2015 Philadelphia Rock 'n' Roll Half Marathon in jeopardy

The 2015 Philadelphia Rock 'n' Roll Half Marathon may not happen this year, for one very big - and holy - reason: the Pope.

This fall's visit from the Pope Francis is his first visit to the U.S. and the first papal visit to Philadelphia since 1979. He will appear in conjunction with the World Meeting of Families, the world's largest gathering of Catholic families, which runs Sept. 22 to 27.

The conference and his appearance overlaps with what would have been the 38th running of the race, which has traditionally been held on the third Sunday in September. While the conference is not being held on what would traditionally be race day, advance visitors to the region are expected to put a strain on the city's resources and available hotel rooms, which eliminated Sept. 20 as a possibility.

Officials from Competitor Group, which puts on the race, and the Parks and Recreation Department of the City of Philadelphia, are hopeful that the race will be able to find a new date - even if that means a new course.

"It's an ideal time of year for a major road race, and that's currently on hold right now while we try to work collaboratively with the city to put on a race that has been so established in the running community," said Competitor Group spokesperson Dan Cruz.

The two groups started talking about a new date before the Pope's visit was even confirmed, but haven't come to a resolution yet.

"We've been working with the Rock 'n' Roll Half Marathon representatives to find a day," said Barry Bessler, chief of staff of the city's Parks and Recreation Department.

"We've offered them dates that were unacceptable to them, and the dates that they wanted to use already have significant philanthropic events taking places those days," he added, referring to events like the annual AIDS Walk.

This race started as the Philadelphia Distance Run in 1978 and quickly became a premiere half marathon in the U.S. and the world. It continues to attract Olympians and World Champions, many of whom use the race as a tune up for a fall marathon. Five world records have been set on the course. George Malley, Joan Benoit Samuelson, Mark Curp and Deena Kastor have set American half marathon records in Philadelphia.

In 2014, Kastor broke the world women's master's half marathon here. The 2014 event also added a 5k and more elite athlete appearances and meet and greets. The Philadelphia Marathon and its accompanying half marathon, which will be run this year on Nov. 22, does not draw the same kind of professional field, so it is, and has been, the only chance local runners have to chase the pros.

That's one reason the race also attracts a robust amateur field. In 2014, 1,801 runners finished the 5k and 15,537 runners finished the half marathon. A study conducted by San Diego State University (Competitor Group is headquartered in San Diego) estimates that race weekend has an economic impact of $15 million on the region.

The World Meetings of Families is expected to bring from 850,000 to 1 million visitors to the region. The Pope's Mass alone, which will be held on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway on Sept. 27, is expected to draw from 1.5 million to 2 million people. The Philadelphia Convention and Visitors Bureau estimates that the event and appearance will have an economic impact of $417 million for the region.

A race move is not without precedent. In 2013, the Philadelphia Marathon, along with its half marathon and 8k, moved up one week because a group had booked a conference at the Pennsylvania Convention Center, and marathon officials didn't want to move their expo to another location. Instead, they moved the race series.

However, fewer events are already scheduled to shut down parts of the city in November, which is when the marathon is held, than in September or October.

"This is a one year unique situation, and we all have to be a little flexible about that," said Alan Culpepper, a two-time Olympian and vice president of government relations for Competitor Group. "We're really trying to work with every possible option and come up with the best solution."