Parkway Run & Walk FAQs

Event Overview

What is the Parkway Run & Walk?

The Parkway Run & Walk, presented by Citadel Credit Union, is an extraordinary example of the mobilization of people determined to conquer childhood cancer. The event began under the Parkway Run name in 2002, fueling 22 years of breakthroughs at CHOP’s Cancer Center.

We are thrilled to celebrate cherished tradition of gathering as a community on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway on Sunday, Sept. 29. There is also a virtual option  for those who cannot attend in person because of distance or health concerns. Every team, whether participating in honor or in memory of a child, can take part in a way that matches their comfort and interest level.

How does the Parkway Run work?

  • Register: Start your team or join a team
  • Raise funds: 100% of every dollar raised for the Parkway Run & Walk funds breakthroughs in cancer research and care for children at CHOP.
  • On Sept. 29, gather on the Parkway to walk or run! On Sunday, Sept. 29, those who registered to run or walk will gather on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway for an inspiring program where we’ll highlight our teams and patient ambassadors, hear from the Cancer Center, recognize our sponsors and celebrate our accomplishments together! The ceremony will be followed by a 5K run/2K walk.
  • Can’t join us in-person? Check out our virtual options here.

What steps has Parkway Run & Walk made to ensure the event is accessible and inclusive?

  • Created a non-binary category for all races at the non-elite level
  • Implemented equally distributed prize and awards at the non-elite level for all races
  • All-gender restrooms
  • Accessible course and event space
  • Staff has gone through sensitivity training to ensure that spaces remain safe for all participants

Event Day

Where does the in-person event take place?
Runners and walkers will start at the peak of Eakins Oval and travel down the Benjamin Franklin Parkway. All participants will finish in front of the Philadelphia Museum of Art.

What time does the event begin?

  • 7 a.m. – Registration opens
  • 8:30 a.m. – 5K run begins followed directly by the 2K family fun walk

When should I arrive?
We suggest arriving no later than 7:30 a.m. to ensure your team is ready to start at the beginning of the run/walk.

Where can I park for the event?
Please refer to or download the map of paid parking lots. There are limited spots in these lots (which are also open to the public), so we recommend carpooling or public transportation if possible. Other options can be found using the Parkopedia, ParkWhiz or SpotHero websites. Please be sure to read all posted signs before leaving your vehicle, especially if you utilize off-street parking.

What is a team tent?
A team tent is a centrally located meeting area for your team. The tent will have a banner with your team’s name. We also deliver event shirts and race bibs right to the tent, which allows for all pre-registered team members to avoid any lines on race day. The deadline to achieve a team tent is Friday, Sept. 13.

How can my team get a tent?
Teams that recruit 100+ team members or raise $10,000+ will be provided with a tent on the day of the event. If a team recruits 125+ team members, we will also provide doughnuts! The deadline to achieve a team tent is Friday, Sept.13.

Will you have photographers available to take team photos?
Yes! Photographers will roam throughout the event space and will be happy to take team photos. There will also be two photographers stationed at the base of the Art Museum for team photos.

Are strollers allowed during the run/walk?
Strollers are allowed for all portions of the event. If a participant would like to run with a stroller, there will be a designated stroller start toward the back of the runner line to ensure participant safety.

Are we allowed to bring dogs on the event day?
Dogs are not permitted at the event because of our sanctions and insurance policies with USATF.

Can I run and walk?
The walk starts immediately after the last person crosses the starting line for the run, so depending upon how fast you run, there is a possibility that you could finish the run and catch back up with the walk.

When/where is the Parkway Run & Walk packet pickup?
The exact dates and times for packet pickup will be available in early September listed under the event details section of the website.

Can I run with my child?
Yes, the adult and kids 5K starts at the same time and follows the same course.

What are race age groups?
The age groups are broken down into the follow brackets: 19 and under, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69 and 70 and over

What are the race prizes?
Gift cards will be awarded to the 1st place, 2nd place and 3rd place male/female/gender non-binary winners of each age group.

Registration

What is the cost of registration?
Fees are based on whether you will attend the in-person event on Sept. 29, and if so, whether you choose to do the 5K run or the 2K walk.

Prices Through Sept. 15
Adult 5K Run: $30
Adult 2K Family Fun Walk: $25
Kids (ages 3 – 12) 5K Run: $14
Kids (ages 3 – 12) 2K Family Fun Walk: $12
Virtual Participant: $15

Prices After Sept. 15
Adult 5K Run: $35
Adult 2K Family Fun Walk: $30
Kids (ages 3 – 12) 5K Run: $16
Kids (ages 3 – 12) 2K Family Fun Walk: $14
Virtual Participant: $15
Kids ages 3 and under are free and do not need to be registered.  

When does online registration end?
Online registration for the in-person event ends at noon on Sunday, Sept. 22, 2024. If you or someone you know miss this date, we will have event-day registration available starting at 7 a.m. Virtual participant registration will remain open throughout the month of September. Virtual participants must be registered by Monday, Sept. 16, at 11:59 p.m. to receive virtual swag prior to event day.

When and where is the Parkway Run & Walk packet pickup?
Packet pickup will be on Friday, Sept. 27, from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. at CHOP’s Roberts Center for Pediatric Research, and on Saturday, Sept. 28, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at both the Roberts Center and CHOP’s hospital in King of Prussia. Team captains must let the CHOP Parkway Run & Walk team know in advance that they are picking up their team packets.

Can I register on the day of the event?
Event-day registration is available from 7-8:15 a.m. on Sunday, Sept. 29. The registration fee is $35 for adults and $15 for kids 12 and under.

What is a virtual participant?
A virtual participant is someone who is unable to attend the event on Sept. 29 but is still interesting in fundraising to create breakthroughs in pediatric cancer research and care at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. All virtual participates will receive an event T-shirt to be sent after Sept. 29. Learn more about virtual participant options here.

I do not remember my password and I am unable to reset it. What should I do?
Contact ParkwayRun@chop.edu and provide your name as well as indicate your problem. We will manually reset and provide you with a new password within 48 hours or less.

Is there a limit to how many people can be on my team?
The more the merrier! The more teammates you recruit, the more dollars you can raise to find new treatments and cures for pediatric cancer.

Volunteers

Can I volunteer at this year’s Parkway Run & Walk?
Yes! Please fill out this form if you are interested in volunteering.

Fundraising

Where do the funds go from the Parkway Run & Walk?
100% of every dollar raised for the Parkway Run & Walk funds breakthroughs in cancer research and care for children at CHOP — and around the globe! Learn more here.

Do I need to fundraise on top of my registration fee?
Fundraising is not required, but every dollar will help us fund breakthrough research and innovative care at CHOP.

How much of my donation will be directed to pediatric oncology research and care?
100% of your donation directly supports pediatric cancer research and care at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.

What are the responsibilities of the team captain?
Team captains customize the team page, recruit team members, motivate them to fundraise and share event details with the team. Some team captains go above and beyond and create team T-shirts or organize a team fundraising event!

Can I create a Facebook fundraiser that will show up on my team page?
Yes! We encourage our participant to start Facebook fundraising through your Participant Center. Log in to your event fundraising portal and select “Create a Facebook Fundraiser” to get started!

What is the TEAMPHLY Challenge?
As a sponsor of the Parkway Run & Walk, Philadelphia Insurance Companies (team name: TEAMPHLY) wants to help your fundraising team make an even bigger impact for kids with cancer. There are two ways that TEAMPHLY can help you raise more for your Parkway team: (1) Top Fundraiser Challenge, and (2) $500 Matching Challenge. Get the details of the TEAMPHLY Challenge.

What is the deadline to be recognized as the top fundraising team?
The top fundraising team deadline is Friday, Sept. 27 at noon.

What should we do with cash donations made to our team?
All cash donations should be converted to check or money order. You can fill out our donation form, which includes instructions on who the check should be made out to and where it should be sent.

I donated to a participant/team but it is not showing up on their page.
Sometimes donations are mistakenly made to the general event. Contact ParkwayRun@chop.edu and provide your name and who your donation was intended to be credited to. We will manually move your donation to the correct location within 48 hours or less.

What do I do if I or someone I know donated to the event and meant to donate to my page?
Email ParkwayRun@chop.edu and provide with the donor’s name and the correct page that the donation should be credited to, and the donation will be moved within 48 hours.

Are there opportunities to get my company involved?
Yes! If you work for a company that might be interested in being a sponsor, please review our sponsorship opportunities or email us at ParkwayRun@chop.edu for more information. Custom opportunities and packages are available. We also welcome any company that would like to form a corporate team and participate.

How do I know if my company has a matching gift program?
Many employers sponsor matching gift programs and will match any charitable contributions made by their employees. It’s a great way to double your donation!

Who can I contact if I have questions?
For any questions, please contact us at ParkwayRun@chop.edu

Our Partners

  • Citadel Credit Union
  • Big 98.1
  • Canuso
  • Crazy Aaron's
  • Karr Barth Associates
  • Philadelphia Insurance Companies
  • Publicis Health Media
  • Young's Landscape Management