There are a lot of races out there to choose from. If you are an avid runner, a recreational runner, or a “I run for health reasons and hate every step” runner there are no shortage of races worthy of your training time and registration fee. So why would I run the Pittsburgh Marathon again? I get to train here every day and surely I could run another city. Something new and shiny. And it would be awesome , I’m sure.

Training for a marathon is it’s own reward in many ways, and training in Pittsburgh is a pleasure (even when it’s 10 friggin degrees out). Finding yourself at The Point as the sun rises above the horizon silhouetting the bridges against a golden red backdrop or arriving in downtown so early on a Saturday morning that people are still partying in the streets, sunset over the Ohio River…it is something that must be experienced to be fully understood.

And we have so much varied terrain to train on! You want a flat ground run? The Heritage Trails, the Montour Run Trail, and sections of town along the rivers provide miles and miles of ground. The Montour Trail and Heritage trails both link up to the Great Allegheny Passage which runs all the way to Cumberland, Maryland. Over 140 miles total!

Trails? We have trails. Frick, Boyce, Schenley, North Park, Settlers Cabin to name just a few. There are well groomed, crushed limestone trails and your nitty, gritty single track and miles upon miles of each.  And of course we have hill climbs in Pittsburgh. Any direction you want to take from the rivers into uptown (no one calls it uptown) will provide you with hill climbs.

For me, I want to run Pittsburgh again and again because of love.  Every time I run around the town, get lost and find something new, every time  I am running the city at an hour that is so early my Garmin thinks it’s night (and I suppose it is) and random people say hello and good morning, and every time I get to see the city in all it’s glory day and night I love it a little bit more. Leading up to the Marathon the city starts to “redd up.” Banners are placed, flowers planted, streets and parks are cleaned getting ready for the spring and coming summer. And on Marathon Day da Burgh is aht in all it’s glory. The neighborhoods are alive with music and people! And how Pittsburghers love their athletes and it shows! Whether a native, a transplant, or a visitor, a runner or a spectator, you are sure to enjoy our big little town.

C’mon aht to da Burgh and run with us Yinzers! Get a Primanti’s sammich dahn in the strip and head over to the Sauside for beers n’at post race. You’ll be glad you came.