Elite runners look forward to challenge at 2023 Pittsburgh Marathon

The Dick’s Sporting Goods Pittsburgh Marathon and UPMC Health Plan Half Marathon returned last year from a two-year in-person hiatus to much fanfare, and race officials are confident the momentum gained from a successful, albeit rain-soaked, 2022 event will carry over to this weekend’s stacked lineup celebrating the event’s 15th year.

“It is truly amazing what this event has accomplished over the past 15 years: 370,000 participants and over 1 million spectators have lined the city streets,” said Troy Schooley, CEO of P3R, the engine behind some of the biggest races in Pittsburgh throughout the year.

“Fifteen million dollars has been raised for local and national charities and 100 million dollars of direct economic impact for our region. There are participants from all 50 states and 20 countries. Fifty thousand kids have participated in our Kids of Steel program. (Saturday), we will see 10,000 kids and their parents at the Kids Marathon start line. Our kids have inspired their parents to become more active, and that is special. This event has made our region more active and healthy.

“My favorite part about race weekend is standing at the finish line and seeing the emotion of all the runners, whether it’s a kid running his or her first Kids Marathon or the 86-year-old who is running the half marathon this year and knowing they have a story.”

Being the Elite

Nick Wolk is among a local contingent of elite runners hoping to make their marks Sunday.

The former Peters Township and Pitt standout who has dominated the local running scene will make his full-marathon debut. The winner of the Richard S. Caliguiri City of Pittsburgh Great Race in 2021 and 2022 finished seventh in the half marathon last year with a time of 1 hour, 5 minutes, 37 seconds, just two one-hundredths of a second away from sixth.

“I’ve run almost every race in Pittsburgh, and they’re always my favorite,” Wolk said. “My grandmother will get to watch, my mom and dad will be there, my girlfriend, and other friends and family will all be along the course, and that support always helps when you might be hurting to dig a little bit deeper.

“I’ve run the (26.2 mile) distance before but never in a race.”

Wolk is one of 12 in the men’s elite field for the full marathon. Also competing is top American runner Tyler McCandless, a Penn State product who holds a marathon personal best of 2:12.28.

“All of the different running communities and neighborhoods make these races such special traditions for me every year, so when I decided to make my debut in the full marathon, the Pittsburgh Marathon was really an easy choice for me,” Wolk said.

Pittsburgh-area native Margo Malone also is making the move to the full marathon. The North Hills graduate, a participant in the U.S. Marathon Olympic Team Trials in 2020, ran the half marathon last year with sister Mary and finished 12th overall (1:20.26).

Mary Malone took 13th.

“It’s not my first-ever full marathon, but it’s my first full marathon in Pittsburgh,” Margo Malone said.

“I felt that, being from Pittsburgh, (the full marathon) was a bucket-list race for me. The running community in Pittsburgh is so amazing. This is the best way to celebrate it. I signed up, and here I am. I am ready to go.”

Margo Malone, along with Seton LaSalle graduate Ann Mazur, are among seven elites set for the women’s full marathon.

Nicole Hilton, a 2011 South Fayette graduate, captured the women’s full marathon last year in a time of 2:49.49, four minutes ahead of Mazur (2:53.50) in second.

Hilton will run the women’s half this year and is among 18 elite runners in a field that includes defending champ and event record holder Caroline Rotich of Kenya.

Rotich, the 2015 winner of the Boston Marathon, smashed the previous record in 2022, finishing the 13.1-mile course in 1:09.30.

“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.”

There are 22 in the men’s elite half marathon field, led by Kenyan Wesley Kiptoo, the defending champion who set an event record with a time of 1:01.25.

“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.”

U.S. Olympian Jared Ward also returns for the half marathon after taking third last year (1:03.37).

Prize purse

More than $100,000 is on the line. The top prize for the marathon winners is $7,000, with $4,000 for second and $2,000 for third.

The winners of the half marathon receive $10,000 each. Second place earns $6,000, and third place takes home $4,000.

What, when and where

More than 300,000 spectators are expected to line the streets to cheer on the more than 35,0000 participants in Sunday morning’s marathons.

The handcycle division kicks everything off at 6:50 a.m., and the elite runners go off at 7 before the rest of the races, including the FedEx marathon relay. The start line is on Liberty Avenue, and the finish line is on the Boulevard of the Allies.

For those who wish to run in the full or half marathon, registration closes at 6 p.m. Saturday. There will be no Sunday registration.

The weekend of activities began Friday with the Pittsburgh Health and Fitness Expo at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center.

The expo continues from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and will be joined by a 5K race at 8 a.m. on the North Shore, a toddler trot at 8:30 at Point State Park, the kids marathon on the North Shore at 9:30, a 1-mile pet walk at noon at Point State Park, and the Pittsburgh Marathon Hall of Fame induction ceremony at 5 p.m. at the convention center.

Rain, rain stay away

The weather forecast for the weekend always is closely monitored, and a high of 74 degrees with dry conditions is expected Saturday.

There is a chance for rain, even thunderstorms, for Sunday morning, and Schooley said P3R officials and others will take all precautions to keep spectators and runners safe should more severe weather arise.

Socially speaking

Pittsburgh Marathon information and updates are available throughout the weekend on a number of social platforms, including Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.

Additional info, including course maps and schedules, can be found at thepittsburghmarathon.com.

“There are so many people who are passionate about this event and care about this event,” Schooley said.

“This event is so special because of those key stakeholders take pride in the event and its growth. I can’t tell you how many texts and phone calls I receive, not just today, tomorrow or Sunday, but throughout the year asking how the numbers for the event are and how they can help with anything or if we need anything. It’s not because they have to but because they want to. Here is to 15 more years of life-changing success for the Dick’s Sporting Goods Pittsburgh Marathon.”