Information
New for 2025!!! This year the race will start and finish in front of the Ed Kelly Amphitheater. Post race party with food, drinks, German entertainment will also take place at the Ed Kelly Amphitheater. Over the last 14 years we have worked closely with the Cannstatter German Club to have our post race festivities, and we are very grateful for their hospitality. Because the club is a few miles from the start finish, we had to charter numerous school buses, and especially in recent years the cost has more than doubled. Instead of raising the entry fee, we have decided to relocate the post race party to Pennypack Park, which will also make it logistically easier for runners to participate.
Also new in 2025: Meet our new charity partner, Legacy of Hope. We have donated free entries to Legacy of Hope, soon you will be able to register to become a fundraiser and receive a free race entry, once you meet the fundraising goal. More info to follow.
This year some big city Marathons will cost you more than $200 to enter. You probably have to fork over another $200 to get a hotel room that is within 10 miles of the start at best. By setting your alarm clock to 2:00 AM you get a shot at a parking spot somewhat close to the start and you get to “warm up” for another 3 hours until you finally get out of line for the Porta John’s. The ½ Sauer ½ Kraut offers a somewhat different experience. You can park for free at the park or nearby neighbourhood. Within minutes you will be able to pick up your bib and swag at the Ed Kelly Amphitheater (no expo, day of pickup on location only). You will be running on a mostly shaded & (mostly :-)) flat bike trail alongside the Pennypack Creek. You will be supported by 13 aid stations (6 for the half), including Oktoberfest Aid station. Heidi, the Bavarian waitress will hand out gels, and we will invite you (yes, first beer is on us) to a non alcoholic beer and brats at the post race festivities, while “Hans” will entertain you with his accordion. Find out who else is crazy enough to run a race like this in the summer and rehydrate properly at the post race party. You will dramatically increase your chances of winning something by dressing in Lederhosen or Dirndl (traditional bavarian dress). A portion of your entry fee will be used to support the park as well as local charities.
This Years Swag
High quality performance top 1/4 zip. Long sleeve, perfect fabric for fall and winter running. Zippered side pocket and thumb holes. Only guaranteed to preregistered runners.
Categories
1/2 and full marathon (13.1 & 26.2 Miles), yes we are serious! Might become the hottest race in town, literarily
Not sure if you want to/able to run the full marathon? Sign up for the marathon (only $5 more than the 1/2), and decide during the race, if you are going to run the half or full. If you decide before mile 13 that you had enough, simply cross the finish line, get timed for the half (and officially compete for the awards in the half) and receive a finisher medal.
Course
Along the Pennypack Creek within the limits of Pennypack park. Course utilizes the paved bike path along Pennypack Creek. No traffic at all. You get to run miles and miles within the city limits of Philadelphia without seeing a house or a car at all. The midsection of the course features a bunch of short but steep rolling hills along with a trail section (Mount cuckoo). Some have referred to our course as an Achterbahn ("rollercoaster"). It's certainly not an easy race, but do-able, a good challenge for the experienced runner. Beautiful course along the Pennypack creek. No traffic, no cars, just trees, nature and views of the creek.
Is this a Boston Qualifier? Hell no!!!!! !!!This is a summer race, there is a good chance that high temps will make this harder than you anticipate!!! I recommend running the marathon only if you are an experienced runner, who can handle all kinds of adversity. You have been warned :-). No whining on race day.
Word of Caution
Once again, this race may become the "hottest" race in town. Running a marathon in temperatures in the 70ies and 80ies is exponentially harder than running one in November. We only recommend the marathon to experienced runners, who have ran long distances in the summer before and understand how to pace themselves in the heat, and how to stay hydrated properly. We do not recommend the marathon for first timers or PR seekers. This race is not about your finish time, it will be about how to deal with the course and the temps. You may be able to beat runners, who are usually faster than you, because you can handle the temps better, or because you manage your water intake better. We make you earn your beer, and we will make sure, that it will be cold :-)
Start Time
7:30 AM
Start Finish
Ed Kelly Amphitheater at Pennypack Park, Corner of Welsh Road and Cresco Ave, Philadelphia, PA
(start location has changed due to relocation of post race party)
Race Packet Pickup
On race day only, starting at 6:30am on location at Ed Kelly Amphitheater. Approx Location: Corner of Welsh Road and Cresco Ave, Philadelphia, PA
Fees
$85 for the full and $79 for half till May 5th 2024
$89 for the full and $85 for the half after May 5th 2024
Refunds
Till 30 days before raceday:
Mail us a self-addressed envelope to receive a refund minus $10
UES
c/o 1/2 SauerRF
2137 Old Lancaster Pike
Reinholds, PA , 17569
after:
no more refunds or deferrals, no exceptions, however we do allow official bib transfers, till 5 days before the race, email the RD at stephanweiss@comcast.net
Awards
Every half and full marathon finisher will receive a finisher medal.
Winner overall M & F will receive an authentic German cuckoo clock.
2nd & 3rd overall M & F will receive a Kuckulino desk clock
Top 3 in 5 year age groups starting at 14
Agegroup awards are quite unique. These awards come from the Black Forest of Germany. They are German weather houses. They can predict future weather pretty much as reliable as "Glen Hurrican Schwarz". Here is how they work: There is a gut string inside which reacts to all changes in air humidity. Depending on weather the air is dry or humid, the gut string changes it's position and twists more or less, so that the female turns outside when it is dry (predicting nice weather) and the male, when it is humid.
Time Limit
6h 30 min for full and the half, Walkers welcome for the 1/2 , but marathon is not
recommended for walkers. In order to make it in time, you have to maintain
a 14:53 per mile pace. This can be accomplished with a jog/walk strategie, but would require a very brisk walking pace if walking only. Depending on the weather, conditions might get harder after 11AM. Higher temps can slow you down by a minute per mile and more. Racedirector reserves the right to limit the race to a half marathon based on the temperatures or implements a strikter timelimit which will be enforced at the 1/2 way point for the marathon already.
Temperatures
Temperatures in June can reach in the high 80ies. Combine that with the possibility of high humidity and you can get very unfavorable running conditions. We recommend running the 1/2 marathon , if you are not trained for these type of conditions, since conditions will be much better early in the morning (before 10AM). The course is mostly shaded,but please note, the race director reserves the right to defer all the runners to the half marathon.
Timing
This year we will use a disposable chip timing system. Mile markers will be placed along the course.
Spectators
The course runs through Pennypack park. There will be few spots that are easily accessible by spectators. You might want to check the course map for access points to the bike trail. We think the best spot is at Mile 6.5 Pennypack Park entry at 8500 Pine Road, Philadelphia PA 19115
Fluid Stations
Most Fluid Stations are within 1.5 Miles of each other and are staffed by local runners. Gatorade will be available at the Fluid Stations. and Uberhans can be found at one giving you a little boost
Energy Gels
Gels will be available at Mile 8 and 21. We recommend bringing your own (the one you are used to, and trained with) and use ours as a backup.
Medical Support
EMT ambulance on location. Multiple support bikers on course.
Post race party
Starts around 10AM. Musical entertainment by Don Bitterlich (aka Uber Hans).
Don is a very talented accordion player and former NFL football player. Award ceremony will take place at the Ed Kelly Amphitheater. There will be popup beergarden in front of the stage, but you are more than welcome to bring a camping chair or a popup tent to participate. Your entry fee includes a non alcoholic beer and post race snacks/bratwurst sandwich. Dress up for the run and post race party, we always have extra awards for stuff like " Fastest Lederhosen" , best looking bavarian ...
9:30AM: Popup beergarden opens , enjoy your free n/a beer and German
Bratwurst with Sauerkraut
10:00AM: Live music by Don Bitterlich, America's toughest accordion player
10:20AM: Performance of the Almrausch German Dancegroup
10:30AM: Award ceremony
10:45AM: Costume contest
10:55AM: Keep enjoying a cold beverage and Don Bitterlich
12:00PM: Repeat of previous schedule for the marathon finishers
3:00 PM: End of post race party
Event's current local time: 6:58 AM ET
