This widespread spring marathon attracts over 45,000 runners from all around the nation. If you happen to’re on the brink of prepare for and run the Pittsburgh marathon, it’s essential learn this submit.
If you happen to’ve by no means been to Pittsburgh earlier than, working the marathon shall be like slightly 26.2-mile foot tour. You’ll get to run over the yellow bridges, out and in of various neighborhoods, and even previous their baseball stadium.
The one factor that you just’ll hear nearly each runner say is how hilly the course is, particularly within the second half of the marathon. Don’t let this intimidate you, put collectively a plan, begin focusing in your mindset and prepare to deal with the space.
Whether or not it’s your first marathon otherwise you’re out to run a private greatest, we hope the following pointers beneath will assist you’ve got one of the best day.
When you begin to notice how lengthy it takes to coach for a marathon, we hope you’ve began trying on the proper plan! If you’d like slightly additional assist, our crew of 10 coaches is right here that can assist you!
Pittsburgh Marathon Ideas
The Pittsburgh Marathon is barely a small a part of a weekend stuffed with occasions. Plus, when you’re not trying to run the total marathon, however nonetheless wish to expertise a part of the course, you possibly can put collectively a crew for the marathon relay.
Occasions race weekend embody:
- Saturday, Could 2nd: Pittsburgh 5k, Youngsters Marathon, Toddler Trot, Pet Stroll and Champions Mile
- Sunday, Could third: Pittsburgh Marathon, Marathon Relay and Half Marathon, Again Half Marathon, and 4-mile Health Problem
With any race, we’ve got just a few customary suggestions for our athletes:
- Strive to not stroll round a ton earlier than the race
- Have your pre-race dinner and morning of meal with you or deliberate out, so you recognize it’s meals you tolerate
- Don’t get sucked into driving the course 🙂 It’s best to have been coaching for regardless of the elevation seems to be like and that’s all you possibly can management
I’ve run this race 8 occasions – I all the time look ahead to it because it approaches and am saddened when it’s over. If in case you have not run this race, it’s a should! Pittsburgh rolls out the pink carpet for the runners! Nice leisure, well-volunteered, secure, loads of assist stations, nice swag, enjoyable metropolis! – Sean Brenann’s assessment on marathonmaniacs.com
We love that the Pittsburgh Marathon is so welcoming to all paces. You’ll discover pacers from 3 hours all the way in which to a 6 and seven hour run/stroll pacer. Whereas the course could also be slightly difficult with the hills, each runner goes to get the assist that they should get to that end line.
#1 Race Weekend Logistics
The marathon is only one of many occasions taking place over that first weekend of Could. Strive to not get caught up in all the pleasure and spend an excessive amount of time in your ft, whether or not that’s on the expo, spectating the races on Saturday, or simply exploring the town.
As with every race weekend, you wish to guide your lodging as early as potential. There are a superb variety of motels in the principle downtown space, however we might recommend trying into Airbnb or different choices as nicely.
Plan forward, particularly with making reservations in your pre-race dinner. You too can map out grocery shops when you’re coming from out of city and wish to be set in your carb load.
#2 Prepare for the Course
Our largest recommendation after speaking with numerous runners: be ready for rolling hills.
Listed here are 7 Hill Operating Exercises to Increase Your Velocity and Endurance which you could add all through your marathon coaching to be ready. You’ll additionally wish to add some hills to your longer runs so to get apply forward of race day.
Don’t overlook to deal with your lengthy runs like a costume rehearsal for the race. Meaning testing out all the things out of your fueling, hydration and even your race day footwear.
As a result of the course runs rather a lot by means of the town the place streets might want to reopen, there are checkpoints that runners must go so as not be swept:
- All contributors should be to the sixteenth Avenue Bridge by 8:40 a.m.
- All contributors should be to the West Finish Bridge by 9:40 a.m.
- All contributors should be to the Birmingham Bridge by 10:40 a.m.
This implies it’s essential run at a tempo of 20:00/mile for the primary half and 16:00/mile for the second. Try our tips about how you can tempo strolling a marathon.
Loved seeing the completely different areas of the town. Water stations have been plentiful and crowd assist was nice as nicely, with numerous individuals handing out bananas, sweet, ice pops, and beer. This isn’t an amazing PR course because it was very hilly and largely within the again half of the race. General, actually loved the town and the race weekend. Would do once more however undoubtedly with extra give attention to hills throughout coaching! – Operating Reader, raceraves.com
#3 Marathon Expo
The Pittsburgh Marathon Expo is positioned on the David L. Lawrence Conference Heart, 1000 Fort Duquesne Blvd, Pittsburgh, PA 15222
You’ll have the chance to select up your bib and discover the expo on both Friday, Could 1 and Saturday, Could 2. There’s a VIP choice out there with a non-public hour choose up on Friday morning.
You may have another person choose up your bib, however there’s a selected kind that must be stuffed out and proven on the time of choose up.
If you happen to’re planning on checking a bag race morning, ensure you choose up the bag that should be used on the Expo!
#4 Plan for Race Morning
When: Sunday, Could 3 2026 at 7:00am
Begin line corrals will open at 5:30am; nevertheless, when you’re in Corrals B-E be ready in your begin time to be later than the submit 7:00am begin. Some runners might begin nearer to 7:30am, so sleep in slightly and head to the beginning space slightly nearer to that point.
Nevertheless, if that makes you anxious, do no matter will assist you’ve got one of the best race morning!
There shall be 5 corrals assigned based mostly in your anticipated end time, with sooner runners within the entrance.
Every corral has entry factors that you need to change into acquainted with earlier than race morning. To be able to get into the corral, your bib should be seen.
- Corral A Entry: seventh Avenue and Smithfield Avenue OR Penn Avenue and ninth Avenue
- Corral B Entry: sixth Avenue and Wooden Avenue OR Penn Avenue and seventh Avenue
- Corral C Entry: Liberty Avenue and Market Avenue OR Penn Avenue and sixth Avenue
- Corral D Entry: Penn Avenue and fifth Avenue OR Stanwix Avenue and Liberty Avenue
- Corral E Entry: Stanwix Avenue and Liberty Avenue
You may transfer to a later corral on race morning, however to not a sooner one.
Be sure to make use of the porta-potties, examine your bag, and the rest that it’s essential do previous to coming into your corral space.
#5 Pittsburgh Marathon Course Technique
The 26.2 mile course goes to take you thru the Strip District, North Facet, South Facet, Oakland and East Liberty. Right here’s some highlights of what you possibly can anticipate so to begin to bodily and mentlaly put together.
Miles 1-11
The start of the marathon is fairly easy and nothing to essentially write dwelling about.
Don’t begin out too quick right here ,from all the pleasure and adrenaline round you. You’re going to wish to preserve your vitality, particularly earlier than the rolling hills from mile 12 onward.
Soak within the vitality from the spectators in every neighborhood and use that while you’re second-guessing your self in the course of the second half of the race.
Mile 11
The climb from Forbes Avenue into Oakland is thought to be one of many hardest components of the course. In any case, it’s nearly 200ft of achieve in a half mile(!!).
You’ll be tempted to separate with the half-marathoners to the finishline, however simply hold going!
If you happen to’re somebody who listens to music, attempt to plan some distracting and motivating tunes for this a part of the race. And when you have a tendency to not hearken to something, have your mantras prepared so that you just don’t let your thoughts trick you out of pushing ahead.
Mile 12-13
Be ready for a protracted, regular climb up Forbes Avenue. You’re going to get round 150ft in achieve excellent right here. Take smaller steps, and use these arms to get to the highest. We want we may inform you it’s all downhill from there but it surely’s not.
Mile 14-18
One other gradual climb as you undergo two extra neighborhoods which are mentioned to be stuffed with spectators cheering you on!
Mile 18
Prepare for a celebration. If you happen to have been beginning to enter the ache cave or query your determination to run this marathon, the parents close to the Homewood Home are there to assist. This shall be an enormous vitality increase that can assist you get by means of to the end.
Mile 20
Okay, this can be the final main climb. Push by means of it and know that it’s only a 10k remaining. You may dangle in there.
Miles 21-22
Benefit from this little downhill earlier than you attain your last tiny uphill climb of the marathon.
Miles 24-26.2
It’s a protracted, boring stretch, however we’re right here to inform you it begins with a descent into the Strip District and proper to the end. You’ll be capable to see the skyline forward of you, and your thoughts might begin to play methods on you right here.
Remind your self you survived the rolling hills of Pittsburgh, this flat stretch to the end is a dig deep, you bought this second.
We hope that this checklist of Pittsburgh Marathon suggestions was useful.
Have you ever run the Pittsburgh Marathon earlier than? Are there different suggestions you suppose we should always add?
Pittsburgh Marathon FAQs
A couple of of your frequent questions as nicely!
When is the Pittsburgh Marathon?
The Pittsburgh Marathon is usually held the primary weekend of Could, and you may anticipate a wide range of spring climate situations. It has been fairly wet prior to now!
Do you need to qualify for the Pittsburgh Marathon?
No, anybody can register for the Pittsburgh Marathon race weekend.
How huge is the Pittsburgh Marathon?
The 2025 Pittsburgh Marathon had 25,000 contributors.
Is there a cut-off time?
Sure, there’s a 7-hour cutoff. It’s essential to keep a 16-minute-per-mile tempo; if not, runners shall be requested to board the sweep car. If you happen to select to proceed on the course with no assist, you’ll not be assured a time or finisher’s medal.
Are you able to defer your registration?
No, you’re unable to defer to a different 12 months. Nevertheless, you possibly can switch your bib to a different runner.
Can you modify your race distance?
Sure, they permit transferring race distances if it’s essential drop down or wish to run an extended distance (that is provided that the races should not bought out).
Are you able to run with headphones?
Sure, nevertheless, they strongly discourage using headphones in your security and the protection of the opposite runners.
Can another person choose up your bib?
Sure, they need to present a photograph ID and a packet pickup slip.
Are there pacers?
Sure, they’ll have tempo teams ranging from 3:00 all the way in which to six:30 Run/stroll and seven:00 Run/stroll
