Have 10Ks stopped challenging you, but you aren’t ready to take on a half-marathon yet? The Pittsburgh Marathon wants you to lace up your tennis shoes for its very first “Pittsburgh 10 Miler” this fall.
“The race will be for avid runners," Executive Director Patrice Matamoros said. "Some beginner runners will probably make this their goal, but we always advice to get on a training program. But it should be young and old. In this distance, you can see a wide array of different abilities and different ages.”
Participants will begin the 10-mile race in Station Square and with the goal of crossing the finish line downtown.
Matamoros estimates about 2,000 to 3,000 runners will make their way through the West End, North Side, Lawrenceville and Strip District.
“They’re going to be able to see a beautiful snapshot of the city of Pittsburgh and the fountain that’s now in operation, which is great, and then they’ll go through the North Side and the traditional stadium tour as well as across the 16th Street Bridge,” Matamoros said.
Each participant will receive a half-zip pull over instead of the usual tee shirt provided at races and a commemorative finishers award.
Matamoros said the runners can also take on the course with friends and family.
“We’re adding a team component," she said. "We’ve noticed in the past couple of years through other races that we’ve organized that the team component of our races has grown significantly. People love to run with their friends, with their family, so we’re going to incorporate that aspect along with prizes to the winner of the team.”
Pittsburgh-based EQT will serve as the lead sponsor for the race.
It’s not the first time the energy company has partnered with the marathon, but never at this level.
“We see them as a great partner for all of the events that we do,” Matamoros said. “Their headquarters is the start line at the marathon as well as the finish line for the Liberty mile, so we’re really thrilled to be working with them in the sponsor capacity.”
The race will start at 9 a.m. November 3, and runners can register up to the day of the race.
