RUNNING USA – 2014 DICK’S Sporting Goods Pittsburgh Marathon Breaks Event Records

 

PITTSBURGH, Pa. -The 6th DICK'S Sporting Goods Pittsburgh Marathon weekend on May 3-4 continued the event's stellar year-over-year growth; one of the most remarkable in U.S. road race history. Below are highlights from race weekend.

 

PARTICIPATION

?     Toyota of Pittsburgh Kids Marathon – More than 4,000 kids from all over Pittsburgh ran the last Mile of a season long program led by Pittsburgh Pirates 2013 National League MVP Andrew McCutchen, 2008 Olympic Gymnastics silver medalist Alicia Sacramone and American Development Program athletes.

?     UPMC Health Plan/UPMC Sports Medicine Pittsburgh 5K Run – 1,615 finishers, an event record

?     UPMC Health Plan Pittsburgh Half Marathon – 14,667 finishers, an event record

?     DICK'S Sporting Goods Pittsburgh Marathon – 4,931 finishers, an event record

?     FedEx Ground Pittsburgh Marathon Relay – 1,184 teams, an event record

?     49 states and 20 countries represented

?     35% of marathon participants were running their first one.

 

PROFESSIONALS

More than $100,000 in prize money was awarded, including $27,250 to American Development Program athletes.

 

Marathon Champions

?     MEN: Gebo Burka Gameda (ETH) – 2:16:30, $8000

?     WOMEN: Clara Santucci (USA / PA) – 2:32:25, $15,000

 

Half-Marathon Champions

?     MEN: Habtamu Assefa (ETH) – 1:02:45, $6500

?     WOMEN: Sophy Jepchirchir (KEN) – 1:11:37, $6500 (course record)

 

COMMUNITY

?     3,521 runners raised over $1.2 million dollars for charity

?     American Development Program athletes participated in a pen pal program throughout the winter and spring encouraging and inspiring participating school children.

?     Toyota of Pittsburgh Kids Marathon and American Development Program athletes retired Pittsburgh Pirates Andrew McCutchen's honorary race bib at a special pre-game celebration on Friday, May 2 for his support of the Run Home to Pittsburgh campaign.

?     18 neighborhoods participated in race day celebrations along the course

?     Five #RunHomePGH bloggers documented their journey to the 2014 DICK'S Sporting Goods Marathon

 

MEDIA

?     First KDKA pre-race show aired on Saturday, May 3 at 7:00 p.m.

?     Race organizers launched a new Social Center during race weekend that utilized social media networks and tools to improve the experience for the race's 30,000 participants, 4,000 volunteers and 100,000 spectators.

?     From Friday to Sunday, there were more than 395 internet and broadcast stories about the race.

"Our 6th edition exceeded our expectations with an event record number of entrants, a new women's half-marathon event record, a local runner Clara Santucci winning the women's marathon plus the enthusiastic support from the City of Champions and our sponsors," said Patrice Matamoros, CEO of Pittsburgh Three Rivers Marathon, Inc. "We are already planning for next year's event to be even bigger and better."

FUTURE EVENT DATES

?     3rd GNC Live Well Liberty Mile – Friday, August 1

?     2nd EQT Pittsburgh 10 Miler – Sunday, November 9

?     7th DICK'S Sporting Goods Pittsburgh Marathon – Sunday, May 3, 2015

 

Organized by the Pittsburgh Three Rivers Marathon, Inc., the DICK'S Sporting Goods Pittsburgh Marathon is a world-class event with more than 30,000 runners. The 2014 event will showcase runners from across the country with ties to the City who will "Run Home to Pittsburgh" on Sunday, May 4. The race ignites the spirit of Pittsburgh, spanning 13 neighborhoods, boasting 9 festivals and featuring music-by-the-mile. For more information, go to: PittsburghMarathon.com

 

RUNNING USA

Source: Dick's Sporting Goods Pittsburgh Marathon Date: May 17, 2014