Chronicle 26.2: Record turnout expected for Pittsburgh Marathon weekend
RIGHT NOW ON CHRONICLE. PITTSBURGH IS ON THE LIST OF TOP MARATHONS, NOT JUST IN THE COUNTRY, BUT THE WORLD. LACING UP FOR THE PITTSBURGH MARATHON IN PITTSBURGH. YOU’RE RUNNING THE BRIDGES, YOU’RE SEEING THE RIVERS. YOU’RE RUNNING BY THE STADIUMS. SO YOU’RE REALLY GETTING A PITTSBURGH EXPERIENCE. A WEEKEND FULL OF EVENTS FOR FAMILY AND FRIENDS. I WANTED TO DO IT BECAUSE IT LOOKED REALLY FUN. AND YOU GET TO SPEND TIME WITH TEACHERS AND FRIENDS. I’D LOVE TO DO IT WITH MY CLASSMATES, THEN DO IT BY MYSELF. MOMENT TO RUN. TO OVERCOME CHALLENGES. IT’S A CHALLENGING COURSE. IT’S NOT THE EASIEST BECAUSE PITTSBURGH’S NOT FLAT. SUPPORT A GOOD CAUSE. LUNG CANCER IN PARTICULAR. BUT CANCER IN GENERAL IS LIKE RUNNING A MARATHON AND THAT YOU’RE JUST ALWAYS FIGHTING AND ALWAYS FIGHTING. AND TO CELEBRATE PERSONAL VICTORIES, MY GOAL IS TO GO ACROSS THAT FINISH LINE WITH NO INJURY. THIS IS CHRONICLE 26.2. WELCOME TO CHRONICLE. I’M SHANNON PERRINE AND I’M MIKE CLARK. TONIGHT WE ARE GEARING UP FOR ONE OF THE CITY’S MOST EXCITING EVENTS OF THE YEAR, THE DICK’S SPORTING GOODS PITTSBURGH MARATHON. WTAE CHANNEL 4 IS THE OFFICIAL MEDIA PARTNER FOR THE MARATHON, AND WE ARE HERE AT THE PITTSBURGH LIVE WELL EXPO FOR THE MARATHON, WHERE YOU CAN SEE THERE’S A WHOLE LOT OF EXCITEMENT LEADING UP TO THE BIG RACE. THIS YEAR, MORE THAN 52,000 PARTICIPANTS WILL TAKE PART IN THE WEEKEND MARATHON EVENTS, MAKING IT THE LARGEST MARATHON WEEKEND IN PITTSBURGH HISTORY. AND IT ALL BUILDS TO SUNDAY, WHEN RUNNERS WILL TAKE THE 26.2 MILE COURSE ALL THROUGH THE STREETS OF THE STEEL CITY. WE HAVE INCREDIBLE STORIES TO SHARE TONIGHT FROM THE YOUNG PEOPLE TRAINING FOR KIDS OF STEEL TO THE PITTSBURGHERS WHO DISCOVERED A NEW LEASE ON LIFE BY TRAINING FOR THE MARATHON. AND WE START RETURNING TO MY SIT DOWN INTERVIEW WITH THE MAN BEHIND THE MARATHON. KEY 3RCEO TROY SCHOOLEY, WHO TELLS ME WHY PITTSBURGH’S RACE GETS INTERNATIONAL LOVE FROM THE RUNNING WORLD. IN 1985, PITTSBURGH’S ACTION NEWS FOUR COVERED THE VERY FIRST PITTSBURGH MARATHON. THERE’S LEGENDARY REPORTER YVONNE ZENOS REPORTING. MAYOR RICHARD CALIGUIRI WANTED THE STEEL CITY TO JOIN THE RANKS OF OTHER AMERICAN CITIES, HOSTING RACES. LIKE MANY PITTSBURGHERS, TROY SCHOOLEY, WHO RUNS THE MARATHON THESE DAYS, REMEMBERS THE DEVASTATING NEWS IN LATE 2003, THE CITY ENTERED ACT 47, ANOTHER WORD FOR BANKRUPTCY, WITH THE STATE CONTROLLING AND WATCHING PITTSBURGH’S FINANCES, THE MARATHON HAD TO GO. I DO REMEMBER BECAUSE I’VE BEEN IN SPORTS MY WHOLE LIFE, AND TO LOSE A MAJOR SPORTING EVENT LIKE THE MARATHON IS A BIG DEAL FOR A CITY AND NOT HAVING IT BEING ONE OF THE ONLY MAJOR METROS IN THE COUNTRY NOT TO HAVE A MARATHON, I DID FEEL LIKE THE IMPACT. I HADN’T PARTICIPATED IN THE EVENT, BUT I KNEW THAT IT WAS BAD FOR OUR REGION NOT HAVING A MARATHON IN OUR CITY. A FULL FIVE YEARS LATER, WITH THE HELP OF DICK’S SPORTING GOODS, A GLOBAL COMPANY BASED IN ALLEGHENY COUNTY, PITTSBURGH GOT ITS MARATHON BACK. THE PROJECTION IN 2009, THEY WANTED 5000 RUNNERS. THEY ENDED UP GETTING OVER 12000. NOW THAT NUMBER HAS GROWN TO 50,000 RUNNERS. FAST FORWARD TO SPRING OF 2026 AS THE MARATHON COMES JUST ONE WEEK AFTER THE LARGEST EVENT PITTSBURGH HAS EVER HOSTED. WITH MORE THAN THREE QUARTERS OF A MILLION FOOTBALL FANS FUNNELING INTO OUR TOWN. BY THE WAY. TROY SCHOOLEY, CEO OF A NONPROFIT CALLED P3R FOR PITTSBURGH. THREE RIVERS ORGANIZED PITTSBURGH’S NFL DRAFT TWO BIG PART OF HIS JOB INCLUDES MAKING MARATHON MATH WORK. IT’S GETTING MORE EXPENSIVE EVERY YEAR. AND, YOU KNOW, WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE TAKE CARE OF OUR POLICE AND OUR DPW. BUT THE COSTS OF PUTTING ON MAJOR SPORTING EVENTS CONTINUES TO RISE. SO WE’LL CONTINUE TO MAKE SURE THAT IT’S ACCESSIBLE FOR OUR RUNNERS, BUT MAKE SURE THAT WE BRING PARTNERS TO THE TABLE TO KIND OF OFFSET ANY ADDITIONAL COSTS THAT WE DO HAVE. SCULLY’S PERSONAL FITNESS ETHOS MIRRORS THE PITTSBURGH MARATHON’S ALL ARE WELCOME HERE. WE’VE EMBRACED INSPIRING ANY AT ALL TO MOVE. I DON’T SAY RUN. I SAY MOVE BECAUSE IF YOU GET OUT THERE AND WALK 13 MILES, YOU’RE STILL MOVING. HE’S NOT A MARATHONER, AND HE DOESN’T EXPECT EVERYONE WHO GETS A BIB THIS WEEKEND TO BE A RUNNER EITHER. I STAND AT THAT FINISH LINE AND I THINK ABOUT THE JOURNEY THAT THESE RUNNERS PUT IN SIX MONTHS, NINE MONTHS, THE THE RUNS THAT THEY DID IN ICE AND SNOW. AND IT TOOK THEM A LOT TO GET OUT OF BED TO GET OUT TO DO THAT. SO I THINK THAT’S WHY I APPRECIATE IT EVEN MORE, BECAUSE I’VE NEVER COMPLETED A MARATHON THROUGH THE VICTORIES AND DEFEATS IN THE HISTORY OF PITTSBURGH AND ITS MARATHON COUNT 2026, THE YEAR WE HELD THE NFL DRAFT AS ONE OF THOSE VICTORIES, SOME OF THE WORLD’S MOST ELITE AND COMPETITIVE ATHLETES CHOOSE THIS RACE TO COMPETE FIERCELY ON UPTOWN HILLS, CHEERED ON BY HOMEWOOD BLOCK PARTIES, THOSE PITTSBURGH CHEERING SQUADS WILL SCREAM JUST AS LOUD FOR THE VERY LAST RUNNER TO CROSS THE FINISH LINE, AND SO IMPRESSED WITH THE CITY TO THE STORY OF MAYOR KELLY. JERRY’S VISION IS THAT A MARATHON IS GOOD FOR PITTSBURGH AND HER PEOPLE. RAISING THE STANDARD OF HEALTHY MOVEMENT FROM THE YOUNGEST MOVERS TO. THIS YEAR, WE HAVE AN 89 YEAR OLD LADY DOING THE FIVE K, SO IT’S JUST A WIDE ARRAY OF PEOPLE GETTING OUT AND GETTING ACTIVE. AND WE’RE SEEING THAT IN THE REGION. IF YOU LOOK ON THE TRAILS ANY ANY DAY, THERE’S PEOPLE OUT THERE, WHETHER THEY’RE WALKING OR MOVING OR RUNNING. AND I FEEL LIKE WE HAVE A SMALL PART IN THAT. A FATHER FROM TARENTUM IS ONCE AGAIN TURNING MILES INTO MEANING THIS WEEKEND. FOR MORE THAN A DECADE NOW, DOUG SAXMAN HAS RUN THE FULL PITTSBURGH MARATHON TO RAISE MONEY AND AWARENESS FOR CYSTIC FIBROSIS, A CAUSE DEEPLY PERSONAL TO HIS FAMILY. THE MARATHON IS A YEARLY TRADITION IN HIS FAMILY, BUT THIS YEAR WILL BE EXTRA SPECIAL WEEKEND FOR THE ENTIRE FAMILY, WHERE THEY WILL BE ALL RUNNING TO SUPPORT ALL OF THE FAMILIES FACING CYSTIC FIBROSIS, PROVIDING SUPPORT AND HOPE EVERY STEP OF THEIR JOURNEY. 40 YEAR OLD DOUG SAXMAN IS A HUMBLE ROAD WARRIOR. HE’S BEEN RUNNING THE PITTSBURGH MARATHON SINCE 2013, SIGNING UP TO RAISE MONEY FOR THE CYSTIC FIBROSIS FOUNDATION. POUNDING THE PAVEMENT AFTER HE AND HIS WIFE, LINDSAY, RECEIVED THE NEWS. THEIR SOON TO BE DAUGHTER, NATALIE, WAS DIAGNOSED WITH CYSTIC FIBROSIS, SO INTENT TO HELP OTHERS WITH THE RARE GENETIC DISORDER, HE COMPLETED THE MARATHON BEFORE NATALIE WAS BORN, WITH HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF STRIDES, DOUG CONTINUES HONORING NATALIE, NOW 12 YEARS OLD, WITH HIS STEADY CADENCE. IT’S GREAT. IT’S A. I DEFINITELY GET EMOTIONAL OUT THERE. JUST EVEN FINISHING IN GENERAL IS EMOTIONAL. SO ANYTIME YOU SEE A FAMILY OR SEE SOMEBODY CHEERING FOR YOU ABOUT CF, FOR NATALIE’S NAME, IT’S IT’S IT’S ALWAYS A BIG PUSH. DOUG’S TRAINING PARTNER THIS YEAR, HIS ELDEST DAUGHTER, HALEY, RUNNING THE HALF MARATHON FOR THE FIRST TIME. WHILE SHE KNOWS IT WILL BE GRUELING. HALEY SAYS IT’S NOTHING COMPARED TO WHAT HER SISTER NATALIE BRAVELY ENDURES. WE ALL SEE NATALIE GOES THROUGH, AND I THINK IT KIND OF STRENGTHENS US TOGETHER BECAUSE WE UNDERSTAND THAT WHAT SHE’S GOING THROUGH, SOMETHING THAT WE’RE ALSO ALL A PART OF BECAUSE, I MEAN, WHEN SHE WOULD BE IN THE HOSPITAL AND STUFF, WE’D ALL BE THERE TOO, AND WE’D GET TO SEE WHAT SHE’S GOING THROUGH. AND I THINK IT KIND OF JUST BUILT OUR BOND MORE WITH THAT. THEY ALL SEE NATALIE’S STRENGTH TO FIGHT THE SYMPTOMS OF CF USING THIS MEDICAL VEST TO LOOSEN UP THE MUCUS THAT BUILDS UP IN HER LUNGS, AND ALL THE OTHER ADJUSTMENTS NATALIE QUIETLY MAKES TO BE HEALTHY. IT’S BEEN A REMARKABLE JOURNEY. SEEING NATALIE DO SO WELL, THINKING BACK TO WHEN LINDSAY RECEIVED THE SHOCKING NEWS OF HER DIAGNOSIS, IT WAS A REALLY EMOTIONAL TIME. WE ACTUALLY WERE ON VACATION AT THE TIME WHEN THEY CALLED AND TOLD US THAT, AND WE ENDED UP LEAVING TO GO HOME TO KIND OF JUST BE WITH OURSELVES AND KIND OF DIGEST IT ALL THROUGH. DOUG’S RUNNING FOR A REASON. THEY HAVE ALL LEARNED MORE ABOUT CF TREATMENTS, GIVING THE FAMILY HOPE. WE THOUGHT SHE WAS GOING TO COME OUT COUGHING SICK UNTIL WE RESEARCHED AND SAW SOME VIDEOS THAT WERE REALLY INSPIRING OF OTHER PEOPLE LOCALLY HERE THAT HAVE CHILDREN WITH CF, AND THAT REALLY GAVE US A LOT OF HOPE. HALEY, NOW FOLLOWING HER DAD’S ENDURING LOVE AND HIS FOOTSTEPS BY JOINING THE FIGHT, SHE WILL RUN THE HALF MARATHON FOR THE FIRST TIME, RAISING MONEY AND AWARENESS FOR CYSTIC FIBROSIS RESEARCH. I REALLY HOPE THAT THEY CAN KIND OF UNDERSTAND, LIKE CF MORE ITSELF, BECAUSE I KNOW HOW TO TALK TO MY FRIENDS AND THEY’VE BEEN LIKE, OH, WHAT’S THAT LIKE? I’VE NEVER HEARD OF THAT BEFORE. SO I HOPE THAT IT CAN BE MORE OF LIKE, WE CAN GET MORE PEOPLE TO KNOW ABOUT IT. IT CAN BE LIKE MORE RESEARCH ABOUT IT. BUT I ALSO HOPE THAT PEOPLE CAN SEE THAT, LIKE THE HOPE THAT WE HAVE FOR IT BECAUSE LIKE, I KNOW WE’RE GOING TO FIND A CURE SOMEDAY. SO I HOPE PEOPLE CAN ALSO HAVE THAT HOPE FOR IT. NATALIE IS EVEN LACING UP HER SNEAKERS, TOO. IT FEELS SO GOOD TO KNOW THEY’RE ALL THERE FOR ME. AND IT’S JUST LIKE, NOT ONLY THEY’RE THERE FOR ME, BUT THEY’RE THERE TO ENCOURAGE OTHERS. AND LIKE, SHOW SUPPORT FOR OTHERS TOO. AND YEAH, IT FEELS AMAZING CALLING HER DAD HER HERO AND ROLE MODEL, NATALIE MAY JUMP OVER THE BARRIER TO GREET HER DAD AND HALEY AS THEY COME DOWN THE FINAL STRETCH ON SUNDAY, AND IT JUST FEELS LIKE AMAZING TO CROSS THE FINISH LINE, EVEN THOUGH I’VE DONE LIKE MULTIPLE FIVE K’S, THAT ONE JUST FEELS ESPECIALLY GREAT BECAUSE EVERYBODY’S THERE WITH LIKE THEIR YELLOW SHIRTS AND EVERYTHING, AND IT’S JUST, YEAH. CAN YOU DESCRIBE THE FEELING WHEN YOU SEE YOUR DAD PASSING? EVERYONE SHOUTS OUT, NATALIE. I MEAN, IT FEELS AMAZING TO JUST SEE HIM CROSS THE FINISH LINE AND LIKE, HE TRULY IS LIKE A ROLE MODEL TO ME. NATALIE IS PROUD TO BE RUNNING THE FIVE K WITH BOTH OF HER PARENTS AND HER LITTLE SISTER, LUCY ON SATURDAY BEFORE ANOTHER SENSATIONAL SUNDAY. IT FEELS GREAT TO LIKE, HAVE LIKE ALL OF THE WHOLE FAMILY AS LIKE A SUPPORTER TO ME AND LIKE OTHER PEOPLE WITH CF AND LIKE, NOT JUST LIKE THESE FIVE PEOPLE HERE, BUT LIKE EVERYBODY ELSE. LIKE SHE WAS SAYING, LIKE MY GRANDPARENTS AND MY AUNTS AND UNCLES AND STUFF, IT’S LIKE, IT JUST FEELS REALLY GREAT. THEIR LOVE AND DEDICATION. KEEPING DOUG ON HIS SELFLESS, PURPOSEFUL PACE WITH TRUE GRIT AND GRATITUDE. A LOT HAS CHANGED IN 14 YEARS, TOO, SO IT’S COME A LONG WAY. AND THAT’S EVEN ANOTHER REASON THAT IT’S SO MUCH MORE CRITICAL NOW THAT WE’RE SO CLOSE TO AN END. WE’RE LIKE A FINISH LINE FOR CF THAT WE JUST NEED TO LIKE KEEP PUSHING A LITTLE BIT MORE. AND THIS IS THE REASON WHY WE’RE DOING IT. KEEP IT HERE BECAUSE THERE’S MUCH MORE CHRONICLE AHEAD, INCLUDING IN PITTSBURGH. YOU’RE RUNNING THE BRIDGES, YOU’RE SEEING THE RIVERS, YOU’RE RUNNING BY THE STADIUMS. SO YOU’RE REALLY GETTING A PITTSBURGH EXPERIENCE FROM PITTSBURGH TO ICELAND, HOW SOME RUNNERS ARE EXPERIENCING A MARATHON THOUSANDS OF MILES AWAY, PLUS, CANCER IN GENERAL IS LIKE RUNNING A MARATHON AND THAT YOU’RE JUST, YOU KNOW, ALWAYS FIGHTING AND ALWAYS FIGHTING, RUNNING FOR A REASON. A LOCAL MAN LACING UP IN HONOR OF HIS LATE MOTHER AND LATER IN THE SHOW, YOU KNOW, I’M 60 YEARS OLD AND I THOUGHT IT WAS TOO LATE FOR ME. I THOUGHT, I’M GOING TO LIVE THE REST OF MY LIFE UNHEALTHY. ONE WOMAN’S INCREDIBLE WEIGHT LOSS JOURNEY, AND HOW IT’S LED TO HER TAKING ON HER VERY FIRST HALF MARATHON AND BEFORE THE HOUR IS UP. I THINK IT’S GOING TO BE REALLY AWESOME GETTING TO RUN THROUGH A REALLY GOOD CITY AND SEEING EVERYBODY CHEER YOU ON. SO I THINK IT’LL BE A GOOD EXPERIENCE FOR THEM. THE YEARLY TRADITION FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY, HOW KIDS OF STEEL ARE GETTING READY FOR ONE OF MARATHON WEEKEND’S MOST POPULAR EVENTS. AND BEFORE WE GO TO BREAK, YOU CAN’T HAVE A MARATHON WITHOUT A GREAT PAIR OF SHOES. THIS IS A LOOK AT THIS YEAR’S EXCLUSIVE MARATHON RUNNING SHOE UNVEILED BY BROOKS. RUNNING AND P3R. THE DESIGN IS INSPIRED BY STEEL STRENGTH AND UNMISTAKABLE COLORS OF PITTSBURGH. CHRONICLE 26.2 CONTINUES AFTER THIS. WELCOME BACK TO CHRONICLE AS WE FOCUS ON ALL THINGS PITTSBURGH MARATHON. DID YOU ALSO KNOW THAT PITTSBURGH HAS A SISTER MARATHON? BUT OUR SISTER CITY IS A LOT MORE THAN 26.2 MILES AWAY. IT’S REYKJAVIK, ICELAND, WHERE THEIR MARATHON IS SET TO BE HELD ON AUGUST 22ND. OUR LILY COLEMAN SPOKE WITH A MAN WHO HAS BEEN ON THAT COURSE BEFORE AND IS READY TO CELEBRATE WITH RUNS IN BOTH CITIES. DAVID HAYMAN HAS RUN ALL OVER THE WORLD. MOST OF THE TIME IT’S ROOTS NOT FAR FROM HIS HOME HERE IN SHADYSIDE, BUT HE’LL TELL YOU HIS FAVORITE SPOTS ARE A BIT FURTHER AWAY. I’M GOING TO BE MAKING MY 12TH TRIP TO ICELAND. WHAT DO YOU LOVE ABOUT IT? SO ICELAND IS A PLACE LIKE NO OTHER. IT’S GOT LAVA FIELDS. I’VE BEEN A FEW HUNDRED METERS FROM AN ACTIVE VOLCANO. IT’S GOT WATERFALLS, GLACIERS, PUFFINS, BLACK SAND BEACHES. IT’S A PLACE THAT’S JUST MAGICAL, A MAGICAL PLACE WHOSE CAPITAL CITY OF REYKJAVIK HAPPENS TO BE MORE THAN 2800 MILES FROM PITTSBURGH BY AIR. BUT P3R THE MACHINE BEHIND THE PITTSBURGH MARATHON, IS HOPING TO BRIDGE THAT GAP BY PARTNERING WITH ICELAND’S CAPITAL CITY AND THEIR ANNUAL MARATHON EVENT. SO TRULY, THERE IS NO ONE BETTER TO SERVE AS AN AMBASSADOR FOR THIS NEW RELATIONSHIP. WHEN I SAW THAT PITTSBURGH AND REYKJAVIK WERE TEAMING UP FOR THEIR MARATHONS, I GOT REALLY EXCITED BECAUSE I’VE RUN THE PITTSBURGH HALF MARATHON FOUR TIMES. I’VE RUN THE REYKJAVIK HALF MARATHON THREE TIMES. I THOUGHT, WHO ELSE IN PITTSBURGH HAS THAT EXPERIENCE AND CAN TALK ABOUT THE TWO RACES A SISTER, MARATHONS, P3R SAYS THE TWO EVENTS WILL WORK CLOSELY, COLLABORATING ON DESTINATION DRIVEN STORYTELLING, HIGHLIGHTING RUNNERS TRAVELING BETWEEN THE TWO CITIES, AND THAT TRAVEL JUST GOT A WHOLE LOT EASIER THANKS TO A NONSTOP FLIGHT NOW AVAILABLE FROM PITTSBURGH INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT. NOW WE HAVE THE STRAIGHT FLIGHT WITH ICELANDAIR BECAUSE IT’S LIKE A NEW OPPORTUNITY, SO NO ONE SHOULD MISS OUT ON THAT. IT’S IT’S EASY ACCESS. SO OF COURSE, IF FOR NEW ADVENTURES OPENS A LOT OF DOORS FOR EVERYBODY. THIS IS HALF. SHE’S THE RACE DIRECTOR OF THE REYKJAVIK MARATHON. SHE HAS NEVER BEEN TO PITTSBURGH. BUT THAT CHANGES THIS WEEK. WE HAVE SUCH A BIG. ARE TIGHT SCHEDULE, SO I MEANT WHAT I SAID EARLIER. I THINK I’M GONNA BE IN MY RUNNING SHOES WITH THE FRESH, WITH THE FRESH T SHIRT AND A JACKET IN THE FINISH LINE AND GO STRAIGHT INTO THE PLANE AFTER THE RUN. SO YEAH, MY GOAL IS TO DO THE HALF ON, ON SUNDAY AND I’M REALLY EXCITED, SHE SAYS. THE TWO CITIES ARE VERY DIFFERENT, BUT THEY DO SHARE SOME SIMILARITIES. WE HAVE KIND OF THIS LIKE A FLAT, SCENIC SCENARIO WITH LIKE MOUNTAINS AND VOLCANIC ATMOSPHERE, AND YOU HAVE LIKE THE SKYLINE AND ALL THE BRIDGES AND STUFF LIKE THAT. SO YEAH, THAT IS TOTALLY VERY DIFFERENT. SO IT’S KIND OF LIKE THERE’S A, BUT THERE’S THIS SPORTS CONNECTION AND OUTDOOR ACTIVITY ATMOSPHERE IN BOTH CITIES THAT KIND OF CONNECTS AS WELL. AND TAKE IT FROM DAVID, WHO’S EXPERIENCED BOTH RACES FIRSTHAND. WELL, IT’S NO SECRET THERE IS SOMETHING SPECIAL ABOUT THE PITTSBURGH RUNNING COMMUNITY AND THE COMMUNITY SUPPORT. THAT FEELING FOR HIM WAS REPLICATED HALFWAY AROUND THE WORLD. YOU’RE INTEGRATED INTO THE COMMUNITY. BOTH RACES START AND END IN THEIR DOWNTOWN, SO IT’S JUST REALLY YOU’RE GETTING AN AUTHENTIC EXPERIENCE AND EXPOSURE TO BOTH THE PEOPLE AND THE GEOGRAPHY OF BOTH CITIES. NEXT ON CHRONICLE. IT IS SORT OF MEDITATIVE TOO. THAT’S ONE OF THE THINGS I REALLY LIKE ABOUT RUNNING. RUNNING FOR A REASON. THE LOCAL RUNNER HITTING THE COURSE IN HONOR OF A LOVED ONE, LOST AND WORKING TO RAISE MONEY FOR A GOOD CAUSE. PLUS, IT’S A CHALLENGING COURSE. IT’S NOT THE EASIEST. PITTSBURGH IS NOT FLAT. THE EXPERT WEIGHS IN, BUT THE RUNNER IN CHIEF FOR A MAGAZINE DEDICATED TO RUNNERS HAS TO SAY ABOUT THE PITTSBURGH MARATHON. AND BEFORE WE HEAD TO BREAK, KNOW OUR ABOUT THE PITTSBURGH MARATHON IS COMPLETE WITHOUT SHARING THE STORIES OF HAND CYCLISTS. LAST YEAR, CHRONICLE SPOKE WITH HEIDI STARK, A LONG DISTANCE RUNNER WHO LOST BOTH OF HER LEGS DUE TO A HEREDITARY VASCULAR DISEASE, BUT DIDN’T LET THAT SLOW HER DOWN. I WANTED TO BE ACTIVE. I LEARNED ABOUT HAND CYCLING, AND THEN I WAS LIKE, I CAN COMPETE WITH MY FAMILY IN A RACE. JUST ONE OF MANY INSPIRING STORIES OF HAND CYCLISTS TAKING ON THE MARATHON COURSE. WE’RE BACK AFTER THIS. WELCOME BACK ONCE AGAIN TO CHRONICLE 26.2 AND SOMETHING WE WILL BE REMINDING EVERYONE OF DURING THIS HOUR IS ONE OF THE MOTTOS OF THE PITTSBURGH MARATHON. EVERYONE RUNS FOR A REASON, AND THAT INCLUDES THE DIRECTOR OF THE CENTER FOR ENERGY AT THE UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH. HE SAYS HIS REASON FOR RUNNING IS ALL ABOUT A LOVED ONE. LOSS AND HELPING A GREAT CAUSE. SHE WAS A MOTHER. THAT WAS THAT WAS HER IDENTITY. SHE WORKED AT WOODLAND HILLS SCHOOL DISTRICT. SHE WAS A MOTHER TO KIDS THERE. SHE WAS A MOTHER TO KIDS IN HER HOME. DOCTOR PAUL IS RUNNING FOR A REASON. THE DIRECTOR OF THE CENTER FOR ENERGY AT THE UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH IS TAKING ON THE HALF MARATHON THIS YEAR TO RAISE MONEY FOR THE AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY IN HONOR OF HIS MOTHER, MARIE, WHO PASSED AWAY EARLIER THIS YEAR FOLLOWING A BATTLE WITH LUNG CANCER. ONE OF THE THINGS THAT THE DOCTOR TOLD US WHEN SHE WAS SORT OF IN THE FINAL STAGES OF THAT AND WE WERE THE FAMILY, HAD TO MAKE SOME HARD DECISIONS ABOUT HER CARE AND END OF LIFE CARE WAS THAT, YOU KNOW, LUNG CANCER IN PARTICULAR. BUT CANCER IN GENERAL IS LIKE RUNNING A MARATHON AND THAT YOU’RE JUST ALWAYS FIGHTING, ALWAYS FIGHTING. AND PAUL FINDING INSPIRATION IN THAT BATTLE. WHEN SHE PASSED, I THOUGHT THAT, YOU KNOW, DOING, YOU KNOW, DOING MY FIRST MARRIAGE, MY FIRST HALF MARATHON, SOMETHING I’VE NEVER DONE BEFORE WAS JUST A REALLY GOOD WAY TO KIND OF COMMEMORATE HER MEMORY AND TO JUST SORT OF, YOU KNOW, HAVE SOMETHING THAT’S MEANINGFUL THAT THAT IS SYMBOLIC FOR WHAT SHE HAD TO GO THROUGH AND WHAT MANY OTHERS HAVE TO GO THROUGH AT THAT TIME. BUT FIRST, HE HAD TO BEGIN TRAINING. SO, YOU KNOW, I WAS ABLE TO GET MYSELF IN SHAPE LAST YEAR, BUT IT WAS MORE FOR THE FIVE K BECAUSE I USED TO DO THE FIVE K EVERY YEAR BACK WHEN I WAS IN COLLEGE AS SOMETHING TO TRAIN FOR AND JUST HAVE MOTIVATION. LOVED IT. AND I GOT OUT OF IT FOR ABOUT TEN YEARS AND GOT BACK INTO IT LAST YEAR. SO I WAS ALWAYS MORE MORE LIKE A SPRINTER, SOME DISTANCE, BUT MORE LIKE FIVE K TEN K LEVELS. OBVIOUSLY WHEN I MADE THE DECISION TO DO A HALF MARATHON AND THEN PROBABLY IN THE FUTURE MARATHON, THAT WAS ANOTHER LEVEL. AND HE TOOK A VERY MODERN APPROACH TO GETTING STARTED. SO FOR TRAINING, I BASICALLY WENT ON TO CHATGPT AND SAID, HEY, HERE’S MY TIME. I DO FIVE K’S, I’M IN GOOD SHAPE. HOW DO I TRAIN FOR A HALF MARATHON? AND IT GAVE ME A GREAT ROUTINE. AFTER I STARTED TO GET MY MILEAGE UP AND TO GET MORE DISTANCE UNDER MY FEET, I WENT BACK IN AND ASKED IT AGAIN AND REFINED THE TRAINING ROUTINE. AND IT’S ACTUALLY BEEN BEEN REALLY, REALLY HELPFUL. REALLY HELPFUL. OH, AND NIKI SAYS SOME OTHER KEYS TO TRAINING INCLUDED CHOOSING THE RIGHT MUSIC. I LISTENED TO MUSIC, SO MY WIFE AND I, WE DID OUR HONEYMOON IN MAUI, IN HAWAII, AND EVER SINCE WE GOT BACK FROM THERE, WE WE LIKE HAWAIIAN REGGAE MUSIC. AND SO WHEN I’M RUNNING, I PLAY HAWAIIAN REGGAE AND IT’S GOOD FOR THE PACING, UPBEAT AND IT KIND OF GIVES YOU ENERGY, BUT IT ALSO GIVES A NICE PACE AND ENJOYING THE CHANGING SEASONS IN PITTSBURGH. THIS WAS THE FIRST YEAR I RAN IT THROUGH THE WINTER. SO IT WAS IT WAS DIFFERENT, BUT I ACTUALLY REALLY ENJOYED IT. SOME OF MY FAVORITE RUNS WERE SNOW EVERYWHERE AND JUST REALLY, REALLY BEAUTIFUL RUN, ALL WHILE REMEMBERING HE’S RUNNING FOR A REASON. IT’S A GREAT EXPERIENCE FOR ME. IT’S SOMETHING NEW. IT’S ENCOURAGING ME TO STEP OUT OF MY COMFORT ZONE AND DO SOMETHING THAT’S HEALTHY. GIVING BACK TO A CAUSE THAT IS CRITICALLY IMPORTANT FOR MANY, MANY, MANY ACROSS THE COUNTRY, IN THE WORLD. AND AT THIS POINT IN MY LIFE, JUST REALLY, REALLY KIND OF ACUTELY MEANINGFUL IN TERMS OF WHAT JUST HAPPENED TO MY MOTHER. SO JUST MEANS A LOT. THE BIGGEST MISTAKE WE SEE FIRST TIME RUNNERS MAKE IS THEY GET REALLY EXCITED. THEY GET INTO THE HEAT OF THE MOMENT. THERE’S A LOT OF ENERGY DURING MARATHON DAY, STRAIGHT AHEAD, MORE AND MORE RUNNERS ARE TAKING ON THE PITTSBURGH MARATHON FOR THE VERY FIRST TIME. ADVICE FROM THE MARATHON’S MEDICAL DIRECTOR ON HOW TO HANDLE OUR CITY’S CHALLENGING COURSE. THIS IS LIKE THE CRUX, THE TOUGHEST, YOU KNOW, ONE OF THE TOUGHEST EARLY CHALLENGES IN THE IN THE RACE AND RUNNING UP THAT HILL, THE VOLUNTEERS HELPING TO MAKE THE COURSE A LITTLE EASIER FOR SOME OF THE PITTSBURGH MARATHON RUNNERS. AND BEFORE WE GO TO BREAK, WITH ALL OF THE EXCITEMENT AROUND PITTSBURGH THIS YEAR, MARATHON EVENTS GOT STARTED EARLY, INCLUDING THE PITTSBURGH DRAFT, A FIVE K HELD LAST WEEK AMID THE NFL DRAFT HERE IN THE STEEL CITY WITH ABOUT 3000 PEOPLE TAKING PART. WE HAVE 34 STATES REPRESENTED, BUT 11 COUNTRIES. SO THE WILD CARD IS WHAT THE 11 COUNTRY JERSEYS ARE WEARING, HOPEFULLY STEELER JERSEYS. BUT IT’S GREAT TO SEE PEOPLE FROM ALL OVER, NOT JUST THE COUNTRY BUT THE WORLD, COME IN AND PARTICIPATE AND JUST REALLY ENJOY ALL THE FESTIVITIES OF THE DRAFT. THE EXCITEMENT OF THE DRAFT WAS CARRIED OVER DURING THIS 3.1 MILE TOUR OF PITTSBURGH. THIS IS A REALLY COOL EVENT THAT THE NFL PUTS ON, WHERE EVERYBODY FROM ALL OVER THE UNITED STATES ALL COMES TOGETHER. WE’RE ALL KIND OF CELEBRATING THE SAME THING, SO IT’S REALLY KIND OF A NICE EVENT. PITTSBURGH DID AN AMAZING JOB PUTTING IT ON. THE PEOPLE TAKING PART. SAID THEY LOVED GETTING TO EXPERIENCE THE SIGHTS AND SOUNDS OF PITTSBURGH JUST BEING IN THE IN THE ENVIRONMENT AND CATCHING THE VIBE OF THE THE DRAFT. AND IT IS A ONCE IN A LIFETIME OPPORTUNITY. I’M EXCITED TO BE AROUND A BUNCH OF PEOPLE AND JUST GET THAT PITTSBURGH VIBE MUCH MORE. WHEN CHRONICLE 26.2 CONTINUES RIGHT AFTER WELCOME BACK TO CHRONICLE 26.2. FOR. ABOUT HALF OF THE RUNNERS SIGNED UP FOR SUNDAY’S FULL PITTSBURGH MARATHON. THIS IS THEIR FIRST TIME COMPLETING 26.2 MILES. THAT INCLUDES YOU. WE WENT STRAIGHT TO THE EXPERTS. WE HAVE SOME ADVICE FOR BEFORE, DURING AND AFTER THE MARATHON. LET’S START WITH BEFORE. BY THAT WE MEAN IN THE NEXT DAY BEFORE THE RACE, YOUR TRAINING SHOULD HAVE BEGUN MANY MONTHS AGO. FIRST, I SAY RELAX YOUR NERVES LIKE IT’S. NO MATTER HOW MANY TIMES YOU RUN A MARATHON, IT’S ALWAYS. YOU GET SO WORKED UP AND YOU GET SO NERVOUS ABOUT IT. JEFF DENGATE IS THE RUNNER IN CHIEF OF RUNNER’S WORLD MAGAZINE, WHICH IS OWNED BY WTA’S PARENT COMPANY, HEARST. HE SAYS EXCEPT THE BUMPS IN THE ROAD KNOW THAT YOU’RE NOT GOING TO SLEEP WELL THE NIGHT BEFORE THE RACE. IT’S JUST NOT GOING TO HAPPEN. SO FOCUS THE NIGHT BEFORE THAT, YOU KNOW, TWO NIGHTS OUT IS THE ONE YOU REALLY KIND OF WANT TO GET A GOOD NIGHT’S SLEEP. IF YOU HAVE TROUBLE SLEEPING, EARPLUGS ARE A WAY TO GO. YOU’RE GONNA, YOU KNOW, ESPECIALLY IF YOU’RE STAYING IN A HOTEL, YOU MIGHT BE NEXT TO THE ELEVATOR OR A PARTY OR WHATEVER. CONTROL WHAT YOU CAN CONTROL. TRY TO JUST RELAX YOURSELF AND UNDERSTAND THAT NOT EVERYTHING’S GOING TO GO PERFECTLY. DOCTOR JEFFREY FLEMING, UPMC SPORTS MEDICINE AND ASSOCIATE MEDICAL DIRECTOR OF THE PITTSBURGH MARATHON, SAYS, REMEMBER THAT TRAINING. THE BIGGEST THING IS TRY NOT TO CHANGE A WHOLE LOT OF WHAT YOU’VE BEEN DOING WITH YOUR NORMAL TRAINING ROUTINES SO FAR. WE DON’T WANT YOU TO MAKE ANY BIG DIFFERENCES, HE SAYS. A LIGHT JOG AND DYNAMIC STRETCHING IS WISE FOR SATURDAY, AND THIS IS NOT THE TIME FOR THOSE BRAND NEW RUNNING SHOES OR EQUIPMENT. IF YOU NORMALLY EAT DINNER IN THE EVENING, MAYBE LIKE LATE AFTERNOON OR EARLY EVENING WOULD BE THE BEST TIME. YOU WANT TO GIVE YOUR BODY A CHANCE TO DIGEST THE FOOD SO THAT YOU’RE NOT RUNNING WITH THROUGH YOUR SYSTEM, YOU ALSO WANT TO EAT A LITTLE BIT MORE CARBOHYDRATE THAN YOU NORMALLY WOULD AS PART OF THAT MEAL. THAT’LL HELP FUEL YOU FOR THE MARATHON THE NIGHT BEFORE YOU RUN A FULL MARATHON IS NOT THE TIME FOR PRIMANTI SANDWICH OR ANYTHING FRIED. YES, YES. SAVE IT FOR AFTER FOR THE CELEBRATORY MEAL FOR SURE. WE DON’T WANT SOMETHING THAT’S SUPER FATTY, SO SOMETHING LIKE PRIMANTI’S IS VERY TASTY, BUT PROBABLY IS A LITTLE BIT MORE FATTY THAN THAN NORMAL OR SOMETHING VERY SUGARY. WE ALSO DON’T WANT FOODS THAT HAVE A TON OF FIBER IN THEM THAT CAN AFFECT KIND OF YOUR GI SYSTEM DURING THE ACTUAL RACE. THE BIGGEST MISTAKE WE SEE FIRST TIME RUNNERS MAKE IS THEY GET REALLY EXCITED. THEY GET INTO THE HEAT OF THE MOMENT. THERE’S A LOT OF ENERGY DURING MARATHON DAY, SO PEOPLE ARE REALLY EXCITED AND THEY WANT TO RUN THOSE REALLY GREAT TIMES AND THEY BURN THEMSELVES OUT TOO QUICKLY. SO IF YOU KNOW WHAT YOUR MILE PACE SHOULD BE, JUST FOLLOW THAT PLAN, HE SAYS. ANTICIPATE THE WALL. MOST OF THE HILLS ON THIS COURSE COME BEFORE MILE 18, WHICH IS WHEN HE SAYS MOST PEOPLE WHO HIT THE WALL WILL ENCOUNTER IT. IF IT DOES HAPPEN TO YOU, STAYING CALM AND JUST KIND OF KNOWING THAT THIS IS A NORMAL PHENOMENON THAT HAPPENS WITH MARATHON RUNNING. AND AS LONG AS THIS IS JUST LIKE YOUR NORMAL ROUTINE FATIGUE AND KIND OF MUSCLE SORENESS, YOU CAN PUSH THROUGH IT. SOME PEOPLE WILL TAKE SOME SNACKS WITH THEM OR HAVE SOME EXTRA HYDRATION BEFORE THIS TIME. I WOULDN’T RECOMMEND DOING THAT IF THAT HASN’T BEEN PART OF YOUR TRAINING. I WANTED TO KNOW AT WHAT POINT A RUNNER SHOULD STOP RUNNING. YES, THERE WILL BE PAIN AND DISCOMFORT IN ANY LONG DISTANCE RACE. WHENEVER YOU’RE STARTING TO HAVE PAIN, THAT IS NOT JUST SORENESS. IT’S NOT JUST FATIGUE, BUT YOU’RE HAVING SHARP PAIN. YOU’RE HAVING PAIN. THAT IS PREVENTING YOU FROM CONTINUING TO TAKE STEPS THAT’S PAINFUL. WITH EVERY STEP THAT YOU TAKE. FROM A MEDICAL PERSPECTIVE, IF YOU’RE STARTING TO HAVE SIGNIFICANT SHORT OF BREATH, SHORTNESS OF BREATH, LIKE YOU CAN’T EVEN BREATHE, YOU CAN’T CATCH YOUR BREATH, ANY PAINS IN YOUR CHEST AND HEART PALPITATIONS. THOSE WOULD BE REASONS THAT YOU WOULD WANT TO STOP. THERE MIGHT BE SOMETHING ELSE GOING ON OTHER THAN JUST NORMAL FATIGUE FROM RUNNING. CALL 911 OR FLAG DOWN A MEDICAL STAFF MEMBER. THERE’S A MEDICAL TENT EVERY MILE OR SO ON THE COURSE. OKAY, YOU MADE IT TO THE FINISH LINE. DON’T STOP. THERE’S STILL A LOT OF BLOOD IN OUR EXTREMITIES, AND WE’RE AT INCREASED RISK FOR THINGS LIKE PASSING OUT AT THAT TIME. SO WE WANT TO ACTUALLY SLOW DOWN GRADUALLY. WE WANT TO WALK FOR AT LEAST A COUPLE METERS AFTER THE FINISH LINE AND JUST WAIT UNTIL WE OUR HEART RATE SETTLES A LITTLE BIT AND WE FEEL A LITTLE BIT MORE STABLE. BOTH OF OUR EXPERTS SAY THE DAYS AFTER YOU CROSS THE FINISH LINE ARE CRUCIAL TO MITIGATING PHYSICAL AND EMOTIONAL DEPLETION OF A MARATHON. KEEP EATING HEALTHY, THEY SAY. YOU DON’T WANT TO JUST BINGE AND, YOU KNOW, HAVE A BUNCH OF CHOCOLATE CAKE OR SOMETHING. A LITTLE BIT IS FINE, BUT, YOU KNOW, KEEP IT WITHIN MODERATION. TRY TO GET GOOD SLEEP. YOU’RE BODY IS GOING TO BE VERY DEPLETED. SO WE WANT TO TRY TO RESTORE THAT DEPLETED STATE AS QUICKLY AS WE CAN. AND DON’T STOP TRAINING JUST BECAUSE YOU FINISHED YOUR FIRST MARATHON. WE’VE GOT A COUPLE OF DAYS WHERE WE’RE WE’RE SORE, WE’RE MAYBE A LITTLE GRUMPY, AND WE HAVE TO FIND WAYS TO SORT OF GET BACK INTO THAT MINDSET OF, YOU KNOW, THAT MARATHON OR IN TRAINING. AND THAT COULD JUST BE AS SIMPLE AS INSTEAD OF RUNNING, I’M GOING TO GO OUT AND WALK TODAY, OR I’M GOING TO SPEND THAT TIME STILL TAKE THAT TIME THAT YOU DID FOR RUNNING AND APPLY IT TO SOMETHING THAT’S GOING TO KEEP YOU, YOU KNOW, ENGAGED MINUTES AWAY ON CHRONICLE. THIS IS LIKE THE CRUX, THE TOUGHEST EARLY CHALLENGES IN THE IN THE RACE, TAKING ON PITTSBURGH’S HILLS, THE VOLUNTEERS THAT STEP IN TO HELP AT SOME PIVOTAL MOMENTS ON PITTSBURGH’S MARATHON COURSE. IT IS NOT TOO LATE FOR ANYBODY TO TURN IT AROUND. I DON’T CARE HOW OLD YOU ARE. PLUS, THE LOCAL WOMAN HITTING THE HALF MARATHON COURSE AFTER LOSING MORE THAN 150 POUNDS. HOW SHE GOT THE BUG TO RUN AND HER MESSAGE TO ANYONE LOOKING TO MAKE A CHANGE IN THEIR CHRONICLE 26.2 CONTINUES NOW AND SOMETIMES ON THE PITTSBURGH MARATHON COURSE, THE RUNNERS NEED JUST A LITTLE HELP. THAT’S RIGHT, AND OUR LILLY COLEMAN INTRODUCES US TO SOME OF THE VOLUNTEER HILL RUNNERS THAT ARE THERE TO HELP. SOME OF THE PARTICIPANTS TAKE ON THE HEIGHTS AND THE SLOPES OF SOME OF PITTSBURGH’S BIGGEST HILLS, FINISHING A MARATHON IS NO SMALL FEAT, BUT CONQUERING 26.2 MILES IN A CITY KNOWN FOR ITS HILLS DOWNRIGHT DAUNTING, ESPECIALLY WHEN THE HILLS SHOW UP ABOUT HALFWAY THROUGH THE RACE. THIS IS LIKE THE CRUX, THE TOUGHEST EARLY CHALLENGES IN THE IN THE RACE. ERIC ASH KNOWS A THING OR TWO ABOUT THOSE HILLS. IN FACT, IT MAY BE HIS FAVORITE PART OF THE COURSE. THAT’S WHY HE VOLUNTEERS AS A HILL RUNNER EACH AND EVERY YEAR. IT FEELS REWARDING FOR. FOR US AS HILL RUNNERS TO, YOU KNOW, WE’RE JUST AT THE TOP OF THE HILL, TURNING AROUND AND GOING BACK DOWN AND GETTING THE NEXT, YOU KNOW, GROUP OF PEOPLE TO HELP THEM UP THE HILL. IT’S A VOLUNTEER POSITION, WHICH MAKES SENSE WHEN YOU THINK ABOUT IT, AS YOU’D HAVE TO BE A LITTLE CRAZY TO WANT TO HANG OUT ON THESE HILLS LONGER THAN REQUIRED. JUST TOOK SOMEBODY UP TO THE TOP OF THE HILL AND COMING DOWN, YOU SEE SOMEBODY THAT MAY BE STRUGGLING, SO YOU MAY JUST OFFER WORDS OF ENCOURAGEMENT OR MAY JUST STOP IN MY TRACKS AND JUST JOIN UP WITH THEM SEEING LIKE, HEY, THEY JUST, THEY NEED A BREAK. THEY NEED SOMEBODY TO MAYBE CONFIDE IN AND TALK TO FOR, FOR A MOMENT TO HELP THEM GET UP THE HILL. PETER PARKER SAYS THESE VOLUNTEERS ARE A CRITICAL PART OF THE PITTSBURGH MARATHON, MEANT TO HELP RUNNERS MENTALLY, PHYSICALLY, AND EVEN EMOTIONALLY WHEN THEY GET TO THE OAKLAND PORTION OF THE COURSE. THAT’S A MILE 11. THAT’S LIKE ONE OF THE MOST DAUNTING THINGS EVER. AND YOU CAN’T REALLY LIKE SEE THE TOP. THAT’S ERIC’S DAUGHTER, LILY. SHE’S A JUNIOR AT ELIZABETH FORWARD HIGH SCHOOL AND AN AVID RUNNER NOW. BUT IT WASN’T ALWAYS THAT WAY. IN THE BEGINNING OF HIGH SCHOOL, I STARTED RUNNING WITH MY DAD AND LIKE WE DO A LOT OF FAMILY, LIKE OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES TOGETHER. AND THIS LIKE JUST KIND OF BECAME ONE OF THEM. LILY GREW UP WATCHING HER DAD RUNNING AND VOLUNTEERING. ABOUT THREE YEARS AGO, SHE DECIDED TO JOIN HIM ON THE COURSE. IT’S REALLY COOL BECAUSE I CAN LIKE I SEE HIM HELPING OTHER PEOPLE TOO, WHICH IS A REALLY IMPORTANT THING. AND LIKE, AS I’M GOING UP OR DOWN THE HILL, YOU SEE HIM AND YOU KNOW, IT’S LIKE SUPPORTING OTHER PEOPLE. LIKE HE SUPPORTS ME BECAUSE AS THE ASH FAMILY KNOWS, SUPPORT IN A SPORT THAT CAN BE SO MENTALLY TAXING CAN MAKE ALL THE DIFFERENCE, KIND OF FEEL LIKE IT’S LIKE, YOU KNOW, THE ONE OF YOUR, YOU KNOW, BABY BIRDS LEAVING THE NEST, LIKE YOU’VE KIND OF HELPED THEM UP THE HILL, YOU KNOW, GOT THEM OUT OF THE NEST AND THEN, YOU KNOW, KIND OF SET THEM FREE. I RUN ALL THE TIME NOW INSTEAD OF JUST LIKE DREADING IT. AND I ACTUALLY LIKE, WANT TO BECOME BETTER AND BECOME A BETTER RUNNER. SO I DO THINGS IN MY LIFE THAT WILL REFLECT ON THAT PROOF THAT SOMETIMES HELPING OTHERS ACROSS THE FINISH LINE IS THE MOST REWARDING MEDAL OF ALL. NEXT ON CHRONICLE. IT IS NOT TOO LATE FOR ANYBODY TO TURN IT AROUND. I DON’T CARE HOW OLD YOU ARE. ONE PITTSBURGH WOMAN’S JOURNEY TO BETTER HEALTH. HOW SHE LOST MORE THAN 150 POUNDS AND IS NOW GEARING UP TO RUN THE HALF MARATHON. THIS PROGRAM IS SPECIAL BECAUSE ANYBODY CAN PARTICIPATE AND EVERYBODY IS WELCOME AND MEET THE KIDS OF STEEL. HOW THEY’RE GEARING UP TO TAKE ON THIS FAMILY FRIENDLY PITTSBURGH MARATHON ACTIVITY. AND THE MARATHON ISN’T COMPLETE WITHOUT THE INCREDIBLE PITTSBURGHERS COMING UP TO SHOW THEIR SUPPORT FOR THE RUNNERS. THE WAY WE DO IT ALL HERE, WE SET IT UP AS A BLOCK PARTY. WE GET NORMALLY BETWEEN 150 AND 200 PEOPLE COME OUT AND VOLUNTEER. SO MANY LOCAL NEIGHBORHOODS COMPETING TO SHOW WHO CAN CELEBRATE THE RUNNERS BEST. WE’LL BE SEEING MANY OF THOSE FOLKS LINING UP THE STREETS SUNDAY MORNING DURING THE MAIN EVENT. WE’RE BACK RIGHT AFTER THIS. WOMAN’S INCREDIBLE ACCOMPLISHMENT. SHE HAS LOST MORE THAN 150 POUNDS AND IS NOW ABOUT TO TAKE ON THE HALF MARATHON HERE IN PITTSBURGH. TONIGHT, WE HEAR KATHLEEN STANLEY’S EMOTIONAL STORY IN HER OWN WORDS. KATHLEEN STANLEY’S REMARKABLE JOURNEY IS ROOTED IN BLACK AND GOLD. I LOVE RUNNING THROUGH PITTSBURGH LIKE IT WAS REALLY AWESOME. PROUDLY AND HUMBLY, SHE SHOWED ME ALL OF THE RACE BIBS, RIBBONS AND MEDALS FROM ALL OF THE FIVE K RACES SHE HAS FINISHED THIS PAST YEAR. THE FIRST 5KI DID WAS IN SEPTEMBER. IT WAS THE GREAT RACE AND I DIDN’T EVEN KNOW WHAT MY TIME WAS. I JUST WANTED TO FINISH. THESE MEMENTOS, A DAILY REMINDER OF HER COMMITMENT TO HEALTH, BRINGING HER JOY. THE PITTSBURGH PAVEMENT, HER ROAD TO WELLNESS. I GOT THE BUG AND NOW I’M ADDICTED. SHE’S ADDICTED TO FEELING GOOD AND HAS LOTS OF CHEERLEADERS ON HER TEAM. KATHLEEN IS THE FOUNDER AND EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF ROOTS IN FAITH, A SHARPSBURG NONPROFIT HELPING PEOPLE TO TRANSFORM THEIR LIVES, SOMETHING SHE’S BEEN DOING FOR 35 YEARS. BUT SHE WASN’T ALWAYS MOVING THROUGH THE STREETS OF SHARPSBURG LIKE THIS. THIS IS WHAT KATHLEEN LOOKED LIKE IN THE FALL OF 2024. SHE WEIGHED 300 POUNDS, SO FOCUSED ON HELPING OTHERS, SHE NEGLECTED HER OWN HEALTH. TWO YEARS AGO, I WAS ON HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE MEDICATION. I WAS ON MEDICATION FOR CHOLESTEROL. I WAS INSULIN RESISTANT, AND I WAS TAKING PRILOSEC IN THE MORNING, NEXIUM AT NIGHT, AND EATING TUMS ALL DAY LONG. I HAD A HIATAL HERNIA. I HAD THE BEGINNINGS OF CANCER CELLS IN MY THROAT. I WAS ON A SLEEP APNEA MACHINE. SHE DEVELOPED CARDIAC ISSUES AND SUFFERED FROM CHRONIC FATIGUE. I WAS IN PAIN EVERY DAY. IF YOU’D ASKED ME LIKE, HOW OFTEN ARE YOU IN PAIN? I COULD PROBABLY ANSWER BETTER BY SAYING HOW OFTEN I’M NOT, WHICH IS ALMOST NEVER. AND THAT’S ALL GONE. IT’S ALL GONE. BECAUSE ON OCTOBER 22ND OF 2024, SHE BEGAN HER TRANSFORMATION. COMMITTED TO WALKING OR RUNNING FIVE MILES A DAY AND EATING NON PROCESSED FOODS. HER COWORKERS AND THE PEOPLE SHE SERVES ALL HAVE SUPPORTED HER IN HER CHALLENGES THIS PAST YEAR, ENCOURAGING KATHLEEN, ONE OF THE LADIES IN OUR GROUP, SAID TO ME, KATHLEEN, YOU HAVE HELPED ME CHANGE MY LIFE. WHY CAN’T YOU DO THIS? AND EVERY TIME I THINK, I CAN’T DO IT, I CAN’T DO IT. I HEAR HER VOICE SAY, WHY CAN’T YOU DO THIS? IN NINE MONTHS TIME, KATHLEEN LOST 130 POUNDS. TWO MONTHS LATER, SHE WAS DOWN ANOTHER 15 POUNDS AND STARTED HER QUEST ON CONQUERING FIVE K RACES. HER FAVORITE, THE GREAT RACE. SEEING MR. ROGERS TROLLEY AND LOVED IT. WAS IT NICE TO SEE PEOPLE LINING THE STREETS CHEERING FOR YOU? YES, I LOVE THAT PART OF IT. I MEAN, TOTAL STRANGERS AND THEY’RE ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WITH THEIR SIGNS SAYING GO, GO, GO. WHEN SHE CROSSED THE FINISH LINE OF THE TEN K RACE, SHE HAD HER SISTERS ON THE PHONE AND DEDICATED HER PERFORMANCE TO THEIR MOM, HER BIGGEST SUPPORTER, WHO PASSED AWAY BEFORE KATHLEEN’S TRANSFORMATION. KATHLEEN CONTINUES TO HONOR HER MOTHER’S MEMORY WITH EVERY STEP SHE TAKES, AS SHE’S NOW BEEN TRAINING FOR HER FIRST PITTSBURGH MARATHON THIS YEAR, AND SHE IS READY. MY GOAL IS TO GO ACROSS THAT FINISH LINE WITH NO INJURY, AND I MEAN, I’M NOT GOING TO LIE TO YOU. WHAT I LIKE TO DO IN A 16 MINUTE MILE. YES, I WOULD, BUT I THINK AT THIS POINT, JUST GETTING ACROSS THE FINISH LINE IS MY GOAL. MINUTES AWAY ON CHRONICLE. I LIKE THAT THE TEACHER IS HELP IN. THE KIDS ARE LIKE, OKAY. THEY ALSO MAKE NEW FRIENDS. IT’S THE LARGEST KIDS RACE OF ITS KIND IN AMERICA. WE MEET THE LOCAL STUDENTS GETTING READY TO BE KIDS OF STEEL AND FIND OUT THE SUPPORT. ONE LOCAL SCHOOL DISTRICT ALREADY EXPECTS TO SEE ON THE BIG DAY. AND AS CHRONICLE HEADS TO BREAK A REMINDER, YOU CAN WATCH WTAE RECENT EPISODE OF FOR THE RECORD, FEATURING P3R CEO TROY SCHOOLEY SHARING WHAT HE EXPECTS FROM PITTSBURGH’S MARATHON WEEKEND. WE’RE GOING TO CELEBRATE THE FIRST PLACE MARATHON WINNER THAT MIGHT DO IT IN TWO HOURS AND 25 MINUTES. TWO HOURS, 30 MINUTES, JUST LIKE WE’RE GOING TO CELEBRATE THE LAST PLACE FINISHER THAT TAKES SIX HOURS AND 30 MINUTES. THEY BOTH ACCOMPLISH THE SAME GOAL. THAT DAY. THEY SHOWED UP AT THE START LINE AND THEY CROSSED THE FINISH LINE. WATCH THE FULL EPISODE RIGHT NOW@T.COM AND THE WTAE APP. JUST CLICK THE FOR THE RECORD TAB. WE’RE BACK AFTER THIS. AS WE WELCOME YOU BACK TO CHRONICLE 26.2. WE WANT TO REMIND YOU THAT THE DICK’S SPORTING GOODS PITTSBURGH MARATHON IS NOT JUST ONE SINGLE RACE. IT’S A WEEKEND FULL OF EVENTS. THAT’S RIGHT. IT’S SPECTACULAR. ONE OF THOSE EVENTS IS SATURDAY MORNINGS KIDS MARATHON, THE LARGEST YOUTH RUNNING EVENT OF ITS KIND IN THE COUNTRY. TONIGHT, WE INTRODUCE YOU TO SOME OF THE KIDS OF STEEL TAKING PART IN THE RACE. IT’S A COOL AND CRISP MARCH MORNING ON NEVILLE ISLAND. TIME FOR THE ANNUAL KIDS OF STEEL FEST, AN OPPORTUNITY TO GROW EXCITEMENT. MORE THAN A MONTH BEFORE THE ANNUAL KIDS MARATHON. THIS YEAR, WE HAVE 356 SCHOOLS REPRESENTED, WHICH WILL EQUATE TO AROUND 11,000 KIDS THAT ARE START LINE. THAT’S THE LARGEST KIDS RUNNING EVENT IN THE COUNTRY. SO THAT’S SUPER EXCITING TO SEE BOTH CHILDREN AND THEIR PARENTS GATHERING FOR THE MORNING’S EVENTS. I’VE BEEN HAVING SOME FUN. I’M TRYING TO GET HIM ACTIVE EARLY, SO I FIGURED WE GET STARTED YOUNG AND KEEP IT GOING. SOME ARE THERE FOR THE FESTIVAL AND MANY ARE THERE TO GET IN ANOTHER WORKOUT. I CAME OUT HERE TO JUST PRACTICE AND LIKE JUST PRACTICE MY RUNNING SKILLS AND LIKE PRACTICE BEING JUST GOOD AT RUNNING. AURA WALKER IS A STUDENT IN BEAVER COUNTY’S HOPEWELL AREA SCHOOL DISTRICT. ONE. TWO. THREE. WE’RE ALL THREE ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS ARE TAKING PART IN THE EVENT THIS YEAR THAT SWIM CHRONICLE VISITED INDEPENDENCE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL DURING THE PRACTICE, AND THEN WE’LL START WITH OUR WARM UPS. WE DO SOME REGULAR STRETCHING, SOME LIGHT STRETCHING. WE DO SOME DYNAMIC STRETCHES. WE’LL DO SOME JUST RUNNING TO GET THEM USED TO IT. AND THEN IT’S JUST ABOUT FUN, LIKE PLAYING DIFFERENT GAMES TO KEEP THEM GOING BECAUSE THEY DON’T UNDERSTAND. THEY SEE IT AS FUN, BUT THEY’RE STILL MOVING AROUND AND GETTING THAT MILEAGE IN. COACH CASEY BEISER SAYS THERE ARE SOME CHALLENGES WITH GETTING THESE KIDS READY. THEY’RE RUNNING, BECAUSE THEY JUST WANT TO GO FULL ON AND PREPARING THEM FOR THE RACE COURSE. YOU’RE RUNNING UP THAT ONE BRIDGE. IT’S UPHILL A LITTLE BIT. YOU CAN FEEL IT. EVEN AS AN ADULT, I WAS FEELING IT AT THE DISTRICT’S MARGARET ROSS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL. A SPECIAL GIFT HELPS TO MARK THE SCHOOL’S FIRST YEAR TAKING PART IN THE EVENT. WE GOT THE GRANT FROM KIDS OF STEEL, WHICH IS AWESOME, SO THAT WE CAN ACTUALLY TAKE TWO BUSSES FROM MARGARET ROSS TO GET THERE, BECAUSE I KNOW AFTER THE DRAFT IT’S GOING TO BE A MESS. SO I’M EXCITED THAT THEY CAN LIKE, GO, COACH ANNE BUTLER SAYS SHE EXPECTS THE KIDS WILL SEE A LOT OF SUPPORT. WE HAVE A COUPLE OF TEACHERS COMING TO SPECTATE OUR PRINCIPAL AND OUR SUPERINTENDENT ARE GOING TO WALK THE FUN RUN WITH US, WHICH IS SUPER FUN. SO IT’S EXCITING TO HAVE LIKE DIFFERENT ADULTS COME SEE THEM IN A NEW ENVIRONMENT TOO, BECAUSE I KNOW YOU DON’T ALWAYS GET TO EVERY SOCCER GAME AND YOU DON’T ALWAYS GET TO ALL THE LIKE GYMNASTICS AND ALL THAT STUFF. SO IT’S KIND OF NICE THAT LIKE ALL THESE DIFFERENT SCHOOL COMMUNITIES CAN LIKE COME IN AND GET IT DONE. P THREE R’S SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT OF YOUTH PROGRAMING STOPPED BY THIS PRACTICE TO TALK ABOUT THE EXCITEMENT SURROUNDING THE SCHOOL’S PARTICIPATION. I THINK YOU’LL SEE SMILES. THAT’S THEIR BIGGEST THING IS LAUGHING SMILES, HARD WORK. AND THEY DON’T EVEN KNOW THAT WHEN THEY GO HOME THEY’RE SUPER TIRED AND THEY DON’T KNOW WHY, BUT THEY JUST PLAYED HARD. AND THAT’S WHAT WE LIKE. AND CELEBRATING THE GROWN UPS WHO DONATE THEIR TIME TO MAKE IT ALL HAPPEN. WE COULDN’T DO THIS WITHOUT OUR VOLUNTEERS AND COACHES THAT IMPLEMENT THIS AT EVERY SCHOOL ACROSS THE TRI STATE AREA, AND THE KIDS AT MARGARET ROSS SAY THEY’RE ALSO GRATEFUL FOR THE PEOPLE WHO HELPED GET THEM READY TO RUN. I LIKE THAT THE TEACHERS HELP IN THE KIDS ARE LIKE, OKAY, IF THEY LIKE, HELP, THEY ALSO MAKE NEW FRIENDS. I GUESS IT’S LIKE BETTER THAN LIKE WORKING OUT WITH LIKE MY DAD OR SOMEONE AT HOME BECAUSE I LIKE, LIKE I CAN BE WITH MY FRIENDS. I CAN LIKE, ENJOY ALL THESE GREAT TEACHERS. WE FEEL LUCKY. IT FEELS LIKE THEY, THEY REALLY CARE ABOUT US AND THEY DO. CHRONICLE VISITS THE THIRD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL IN THE DISTRICT INVOLVED IN KIDS OF STEEL, HOPEWELL ELEMENTARY. THEY’RE ANOTHER KIND OF VOLUNTEER, AN OLDER SIBLING TO ONE OF THE PARTICIPANTS. IT’S VERY FUN. IT’S NICE TO BE BECAUSE I DID THIS BACK WHEN I WAS IN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL, SO IT’S GOOD TO BE ABLE TO HELP OTHER KIDS DO IT. THE KIDS AT HOPEWELL ELEMENTARY GET A HIGH ENERGY PRACTICE ON THIS EARLY APRIL AFTERNOON RUNNING, PLAYING GAMES AND RUNNING AROUND THE SCHOOL. I LIKE DOING IT, I LIKE RUNNING. I WANTED TO DO IT BECAUSE IT LOOKED REALLY FUN, AND YOU GET TO SPEND TIME WITH TEACHERS AND FRIENDS. AND FOR THE VOLUNTEERS, IT’S A GREAT WAY TO GET THE KIDS READY FOR AN EXCITING MORNING IN THE STEEL CITY. I THINK IT’S GOING TO BE REALLY AWESOME GETTING TO RUN THROUGH A REALLY GOOD CITY AND SEEING EVERYBODY CHEER YOU ON. SO I THINK IT’LL BE A GOOD EXPERIENCE FOR THEM. CELEBRATION OF KIDS OF STEEL AND HOPEWELL AND AROUND THE REGION. ALL. AN EXAMPLE OF ONE OF THE TENETS HELD BY P3RCEO TROY SCHOOLEY. YOU’RE NEVER TOO OLD TO MOVE OR YOU’RE NEVER TOO YOUNG TO START MOVING. AND THAT JUST GOES TO SHOW YOU THAT THERE IS A MARATHON EVENT FOR PRETTY MUCH EVERYONE HERE AT THE DICK’S SPORTING GOODS MARATHON. THAT’S RIGHT. IT’S AN EXCITING WEEKEND OF EVENTS THAT JUST CONTINUES TO GROW WITH EACH PASSING YEAR FROM MIKE CLARK AND I AND EVERYONE HERE AT CHRONICLE, WE WANT TO THANK YOU FOR WATCHING. HAVE A GREAT NIGHT AND WE’LL SEE YOU AT THE FINISH LINE.
Chronicle 26.2: Record turnout expected for Pittsburgh Marathon weekend
Updated: 9:42 PM EDT May 1, 2026
The Dick’s Sporting Goods Pittsburgh Marathon is set to be the largest marathon weekend in Pittsburgh’s history, with over 52,000 participants taking part in events that culminate in Sunday’s 26.2-mile race through the city.”Chronicle: 26.2″ — Watch the full video above”Pittsburgh is on the list of top marathons, not just in the country, but the world,” said Troy Schooley, CEO of P3R, the organization behind the marathon.The marathon offers runners a unique opportunity to experience the city’s landmarks. “In Pittsburgh, you’re running the bridges, you’re seeing the rivers, you’re running behind the stadiums. So you’re really getting a Pittsburgh experience,” said David Heyman. LOOKING FOR A MARATHON EVENT GUIDE: Click here.The weekend includes family-friendly events like the “Kids of Steel” program, which encourages young participants to train and run together.”I wanted to do it because it looked really fun. And you get to spend time with teachers and friends,” one participant said. The marathon also challenges runners with its hilly terrain and serves as a platform to support meaningful causes. For many, the event is a celebration of personal achievements.WTAE, the official media partner for the marathon, is covering the excitement leading up to the race, showcasing inspiring stories from participants and the community.
PITTSBURGH —
The Dick’s Sporting Goods Pittsburgh Marathon is set to be the largest marathon weekend in Pittsburgh’s history, with over 52,000 participants taking part in events that culminate in Sunday’s 26.2-mile race through the city.
“Chronicle: 26.2” — Watch the full video above
“Pittsburgh is on the list of top marathons, not just in the country, but the world,” said Troy Schooley, CEO of P3R, the organization behind the marathon.
The marathon offers runners a unique opportunity to experience the city’s landmarks.
“In Pittsburgh, you’re running the bridges, you’re seeing the rivers, you’re running behind the stadiums. So you’re really getting a Pittsburgh experience,” said David Heyman.
LOOKING FOR A MARATHON EVENT GUIDE: Click here.
The weekend includes family-friendly events like the “Kids of Steel” program, which encourages young participants to train and run together.
“I wanted to do it because it looked really fun. And you get to spend time with teachers and friends,” one participant said.
The marathon also challenges runners with its hilly terrain and serves as a platform to support meaningful causes.
For many, the event is a celebration of personal achievements.
WTAE, the official media partner for the marathon, is covering the excitement leading up to the race, showcasing inspiring stories from participants and the community.