This common spring marathon attracts over 45,000 runners from everywhere in the nation. Should you’re on the point of prepare for and run the Pittsburgh marathon, it’s worthwhile to learn this publish.
Should you’ve by no means been to Pittsburgh earlier than, operating the marathon can 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 simply’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 sort out the gap.
Whether or not it’s your first marathon otherwise you’re out to run a private finest, we hope the following pointers under will assist you have 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 further help, our group of 10 coaches is right here that will help you!
Pittsburgh Marathon Ideas
The Pittsburgh Marathon is barely a small a part of a weekend stuffed with occasions. Plus, should you’re not seeking to run the total marathon, however nonetheless wish to expertise a part of the course, you may put collectively a group for the marathon relay.
Occasions race weekend embody:
- Saturday, Might 2nd: Pittsburgh 5k, Children Marathon, Toddler Trot, Pet Stroll and Champions Mile
- Sunday, Might third: Pittsburgh Marathon, Marathon Relay and Half Marathon, Again Half Marathon, and 4-mile Health Problem
With any race, we now have a number of commonplace 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 realize 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 like and that’s all you may management
I’ve run this race 8 instances – I all the time sit up for it because it approaches and am saddened when it’s over. When 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 support 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 help 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 Might. Strive to not get caught up in all the pleasure and spend an excessive amount of time in your toes, 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 ebook your lodging as early as potential. There are an excellent variety of accommodations in the primary downtown space, however we’d recommend trying into Airbnb or different choices as properly.
Plan forward, particularly with making reservations in your pre-race dinner. You may also map out grocery shops should you’re coming from out of city and wish to be set in your carb load.
#2 Practice for the Course
Our greatest recommendation after speaking with numerous runners: be ready for rolling hills.
Listed here are 7 Hill Working Exercises to Enhance Your Pace 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 neglect to deal with your lengthy runs like a gown rehearsal for the race. Meaning testing out every thing out of your fueling, hydration and even your race day sneakers.
As a result of the course runs so much by way of the town the place streets might want to reopen, there are checkpoints that runners have to move 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 worthwhile to run at a tempo of 20:00/mile for the primary half and 16:00/mile for the second. Take a look at our recommendations on the best way to tempo strolling a marathon.
Loved seeing the completely different areas of the town. Water stations have been plentiful and crowd help was nice as properly, with numerous folks handing out bananas, sweet, ice pops, and beer. This isn’t a terrific PR course because it was very hilly and largely within the again half of the race. Total, actually loved the town and the race weekend. Would do once more however undoubtedly with extra give attention to hills throughout coaching! – Working Reader, raceraves.com
#3 Marathon Expo
The Pittsburgh Marathon Expo is situated on the David L. Lawrence Conference Middle, 1000 Fort Duquesne Blvd, Pittsburgh, PA 15222
You’ll have the chance to choose up your bib and discover the expo on both Friday, Might 1 and Saturday, Might 2. There’s a VIP choice out there with a personal hour choose up on Friday morning.
You possibly can have another person choose up your bib, however there’s a particular kind that must be stuffed out and proven on the time of choose up.
Should you’re planning on checking a bag race morning, be sure to choose up the bag that should be used on the Expo!
#4 Plan for Race Morning
When: Sunday, Might 3 2026 at 7:00am
Begin line corrals will open at 5:30am; nevertheless, should you’re in Corrals B-E be ready in your begin time to be later than the publish 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 have got one of the best race morning!
There can be 5 corrals assigned based mostly in your anticipated end time, with sooner runners within the entrance.
Every corral has entry factors that it is best to turn into acquainted with earlier than race morning. In an effort 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 possibly can transfer to a later corral on race morning, however to not a sooner one.
Ensure to make use of the porta-potties, examine your bag, and anything that it’s worthwhile to 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 may anticipate so to begin to bodily and mentlaly put together.
Miles 1-11
The start of the marathon is fairly simple 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 power, particularly earlier than the rolling hills from mile 12 onward.
Soak within the power from the spectators in every neighborhood and use that once 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 understood to be one of many hardest elements of the course. In any case, it’s nearly 200ft of acquire in a half mile(!!).
You’ll be tempted to separate with the half-marathoners to the finishline, however simply preserve going!
Should you’re somebody who listens to music, attempt to plan some distracting and motivating tunes for this a part of the race. And should you have a tendency to not hearken to something, have your mantras prepared so that you simply 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 acquire excellent right here. Take smaller steps, and use these arms to get to the highest. We want we might inform you it’s all downhill from there however it’s not.
Mile 14-18
One other gradual climb as you undergo two extra neighborhoods which are stated to be stuffed with spectators cheering you on!
Mile 18
Prepare for a celebration. Should you have been beginning to enter the ache cave or query your resolution to run this marathon, the oldsters close to the Homewood Home are there to assist. This can be a giant power increase that will help you get by way of to the end.
Mile 20
Okay, this can be the final main climb. Push by way of it and know that it’s only a 10k remaining. You possibly can grasp in there.
Miles 21-22
Make the most of this little downhill earlier than you attain your ultimate 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 listing of Pittsburgh Marathon suggestions was useful.
Have you ever run the Pittsburgh Marathon earlier than? Are there different suggestions you assume we must always add?
Pittsburgh Marathon FAQs
A number of of your frequent questions as properly!
When is the Pittsburgh Marathon?
The Pittsburgh Marathon is often held the primary weekend of Might, and you’ll anticipate a wide range of spring climate situations. It has been fairly wet up to now!
Do it’s a must to qualify for the Pittsburgh Marathon?
No, anybody can register for the Pittsburgh Marathon race weekend.
How massive 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. You must keep a 16-minute-per-mile tempo; if not, runners can be requested to board the sweep car. Should you select to proceed on the course with no help, 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 may switch your bib to a different runner.
Can you modify your race distance?
Sure, they permit transferring race distances if it’s worthwhile to drop down or wish to run an extended distance (that is provided that the races will not be bought out).
Are you able to run with headphones?
Sure, nevertheless, they strongly discourage using headphones in your security and the security 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 may have tempo teams ranging from 3:00 all the way in which to six:30 Run/stroll and seven:00 Run/stroll
What to Learn Subsequent?