Everything you need to know about the 2022 Philadelphia Love Run
The city’s only spring half marathon, Love Run Philadelphia, is back, for the first time since the pandemic. Here's what to expect on Sunday, whether you're running or just trying to get around town.
The city’s only spring half marathon, Love Run Philadelphia, is back, on March 27, for the first time since the start of the pandemic. Tickets are already sold out. In total, 11,000 people will be competing.
Whether you’re running or just want to cheer from the sidelines (or get around the city), here is everything you need to know:
Key information
- COVID-19 vaccination status and masks are not required.
- There is a 40% chance of rain. But the Love Run is a "rain or shine" event.
- Vehicles are not allowed at Eakins Oval from March 24 to 27.
- More than 10 streets will be closed.
- 20 bus lines will have detours.
- You can't run unless you're registered, and you can't give someone else your race number.
- Pets, joggers, roller blades, scooters and bikes are not allowed on the race route.
Start time
The race starts at 7:30 a.m.
Race route
The race begins at the Benjamin Franklin Parkway, before 22nd Street. There are two routes, one for a 7.6K race, and the other for a half marathon.
The route is different this year, because the MLK bridge remains closed for repairs. Instead, runners will go down the Benjamin Franklin Parkway and then take a route through Center City along JFK Boulevard, Market Street, Penn Square, and Arch Street (framed by 26th Street to the west and Sixth Street to the east) before continuing back up the Parkway.
The half marathon continues up Kelly Drive before crossing into West Philly and into Fairmount Park.
Both routes finish at the Art Museum, right in front of the George Washington Statue
Track your process: The Philadelphia Love Run has a runner tracker for your friends and family to track you and know when you make it to the finish line.
Where to watch: The Eakins Oval is the best bet, along the Ben Franklin Parkway, to see the start and end of the race.
Road closures
With more than 10 streets closed for the race, you can expect a lot of traffic. This city advises drivers to avoid the area and find alternate routes.
Closed between 3 a.m. and 1 p.m.:
Benjamin Franklin Parkway (from 22nd Street to Eakins Oval)
Eakins Oval (from Benjamin Franklin Parkway to the Philadelphia Museum of Art)
Kelly Drive (from Eakins Oval to Brewery Hill Drive)
Closed between 6:45 a.m. to 11 a.m.:
Benjamin Franklin Parkway from 16th Street to Eakins Oval
16th Street from Benjamin Franklin Parkway to John F. Kennedy Boulevard
JFK Boulevard from 16th Street to 20th Street
20th Street from John F. Kennedy Boulevard to Market Street
Market Street from 20th Street to 15th Street
Penn Square to Juniper Street
Juniper Street to Market Street
Market Street from Juniper Street to Sixth Street
Sixth Street from Market Street to Arch Street
Arch Street from Sixth Street to Benjamin Franklin Parkway
Brewery Hill Drive to West Girard Avenue
West Girard Avenue to Lansdowne Drive
Lansdowne Drive to Sweet Briar Drive
Martin Luther King Jr. Drive to Falls Bridge
Black Road to Avenue of the Republic
Avenue of the Republic to Memorial Hill Drive
Memorial Hill Drive to South Concourse Drive
Where to park
All the streets listed above will also become “temporary no parking zones” from 4 a.m. to 1 p.m. Any parked cars will be relocated. Need to park? There are more than 20 parking garages in or near the Benjamin Franklin Parkway, ranging between $8 to $37 per two hours.
Public transportation
Beginning at 3 a.m., on March 27, SEPTA bus routes: 2, 4, 7, 16, 17, 23, 45, 27, 31, 32, 33, 38, 43, 44, 47M, 48, 49, 61, 124 and 125 will be detoured to avoid Center City and Old City.
The detours will end at 6 p.m. You can check the detours and route changes at septa.org.
Awards
There will not be a results kiosk at the end. Instead, the runner tracker will send you your place once you complete the route. If you don’t want to sign up for the tracker, you can check your results on the Love Run Results Page. The award ceremony will take place at 10 a.m. But you won’t receive your award, you’ll get it in the mail two weeks later.
The first three teams will be awarded $750, $500, and $250, respectively.