FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Overall Prize Money for the Dick's Sporting Goods Pittsburgh Marathon
Increases to More than $80,000
Dick's Sporting Goods Offers $10,000 Race Record Bonus for the Marathon
PITTSBURGH, PA - As a commitment to continuing to attract elite and
up-and-coming runners, the organizers of the Dick's Sporting Goods
Pittsburgh Marathon have significantly increased the prize purse to more
than $80,000 for the Sunday, May 6, 2012 event. In addition to the prize
money, title sponsor Dick's Sporting Goods will offer a $10,000 for the
first person to break the course record for the Marathon.
Winning male and female marathon runners will be awarded $8000 for the
Marathon, up from $6500 and $5000 for the UPMC Health Plan Pittsburgh Half
Marathon, up from $2500.
"Now with increased excitement for long-distance running during an Olympic
year, we have decided it is a good time to invest in our elite athlete
program," said Patrice Matamoros, race director of the Dick's Sporting
Goods Pittsburgh Marathon. "The prize money is a commitment to the sport of
long-distance running, and will establish the Dick's Sporting Goods
Pittsburgh Marathon as a top destination for all athletes, including the
world's finest long-distance runners."
Prize money for the Marathon, which has increased by more than 50 percent
from 2011, will be awarded to the top men and women in the following
categories:
·Open
·Masters
·US Residents
·PA Residents
·Pittsburgh Residents
·Wheelchair Competitors
The men's race record is 2:10:24, set by John Kagwe in 1995. The women's
race record is 2:29:50, set by Margaret Groos in 1988.
The first five placeholders will be awarded in the Marathon, and the first
five placeholders will be awarded in the Half Marathon. Two additional
prize categories for the Marathon were added this year. The top 5 U.S.
residents under 2:30 for the men and under 2:55 for the women will receive
prize money. The top Pittsburgh resident for the men and women also will
receive prize money.
"The increase in prize money will attract even more deep, talented field of
elite runners in both the Marathon and Half Marathon," said Patrice
Matamoros, race director of the Dick's Sporting Goods Pittsburgh Marathon.
"This added incentive should create a very exciting race for spectators."
More than 25,000 participants are expected to participate in race weekend,
which includes the Dick's Sporting Goods Pittsburgh Marathon, UPMC Health
Plan Pittsburgh Half Pittsburgh Marathon, FedEx Ground Pittsburgh Marathon
Relay, UPMC Sports Medicine/ UPMC Health Plan Pittsburgh 5K Run and Toyota
of Pittsburgh Kids Marathon.
The USATF-sanctioned event and Boston-qualifier features an exciting course
with a surprisingly moderate incline for a city that is known for its
hills. Runners will see various highlights of the City of Bridges,
including the Strip District, East Carson Street in Pittsburgh's South
Side, University of Pittsburgh, and Pittsburgh's own Little Italy.
For more information, including elite runner registration and the
prizepurse breakdown, go to: www.pittsburghmarathon.com
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