FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
2014 DICK'S Sporting Goods Pittsburgh Marathon Breaks Event Records
Race Weekend Celebrates More Than 26,000 Finishers;
Record Prize Purse to Professional Athletes;
Over $1.2 Million Was Raised for Charity
(PITTSBURGH, Pa.) -The 6th DICK'S Sporting Goods Pittsburgh Marathon
weekend on May 3-4 continued the event's stellar year-over-year growth; one
of the most remarkable in U.S. road race history. Below are highlights from
race weekend.
PARTICIPATION
- Toyota of Pittsburgh Kids Marathon - More than 4,000 kids from all
over Pittsburgh ran the last Mile of a season long program led by
Pittsburgh Pirates 2013 National League MVP Andrew McCutchen, 2008 Olympic
Gymnastics silver medalist Alicia Sacramone and American Development
Program athletes.
- UPMC Health Plan/UPMC Sports Medicine Pittsburgh 5K Run - 1,615
finishers, an event record
- UPMC Health Plan Pittsburgh Half Marathon - 14,667 finishers, an
event record
- DICK'S Sporting Goods Pittsburgh Marathon - 4,931 finishers, an event
record
- FedEx Ground Pittsburgh Marathon Relay - 1,184 teams, an event record
- 49 states and 20 countries represented
- 35% of marathon participants were running their first one.
PROFESSIONALS
More than $100,000 in prize money was awarded, including $27,250 to
American Development Program athletes.
Marathon Champions
- MEN: Gebo Burka Gameda (ETH) - 2:16:30, $8000
- WOMEN: Clara Santucci (USA / PA) - 2:32:25, $15,000
Half-Marathon Champions
- MEN: Habtamu Assefa (ETH) - 1:02:45, $6500
- WOMEN: Sophy Jepchirchir (KEN) - 1:11:37, $6500 (course record)
COMMUNITY
- 3,521 runners raised over $1.2 million dollars for charity
- American Development Program athletes participated in a pen pal
program throughout the winter and spring encouraging and inspiring
participating school children.
- Toyota of Pittsburgh Kids Marathon and American Development Program
athletes retired Pittsburgh Pirates Andrew McCutchen's honorary race bib at
a special pre-game celebration on Friday, May 2 for his support of the Run
Home to Pittsburgh campaign.
- 18 neighborhoods participated in race day celebrations along the
course
- Five #RunHomePGH bloggers documented their journey to the 2014 DICK'S
Sporting Goods Marathon
MEDIA
- First KDKA pre-race show aired on Saturday, May 3 at 7:00 p.m.
- Race organizers launched a new Social Center during race weekend that
utilized social media networks and tools to improve the experience for the
race's 30,000 participants, 4,000 volunteers and 100,000 spectators.
- From Friday to Sunday, there were more than 395 internet and
broadcast stories about the race.
"Our 6th edition exceeded our expectations with an event record number of
entrants, a new women's half-marathon event record, a local runner Clara
Santucci winning the women's marathon plus the enthusiastic support from
the City of Champions and our sponsors," said Patrice Matamoros, CEO of
Pittsburgh Three Rivers Marathon, Inc. "We are already planning for next
year's event to be even bigger and better."
FUTURE EVENT DATES
- 3rd GNC Live Well Liberty Mile - Friday, August 1
- 2nd EQT Pittsburgh 10 Miler - Sunday, November 9
- 7th DICK'S Sporting Goods Pittsburgh Marathon - Sunday, May 3, 2015
About the DICK'S Sporting Goods Pittsburgh Marathon
Organized by the Pittsburgh Three Rivers Marathon, Inc., the DICK'S
Sporting Goods Pittsburgh Marathon is a world-class event with more than
30,000 runners. The 2014 event will showcase runners from across the
country with ties to the City who will "Run Home to Pittsburgh" on Sunday,
May 4. The race ignites the spirit of Pittsburgh, spanning 13
neighborhoods, boasting 9 festivals and featuring music-by-the-mile. For
more information, go to: PittsburghMarathon.com
About the American Development Program
The American Development Program is an initiative designed to increase
exposure and racing opportunities for emerging American professional
runners. The program will offer complimentary entry, travel assistance and
prize money throughout the organization's year-long calendar of events,
including the DICK's Sporting Goods Pittsburgh Marathon, UPMC Health Plan
Pittsburgh Half Marathon, GNC Live Well Liberty Mile and EQT Pittsburgh Ten
Miler. For more information, go to:
PittsburghMarathon.com/American_Development_Program
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