18,000 athletes ready for Philadelphia Marathon

What started out with a field of 1,500 runners has ballooned to over 18,000 athletes that will fill the city's streets Sunday morning for the 15th annual Philadelphia Marathon.

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Runners from across the globe are expected to complete the 26.2 miles in the city's premier road race. Five races actually make up the event, which includes the marathon, a 13.1-mile half marathon, an eight-kilometer (4.97 miles) run, and two wheelchair races for the half marathon and 8K.

The race begins at 22nd Street and Benjamin Franklin Parkway and winds through the city before finishing at the steps of the Art Museum.

Traditionally one of the fastest courses in the country, many professional runners will use the mostly flat course to qualify for the 113th Boston Marathon, which will be held April 20. Qualifying time for next year's race is three hours, 10 minutes for men ages 18-34 and 30 minutes more for women in the same age group.

Last year's Philadelphia Marathon men's winner, Timothy Psitet, completed the course in 2 hours, 25 minutes, 0.01 seconds to beat a field of 6,913.

But two-time race winner, Joseph Nderitu, who won in 2003 and 2005, posted the fastest time in the last six races, running 2:16.47 in '03.

Nearly as many cheer zones - places for spectators to root on runners - as there are miles in the race, will be set up throughout the course. Among the spots designated as cheer zones are at the first mile at 16th and Arch streets, the fourth mile at Front and South streets, the 14.5-mile marker at Boathouse Row, Kelly Drive and Midvale Avenue for the 17th mile, and the iconic Art Museum for the halfway point and finish line.

Winners for both the men's and women's races will receive $3,500, while cash prizes will be awarded to the other top-five male and female finishers of the marathon. A $1,000 check will also be handed out to the top finishing male and female runners who have a Philadelphia zip code.

The main races begin at 7 a.m. with the first runners expected to finish around 9:20 a.m.