Closures to impact Downtown streets during Pittsburgh Marathon

The Dick’s Sporting Goods Pittsburgh Marathon returns in person on Sunday.

It’s one of several race-related and other events happening this weekend. The event was held virtually the past two years because of the pandemic.

More than 40,000 people will be welcomed back to the 26.2-mile course, the 13.1 half-marathon distance, a 5K and kids as well as a toddler run.

With all the festivities, there will be plenty of street closings beginning on Friday, according to organizer P3R.

The first one will begin at noon Friday when the Boulevard of the Allies between Wood Street and Stanwix Street, Downtown will be closed through Sunday.

Saturday is the day for the 5K race, the Kids Marathon and Toddler Trot, so look for closures in parts of Downtown and on Pittsburgh’s North Side. There is a pet run as well for the furry friends.

On Sunday, roads will be closed beginning at 1:30 a.m. through 2:30 p.m. to allow for setup and cleanup of the course. Streets will reopen on a rolling basis once they have been deemed cleared by city officials, according to P3R.

The marathon, half marathon (which includes a walking division this year; and a back-half marathon running the end of the 26.2-mile course versus the beginning, which will start in Shadyside) and relay all start at 7 a.m. at Liberty Avenue and 10th Street, Downtown.

More than 300,000 spectators are expected to line the course, which will take runners through city neighborhoods beginning with the Strip District, across the 16th Street Bridge onto the North Shore, past PNC Park and Heinz Field to the West End Bridge.

Runners will cross the span over to the South Side and run along East Carson Street before turning onto the Birmingham Bridge.

That spot is where those running the half marathon make a left and head into Downtown Pittsburgh and those doing the full marathon turn right and head into Oakland, then Shadyside.

The course will take them through Point Breeze, Homewood, East Liberty, Friendship and Bloomfield. The final miles will be run through the Strip District toward the Downtown finish line on the Boulevard of the Allies near Wood Street. A festival in Point State Park will take place.

More than 100 streets will be affected. Some of those, including the highly-traveled Boulevard of the Allies, West General Robinson Street, North Shore Drive, Ridge Avenue, Penn Avenue, Liberty Avenue, West End Bridge, Carson Street, Birmingham Bridge, Fifth Avenue and North Highland Avenue will be closed in full or part during the race.

Organizers have created a bike route for those who want to navigate the course as spectators.

In addition to the marathon, there is a Steelers draft party at Heinz Field on Saturday and Pitt’s graduation on Sunday.

The Pirates are also at home this weekend. They host the San Diego Padres at 6:35 p.m. Friday and Saturday — followed by a Zambelli Fireworks Show — and at 1:35 p.m. Sunday at PNC Park on the North Shore.