I've run the Half Marathon a few times when I lived in Philadelphia and I came back to run the Full in 2014.

Price: sign up early as it does get on the pricier side of marathons and there really aren't a lot of promotions (I missed one or two of them). I paid $125 and I signed up in July ish.

Hotels: stay downtown. It'll make it easier to walk to the start at the Art museum and make it semi decent to get to the expo. Aren't to many places that are close to the start/finish though to be honest. If you're local, there are lots and garages to park in, get there early.

Expo: held at the Philadelphia convention center (right next to reading terminal market). Well run this year (compared to past years too). Same old stuff though in terms of venders, but be sure to look for races as some of them offer discounts (read the Pittsburgh Half/Full) that I haven't seen otherwise

The start/finish: At the Art Museum. Multiple corrals, but the start is done rolling style so every few minutes a corral is let loose. Good amount of port a potties but could use more. Don't forget your clear bags due to the events of Boston a few years ago.

The course: relatively flat, though beware for a ridiculous hill around mile 8. The first part of the course runs through historic Philly- think market street, Penn's Landing, Independence Hall, etc. You also run down chestnut street and eventually make your way to 30th street station, Drexel, Penn and the Zoo. You see a lot of Kelly Drive and the river and then make your way back to the art museum, where the half and the full split off. The full marathon course takes you down the opposite side of Kelly Drive and into Manyunk and back. A lot of smaller hills, which feel worse 20 miles in. Mayor Nutter is at the finish high fiving finishers, though this year, Bart Yasso was missed

Medals: good bling this year, the front had the art museum on it

The shirts/swag bags: similar design, different colors every year. Really hoping it gets changed up next year to be honest

Post race: Broth is the best thing ever!!! Especially with a late November race, it actually tastes good. I love how they hand you a bag of food, because the last thing I want to do is pick up food, especially after a full.

Head over to http://drrunner.wordpress.com/2014/11/23/philadelphia-marathon-race-review/ for a full review!