Thousands run city's bridges, hills and streets for the Pittsburgh Marathon

Thousands of runners toured Pittsburgh’s bridges, hills and streets Sunday morning, all as part of the 2023 Dick’s Sporting Goods Pittsburgh Marathon.

To the tune of fireworks, the full 26.2-mile race and 13.1-mile half-marathon kicked off at 7 a.m. Downtown. A slight rain greeted runners as the race began but skies quickly cleared.

Many said they were looking forward to the sense of camaraderie while running the course. Marathoners Tara Shattuck, 31, and Zachary Palomo, 32, both of Pittsburgh, said they were excited for the run. It was Shattuck’s first time running a marathon.

“I’m just excited to be around all the energy, and do this for the first time,” Shattuck said.

Palomo said he was looking forward to the crowds cheering on race participants. It’s estimated that more than 300,000 spectators line the course each year, which includes 14 official city neighborhoods, including the North Side, Shadyside, Point Breeze, East Liberty and Bloomfield.

Anthony Iannone, 28, of Mechanicsburg, completed his first full-marathon in Pittsburgh on Sunday. He said he wanted to run a marathon and heard the Pittsburgh event was “no joke” — from the crowd of runners, to the hills and course, to the fans.

“The fans … they brought the energy, the enthusiasm,” Iannone said.

American Tyler McCandless wins the men's full marathon in a time of 2:16.08.@PGHMarathon @TribSports pic.twitter.com/iZ9gPeftwA

— Michael Love (@Mlove_Trib) May 7, 2023

North Hills grad Margo Malone wins the women's full marathon in a time of 2:41.56.@TribSports @PGHMarathon pic.twitter.com/dtDQ8C0Hhe

— Michael Love (@Mlove_Trib) May 7, 2023

Pittsburgh Mayor Ed Gainey and Larry Scirotto, acting police chief, were set to walk a portion of the marathon route Sunday morning, said Maria Monaño, a spokesperson for the mayor.

The pair planned to walk through a stretch in Homewood beginning at Fifth Avenue and continuing to Wilkins Avenue.

Gainey nominated Scirotto on Wednesday to be the next police chief. He is serving as acting chief while awaiting approval from City Council.

Allegheny County Executive Rich Fitzgerald was also on hand for the event.

Collin Hough, of Jeannette, and Anna Martinez, of Wexford, both 23, ran the half-marathon.

“I just wanted to get healthier, and try to push myself and do something fun,” Martinez said.

“I found this is something fun to do for both of us as a couple,” Hough said.

Accomplishing a runner’s high — described as a euphoric state following exercise — was what Martinez said she was looking forward to. Running through Pittsburgh’s neighborhoods was what intrigued Hough.

“Pittsburgh is such a scenic city to run through,” he said.

Lucas Cain, 19, of Robinson Township, also spoke on achieving the elusive runner’s high. Cain’s done half-marathons before, he said, and Sunday was his first time running a full marathon. Data from marathon officials said more than 40% of those participating in the Pittsburgh Marathon were tackling the 26.2-mile distance for the first time.

Completing a full marathon, Cain said, is something few people can say they’ve accomplished, which is what helped push him to train and run in the marathon.

The first marathon in Pittsburgh was held in 1985, and was hosted annually until 2003. After a five-year hiatus, the event was relaunched in 2009 and has evolved from a single race day into a weekend of events that annually attracts nearly 40,000 runners, according to event staff.

Saturday’s event’s included a 5K race, a kids marathon, a toddler trot and a pet walk. The youngest participant of the weekend was 10 months old in the “toddler trot.” The oldest runner was 86 years old, competing in the 5k race.

“It’s really an event for all ages,” said Kelsey Emch, marathon spokesperson.

Lisa Pettko, 55, of Pittsburgh’s South Side neighborhood, walked in the half-marathon with her friend Beverly Boggio, 57, of Pittsburgh’s South Side Slopes neighborhood. It was Pettko’s first race. Boggio said her first Pittsburgh marathon was in 2011 and she’s done it on-and-off ever since.

“That’s what’s cool about this race,” Boggio said. “They embrace walking.”

Boggio’s on a mission to walk a marathon in every state — she’s at 20 so far, and will have added Massachusetts and Connecticut to the list by the end of the month — but her local race is special. She compared the spectators and cheerleaders in the city’s neighborhoods to a “block party.”

“This is the best neighborhood crowd participation of every race I’ve done. … Pittsburghers are so friendly,” Boggio said.

Sisters Anna Hagell, 32, of High River, Alberta, and Nora Papp, 33, of South Fayette, ran the half-marathon. According to marathon officials, participants from all 50 states and more than 10 countries were represented.

Hagell said running a marathon was on her bucket list. Papp said she cried when she crossed the finish line. While running the hills were hard, Hagell said the best part of the race was the encouragement of spectators.

They also said the “very creative” signs helped make the marathon more enjoyable.

“I liked one that said, ‘You should have just taken an Uber,’” Hagell said.

Meredith Carroll, 28, of Pittsburgh, had a witty answer to why she was running Sunday — “peer pressure from coworkers” at UPMC Children’s Hospital. Like others, the camaraderie was what she enjoyed.

And Mike Rodack, 39, of Perrysville; Ben Rodack, 31, of McCandless; and Sarah Harrison, 34, of Hampton — all siblings — said they looked forward to completing the race.

“It’s a very scenic course, it’s a very interesting course,” Ben Rodack said.

Fireworks at the start.@TribSports @PGHMarathon pic.twitter.com/1wjbbFp2ym

— Michael Love (@Mlove_Trib) May 7, 2023

And they’re off. pic.twitter.com/igpmzWjTe6

— Kellen Stepler (@KellenStepler) May 7, 2023

Tara Shattuck, and Zachary Palomo, both of Pittsburgh, share why they’re running and what they’re looking forward to. pic.twitter.com/J9ZDgdY1jM

— Kellen Stepler (@KellenStepler) May 7, 2023

Lisa Pettko, 55, and Beverly Boggio, 57, both of South Side, are walking the marathon. Boggio’s trying to do a marathon in every state (she’s at 20) but this one’s special. “This is the best neighborhood crowd participation of every race I’ve done…Pittsburghers are so friendly.”

— Kellen Stepler (@KellenStepler) May 7, 2023

Good morning from the Pittsburgh Marathon. @PGHMarathon @TribLIVE pic.twitter.com/UVgCVad8q9

— Kellen Stepler (@KellenStepler) May 7, 2023

The marathon’s medical staff treated 139 runners at its medical tent and at stations along the course. Twenty-five people were transported to local hospitals, according to marathon officials.

The majority of patients were treated for hyperthermia or common injuries, such as bruises, strains and sprains, marathon officials said.

Tribune-Review staff writer Julia Felton contributed to this story.