Runners Participate in the First-Ever Virtual DICK’S Sporting Goods Pittsburgh Marathon Weekend of Events

May 3, 2020

Majority of participants ran their event virtually this weekend during what would have been race weekend in Pittsburgh

PITTSBURGH (May 3, 2020) – Pittsburgh runners proved that they are truly made of STEEL this weekend as thousands took on their virtual DICK’S Sporting Goods Pittsburgh Marathon weekend events.

While social distancing left runners without the physical and motivational support they’ve come to expect on race weekend, they took to social media to root each other on using #MOVEPittsburgh to connect with their fellow runners. Social media was flooded with spectator signs to lift runners’ spirits, and family members hosted their own finish line celebrations to congratulate their favorite runners.

“These runners devoted so much time to training, and we are amazed by more than 13,000 of them that persevered and crossed their own finish lines across the country — and the globe! It will make seeing them at the 2021 marathon start line that much more meaningful,” said P3R CEO Troy Schooley. “We crossed the finish lines apart, together.”

More than 13,000 runners participated in the Virtual DICK’S Sporting Goods Pittsburgh Marathon weekend of events, representing Pittsburgh in 43 states and five countries. At the traditional event, runners are used to having 300,000 spectators line the 26.2-mile course to cheer them on all the way to the finish line. Participant Becky Willis told us “this year was different and inspiring and has made me even happier to be part of the Pittsburgh running community.” Another participant, Annette Snyder, said “I felt I wasn’t alone out there!” when she saw signs along the trails supporting runners.

Almost one-third of those running the Virtual DICK’S Sporting Goods Pittsburgh Marathon were participating in their first-ever marathon, while more than 20 percent of those running the Virtual UPMC Health Plan Pittsburgh Half Marathon were participating in their first-ever half marathon.

Additionally, more than 3,000 children and their families ran in the Virtual Chick-fil-A Pittsburgh Kids Marathon as part of the award-winning Kids of STEEL program, while thousands more participated in the Virtual FedEx Pittsburgh Marathon Relay and Virtual UPMC Health Plan / UPMC Sports Medicine Pittsburgh 5K Run. Even entire families got involved, with almost 200 toddlers running in the Sheetz Pittsburgh Toddler Trot and pups and other pets completing the Pittsburgh Pet Walk.

More than 1,100 virtual participants ran as part of the Run for a Reason Charity Program presented by Bank of America. So far, this year’s charity runners have raised almost $400,000 for official charities, and they hope to raise even more by May 31, 2020. Since the program’s inception in 2009, charity runners have raised more than $13 million for local charities; 90% of funds raised have stayed in the Pittsburgh area.

Click here to view and download photos from the 2020 DICK’S Sporting Goods Pittsburgh Marathon virtual participants.

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About the DICK’S Sporting Goods Pittsburgh Marathon weekend of events

The Pittsburgh Marathon was held annually from 1985-2003. After a five-year hiatus, the DICK’S Sporting Goods Pittsburgh Marathon was relaunched in 2009 and debuted with a sold-out field of 10,000 participants. It has grown each year since, evolving from a single race day into a weekend of events for the whole family that annually attracts nearly 40,000 runners. Read more at: ThePittsburghMarathon.com

FACEBOOK: DSGPM
TWITTER: @PghMarathon
INSTAGRAM: pghmarathon

About P3R

P3R is the engine behind Pittsburgh’s greatest races. We strive to inspire any and all to run with us. Best known for organizing the acclaimed annual DICK’S Sporting Goods Pittsburgh Marathon, P3R runs a variety of other high-quality races, events, and health and 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. Anyone and everyone is invited to #RUNwithP3R! Read more at: P3R.org

FACEBOOK: RUNwithP3R
INSTAGRAM: RUNwithP3R
TWITTER: @RUNwithP3R