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☰
Pittsburgh Marathon (defunct: 1985-2003) Runner Comments
Back to Pittsburgh Marathon (defunct: 1985-2003) Information & Reviews
Course 4.3 
Organization 4.3 
Spectators 4.6
Number of comments: 85 [displaying comments 1 to 11]
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R. R. from Atlanta
(7/9/2004)
"Nice Support" (General Comments)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Pittsburgh Marathon (defunct: 1985-2003)
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 My only DNF due to a stress fracture. The medical staff was excellent; very professional and sympathetic; and most supportive. After treatment, they immediately got me on a bus back to the finish line near the hotel. I even made my afternoon flight back to Atlanta (an experience I would rather forget). The staff really seemed to make each runner feel important before the race. Can't say much about the course since I didn't get far, but can say that the staff did an excellent job in organization and promotion. If you are to be injured, this is the one to do it in!!!! | |
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D. V. from Ashburn, VA
(4/18/2004)
"A Classy Marathon" (General Comments)
6-10 previous marathons
| 3 Pittsburgh Marathon (defunct: 1985-2003)s
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 The City loves this marathon and I see why. It is well-organized and enthusiastically supported along every turn in the road. Locals are friendly and charming. Be prepared for rolling hills from the Shadyside section to Bloomfield. Weather will determine how you feel about the race, as it is late in the season and has been in the nineties, but usually the weather is crisp and cool in the mornings. First class event. Good job, Pittsburgh. | |
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J. C. from Pittsburgh
(7/29/2003)
"Interesting course - nice people" (about: 2003)
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 The Pittsburgh course runs through many different neighborhoods, each with it's own flavor. About half the course had good spectator support, and the rest had some good views. The race was well organized and the pace team leader was awesome. The should end the race in Point State Park, not the stadium. There is more room to relax in the grass after the event, and it's better for meeting friends and family. Pittsburgh is a great marathon. I'll run it again. | |
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Toddy Too Hotty! from VA
(7/14/2003)
"OUTSTANDING!! Can't wait until next year!" (about: 2003)
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 The 3K3 Pittsburgh Marathon was my first ever, and I loved it. With how well this marathon was organized, the outstanding crowd support, friendly runners, awesome weather, good bands, and so forth, the Pittsburgh Marathon has me wanting to do more marathons. I plan on returning in 2K4 to try this again. First off, the course is not flat, but it is not killer. I personally thought the worst part was between mile 15-21 (Bloomsburg area) where there are constantly gradual inclines before you hit the big downhill. The 2-mile ascent around mile 10 isn't too bad; I think it is because it is so early in the marathon. An important note to the 5K and marathoners. At the end of the course when you approach Heinz field, YOU MUST RUN AROUND ALMOST 3/4 OF THE STADIUM BEFORE YOU ENTER IT!! DON'T BE DECEIVED INTO THINKING THAT AS YOU SEE THE STADIUM YOU SEE THE END OF THE RACE. You must go around the stadium before you enter. The people of Pittsburgh are so friendly and supportive throughout the race. All volunteers are excellent, the bands were excellent, and there are even people handing out water from their lawns. The expo was nice, and got some nice goodies. I doubt this is a PR course, but it is well run, fun, and a moderate challenge. If the weather is as good as it was in 2K3, you should be in for a blast. | |
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K. C. from Washington D.C. area
(6/24/2003)
"Pittsburgh Puts On a Good Race" (about: 2003)
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 Pittsburgh should be proud for getting behind its marathon so well. Crowd support was far better than I expected, with many bands and few sparse areas after the first few miles. Live television coverage is indicative of how the city gets behind this race. The course was a nice mix of city and suburb, and challenging with some significant hills. The oft-cited steep hill at around mile 11-12 is tough, but I stuggled more with unexpected long inclines at (approx) miles 18 and 22. Water stations were extremely well organized and well placed. Three most important things to improve: 1) shuttle buses (should have a special lane to surpass traffic; our driver did not even know where he was supposed to drop us off! He asked a policeman who was doing nothing to help the traffic situation, and he did not know either. Took our bus nearly an hour to get to the start. Some runners on buses after us actually missed the start). 2) Host hotel (my reserved non-smoking room wasn't ready until 7 p.m., tried to get me to take a smoking room). 3) Finish - please let runners take a few minutes to enjoy their achievement in the stadium instead of immediately ushering them back out into the street (and some more variety of food out there afterwards would be appreciated by runners). EXCELLENT pre-race pasta dinner, by far the best of any marathon I've run. The expo, however, was one of the least impressive. Overall, good marathon experience and would run it again. Nice job Pittsburgh. | |
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Brent Collins from Pittsburgh, PA
(6/14/2003)
"Still the best." (about: 2003)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 5 I have run the Pittsburgh Marathon 6 times now in a 15-year span. I also like to go on the road to run a fall marathon each year. Maybe its the marathons I have chosen, but Pittsburgh is by far the best for both crowd support and an interesting course. The Niagra falls marathon may have been the only course that came close. The hills are way overrated; there really is only one killer hill at mile 11,12, or 13 (depending on the way the course is laid out that year). The big downhill at mile 22-23 gives you something to look forward to when your getting really tired. I would strongly recommend this marathon to anyone who does not have a fear of hills. The great crowd support will make it one you keep coming back for. My only negative remark was that the race director would not return my emails when I was trying to find their website this year, and it ended up costing me more money, because I got my entry in late. | |
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S. T. from Pennsylvania
(5/22/2003)
"I had a great time!" (about: 2003)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This was my first marathon, at age 54, and I had a wonderful time. The course wasn't too hilly, the people were wonderful (especially the kids, so cute!), and my family enjoyed the pasta dinner. The start and finish at Heinz field added to the fun and I finished in 4 hours, 40 minutes. Thanks Pittsburgh!! | |
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pamela harris from pittsburgh,pa
(5/17/2003)
"Not very friendly to first time runners" (about: 2003)
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 4 I am a 43 year old female who finished the marathon. My first time ever running. I felt that the marathon wasn't very friendly to first time runners. it took me 7hrs to finish. After about the 17th or 18th mile, water stations and any med stations where shutting down, so it was a little more painful the rest of the way. I was pleased with the route and very thankful to the judges who waited for everybody to finished,unlike the organization that ran for, Team In Training, no one stayed to see me finish, I was very dissapointed with that and will participate in the marathon next year by signing up without an organization.I wish I knew the one judges name who ran with me to the finish line he was very kind, so I would like to personally thank him. | |
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Michael Fogassey from Boston, MA
(5/16/2003)
"Great marathon" (about: 2003)
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 This was only my 2nd marathon (I did NYC last November), but I was really impressed with the organization and well-marked course. The fluid stops were excellent - great well trained staff. The spectators and bands exceeded my expectations. I ran a PR (but then I only had one other marathon to compare it to). The pre-race pasta party was great. The expo was a bit weak, but then I didn't expect very much. Great job done in a truly great city. | |
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Ben Davis from Pittsburgh
(5/14/2003)
"Good course but spectators were sparse." (about: 2003)
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 I always enjoy this course as Pittsburgh is my hometown, however, I feel that the number of spectators has declined over the years. Walnut Street through Shadyside and Liberty through Bloomfield used to be packed with people but not anymore. The marathon expo was very weak. The weather was excellent but I'd still like to see the race start earlier in case of warmer weather as in 2000. |
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