Wesley Kiptoo and Caroline Rotich Aim to Defend Titles at the 2023 UPMC Health Pittsburgh Half Marathon

March 30, 2023

More than 40,000 participants are expected for the 2023 DICK’S Sporting Goods Pittsburgh Marathon Weekend of Events, scheduled for May 5-7

PITTSBURGH (March 30, 2023) /ENDURANCE SPORTSWIRE/ – Wesley Kiptoo and Caroline Rotich will return to the streets of Pittsburgh to defend their titles at the 2023 UPMC Health Plan Pittsburgh Half Marathon, scheduled for Sunday, May 7. Last year in their Pittsburgh debuts, Kiptoo and Rotich both set new event records.

“Caroline and Wesley are wonderful ambassadors to distance running and to the City of Pittsburgh,” said Troy Schooley, P3R CEO. “To have both defending UPMC Health Plan Pittsburgh Half Marathon champions returning is a testament to 15 years of world-class competition in the City of Champions. P3R is proud to support them and can’t wait to see what they accomplish in May.”

At the 2022 event, Kiptoo successfully beat a competitive field of top international and American runners and finished in 1 hour, one minute and twenty-five seconds in his professional road race debut. Earlier this year, Kiptoo finished second at the Houston Half Marathon with a time of 1:00:35 and set a new personal best.

“Last year I made my half-marathon debut in Pittsburgh,” Kiptoo said. “Everyone in the city made me feel so welcome and comfortable. I am thrilled to return in 2023. I know it will be a strong field and a tough task to repeat as the winner, but I will try my best.”

During last year’s race, Rotich smashed the UPMC Health Plan Pittsburgh Half Marathon course record by 34 seconds, finishing in 1:09:30 and out running a competitive field of runners, including U.S. Olympian Aliphine Tuliamuk. She is ready to conquer the streets of Pittsburgh once again.

“Returning to Pittsburgh as the defending champion is really special to me,” Rotich said. “Last year was my first time in the city and I haven’t stopped thinking about it since. The best part of the race is seeing all the amazing spectators on the course, regardless of the weather. My goal this year is to win the race again and see how far I can push my limits.”

The 2023 DICK’S Sporting Goods Pittsburgh Marathon and UPMC Health Plan Pittsburgh Half Marathon offers a prize purse totaling $102,000. The top prize for the Pittsburgh Marathon is $7,000 and $10,000 for the PIttsburgh Half Marathon. To view the 2023 prize purse, click here.

The full list of elite athletes competing in the DICK’S Sporting Goods Pittsburgh Marathon and UPMC Health Plan Pittsburgh Half Marathon will be released in late April. Top athletes will be available for a Q&A during the 2023 Race Weekend Kick-off Press Conference at 9:30 a.m. on May 5. For more information about the 2023 DICK’S Sporting Goods Pittsburgh Marathon, go to: ThePittsburghMarathon.com.

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About P3R

P3R is the engine behind Pittsburgh’s greatest races. We strive to inspire any and all to MOVE 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

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