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| 2011 Philadelphia Marathon | |
|---|---|
| Name | 2011 Philadelphia Marathon |
| Date | November 20, 2011 |
| Location | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States |
| Distance | Marathon (42.195 km) |
| Organizer | Philadelphia Marathon, Inc. |
| Men's winner | Dereje Abera |
| Women's winner | Mare Dibaba |
| Wheelchair men | Aaron Pike |
| Wheelchair women | Cordia Tsoi |
2011 Philadelphia Marathon The 2011 Philadelphia Marathon was a long-distance road running event held in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on November 20, 2011, forming part of the city's annual endurance sports calendar. The race attracted elite athletes from Ethiopia, Kenya, and the United States, along with wheelchair competitors and tens of thousands of recreational runners, drawing coverage from outlets such as NBC Sports, ESPN, and local media like the Philadelphia Inquirer.
The event was organized by City of Philadelphia-based organizers affiliated with Philadelphia Marathon, Inc. and coordinated with municipal agencies including the Philadelphia Police Department, Philadelphia Fire Department, and the Philadelphia Department of Parks and Recreation. Sponsorship included corporations and institutions such as Lincoln Financial Group, Comcast, and local partners like University of Pennsylvania athletic departments. Logistics involved partnerships with public transit agencies including Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority and volunteer coordination through organizations such as the Philadelphia Youth Network and regional chapters of the American Red Cross.
The marathon course started near the Philadelphia Museum of Art and incorporated landmarks including Benjamin Franklin Parkway, Logan Circle, Old City, Independence Hall, and finishers crossed near Eakins Oval. Runners traversed sections by the Schuylkill River Trail and passed institutions like Temple University and Drexel University. Weather on race day involved cool temperatures typical of late autumn in Northeastern United States and wind conditions influenced by proximity to the Delaware River, affecting pacing across stretches near Penn's Landing.
Elite fields featured athletes from Ethiopia, Kenya, USA-based competitors, and entrants with histories at events such as the Boston Marathon, New York City Marathon, and Chicago Marathon. Wheelchair divisions included athletes affiliated with teams from organizations like USA Track & Field and international para-sport programs connected to the Paralympic Games. Competitors arrived with prior credentials from races such as the London Marathon, Berlin Marathon, and Hamburg Marathon, and tactics reflected coaching influences from figures associated with Nike training groups and collegiate programs like Villanova University track and field.
Amateur entrants represented running clubs including Philadelphia Runner, regional chapters of Road Runners Club of America, and university-affiliated alumni groups from Pennsylvania State University and Rutgers University. The race included charity fundraising partnerships with organizations like Ronald McDonald House Charities, Susan G. Komen Foundation, and local nonprofits such as Camden Coalition of Healthcare Providers. Community engagement involved youth programs from Boys & Girls Clubs of America affiliates in Philadelphia and corporate challenge teams from firms such as Aramark and Liberty Property Trust.
The men's elite race was won by Dereje Abera of Ethiopia with a competitive finishing time, while the women's title went to Mare Dibaba, also representing Ethiopia. Wheelchair divisions were captured by athletes including Aaron Pike and Cordia Tsoi. Top finishers had prior podiums at championships like the IAAF World Championships in Athletics and regional marathons including Los Angeles Marathon. Results lists featured athletes from countries such as Eritrea, Uganda, Canada, Mexico, Great Britain, Ireland, Germany, France, Spain, Italy, Japan, South Korea, Australia, New Zealand, Brazil, Argentina, Kenya, Russia, Belarus, Poland, Czech Republic, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Finland, Netherlands, Belgium, Switzerland, Austria, Portugal, Greece, Turkey, South Africa, Nigeria, Egypt, Morocco, Tunisia, Algeria, India, China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam, and Philippines.
The 2011 race prompted scrutiny over course certification in relation to USA Track & Field and Association of International Marathons and Distance Races standards, and medical response protocols were reviewed with input from Philadelphia Department of Public Health and hospital systems including Thomas Jefferson University Hospitals and Penn Medicine. Incidents included heat and cold-related medical calls managed by teams from EMS and volunteer first responders from Volunteer Medical Corps affiliates. Controversies touched on road closures coordinated with the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation and impacts on communities such as Fishtown and South Philadelphia, prompting stakeholder meetings with officials from Philadelphia City Council.
The event was covered by broadcasters including NBC Sports Network, ESPN2, and local television stations like WPVI-TV and WCAU-TV, with print and digital reporting by outlets such as the Philadelphia Inquirer, Philadelphia Daily News, Runner's World, and Competitor Magazine. The marathon contributed to Philadelphia's reputation alongside events like the Philadelphia Flower Show and the city's cultural institutions including the Philadelphia Museum of Art and Independence National Historical Park, reinforcing legacy initiatives in urban sports tourism promoted by Visit Philadelphia. Annual evaluation influenced subsequent editions and planning by entities including Mayor of Philadelphia's office and Philadelphia Convention and Visitors Bureau.
Category:Marathons in the United States Category:Sports competitions in Philadelphia