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The annual Philadelphia Marathon returns this weekend, with thousands of runners participating in the event and many guests visiting the city. Good luck to anyone who is running!

The event brings a lot of excitement to the streets, but also means road closures, delays and detours. During the three-day event, which also includes the Rothman Institute 8K and Kids Fun Run on Saturday, motorists are advised to use alternate routes and avoid areas along the race course. There will be increased security in the Benjamin Franklin Parkway area, with parking and traffic regulations strictly enforced.

Major areas impacted during the Marathon weekend include:

• The Benjamin Franklin Parkway – Friday, Nov 21 through Sunday, Nov 23
• Citywide along the 26.2-mile route of the Philadelphia Marathon on Sunday, Nov 23 (see map)
• The I-676 off-ramps at 22nd Street (westbound) and 23rd Street (eastbound) will be closed on Sunday, Nov 23 after 4 a.m. for event security preparation.

Motorists and pedestrians can expect significant delays when trying to cross roads or streets that are adjacent to the course. Police will allow traffic through intersections along the course, when possible, depending on the flow of the race participants. All streets are scheduled to be reopened by 6 p.m. on Sunday, Nov 23. 

The following streets will be affected across the city on Sunday, Nov. 23:

• 18th Street, from Arch to Callowhill streets
• 19th Street, from Arch to Callowhill streets
• 20th Street, from Arch to Callowhill streets
• 21st Street, from Spring Garden to Arch streets
• 22nd Street, from Spring Garden to Arch streets
• Benjamin Franklin Parkway, from 22nd to 16th streets
• Arch Street between 16th to 4th streets
• 4th Street Arch to Vine streets
• Race Street, from 4th Street to Columbus Boulevard
• Columbus Boulevard (Southbound lanes), Vine Street to Washington Avenue
• Southbound off-ramp, from I-95 at Washington Avenue
• Washington Avenue, from Columbus Boulevard to Front Street
• Front Street, from Washington Avenue to South Street
• South Street, Front to 6th streets
• 6th Street, Bainbridge to Market streets
• Chestnut Street, 6th to 34th streets
• 34th Street, Chestnut Street to Girard Avenue
• Lansdowne Drive, Girard Avenue to South Concourse Drive
• South Concourse Drive, Lansdowne Drive to West Memorial Hall Drive
• West Memorial Hall Drive, South Concourse to Avenue of the Republic
• Avenue of the Republic, West Memorial Hall Drive to Centennial Circle
• Black Road
• Martin Luther King Drive
• Kelly Drive
• The Falls Bridge
• Ridge Avenue, Schoolhouse Lane to Manayunk Avenue
• Main Street, from Ridge Avenue to Green Lane

SEPTA has also prepared for the marathon and alerts riders about a number of bus detours due to street closures. A special webpage was created with information on specific line detours and service alternatives: http://www.septa.org/events/philadelphia-marathon.html.

And here’s also a detailed listing of affected lines:

– Saturday, Nov. 22 – Rothman 8K and Kids Run at the Philadelphia Marathon – Starting at 4:00 a.m., Routes 7, 32, 33, 38, 43, and 48 will be detoured due to closure of the Benjamin Franklin Parkway between 19th and 24th Streets. Buses are scheduled to remain on detour through the early afternoon on Saturday.

– Sunday, Nov. 23 – Philadelphia Marathon Day – Due the length of the course through Fairmount Park & Center City, bus routes K, R, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 9, 12, 16, 17, 21, 23, 25, 27, 30, 32, 33, 35, 38, 40, 42, 43, 47, 47M, 48, 57, 61, 64, 124 and 125 will begin detours as early as 4:00 a.m. through the conclusion of the race events on Sunday afternoon. In addition, Trolley Route 15 will be serviced with buses to accommodate detours along Girard Avenue.

And here’s information on cheer zones and parties in West Philadelphia on Sunday (from the Philadelphia Marathon website, Fans page):

Chestnut Square Block Party, 32nd & Chestnut Streets—Mile 7 (7:10 a.m.-9:15 a.m.) – The shops at Chestnut Square and Drexel University have teamed up to bring runners, visitors, and residents a block party! Join them during the race to cheer on runners and stick around all afternoon for live music, games, and giveaways.

Wawa Cheer Zone, 34th & Chestnut Streets—Mile 7.5 (7:10 a.m.-9:15 a.m.) – Come out to University City and cheer with a Philadelphia favorite – Wawa – and the UPenn cheerleaders! Wawa will keep you warm with hot chocolate, and keep the excitement going all morning with a prize wheel and giveaways.

34th Street & Fairmount Avenue—Mile 8 (7:15 a.m.-9:30 a.m.) – Row homes and murals are common throughout Philadelphia’s residential areas. In Mantua, one of the city’s many neighborhoods, runners will experience this before they head into the lush greens and beautiful river views of Fairmount Park.

34th Street & Girard Avenue @ the Philadelphia Zoo—Mile 8.3 (7:15 a.m.-9:30 a.m.) – Join Philadelphia Taiko Drum Center and the Philadelphia Zoo, America‘s first zoo, at this Cheer Zone and be sure to bring the kids! The Zoo opens at 9:30am, just in time for you to check out the race and be the first in line.

West Memorial Hall Drive near Please Touch Museum—Mile 9.8 (7:15 a.m.-9:45 a.m.) – The site of the first official World’s Fair in 1876 was on the grounds by Memorial Hall, which now houses the Please Touch Museum, established 100 years later. This beautiful piece of Fairmount Park where you can enjoy the sights and greenery in this urban oasis. Worlds Ewe African Dance Ensemble will provide entertainment at this Cheer Zone.

Course Turnaround at Martin Luther King, Jr. Drive & Black Road—Mile 11.1 (7:20 a.m.-10:00 a.m.) – A runner’s favorite, the Vaudevillians NYB return again for a wild and quirky time to keep runners going as half marathoners are almost to the finish line and the full marathoners are getting into the groove.