The Philadelphia Marathon sells out every year. If you missed the lottery, didn’t get in, or just decided last minute that 2026 is going to be your year, there’s still a way to toe the line on November 22, 2026.
Team Friendship is securing charity bibs for the 2026 Philadelphia Marathon. Guaranteed entry, and every mile you run raises money for children and adults with special needs through Friendship Circle.
Why Run Philadelphia with Team Friendship
The Philadelphia Marathon is one of the most iconic 26.2 mile courses in the country. You start downtown, fly past Independence Hall, hit the Art Museum steps (yes, the Rocky steps), and follow the Schuylkill River through Fairmount Park. It’s a fast course if you train for it, and a beautiful one even if you don’t.
But the bigger reason to run with Team Friendship is the cause and the community. Every dollar you raise goes toward Friendship Circle’s programs that create real friendships between teen volunteers and individuals with special needs. You’re not just running a race. You’re running for someone.
What’s Included with Your Charity Bib
- Guaranteed charity bib with no lottery and no waitlist
- Training support and a personalized fundraising coach
- Team gear and race-day support crew on the course
- A community of runners who care about more than their splits
The Philadelphia Marathon Course
The Philly Marathon is famously fast and beautiful. Highlights you’ll see along the route:
- Independence Hall and the historic district
- Philadelphia Museum of Art and the Rocky steps
- Boathouse Row along the Schuylkill
- Fairmount Park and the river drive
- The Manayunk turnaround at the halfway point
Why a Charity Bib Is the Smartest Way In
The Philadelphia Marathon has gotten harder to enter every year. Lottery odds are unpredictable, and once registration opens it can close in days. A charity bib through Team Friendship is the most reliable way to guarantee your spot, and it turns your training into something bigger than a finish-line photo.
You’re already going to spend months training. Why not put those miles toward something meaningful?
Spots Are Limited
Charity allocations are capped, and Team Friendship spots tend to fill before summer. The fastest way to lock in your bib is to fill out the interest form now. Our team will reach out within 48 hours with fundraising minimums, training plans, and race weekend details.
About Team Friendship
Team Friendship is the endurance fundraising arm of Friendship Circle International, a global nonprofit creating friendships between teen volunteers and people with special needs across 80+ chapters worldwide. Our runners, climbers, and cyclists take on bucket-list adventures while raising critical funding for inclusion programs that change lives.
Past Team Friendship events include the New York City Marathon, London Marathon, Mount Kilimanjaro climb, and Mont Blanc trek.
Ready to run the 2026 Philadelphia Marathon for a cause? Visit the Team Friendship Philadelphia Marathon page to claim your charity spot.