COVID Vaccine Mandated For Philly Marathon Runners

PHILADELPHIA, PA — All competitors in this year's Philadelphia Marathon and other weekend races must show proof of a COVID-19 vaccine, organizers announced.

"Proof of vaccination is necessary to ensure athlete safety and public health because runners cannot be expected and will not be required to wear face masks while running," organizers said in a notice. "Athletes will be required to wear face masks in other areas near the start and finish line areas in accordance with established City masking guidelines. "

The city is following in the footsteps of Philadelphia's largest footrace, the Broad Street Run which was held last weekend instead of its usual early May date. Broad Street mandated the vaccine in a late August announcement.

The marathon weekend, which also includes the Philadelphia Half Marathon and Rothman 8k, is slated for Nov. 20 and Nov. 21.

Runners have just a few weeks to get their shots in line, if they have not already done so: the deadline is two weeks ahead of each races, so Nov. 6 for the 8k and half marathon and Nov. 7 for the marathon.

If a runner does not receive the vaccine or contracts COVID-19 leading up to the race, they will be offered options for deferment to a future year's race, a transfer to a virtual race, or a partial refund.

Proof of a negative test will not be considered acceptable documentation.

"The Philadelphia Marathon Weekend leadership team have been and will continue to work closely with the Philadelphia Department of Public Health throughout the planning process for the 2021 Philadelphia Marathon Weekend events," Dave Wilson, the marathon's Deputy Managing Director for General Services, Arts and Events, said in a statement. "We believe these new guidelines will provide safety and protection for our staff, athletes, volunteers and partners."

Verification of vaccination must be brought to the marathon weekend expo in the days leading up to the races, when runners pick up their bib numbers.