum of Art. According to KYW 1060 AM, the race’s director described the overall course as “flat” and “fast” and something that mirror’s the city’s “backbone.”
“We really hit a lot of key spots in the city for runners to embrace our Center City, embrace our historical areas and get a true feel for what Philadelphia is all about by running through some of the neighborhoods, especially,” Jim Marino told KYW. The 2019 iteration of the event is currently scheduled for Nov. 22-24, 2019 so those looking to register should mark their calendars now. Given that about 30,000 runners in all participated this year, it’s clear that this is one of Philly’s sporting traditions that will keep going strong for years to come.
Speaking of traditions, getting a Philly cheesesteak in Philadelphia is one that both visitors and residents alike adhere to year-round. The best place to do this is at Geno’s, at the corner of 9th Street and Passyunk Avenue, in South Philadelphia. This local landmark is the go-to for those who want to fill up with a “wiz with” – which is undoubtedly the official Philly cheesesteak in Philadelphia.