Record participation for Saturday’s races; 9th edition set for the weekend of May 7, 2017 in the Steel City
Pittsburgh, PA - The 8th DICK’S Sporting Goods Pittsburgh Marathon weekend on April 29-May 1 spanned multiple generations, with runners as young as two-years-old and as old as 86 crossing the finish line. This year’s event attracted a record number of participants for Saturday’s races, including the UPMC Health Plan/UPMC Sports Medicine Pittsburgh 5K Run, Toyota Pittsburgh Kids Marathon and Sheetz Pittsburgh Toddler Trot. This year’s race also celebrated Pittsburgh’s Bicentennial Celebration and showcased the city to runners from 49 states and 20 countries.
"In our 8th year, the event is attracting runners of all ages and abilities to come to Pittsburgh to become Runners of Steel!" said Patrice Matamoros, P3R CEO and race director of the DICK’S Sporting Goods Pittsburgh Marathon. "Increasingly, race weekend has become a family gathering with multiple family members participating in events throughout race weekend. It’s wonderful to see our Saturday events continue to grow in popularity as they represent many runners who are participating in their first running event."
EVENT 2016 SUMMARY
GNC Live Well Pittsburgh Health and Fitness Expo
- This year’s expanded GNC Live Well Pittsburgh Health and Fitness Expo showcased more than 130 vendors and 55,948 visitors.
STEEL Challenge
- More than 1,300 earned a special bonus medal for completing the STEEL Challenge: running the UPMC Health Plan/UPMC Sports Medicine Pittsburgh 5K Run on Saturday, April 30 and then completing any of the three races taking place on Sunday, May 1.
Social Media Center
- During race week, there were 4,500 unique mentions of #GameOnPGH.
- #GameOnPGH trended nationally and locally during race weekend.
2nd Media Match and District Duel
- WPXI defended its Media Match crown completing the FedEx Ground Pittsburgh Marathon Relay in 4 hours, 18 minutes, 31 seconds.
- Councilman Dan Gilman’s team "District 8" won back-to-back District Duel titles with a time of 3:22:44.
Pittsburgh’s Bicentennial Celebration
- More than 50 runners represented their states including Washington, DC as Runner of Steel Delegates during race weekend and had the opportunity to experience some of Pittsburgh’s greatest attractions while they were in town.
- On race day, 13 neighborhoods hosted birthday parties with 1,100 party hats and 1,300 poms poms.
PARTICIPATION
- Toyota of Pittsburgh Kids Marathon - More than 6,200 kids from 140 schools and organizations throughout Western Pennsylvania ran the last Mile of the Kids of STEEL program; plus several thousand parents and adults participated.
- UPMC Health Plan/UPMC Sports Medicine Pittsburgh 5K Run - 3,149, an event record
- UPMC Health Plan Pittsburgh Half Marathon - 14,132 finishers
- DICK’S Sporting Goods Pittsburgh Marathon - 3,663 finishers
- FedEx Ground Pittsburgh Marathon Relay - 1,219 teams
- The 2nd Sheetz Pittsburgh Toddler Trot had 300 participants, an event record
- The 4th Pittsburgh Pet Walk had 163 participants
- The Pittsburgh Marathon Handcycle Division presented by PNC had 14 finishers
- 49 states plus Washington, DC and 20 countries represented
PROFESSIONALS
- More than $100,000 in prize money was awarded, including $39,000 going to American Development Program athletes.
Marathon Champions
- MEN: Kipkoech Ruto (KEN) - 2:17:27, $8000
- WOMEN: Hailemaryam Ayantu Dakebo (ETH) - 2:42:47, $8000
Half-Marathon Champions
- MEN: Julius Kogo (KEN) - 1:02:32, $6500
- WOMEN: Etaferahu Temesgen (ETH) - 1:13:08, $6500
COMMUNITY
- 2,800 runners raised more than $1.5 million dollars for charity through the Run for a Reason Charity Program
- 13 neighborhoods participated in race day celebrations along the course
- 12 official #GameOnPGH bloggers documented their training experience leading up to race day.
FUTURE P3R EVENT DATES
- 5th GNC Live Well Liberty Mile: Bring Back the Mile Grand Prix Tour - Friday, August 26
- 4th EQT Pittsburgh 10 Miler: PRRO Circuit - Sunday, November 6
- 9th DICK’S Sporting Goods Pittsburgh Marathon - Sunday, May 7, 2017
About the DICK’S Sporting Goods Pittsburgh Marathon
The 2016 DICK’S Sporting Goods Pittsburgh Marathon is not just a race - it’s a journey. The race is your game - however you decide to play it. As a competitor. A fundraiser. An enthusiast. A veteran. A team player. It’s whatever you want it to be. It’s whatever you make it. It’s your game… Run it. Play it. Own it. Love it. #GameOnPGH!
Organized by the Pittsburgh Three Rivers Marathon, Inc. (P3R), the 9th edition will be held May 6-7, 2017. For more information, go to: thePittsburghMarathon.com
About P3R
P3R is a nonprofit organization that is passionate about promoting the love of running and enhancing community access to health & fitness education and activities. Best known for organizing the acclaimed annual DSG Pittsburgh Marathon, we also run a variety of other high-quality races, events and health & fitness programs throughout the Pittsburgh region. While many of our races attract some of the nation’s highest-profile professional athletes, we offer activities for all ages and ability levels. The only criterion for participation is a desire to be happy, healthy and active! Learn more at: www.P3R.org
About the Pittsburgh Three Rivers Marathon, Inc. (P3R)
P3R is a nonprofit organization that is passionate about promoting the love of running and enhancing community access to health & fitness education and activities. Best known for organizing the acclaimed annual DSG Pittsburgh Marathon, we also run a variety of other high-quality races, events, and health & fitness programs throughout the Pittsburgh region. While many of our races attract some of the nation’s highest-profile professional athletes, we offer activities for all ages and ability levels. The only criterion for participation is a desire to be happy, healthy, and active! Read more at P3R.org.
FACEBOOK: P3Revents TWITTER: @P3REvents.
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