Run for Parks

Fairmount Park Conservancy is proud to be an official charity partner of this year’s Philadelphia Marathon Weekend! As one of the top-10 marathons in the country, the beautiful and scenic course takes athletes past historic landmarks, through urban neighborhoods, and along Philadelphia’s picturesque waterfronts. And best of all, the marathon route takes you through 15 miles of beautiful parkland! By joining our team of “Park Champions” you’ll help us in the ongoing effort to keep Fairmount Park a safe and clean sanctuary for our city. It’s not just a place you run through, but a place you run FOR.

STEPS TO JOIN OUR TEAM: 

1. Follow the links below and fill out the online application for the HALF or FULL Marathon. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis. As long as available  spots remain, the application will be open until October 16. We will notify you of your application status within a week of submitting the form.

2. If accepted, you will have 48 hours to pay the registration fee ($50 for HALF and $100 for FULL) and complete your registration on Race Roster.

3. As a committed member of our Park Champions team, you must abide by the following fundraising requirements and timeline:

FEES & FUNDRAISING: All funds collected are considered a charitable donation to the Conservancy in support of our mission to sustain and enhance Philadelphia’s parks.

PLEASE NOTE: Registration fees and all funds raised are non-refundable.

HALF MARATHON
– $50 initial registration fee
– $700 of additional fundraising (with $350 completed by 10/12)

FULL MARATHON
– $100 initial registration fee
– $900 of additional fundraising (with $450 completed by 10/12)

IMPORTANT DATES:

10/12: Deadline to reach 50% of the fundraising minimum ($350 for HALF; $450 for FULL). Runners who do not meet this requirement by the deadline will forfeit their place on the team. If the team is sold out, the forfeited spot will be offered to an individual on the waitlist. 

10/16: Team registration deadline (if spots remain). If injury or another circumstance prevents you from participating, this is also the final opportunity to transfer your spot to a replacement runner that you are responsible for finding. 

11/18: Deadline to reach 100% of the fundraising minimum ($700 for HALF; $900 for FULL). On 11/19, any remaining balance will be charged to the credit card on file. 

PARK CHAMPION PARTICIPANT PERKS:

All Runners Receive: :

• Guaranteed bib for the 2026 Philadelphia Marathon or Half Marathon
• Long sleeve technical shirt
• Finisher’s medal and finisher certificate (digital)
• Chip timing (the Philadelphia marathon is a Boston Marathon qualifying race)
• Post-race finisher’s festival, entertainment, and post-race nutrition

Exclusive to Park Champions:  

• Fairmount Park Conservancy branded running hat
• Invitation to meet your fellow Park Champions at a pre-run social event in October (more details TBD)
• Early registration access to Conservancy events
• 50% discount code for Conservancy public programs in 2026

Thanks to hundreds of runners who have supported our charity teams over the last 10 years, we’ve been able to restore the historic Belmont Plateau 5k Cross Country Course and create the Trolley Trail, a 4-mile loop trail around West Park following the route of the former Fairmount Park Trolley. Help us continue our work and join our team!

Questions?
Email John Sigmund jsigmund@myphillypark.org