Your guide to the 2026 Pittsburgh Marathon: Events, road closures, and race highlights
WELCOME TO. FOR THE RECORD, I’M JANELLE HALL. THIS MORNING WE ARE EXACTLY ONE WEEK AWAY FROM ONE OF THE CITY’S BIGGEST EVENTS OF THE YEAR, THE DICK’S SPORTING GOODS PITTSBURGH MARATHON. AND TODAY, AS THOUSANDS OF RUNNERS GET READY FOR WHAT PROMISES TO BE THE BIGGEST MARATHON YET HERE IN OUR CITY. I SIT DOWN WITH TROY SCULLEY, THE CEO OF P3R, TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE LEGACY OF THE PITTSBURGH MARATHON AND THE IMPACT IT’S HAD ON THE STEEL CITY. WALK ME BACK TO WHEN THIS ALL STARTED. I REMEMBER COVERING THIS AND PEOPLE SAYING, IS THIS GOING TO WORK? SO WALK ME THROUGH THE EVOLUTION OF IT AND HOW IT’S BECOME SUCH A MAJOR ATTRACTION EVENT HERE IN TOWN. YEAH, THE MARATHON CAME BACK IN 2009, OBVIOUSLY, WITH THE SUPPORT OF MAYOR MURPHY. MAYOR RAVENSTAHL DID A GREAT JOB OF BRINGING IT BACK. WE WERE ONE OF THE ONLY MAJOR CITIES THAT DIDN’T HAVE A MARATHON. OUR MARATHON WENT AWAY IN 2004 AND CAME BACK IN 2009. DICK’S SPORTING GOODS PLAYED AN INTEGRAL ROLE OF BRINGING IT BACK WITHOUT A TITLE PARTNER. THESE EVENTS ARE REALLY TOUGH TO PUT ON THE FIRST YEAR THEY PROJECTED, I THINK, 5000 RUNNERS, THEY ENDED UP GETTING 12,000. THEY SAID, WE HAVE SOMETHING HERE. AND THEN IT’S JUST IT’S REALLY GROWN SINCE. THE COMMUNITY CONTINUES TO LEAN INTO THIS. THE REGION CONTINUES TO EMBRACE THIS. AND I THINK THAT’S WHERE WE’RE SEEING THE CONTINUED GROWTH IS BECAUSE EVERYBODY KNOWS THAT FIRST WEEKEND OF MAY, THE MARATHON IS COMING. EMBRACE IT. GO OUT THERE, VOLUNTEER, SPECTATE OR PARTICIPATE. TALK ABOUT HOW THE NEIGHBORHOODS COME ALIVE. I REMEMBER I RAN THE HALF, MAYBE A HALF DOZEN TIMES. THAT WAS ONE OF MY FAVORITE PARTS. AND THAT REALLY KIND OF AMPLIFIED THAT PUSH UP THE HILL. WHEN YOU SEE PEOPLE OUT THERE WITH SIGNS AND THERE’S A LOT OF PRIDE IN EACH CITY NEIGHBORHOOD THAT YOU’RE RUNNING THROUGH, THE SPECTATORS ARE WHAT PUSH A LOT OF THE RUNNERS THROUGH, AND WE HEAR IT EVERY YEAR. BUT I TELL PEOPLE THERE’S NOT A BETTER THERE’S NOT A BETTER WAY TO TAKE A TOUR OF A CITY THAN DOING A HALF MARATHON OR A MARATHON. YOU KNOW, WE RUN THROUGH 14 DIFFERENT NEIGHBORHOODS, ALL DIFFERENT BUT ALL SUPPORTIVE SIGNS, COWBELLS, BARBECUES, EVERYTHING IS GOING ON. SO THAT’S WHY WHEN I TALK ABOUT THE CITY EMBRACING THIS EVENT, I DON’T THINK THERE’S ANY EVENT THAT THE CITY HAS EMBRACED MORE THAN THE PITTSBURGH MARATHON, BECAUSE EVERYBODY COMES OUT OF THEIR HOUSES OR DRIVES DOWN JUST TO BE A PART OF IT. AND THAT’S WHAT’S EXCITING, AND IT IS VERY IMPRESSIVE TO WATCH THE ROLLING CLOSURES. AND THEN THE WAY THAT IT OPENS BACK UP. I MEAN, YOU GUYS HAVE CREWS ALL AROUND. SO FOR PEOPLE WHO MAYBE AREN’T FAMILIAR WITH THE LOGISTICS, HOW DO I GET AROUND TOWN WHEN WE HAVE 50,000 PEOPLE RUNNING? EXPLAIN HOW THAT WORKS AND HOW YOU’RE ABLE TO TRACK THE RUNNERS ALONG THE WAY, AND THEN BE ABLE TO OPEN THE STREETS AS A RESULT? YEAH, WE HAVE TEN DIFFERENT WHAT WE WHAT WE CALL A SECTIONS. SO ONE SECTION A CLEARS, WHICH WOULD BE KIND OF THE START LINE. THE FIRST COUPLE MILES, WE CAN OPEN THAT UP. WE WANT TO PROVIDE MINIMAL DISTRACTIONS TO PEOPLE TRYING TO GET AROUND OR TRYING TO SEE THEIR RUNNERS IN DIFFERENT AREAS OF THE CITY. WE WANT TO MAKE THAT VERY EASY. IT IS AN UNBELIEVABLE PRODUCTION WE COULDN’T DO WITHOUT. OBVIOUSLY, OUR FOLKS AT THE CITY HELPING US OUT IN OUR OPERATIONS TEAM. BUT, YOU KNOW, WE SHUT DOWN 26 MILES OF STREET. SO THERE IS A LITTLE DISRUPTION. BUT WE I THINK OUR TEAM DOES A GREAT JOB OF EXPLAINING WHERE THE BEST PLACES TO WATCH ARE, WHERE THE BEST PLACES TO SPECTATE, WHAT NEIGHBORHOOD AND HOW TO GET THERE. WHAT ARE SOME OF THE BEST PLACES TO WATCH AND SOME OF THE BEST NEIGHBORHOODS? THEY’RE ALL GOOD. YEAH. YOU. DON’T WANT TO RANK IT, YOU KNOW, BUT THERE’S A LOT OF PRIDE. BLOOMFIELD ALWAYS DOES A GREAT JOB. HOMEWOOD DOES A GREAT JOB. SOUTHSIDE SOUTHSIDE COMING DOWN. CARSON ON THAT STRETCH IN THE AMOUNT OF PEOPLE AND THE AMOUNT OF AMOUNT OF SIGNS THAT YOU SEE IN THE BANDS AND EVERYTHING, THAT’S A REALLY COOL STRETCH. EVEN THE WEST END AND THE NORTH SHORE, THEY’RE ALL GREAT. I WAS THINKING ABOUT THAT IN THE NORTH SIDE TOO, OVER BY THE CHILDREN’S MUSEUM, AND I ALSO, IT TOOK ME RUNNING THIS RACE TO REALIZE THERE IS A. THERE’S QUITE A GRADE ON THE WEST END AND THE BIRMINGHAM BRIDGE PEOPLE FORGET ABOUT THE BRIDGES. THE BRIDGES HAVE SLOPE. YEAH. AND I’LL BE COOL TO RUN OVER A BRIDGE UNTIL YOU’RE ACTUALLY RUNNING UP A BRIDGE. YEAH, THERE’S A, THERE’S A LOT OF SLOPE THERE. SO WHAT’S, WHAT ARE SOME OF YOUR FAVORITE MARATHON MEMORIES OVER THE YEARS? YOU KNOW, I HAVE SO MANY OF THEM, TO BE HONEST WITH YOU. BUT STANDING AT THAT FINISH LINE AND SEEING THE EMOTION OF EVERYBODY’S FACE, WHETHER IT’S SMILES, WHETHER IT’S TEARS, I KNOW THEY’RE PROBABLY HAPPY TEARS. BUT IN THE BACK OF MY MIND, I ALWAYS KNOW THAT THAT PERSON SET OUT FOR A GOAL. YOU KNOW, MAYBE NINE MONTHS AGO, MAYBE SIX MONTHS AGO, PROBABLY A GOAL THAT THEY DIDN’T KNOW THAT THEY WERE GOING TO GET TO THE END. AND SEEING THAT CULMINATE AT THAT FINISH LINE AND THE EMOTION AND THE HUGS AND HIGH FIVES THAT I’M ABLE TO GIVE. JUST REALLY MAKES ME FEEL GREAT ABOUT WHAT WE DO AND WHAT WE CAN BRING TO THIS CITY. SO THAT’S, THERE’S SO MANY GREAT INDIVIDUAL MOMENTS, BUT IT ALL CULMINATES WITH THAT FINISH LINE AND SEEING THE EMOTION AND PEOPLE REACHING A GOAL, AND MOST OF THEM CHANGING THEIR LIVES, WHETHER IT WAS THROUGH A WEIGHT LOSS JOURNEY, WHETHER THROUGH A SICKNESS, WHETHER THEY WERE RUNNING FOR SOMEBODY FOR CHARITY, THERE’S JUST SO MANY GREAT STORIES. YOU TELL ME. TALK A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THE PROGRAM IS CALLED RUN FOR A REASON. IS THAT RIGHT? CORRECT. YEAH. SO WITH RUN FOR A REASON, GIVE ME SOME EXAMPLES OF THE WAYS THAT THE MARATHON IS BEING USED TO HELP OTHER ORGANIZATIONS. YEAH. THE MARATHON IS AN OUTLET FOR 50 OFFICIAL LOCAL CHARITIES. SOME OTHERS RAISE MONEY ON THEIR OWN, BUT 50 OFFICIAL LOCAL CHARITIES THIS YEAR WILL RAISE AROUND $1.5 MILLION FOR LOCAL AND ALL DIFFERENT KINDS. YOU MAINE ANIMAL RESCUE MARIO LEMIEUX FOUNDATION, CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL AND PEOPLE GO OUT AND THEY RAISE FUNDS USING OUR MARATHON AS AN OUTLET. SO WE’D LOVE TO BE ABLE TO GIVE BACK AND TO REALLY HEAR THE STORIES ABOUT THE WHY WE’RE BIG IN THE WHY, AND TO TELL US WHY YOU’RE RUNNING FOR AN INDIVIDUAL CHARITY. REALLY PUTS TOGETHER THE STORY. SO WHEN WHEN THE MARATHON WRAPS UP, HOW QUICKLY ARE YOU GUYS ALREADY THINKING ABOUT NEXT YEAR? THE WEEK AFTER? YEAH. AND IN SOME CASES, OUR BRANDING AND OUR MARKETING MESSAGE FOR 27 IS ALREADY BEING DEVELOPED. SO IT IS A YEAR ROUND PROCESS. BUT THAT’S WHAT’S EXCITING IS LIKE, HOW DO WE CONTINUE TO GROW? HOW DO WE HOW ARE WE GOING TO MAKE THIS BETTER? HOW ARE WE GOING TO GIVE THE RUNNER A BETTER EXPERIENCE NEXT YEAR? AND WE LEARN A LOT. YOU KNOW, WHEN YOU HAVE 50,000 PEOPLE AND YOU THEY’RE ALL TALENTED. EVERYBODY’S GOING TO TELL YOU WHAT YOU DID WRONG OR WHAT YOU DID RIGHT. AND THAT’S WHAT’S EXCITING IS THAT BECAUSE I THINK OUR TEAM’S DONE A GREAT JOB EACH YEAR, MAKING THE EXPERIENCE BETTER. YEAH. LET’S TALK ABOUT THE ECONOMIC IMPACT IN THE CITY. SO BETWEEN THE NFL DRAFT AND THEN THE MARATHON, TALK ABOUT THOSE TWO THINGS AND WHAT THAT MEANS FOR SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS, FOR EMPLOYEES WHO ARE WORKING ON WAGES, OR MAYBE SOME SAFETY WORKERS, FIRST RESPONDERS, CONSTRUCTION WORKERS THAT ARE GETTING SOME ADDITIONAL HOURS THAT THEY MAY NOT HAVE HAD. YEAH, THE DRAFT IMPACT, OBVIOUSLY, WE’VE HEARD THE NUMBERS BETWEEN 160 TO 200 MILLION. AND, YOU KNOW, A LOT OF SMALL BUSINESSES, LOCAL RESTAURANTS, THAT’S EXCITING. THE MARATHON EVERY YEAR THIS YEAR WILL BE AROUND 40 MILLION, BUT IT’S AN ANNUAL EVENT. THE MARATHON IS HERE YEAR AFTER YEAR. WE FILL UP THE HOTELS, WE FILL UP THE RESTAURANTS. THEY ALSO TAKE THE JOURNEY WITH US SO WE DON’T THINK ABOUT THE YEAR ROUND IMPACT OF ECONOMIC IMPACT. THEY MIGHT CHANGE THEIR EATING HABITS, SO THEY MIGHT BE GOING TO THE LOCAL GROCER AND, YOU KNOW, BUYING MORE FRUITS AND VEGETABLES. THEY MIGHT BE GOING INTO THE SPECIALTY RUN SHOP AND BUYING NEW SHOES. SO THERE’S AN ECONOMIC IMPACT THROUGHOUT THE YEAR FOR THE MARATHON STILL AHEAD ON FOR THE RECORD, IT’S REALLY ANY AND ALL. WE WANT EVERYBODY TO MOVE WITH US. HOW, REGARDLESS OF HOW YOU MOVE THE MESSAGE FOR EVERYONE TAKING PART IN A PITTSBURGH MARATHON EVENT, WHETHER YOU’RE RUNNING OR TAKING PART IN ANOTHER WAY. WELCOME BACK TO THE. FOR THE RECORD, AS I CONTINUE MY CONVERSATION WITH P3R CEO TROY SCULLY, WHO OVERSEES THE ORGANIZATION IN CHARGE OF THE DICK’S SPORTING GOODS PITTSBURGH MARATHON. WE TALK ABOUT HOW THE RACE HAS GROWN IN RECENT YEARS AND THE PUSH OVER TIME TO MAKE IT AN INCLUSIVE EVENT. EVERYONE CAN ENJOY. LET’S TALK ABOUT HOW POPULAR THE MARATHON HAS BECOME AND THE ANNOUNCEMENT ABOUT WHERE WE’RE AT WITH REGARD TO THE FULL MARATHON. YEAH, THIS YEAR WILL BE THE LARGEST PITTSBURGH MARATHON EVER. WE’LL HAVE OVER 50,000 PEOPLE PARTICIPATING, AND I THINK THERE’S SOME DIFFERENT REASONS WHY THAT HAS HAPPENED. I THINK THE LOCAL, THE NATIONAL AND THE INTERNATIONAL COVERAGE IS REALLY HELPED US. RUNNER’S WORLD RECENTLY RANKED US ONE OF THE TOP MARATHONS AND HALF MARATHONS TO RUN THIS SPRING IN THE WORLD. SO WE WERE PITTSBURGH WAS RANKED WITH LONDON AND TOKYO, WHICH WERE WHICH ARE GREAT MARATHONS. SO THAT HELPS. BUT I THINK IT’S VERY SIMPLE. I THINK THAT SIX YEARS AGO WE CHANGED OUR MISSION STATEMENT TO INSPIRE ANY AND ALL TO MOVE. ALL WE WANT PEOPLE TO DO IS MOVE. WE WANT IT TO BE INCLUSIVE OF EVERYBODY. WE WANT TO WELCOME EVERYBODY TO A START LINE. SO WE ADDED A WALKING DIVISION. OBVIOUSLY, THE KIDS OF STEEL PROGRAM CONTINUES TO GROW. SO THAT’S WHERE OUR GROWTH HAS COME FROM, IS REALLY LEANING INTO JUST MOVEMENT. 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. AND WE REALLY LEANED INTO THAT. AND I THINK IT’S A LITTLE BIT OUTSIDE THE REALM IN OUR RUNNING INDUSTRY BECAUSE PEOPLE ARE LIKE, OH, DID YOU DO BOSTON? DID YOU, YOU KNOW, NO, COME DO PITTSBURGH. WE’RE GOING TO WELCOME EVERYBODY. WE DON’T CARE HOW LONG IT TAKES. WE’RE GOING TO CELEBRATE A 12 MINUTE MILE OR JUST LIKE WE’RE GOING TO CELEBRATE A SIX MINUTE MILER. WHEN YOU TALK ABOUT BEING INCLUSIVE, IT MAKES ME THINK OF THE HAND RACERS. WHAT’S THE TYPICAL? WHAT’S THE HAND CYCLIST? THE HAND CYCLIST. SO WHEN YOU TALK ABOUT BEING INCLUSIVE, IT MAKES ME THINK OF THE HAND CYCLIST. IT MAKES ME THINK OF MIKE BRUNO, WHO IS AN AVID RUNNER WHO PUSHED HIS DAUGHTER CASSIE, WHO IS BLIND SO SHE COULD EXPERIENCE THAT. THOSE ARE SOME OF THE REMARKABLE STORIES. SO AGAIN, TALK ABOUT THE DIFFERENT TIERS AND THE DIFFERENT VARYING ABILITIES AND LEVELS THAT PEOPLE CAN. YEAH, IT’S REALLY ANY AND ALL. WE WANT EVERYBODY TO MOVE WITH US, REGARDLESS OF HOW YOU MOVE. IF YOU’RE ON A HAND CYCLE, IF YOU’RE IN A STROLLER, IF YOU’RE IN A WHEELCHAIR. TWO YEARS AGO, WE LAUNCHED THE CHAMPIONS MILE, WHICH IS AN ALL INCLUSIVE MILE FOR ANYBODY. SO IT DOESN’T IT’S NOT TIMED. YOU CAN TAKE AS LONG AS YOU WANT. YOU CAN BE IN A WHEELCHAIR, YOU CAN GET PUSHED, YOU CAN CRAWL, YOU’RE MOVING THOUGH, AND THAT’S WHAT WE WANT. SO THERE’S SO MANY GREAT STORIES OF PEOPLE COMING TO US AND SAY, CAN WE DO THIS? LIKE, YOU KNOW, WHETHER IT’S HAND CYCLING OR MIKE BRUNO’S CASE? YES, PLEASE COME DO THIS BECAUSE WE WANT TO SEE YOU AT THE FINISH LINE. AND WE KNOW THAT WE CAN CHANGE LIVES BY DOING THAT. SO WONDERFUL. SPEAKING OF CHANGING LIVES, YOU TALK ABOUT KIDS STEAL. I KNOW OUR DAUGHTERS ARE SIMILAR IN AGE. THAT IS ALL THE RAGE IN SCHOOL TALK ABOUT HOW THAT HAS BEEN VERY POPULAR AND SOME OF THE STORIES YOU’RE HEARING ABOUT IN LOCAL SCHOOLS ABOUT HOW THAT’S MAKING A DIFFERENCE. THE PROGRAM HAS MADE RUNNING COOL FOR KIDS, AND I DIDN’T THINK THAT WAS POSSIBLE. YOU KNOW, THIS IS A PROGRAM THAT DATES BEYOND ME. AND BEFORE I WAS WITH PETER, I RAN IT WITH MY TWO OLDEST, AND THERE WAS 30 SCHOOLS AT THE TIME, 750 KIDS, AND WE WERE RUNNING OVER THE WARHOL BRIDGE. I’LL NEVER FORGET, WITH MY SON AND MY DAUGHTER. AND I SAW THE SMILE ON HER FACE. I’M LIKE, WOW, THIS IS AMAZING. I DIDN’T THINK RUNNING WAS THIS GREAT. THE PROGRAM WENT FROM 30 SCHOOLS THIS YEAR. WE’LL HAVE 356 SCHOOLS PARTICIPATING, 11,000 KIDS AT OUR START LINE. IT’S THE LARGEST KIDS RUNNING EVENT IN THE COUNTRY, AND WE’RE VERY PROUD OF THAT BECAUSE IT GETS KIDS OUT AND ACTIVE AND THEY EMBRACE IT. THEY LOVE GOING DOWN TO THE START LINE EVERY YEAR AND FINISHING AT THE FINISH LINE AND GETTING THAT MEDAL, AND THEY TAKE THE MEDALS TO THE SCHOOL THE NEXT DAY. SO IT’S A PROGRAM. IT’S A CENTERPIECE OF OUR ORGANIZATION AT P3R. IT’S SOMETHING THAT WILL CONTINUE TO LEAN INTO AND FUND AND MAKE SURE THAT ALL THE SCHOOLS AND THE TEACHERS HAVE THE RESOURCES TO CONTINUE THIS, YOU KNOW, INSPIRING ANY AT ALL TO MOVE. WE COULD NOT DO THE PROGRAM WITHOUT THE TEACHERS AND THE AMBASSADORS WITHIN THE SCHOOL. WHEN YOU’RE TALKING 360 SCHOOLS, WE NEED A BUNCH OF SOLDIERS OUT THERE HELPING OUR KIDS. AND THE TEACHERS ALREADY HAVE SO MUCH ON THEIR PLATE. SO WE’RE SO APPRECIATIVE OF THEM GIVING BACK AND, AND HELPING THESE KIDS GET TO THE START LINE. YEAH. AND IT’S NEAT TO THINK ABOUT MAYBE THAT’S THE BEGINNING OF THEIR HEALTH JOURNEY. MAYBE THAT HELPS INSTILL THAT LOVE OF RUNNING THAT WILL THEN CONTINUE TO A FULL OR A HALF LATER ON. WE’VE HAD SO MANY PARENTS REACH OUT AND SAY, HEY, BECAUSE OF THE KIDS MARATHON, MY KID NOW IS PLAYING SOCCER OR IS TRYING LACROSSE. HE OR SHE NEVER WOULD HAVE DONE THAT WITHOUT THE KIDS MARATHON. AND WHAT I THINK IT DOES IS IT INSPIRES PEOPLE TO MOVE. BUT IT ALSO TALKS ABOUT TEAMWORK AND BONDING AND FRIENDSHIP BECAUSE THEY’RE ALL WITH THEIR FRIENDS AND THEY’RE HAVING A GREAT TIME, AND IT’S KIND OF TRICKING THEM INTO RUNNING IS, IS ACTUALLY FUN. SO IT’S JUST A GREAT PROGRAM. IT’S GREAT TO SEE IT CONTINUE TO, TO RISE. AND WE, WE HAVE SEEN THE STORIES OF KIDS THAT HAVE STARTED WITH THE KIDS OF STEEL PROGRAM, RAN THE ONE MILER, WENT TO THE FIVE K AND THEN RAN THEIR FIRST HALF MARATHON OR MARATHON. IT’S BECAUSE THEY FELL IN LOVE WITH MOVEMENT. IT’S NOT BECAUSE THEY’RE GOING TO BE COLLEGE TRACK AND FIELD ATHLETES. THEY FELL IN LOVE WITH THE EXPERIENCE OF WHAT RUNNING DOES, BOTH PHYSICALLY AND MENTALLY, AND KEEP IT HERE ON FOR THE RECORD, BECAUSE COMING UP, I LEARNED MORE ABOUT TROY COOLEY’S ROOTS RIGHT HERE IN THE PITTSBURGH AREA. WELCOME BACK TO FOR THE RECORD, IN THE FINAL PART OF MY INTERVIEW WITH THE P3RCEO, WE LEARN MORE ABOUT TROY COOLEY, WHO WAS ESSENTIALLY THE FACE OF THE PITTSBURGH MARATHON. HE GREW UP RIGHT HERE IN WESTERN PENNSYLVANIA AND SAYS HE’S THRILLED TO HELP MAKE AN IMPACT RIGHT HERE IN OUR REGION. SO TELL ME ABOUT WHERE YOU GREW UP, WHERE YOU WENT TO COLLEGE, AND WHAT IT NOW MEANS TO LEAD SUCH A MAJOR ORGANIZATION IN TOWN. YEAH, I GREW UP OUTSIDE OF NEWCASTLE ON A FARM, WENT TO A REALLY SMALL SCHOOL CALLED LAUREL, ENDED UP GOING TO ROBERT MORRIS. I LOVE SPORTS, NOT JUST PLAYING SPORTS. I LOVE THE BUSINESS OF SPORTS. I WENT TO ROBERT MORRIS WAS A SPORT MANAGEMENT MAJOR, BROKE INTO THE SPORTS KIND OF FIELD WITH ESPN RADIO. I HAD A RECRUITER REACH OUT, I GUESS, 14 YEARS AGO NOW AND SAID, HEY, WOULD YOU LIKE TO TALK ABOUT THE PITTSBURGH MARATHON? THERE’S AN OPENING. FIRST THING I SAID IS THAT I’M NOT REALLY A BIG RUNNER. I LIKE TO WORK OUT, I LIKE TO MOVE. AND THEY’RE LIKE, IT DOESN’T, YOU KNOW, THAT DOESN’T MATTER. I WENT THROUGH THE PROCESS AND I THINK THAT THEY HAD ME AT A FINISH LINE. AND I TALK ABOUT THE FINISH LINE BEING SO IMPACTFUL TO ME. I KNEW RIGHT OFF THE BAT THAT WE HAD SOMETHING HERE, THAT THIS IS SOMETHING THAT COULD CONTINUE TO GROW, THAT WE CAN CONTINUE TO EMBRACE, EMBRACE AS A COMMUNITY, AS A REGION, AND REALLY MAKE OUR REGION MORE ACTIVE AND MORE HEALTHY. SO THAT’S, THAT’S MY JOURNEY STILL AHEAD. I GOT THE BUG AND NOW I’M ADDICTED. AN EARLY LOOK AT THE NEXT EDITION OF WTAE CHRONICLE, SHOWING HOW RUNNING AND GETTING READY FOR THE MARATHON HAS CHANGED THE LIVES OF SO MANY PITTSBURGHERS. WELCOME BACK TO. FOR THE RECORD, YOU JUST SAW MY EXTENSIVE INTERVIEW WITH P3RCEO TROY SCHOOLEY ALL ABOUT NEXT SUNDAY’S PITTSBURGH MARATHON. WELL, COMING UP THIS FRIDAY NIGHT, WE ARE BRINGING YOU MORE INCREDIBLE STORIES FROM THE MARATHON, HIGHLIGHTING THE PEOPLE WHO RUN AND THEIR REASON FOR RUNNING, ALL IN A BRAND NEW EDITION OF CHRONICLE. AND THIS MORNING, A PREVIEW OF ONE OF THOSE STORIES AS WE LEARN THE INCREDIBLE STORY OF KATHLEEN STANLEY, WHO LOST ABOUT 150 POUNDS AHEAD OF HER MISSION TO RUN PITTSBURGH’S HALF MARATHON. TAKE A LOOK NOW AT PART OF MY INTERVIEW WITH HER. WHY DO YOU THINK YOUR STORY IS SO IMPORTANT TO SHARE, AND WHY ARE YOU DECIDING TO SHARE IT WITH US? I THINK IT’S IMPORTANT BECAUSE, 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 AND HOPE I MAKE IT ACROSS THE FINISH LINE. IT IS NOT TOO LATE FOR ANYBODY TO TURN IT AROUND. I DON’T CARE HOW OLD YOU ARE. AND IF SOMEBODY HAD TOLD ME THAT I’D BE DOING A HALF MARATHON AT 60 YEARS OLD, I WOULD SAY THEY WERE NUTS. TAKE ME BACK. YOU DECIDED TO BECOME A THERAPIST, A COUNSELOR, A HELPER FOR YOUR WHOLE LIFE. 30 PLUS YEARS. DID YOU WERE YOU SO LASER FOCUSED ON HELPING OTHERS THAT YOU NEGLECTED YOURSELF? YEP. I’VE BEEN HELPING OTHER PEOPLE FOR 35 YEARS, RAISING MY KIDS AND HELPING OTHER PEOPLE IN THE FIELD OF PSYCHOLOGY. AND SOMEHOW I FORGOT ABOUT MYSELF AND THAT WASN’T OKAY. I MEAN, I’M SURE I COULD HAVE DONE A BETTER JOB TAKING CARE OF ALL KINDS OF PEOPLE IF I HAD BEEN HEALTHIER AND I WASN’T HEALTHY. GO THROUGH THE LIST OF MEDICATIONS YOU WERE TAKING TWO YEARS AGO, 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. I HAD TACHYCARDIA, AND I GUESS WHAT THEY CALL LONG COVID, OR I JUST SAY CHRONIC FATIGUE. AND I WAS TAKING IBUPROFEN 800MG, SOMETIMES TWICE A DAY. 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 AMAZING. WHAT WAS THAT LIKE GOING THROUGH DAY TO DAY? YOU JUST SHOWED ME THE PICTURE. CAN YOU BELIEVE THAT WAS, YOU KNOW? NO. AND SOMETIMES I LOOK AT IT AND I STILL HAVE TO SAY TO MYSELF, THAT’S NOT YOU ANYMORE. AND I’LL GO BUY CLOTHES. AND I COME HOME AND I’M LIKE, WAIT A MINUTE, I’M NOT THAT SIZE ANYMORE. AND SAY, I CAN’T DO THAT BECAUSE I’M SO OVERWEIGHT, I CAN’T DO IT ANYMORE. AND I FORGET THAT. NO YOU’RE NOT. YOU’VE BEEN RUNNING SINCE SEPTEMBER 5TH. CAN YOU DO FIVE DAYS EVERY WEEK, MULTIPLE TIMES A WEEK? YEAH. WHAT IS YOUR HOPE FOR THIS MARATHON AND WHY DID YOU SIGN UP FOR THE MARATHON? WELL, OTHER THAN THE FACT THAT I’VE LOST MY MIND, I, I THE FIRST 5KI DID WAS IN SEPTEMBER. IT WAS A GREAT RACE AND I DIDN’T EVEN KNOW WHAT MY TIME WAS. I JUST WANTED TO FINISH RIGHT. BUT THEN I GOT THE BUG AND NOW I’M ADDICTED. AND NOW I WANT TO DO ALL OF THEM. AND I WANT TO LIKE CALL P3R AND SAY, WHEN’S THE NEXT CAN WE DO ANOTHER ONE? LIKE, WHAT AM I SUPPOSED TO DO BETWEEN THE MARATHON AND SEPTEMBER? LIKE, BUT THEN I STARTED SAYING, HOW CAN I BEAT MY TIME? AND SO NOW I’M BEATING MY TIME. WHEN I FIRST WHEN I DID THE GREAT RACE, I THINK MY TIME WAS 18 MINUTE MILE OR SOMETHING. I’M DOWN TO 14 AND THAT’S PRETTY DARN AMAZING. AND SO I’M ADDICTED. HEAR MORE OF KATHLEEN STANLEY’S STORY, INCLUDING WHO INSPIRES HER TO RUN. THAT’S IN CHRONICLE 26.2, WHICH WILL AIR FRIDAY NIGHT AT SEVEN RIGHT HERE ON WTAE CHANNEL 4. AND BEFORE WE GO THIS MORNING, A REMINDER THAT WTAE CHANNEL 4 IS THE OFFICIAL MEDIA PARTNER OF THE 2026 DICK’S SPORTING GOODS PITTSBURGH MARATHON. JOIN US NEXT SUNDAY MORNING FOR COMPLETE COVERAGE OF THE MARATHON, FROM THE STARTING LINE TO THE FINISH LINE, AND ALL OF THE FUN AND EXCITEMENT IN BETWEEN. THAT’S ALL FOR TODAY’S EDITION OF FOR THE RECORD. THANKS SO MUCH FOR BEING WITH US. WE HOPE YOU HAVE A GREAT WEEK.
Your guide to the 2026 Pittsburgh Marathon: Events, road closures, and race highlights
Updated: 9:49 AM EDT Apr 29, 2026
More than 52,000 participants of all age are taking part in the 2025 Dick’s Sporting Goods Pittsburgh Marathon weekend.LOOKING FOR THE FINISH LINE CAMERA? Click here.FRIDAY: MAY 1Pittsburgh Live Well Expo opens for VIPs at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center – 10 a.m.Pittsburgh Live Well Expo opens for everyone: 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.SATURDAY: MAY 2Finish Line Festival at Point State Park: 7 a.m. to 2 p.m.UPMC Health Plan | UPMC Sports Medicine Pittsburgh 5K Run: 7:30 a.m.Sheetz Pittsburgh Toddler Trot: Heats begin at 8:30 a.m. U.S. Steel Pittsburgh Champions Mile: 9 a.m. Pittsburgh Live Well Expo: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Chick-fil-A Pittsburgh Kids Marathon: Heats begin at 9:30 a.m.Pittsburgh Pet Walk at Point State Park: 12 p.m. SUNDAY: MARATHON DAY Start line corrals open: 5:30 a.m.Handcycle Division: 6:50 a.m.Elite Athletes: 7 a.m.Corrals A through E: 7 a.m. through 7:40 a.m.Finish Line Festival: 7 a.m. to 2 p.m.UPMC Health Plan Pittsburgh Back Half Marathon: 9 a.m.GNC Pittsburgh 4-mile Fitness Challenge: 9:30 a.m.Participants from all 50 states and 25 countries will attempt to cross the finish line at this year’s event as over 300,000 spectators watch their run from all over the course. THE COURSEAs runners prepare to lace up their sneakers for Sunday’s Dick’s Sporting Goods Pittsburgh Marathon, Pittsburgh’s Action News 4 has a look at the course. The 26.2-mile race kicks off with the handcycle division at 6:50 a.m. on Liberty Avenue at 10th Street.Elite athletes will start their run at the same location at 7 a.m. with runners in corrals A through E following through 7:40 a.m.The UPMC Health Plan Pittsburgh Back Half Marathon begins in Oakland at 9 a.m.>> All you need to know about this year’s course RUNNERS TO WATCHWill Loevner, a Pittsburgh native, returns to the course looking to take first place on his hometown streets. In 2024, Loevner placed second behind Andrew Bowman with 2:17:38. >> CHECK BACK FOR HOW YOU CAN LOOK UP A BIB NUMBERIn 2025, Loevner competed in the half marathon last year. That half ended in dramatic fashion as 2024’s winner Wesley Kiptoo was outrun at the finish line by Dominic Ondoro. Rewatch the exciting final moments here. Milton Rotich is back in Pittsburgh after finishing second in the 2025 Pittsburgh Marathon. The elite athlete from Kenya boasts a personal best time of 2:08:55. Jared Ward is a decorated American distance runner and Olympian who is returning for this year’s marathon. The 37-year-old placed sixth in marathon during the 2016 Summer Olympics and has a personal bet record of 2:09:25. Ward finished third in the Pittsburgh Half Marathon in 2022. She’s back again and she’s eyeing a historic third consecutive title in Pittsburgh. Jane Bareikis is a force to be reckoned with and is no stranger to Pittsburgh’s course. She has taken back-to-back marathon wins, finishing 2:36:00. In 2024, Bareikis finished 2:37:37.Bareikis told us she felt amazing after her win in 2025, though at one point she was comfortable being in third place: “But then I was like, that’s embarrassing. I can’t take third. I think I’ll feel bad. You just can’t quit. Fight, fight, fight. The race is not over until it is over,” Bareikis told Pittsburgh’s Action News 4.SEE JANE BAREIKIS’ 2025 WIN IN THE VIDEO BELOWMorgan Jensen, a 2025 University of Utah Graduate, will be one of the many runners facing off against Bareikis. In 2025, Jensen clocked an impressive 2:35:40 at the California International Marathon. Pennsylvania native Holly Benner of Allentown comes onto the course as a former professional triathlete. She finished 2:46:12 at the Two Rivers Marathon in 2024. The prize for first place marathon winners is $7,000.From there, the money drops to $4,000 for second place, $2,000 for third place, $1,000 for fourth place and $500 for fifth place. Winning is based on gun time, not on chip time.RUN FOR A REASON CHARITY PROGRAMThe Pittsburgh Marathon has raised $20 million for charity since 2009, with another $1.5 million expected to be raised this year. The marathon has 50 official charities, including the Humane Animal Rescue, American Cancer Society DeterminNation, Breakthrough T1D, Mario Lemieux Foundation, the Outlier Fund, The Pittsburgh Project, UPMC Children’s Hospital Foundation and the Urban Impact Foundation. >> The full list of charities for this year’s marathonOver 4,700 participants will be running for local, national and global causes this year. The number of runners taking part is a record for the marathon. MARATHON BY THE NUMBERSIt takes a lot to put together the Pittsburgh Marathon. Officials provided Pittsburgh’s Action News 4 with impressive numbers for what it takes to put together the marathon.More than 4,000 volunteers, including 500 clinicians20,000 gallons of water480,000 cups60,000 bottles of water35,000 bananas168,000 safety pins32,000 mylar blankets700 Port-O-Johns1,500 cones and barricadesMARATHON WEEKEND STREET CLOSURES Drivers looking to get around the city this weekend may have to change their usual route with planned closures set for the 2026 Dick’s Sporting Goods Pittsburgh Marathon.The weekend is expected to draw its largest crowd of participants yet. In total, 52,000 people of all ages will take part in the marathon’s weekend of events. Closures in Downtown Pittsburgh begin Friday at noon on Boulevard of the Allies between Wood Street and Stanwix. The portion of road will be closed until the conclusion of race weekend on Sunday. The extensive closures and detours can be found in the link below.FULL LIST OF CLOSURES: CLICK HEREIn addition to the marathon, the Pirates will play the Reds at PNC Park at 1:35 p.m.Those attending Sunday’s events should expect delays, plan extra travel time and be aware of race-related road closures.Public Transit: For detour information from PRT, click here. PRT customer service is available weekdays from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. and on weekends from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. by calling 412-442-2000 and @pghtransitcare on X.Live chat is available at rideprt.org weekdays from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. and on weekends from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.PARKINGTo find a garage in the city of Pittsburgh, it is suggested you use the ParkPGH app for real-time capacity of the city’s garages.Many participants for Saturday’s events park on the North Shore. West General Street Garage opens at 5:30 a.m. Gold Lots 1 & 2 open at 6 a.m.For marathon day, runners park across the city. Some find parking on North Shore and walk across the bridge, while others prefer to find parking as close to the finish line as possible. Gold Lots 1 & 2, Red Lots and West General Robinson Street Garage open at 4 a.m. ALCO parking lots do not take cash. For more information from ALCO, click here.
More than 52,000 participants of all age are taking part in the 2025 Dick’s Sporting Goods Pittsburgh Marathon weekend.
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FRIDAY: MAY 1
Pittsburgh Live Well Expo opens for VIPs at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center – 10 a.m.Pittsburgh Live Well Expo opens for everyone: 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.
SATURDAY: MAY 2
Finish Line Festival at Point State Park: 7 a.m. to 2 p.m.UPMC Health Plan | UPMC Sports Medicine Pittsburgh 5K Run: 7:30 a.m.Sheetz Pittsburgh Toddler Trot: Heats begin at 8:30 a.m. U.S. Steel Pittsburgh Champions Mile: 9 a.m. Pittsburgh Live Well Expo: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Chick-fil-A Pittsburgh Kids Marathon: Heats begin at 9:30 a.m.Pittsburgh Pet Walk at Point State Park: 12 p.m.
SUNDAY: MARATHON DAY
Start line corrals open: 5:30 a.m.Handcycle Division: 6:50 a.m.Elite Athletes: 7 a.m.Corrals A through E: 7 a.m. through 7:40 a.m.Finish Line Festival: 7 a.m. to 2 p.m.UPMC Health Plan Pittsburgh Back Half Marathon: 9 a.m.GNC Pittsburgh 4-mile Fitness Challenge: 9:30 a.m.
Participants from all 50 states and 25 countries will attempt to cross the finish line at this year’s event as over 300,000 spectators watch their run from all over the course.
THE COURSE
As runners prepare to lace up their sneakers for Sunday’s Dick’s Sporting Goods Pittsburgh Marathon, Pittsburgh’s Action News 4 has a look at the course.
The 26.2-mile race kicks off with the handcycle division at 6:50 a.m. on Liberty Avenue at 10th Street.
Elite athletes will start their run at the same location at 7 a.m. with runners in corrals A through E following through 7:40 a.m.
The UPMC Health Plan Pittsburgh Back Half Marathon begins in Oakland at 9 a.m.
>> All you need to know about this year’s course
RUNNERS TO WATCH
Will Loevner, a Pittsburgh native, returns to the course looking to take first place on his hometown streets. In 2024, Loevner placed second behind Andrew Bowman with 2:17:38.
>> CHECK BACK FOR HOW YOU CAN LOOK UP A BIB NUMBER
In 2025, Loevner competed in the half marathon last year. That half ended in dramatic fashion as 2024’s winner Wesley Kiptoo was outrun at the finish line by Dominic Ondoro. Rewatch the exciting final moments here.
Milton Rotich is back in Pittsburgh after finishing second in the 2025 Pittsburgh Marathon. The elite athlete from Kenya boasts a personal best time of 2:08:55.
Jared Ward is a decorated American distance runner and Olympian who is returning for this year’s marathon. The 37-year-old placed sixth in marathon during the 2016 Summer Olympics and has a personal bet record of 2:09:25.
Ward finished third in the Pittsburgh Half Marathon in 2022.
She’s back again and she’s eyeing a historic third consecutive title in Pittsburgh. Jane Bareikis is a force to be reckoned with and is no stranger to Pittsburgh’s course. She has taken back-to-back marathon wins, finishing 2:36:00. In 2024, Bareikis finished 2:37:37.
Bareikis told us she felt amazing after her win in 2025, though at one point she was comfortable being in third place: “But then I was like, that’s embarrassing. I can’t take third. I think I’ll feel bad. You just can’t quit. Fight, fight, fight. The race is not over until it is over,” Bareikis told Pittsburgh’s Action News 4.
SEE JANE BAREIKIS’ 2025 WIN IN THE VIDEO BELOW
Morgan Jensen, a 2025 University of Utah Graduate, will be one of the many runners facing off against Bareikis. In 2025, Jensen clocked an impressive 2:35:40 at the California International Marathon.
Pennsylvania native Holly Benner of Allentown comes onto the course as a former professional triathlete. She finished 2:46:12 at the Two Rivers Marathon in 2024.
The prize for first place marathon winners is $7,000.
From there, the money drops to $4,000 for second place, $2,000 for third place, $1,000 for fourth place and $500 for fifth place. Winning is based on gun time, not on chip time.
RUN FOR A REASON CHARITY PROGRAM
The Pittsburgh Marathon has raised $20 million for charity since 2009, with another $1.5 million expected to be raised this year.
The marathon has 50 official charities, including the Humane Animal Rescue, American Cancer Society DeterminNation, Breakthrough T1D, Mario Lemieux Foundation, the Outlier Fund, The Pittsburgh Project, UPMC Children’s Hospital Foundation and the Urban Impact Foundation.
>> The full list of charities for this year’s marathon
Over 4,700 participants will be running for local, national and global causes this year. The number of runners taking part is a record for the marathon.
MARATHON BY THE NUMBERS
It takes a lot to put together the Pittsburgh Marathon. Officials provided Pittsburgh’s Action News 4 with impressive numbers for what it takes to put together the marathon.
More than 4,000 volunteers, including 500 clinicians20,000 gallons of water480,000 cups60,000 bottles of water35,000 bananas168,000 safety pins32,000 mylar blankets700 Port-O-Johns1,500 cones and barricadesMARATHON WEEKEND STREET CLOSURES
Drivers looking to get around the city this weekend may have to change their usual route with planned closures set for the 2026 Dick’s Sporting Goods Pittsburgh Marathon.
The weekend is expected to draw its largest crowd of participants yet. In total, 52,000 people of all ages will take part in the marathon’s weekend of events.
Closures in Downtown Pittsburgh begin Friday at noon on Boulevard of the Allies between Wood Street and Stanwix. The portion of road will be closed until the conclusion of race weekend on Sunday. The extensive closures and detours can be found in the link below.
FULL LIST OF CLOSURES: CLICK HERE
In addition to the marathon, the Pirates will play the Reds at PNC Park at 1:35 p.m.
Those attending Sunday’s events should expect delays, plan extra travel time and be aware of race-related road closures.
Public Transit:
For detour information from PRT, click here.
PRT customer service is available weekdays from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. and on weekends from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. by calling 412-442-2000 and @pghtransitcare on X.
Live chat is available at rideprt.org weekdays from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. and on weekends from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
PARKING
To find a garage in the city of Pittsburgh, it is suggested you use the ParkPGH app for real-time capacity of the city’s garages.
Many participants for Saturday’s events park on the North Shore.
West General Street Garage opens at 5:30 a.m. Gold Lots 1 & 2 open at 6 a.m.
For marathon day, runners park across the city. Some find parking on North Shore and walk across the bridge, while others prefer to find parking as close to the finish line as possible.
Gold Lots 1 & 2, Red Lots and West General Robinson Street Garage open at 4 a.m.
ALCO parking lots do not take cash. For more information from ALCO, click here.