Pittsburgh Marathon Returning; Hundreds Already Signed UpStart-Finish Line Is At Convention Center DowntownPOSTED: 8:56 am EST November 17,
2008 PITTSBURGH -- About 700 people have signed up to run in the resurrected Pittsburgh Marathon, which is scheduled to return in May after a six-year hiatus.Participants signed up Sunday morning at a downtown kickoff event at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center. The start and finish line of the race will also be at the convention center."You have all the activity that takes place along the route all day long. That's commerce. That's a lot of activity going on," Allegheny County Chief Executive Dan Onorato said. "That's a lot of people spending their money, and it's a P.R. boom for the city because you have to be feeling good and spending a lot of time here seeing all the great neighborhoods that we have."In addition to the full marathon, there will be a half-marathon, a kids' marathon and a fitness expo.The city last hosted the race in 2003, when 6,000 runners from all 50 states and 20 foreign countries participated. It was first held in 1985 with about 2,500 runners.Former mayor and running enthusiast Tom Murphy canceled the event in 2004 when UPMC dropped out as sponsor. Murphy said the cash-strapped city couldn't afford to pay for the event without sponsorship.Dick's Sporting Goods, based in Findlay Township, has agreed to sponsor the race for three years. Related Links:
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