Pittsburgh’s marathon route has been cleared of downed wires and debris from this week’s storms, officials said Friday, and runners this weekend can look forward to “optimal” conditions and a massive public safety presence.
The Dick’s Sporting Goods Pittsburgh Marathon Weekend, which is expecting record-breaking attendance, will draw tens of thousands of participants and spectators.
Though many communities in Southwestern Pennsylvania are still removing felled trees, repairing damaged roofs and awaiting power to return, the streets along the 26.2-mile route are free of hazards, Pittsburgh police Commander Lance Hoyson told reporters after a news conference at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center in Downtown Pittsburgh.
More than 46,000 people have registered to participate in marathon-related activities this weekend, making it the largest marathon weekend the city has ever seen, P3R CEO Troy Schooley said.
That includes more than 10,000 children participating in a kid’s race Saturday, a record 6,000 5K participants and 23,000 people running the marathon and half marathon, Schooley said. Runners represent all 50 states and 24 countries.
Over 300 police officers will be stationed throughout the marathon footprint, Hoyson said, including Pittsburgh police, Allegheny County Police, Allegheny County Sheriff’s Office personnel, Pennsylvania State Police and officers from neighboring municipalities.
It’s “very difficult” to police the sprawling marathon route, Hoyson said, and the city’s police force has long partnered with other agencies to staff the event.
“It makes it easier with a lot more people, but it’s very manpower intensive,” Hoyson said.
The marathon will not impact the bureau’s operations elsewhere in the city, Hoyson said, and officials have not had to cancel days off for Pittsburgh police officers.
Hoyson urged people to be aware of parking restrictions and detours.
Thirty-five ambulances will be stationed throughout the race courses, said Acting Assistant Emergency Medical Services Chief Jennifer McDermott-Grubb.
Like the police, Pittsburgh EMS will be relying on help from outside agencies to man the event.
Additional medics will be on bicycles and motorcycles, she added, to ensure they can quickly get to people no matter where they are during the event.
Dr. Leonard Weiss, who serves as the event’s medical director, said a medical team of more than 300 volunteers sports medicine, emergency medicine and other workers will be on hand. They’ll staff 17 aid areas along the marathon route, a field hospital at the finish line and a treatment and cooling center in Point State Park.
Typically, the medical team treats about 200-300 people during the marathon, Weiss said, with the majority of the injuries strains and sprains. They also see cardiac and respiratory events and weather-related issues.
“We’re expecting pretty optimal conditions for running this weekend,” Weiss said. “It’s excellent.”
The forecast, he said, shows temperatures in the 50s or 60s with clouds and light rain coming in and out.
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