FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
2016 DICK'S Sporting Goods Pittsburgh Marathon Spans Generations and
Inspires Lifelong Love of Running
Record participation for Saturday's races; 9th edition set for the weekend
of May 7, 2017 in the Steel City
Pittsburgh, PA - The 8th DICK'S Sporting Goods Pittsburgh Marathon weekend
on April 29-May 1 spanned multiple generations, with runners as young as
two-years-old and as old as 86 crossing the finish line. This year's event
attracted a record number of participants for Saturday's races, including
the UPMC Health Plan/UPMC Sports Medicine Pittsburgh 5K Run, Toyota
Pittsburgh Kids Marathon and Sheetz Pittsburgh Toddler Trot. This year's
race also celebrated Pittsburgh's Bicentennial Celebration and showcased
the city to runners from 49 states and 20 countries.
"In our 8th year, the event is attracting runners of all ages and abilities
to come to Pittsburgh to become Runners of Steel!" said Patrice Matamoros,
P3R CEO and race director of the DICK'S Sporting Goods Pittsburgh Marathon.
"Increasingly, race weekend has become a family gathering with multiple
family members participating in events throughout race weekend. It's
wonderful to see our Saturday events continue to grow in popularity as they
represent many runners who are participating in their first running event."
EVENT 2016 SUMMARY
GNC Live Well Pittsburgh Health and Fitness Expo
This year's expanded GNC Live Well Pittsburgh Health and Fitness
Expo showcased more than 130 vendors and 55,948 visitors.
STEEL Challenge
More than 1,300 earned a special bonus medal for completing the
STEEL Challenge: running the UPMC Health Plan/UPMC Sports
Medicine Pittsburgh 5K Run on Saturday, April 30 and then
completing any of the three races taking place on Sunday, May 1.
Social Media Center
During race week, there were 4,500 unique mentions of #GameOnPGH.
#GameOnPGH trended nationally and locally during race weekend.
2nd Media Match and District Duel
WPXI defended its Media Match crown completing the FedEx Ground
Pittsburgh Marathon Relay in 4 hours, 18 minutes, 31 seconds.
Councilman Dan Gilman's team "District 8" won back-to-back District
Duel titles with a time of 3:22:44.
Pittsburgh's Bicentennial Celebration
More than 50 runners represented their states including Washington, DC
as Runner of Steel Delegates during race weekend and had the
opportunity to experience some of Pittsburgh's greatest attractions
while they were in town.
On race day, 13 neighborhoods hosted birthday parties with 1,100 party
hats and 1,300 poms poms.
PARTICIPATION
Toyota of Pittsburgh Kids Marathon – More than 6,200 kids from 140
schools and organizations throughout Western Pennsylvania ran the last Mile
of the Kids of STEEL program; plus several thousand parents and adults
participated.
UPMC Health Plan/UPMC Sports Medicine Pittsburgh 5K Run – 3,149, an
event record
UPMC Health Plan Pittsburgh Half Marathon – 14,132 finishers
DICK'S Sporting Goods Pittsburgh Marathon – 3,663 finishers
FedEx Ground Pittsburgh Marathon Relay – 1,219 teams
The 2nd Sheetz Pittsburgh Toddler Trot had 300 participants, an event
record
The 4th Pittsburgh Pet Walk had 163 participants
The Pittsburgh Marathon Handcycle Division presented by PNC had 14
finishers 49 states plus Washington, DC and 20 countries
represented
PROFESSIONALS
More than $100,000 in prize money was awarded, including $39,000 going to
American Development Program athletes.
Marathon Champions
MEN: Kipkoech Ruto (KEN) – 2:17:27, $8000
WOMEN: Hailemaryam Ayantu Dakebo (ETH) – 2:42:47, $8000
Half-Marathon Champions
MEN: Julius Kogo (KEN) - 1:02:32, $6500
WOMEN: Etaferahu Temesgen (ETH) - 1:13:08, $6500
COMMUNITY
2,800 runners raised more than $1.5 million dollars for charity through
the Run for a Reason Charity Program
13 neighborhoods participated in race day celebrations along the course
12 official #GameOnPGH bloggers documented their training experience
leading up to race day.
FUTURE P3R EVENT DATES
5th GNC Live Well Liberty Mile: Bring Back the Mile Grand Prix Tour –
Friday, August 26
4th EQT Pittsburgh 10 Miler: PRRO Circuit – Sunday, November 6
9th DICK'S Sporting Goods Pittsburgh Marathon – Sunday, May 7,
2017
Link to story:
http://www.thepittsburghmarathon.com/News-Item-2016-DICKS-Sporting-Goods-Pi
ttsburgh-Marathon-Spans-Generations-and-Inspires-Lifelong-Love-of-Running
Story Contact: Kelsey Jackson, P3R Public Relations Manager, 417-425-9400
About the DICK'S Sporting Goods Pittsburgh Marathon
The 2016 DICK'S Sporting Goods Pittsburgh Marathon is not just a race -
it's a journey. The race is your game - however you decide to play it. As a
competitor. A fundraiser. An enthusiast. A veteran. A team player. It's
whatever you want it to be. It's whatever you make it. It's your game… Run
it. Play it. Own it. Love it. #GameOnPGH!
Organized by the Pittsburgh Three Rivers Marathon, Inc. (P3R), the 9th
edition will be held May 6-7, 2017. For more information, go to:
thePittsburghMarathon.com
FACEBOOK: DSGPM TWITTER: @PghMarathon INSTAGRAM: PghMarathon HASHTAG:
#PghMarathon #GameOnPGH
About P3R
P3R is a nonprofit organization that is passionate about promoting the love
of running and enhancing community access to health & fitness education and
activities. Best known for organizing the acclaimed annual DSG Pittsburgh
Marathon, we also run a variety of other high-quality races, events and
health & 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. The only
criterion for participation is a desire to be happy, healthy and active!
Learn more at: www.P3R.org
FACEBOOK: P3Revents TWITTER: @P3REvents
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