Thousands of runners from around the region, country and world descended on Pittsburgh before dawn Sunday to pound the pavement in search of accomplishment.
The estimated 23,000 runners in the half and full marathon, 13.1 miles and 26.2 miles respectively, have donned their best gear as they hit the course that winds up, down and around the city. Thousands more supporters woke just as early to cheer them on from neighborhood streets.
Racers took off on Liberty Avenue to the sound of fireworks Sunday morning. It was quite the welcome for Austin Bush of Central Pennsylvania, who was running his first Pittsburgh Marathon.
Bush said he usually runs one to two marathons annually.
“Just keeps me in shape year to year and keeps (me) reaching for something,” he said. “It’s worth the pain.”
He didn’t have a specific goal for the race Sunday, just was looking to experience Pittsburgh and its hilly course.
The Pittsburgh Marathon is underway – the first group of runners has hit the streets @TribLIVE pic.twitter.com/EBuhh2DlP5
— Renatta Signorini (@ByRenatta) May 4, 2025
David Nelson and his uncle Brian Passmore were representing “Star Wars” on the course in celebration of the informal holiday coinciding with the race – May the Fourth, as fans say. They wore matching Star Wars-themed T-shirts and each had a character from the movies listed on their race bib.
The two live far apart but don’t let the distance stop them from being competitive with each other. Passmore lives in DuBois. Nelson is originally from there but now lives in Arkansas.
“It’s just to challenge ourselves at this point,” Passmore said.
The pair hoped to run the half marathon in under two hours. They’re trying to “earn the beers that were going to drink – a preemptive strike,” Nelson said.
A sea of runners moving along Anderson Street under 279 during the Pittsburgh Marathon on the North Shore/Side heading toward the stadiums. Lots of cheering and cowbells. @TribLIVE pic.twitter.com/bpe5PFV5RR
— Renatta Signorini (@ByRenatta) May 4, 2025
The Dick’s Sporting Goods Pittsburgh Marathon officially got underway at 7 a.m. Sunday. Roads around the city will be closed for hours to allow racers space to pass by, and over, iconic Pittsburgh landmarks, such as the sports stadiums, inclines and bridges.
About 41% of participants are participating in their first marathon and 33% are running their first half marathon, according to race officials.
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