Running at PHL
 

I know I've started or participated in a few threads about running at airports. most recently about running at DFW. (I was planning to run at the Hyatt Regency, but ended up taking the day off.) I have run somewhat regularly at BOS, JFK, LAX, and LHR, all of which are easy to do; at BOS, LAX, and LHR, one can run right from the terminal (T5, in the case of LHR), and at JFK one can take the AirTrain to Federal Circle and then head out for a run.

Tomorrow I have a four hour layover at PHL and am considering going for a run. Anyone know what the options might me, preferable outdoors if it's not too hot? And are there showers available at one of the Admirals Clubs or at the BA lounge when I return?

Outside of arrivals, you can run from terminal to terminal. The PHL thread has the map stickied to the top, and it would be on above of the orange sections on the map -> https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/amer...n-mct-etc.html

I don't remember seeing showers in the AC, and I'm doubtful it would have one considering it's a very old lounge; no clue on the BA side though but you should give them a call. Depending on the time of day, it's high 80's to low 90's, and it's very humid.

I would advise against running outside of PHL. The airport is next to a major industrial area and bound by interstate highway. Traffic is heavy with constant flows of semis. Sidewalk is next to none.

If you absolutely wanted to run outside, I would take a quick cab to one of the nearby hotel/office parks. There would be some decent runs you could string around the ponds and access roads but nothing to write home about.

The weather is supposed to be milder tomorrow. But without a shower I’m out of luck; I’m not going to subject myself or the other passengers to a 12-hour flight to DOH if I haven’t showered!

I guess the question is whether there are pockets that would work. At JFK, for example, I’m running among the cargo warehouses. At BOS and LHR I know how to sneak out of the industrial areas and into surrounding neighborhoods.

Best route I can see is running the sidewalk of the departures road from west of Terminal A-West (at what is called the North Access Road) to the now-closed entrance to the old Economy parking lost east of Terminal F. The sidewalk between those points is continuous and the point-to-point distance is 1.2 miles, so back and forth to get the distance you want. Not ideal since you will be dodging passengers being dropped off and dragging luggage into the terminals but may be the best you can do at PHL. Most of the other roadways do not have sidewalks and some are ramps to and from I-95. The AC's at PHL do not have showers. Not sure about the BA lounge.

https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...c88a0e1033.jpg

Thanks. This looks like a good (albeit boring) option if the weather cooperates and if there are showers.

I only run when I am being chased :D.

Run the opposite direction on the moving walkways.....

Running laps the length of the terminals at departures would be the way to go here. The AA lounges don't have showers, but the Minute Suites does for a fee.

How about parkour around the chairs and serving dishes inside the Admiral's Club?

The ACs and the BA lounge do NOT have showers. There's a shower in the Centurion Lounge, theoretically, but I've never tried to use it since PHL is my home airport and there were rumblings about it being consistently out of order at some point... There's a Marriott is attached to PHL terminal B landside; that might be your best bet for a shower if they offer day rates.

What I did on long layovers with dogs: Took the shuttle to the Park 'n Fly (https://www.pnf.com/airport-parking/...y-philadelphia) lot, then go for our run along Mingo creek, then turn right where it ends and find some paths between the synagro plant and the PHL impound lot. There's open areas there with dirt paths that are nice to walk/run. The interstate is elevated there, you can safely cross under everywhere.
Just use google maps satellite view, you'll see what I mean. I had three dogs with me and they had lots of fun...

The BA lounge also has no showers unfortunately. So much for PHL being a premium hub....

https://www.inquirer.com/business/ro...-20230726.html

It's not free but a gym just opened that's $25 and has showers. It's probably way more trouble than it's worth but you could always Uber to the start of the Schuylkill River Trail and run along that. Would be under 30 minutes each way (closer to 20 really).

Take a mental run instead of a physical one. Pretend that you’re an athlete on any Philadelphia professional sports team, find a championship trophy, and run away as fast as you can for decades. Especially the flyers, you bums!