The ‘Burgh’s real distance race dates to 1909

May 4-6 weekend marks the 10th anniversary of the Dick’s Sporting Goods Pittsburgh Marathon with over 40,000 runners from across the globe.

This is the 29th running of the race that debuted in 1985 and was put on hold from 2004-2009 due to lack of funding. Marathons in Pittsburgh go much farther back.

The first was sponsored by the Pittsburgh Press in 1909 with 157 finishers out of 228 who began the 24.5-mile race. It wasn’t until 1921 when 26.2 miles became the official marathon distance. Will you be running or watching this year?

– Hollie Geitner, WordWrite Communications