FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

   Pittsburgh Marathon opens Race Registration for the 20th Running!
Dick's Sporting Goods Pittsburgh Marathon and Phillips Respironics Half 
                  Marathon Scheduled for May 3, 2009

PITTSBURGH, August 20, 2008 -- The Dick's Sporting Goods Pittsburgh 
Marathon is slated to open runner registration beginning on August 20, 
2008. The first 50 registrants for the marathon will receive a $25 gift 
certificate for Dick's Sporting Goods nationwide.  The first 50 registrants 
to register for the Philips Respironics Half Marathon will receive a 
special "in training" t-shirt for the Half-Marathon.

New to The Dick's Sporting Goods Pittsburgh Marathon weekend is the debut 
of the Philips Respironics Half Marathon - an event that is growing in 
popularity and expected to attract a strong field of runners for an 
exciting race through America's "Most Livable" city. The half marathon 
features a mostly flat course and will run along a portion of the marathon 
route. 

"We are excited to bring the marathon back to Pittsburgh, and we look 
forward to offering an exciting palate of events to accommodate every 
runner's ability and age," stated Patrice Matamoros, Race Director for the 
Dick's Sporting Pittsburgh Marathon.  "We hope that our community 
celebrations, cheering spectators and music along the course will attract 
runners from all over the world."

The Dick's Sporting Goods Marathon Weekend events include:
Sunday May 3rd 
Dick's Sporting Goods Pittsburgh Marathon
Marathon Relay
Phillips Respironics Half Marathon
Neighborhood Celebrations
Music by the Mile

Saturday, May 2nd
Kids Marathon
Spaghetti Warehouse Pasta Party
Health and Fitness Expo, David L. Lawrence Convention Center

Friday, May 1st
Health and Fitness Expo, David L. Lawrence Convention Center

The Dick's Sporting Goods Marathon race course will be announced shortly, 
but is expected to follow a route similar to previous years.  It will also 
remain a USA Track and Field sanctioned and certified course as well as a 
"Boston Qualifier."  

UPMC Sports Medicine will provide medical support for all Dick's Sporting 
Goods Marathon events.  In addition, it will offer a four-part Dick's 
Sporting Goods Marathon Training Seminar Series from January-May, 2009 for 
individuals training for the marathon and half marathon.  Dates and details 
for these events are forthcoming. 

Runners/walkers can register online for the Dick's Sporting Goods 
Pittsburgh Marathon, Philips Respironics Half-Marathon, Marathon Relay and 
Kids Marathon by visiting www.pittsburghmarathon.com

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