This Old Runner Writes About Running

How to Race Through Pittsburgh, PA

7/27/2019

If you're in Southwest Pennsylvania this Summer and Fall check out these local races. You'll find lots of options on distances. Let's start with a one miler!

August 9 | 7 PM
Fleet Feet Liberty Mile

$30 Adults; $10 Kids 13 & under

The Liberty Mile is a USA Track & Field certified course. It's the fastest mile in Pittsburgh!

Register to run and you'll get a chip-timed race with online tracking, a finisher shirt, and post-race food.

The race begins on Penn Avenue between 5th Avenue and 6th Street. It finishes a mile later on Liberty Avenue near Triangle Park.

Starting line of The Liberty Mile in downtown Pittsburgh, PA (Photo credit: Fleet Feet Liberty Mile)

More Liberty Mile Info:

You must register for one of the official Fleet Feet Liberty Mile heats
You can only win prize money for the heat in which you're officially registered
Gun time (not chip time) is used for cash awards
Participants must be able to finish a 20-minute mile
Parents must register and pay to run with their child
Bikes, skateboards, scooters, baby joggers, strollers, roller skates and roller blades are NOT allowed on course
No handcycles and hand-cycle wheelchairs
No Pets (unless registered for the Pup Trot Mile)

August 22 | 7 PM
SCRR Food Truck 5K

FREE

The Steel City Road Runners are hosting a FREE 5K on Thursday, August 22nd. All runners are welcome! Meet at the SCRR Garage: 810 River Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA.

Race check-in at 6:30 pm. The 5K starts at 7 pm with official timing. The Coop Food Truck will be there from 6:30 to 8:30 pm. Race, then feast on some chicken and waffles.

The Coop Food Truck specializes in chicken and waffles! (Photo credit: The Coop)

August 24 | 9 AM
Run Around the Square | Frick Park

5K cost is $25; 1.5 Miler is $20; 1.5 Miler for Runner & Dog $25

Run Around the Square began in 1982. It's grown into one of Western Pennsylvania’s largest 5K races.

There's a 5K with NO dogs, and a 1.5 Mile run/walk that allows leashed dogs to participate. Owner and dog must register.

The races boast a festive atmosphere with musicians playing on the course. 1.5 Miler takes place on the streets of Regent Square. The 5K travels from the flat section of Regent Square into the heart of Frick Park.

All people participants receive a shirt. Dogs get a bandana.

Course map for Run Around the Square 5K in Pittsburgh, PA.

5K race course for Run Around the Square in Pittsburgh on August 24, 2019.

Runners in the Run Around the Square 5K in Pittsburgh.

Racing to the finish inside Frick Park. (Photo: Run Around The Square)

Runners gathered after the race in Frick Park.

The finish line party includes lots of vendors, beer, food, and more. (Photo credit: Run Around The Square)

There's a post-race party at the finish line with beer, hot dogs, snacks, and vendors.

September 21 | 10 AM
FlyBy 5K at Pittsburgh International

5K cost is $35; 2 Miler is $20

Race on the runway with your family and friends. Run or walk a 5K or 2 Miler at Pittsburgh International Airport. It's a unique race that offers views you won't get any other way.

5K is a timed-event with a 1.5 hour time limit. The 2 Mile Fun Run/Walk isn't timed, and you have up to 45 minutes to finish.

Strollers are allowed in both events, but the runner and anyone in the stroller must be registered to participate. All participants get a shirt and finisher medal.

No animals are allowed on the course unless they are a registered service animal.

Participants in the Pittsburgh International Airport FLYBY 5K.

Racers on the runway at the Pittsburgh International Airport FLYBY 5K. (Photo credit: Pittsburgh Flyby 5K)

September 28-29 | 8 AM
Richard S. Caliguiri Great Race

Saturday: Fun Run, Tot Trot & Diaper Dash are $10 until race day.
Sunday: 5K cost is $35; 10K is $40

It's a Pittsburgh Tradition! Bring the kids to Point State Park for the Dollar Bank Junior Great Race on Saturday.

Come back on Sunday to race in the Great Race 10K or 5K. where you will cross the finish line in downtown Pittsburgh. All participants must run a 12-minute pace or faster.

The 10K begins in Frick Park. The mostly downhill course travels along Forbes Avenue, Fifth Avenue, and Boulevard of the Allies before finishing in Point State Park. The 5K begins at Fifth Avenue and Atwood Street in Oakland. It follows the same route as the 10K to the finish. Map below.

10K and 5K Participants receive:

Long-sleeve, technical men’s or women’s finisher shirt
Finisher medal
USATF-certified course
Chip-time with online tracking with instant online results
Virtual Goody Bag
Post-race Food

There's an awards ceremony and raffle on Sunday in Point State Park after the races.

10K runners in Frick Park during the Pittsburgh Great Race.

Runners in Frick Park during the Great Race. (Photo credit: Great Race)

Course map for the Pittsburgh Great Race 5K and 10K events.

November 2 | 8 AM
EQT Pittsburgh 10 Miler

10K is $60; Relay is $110. Price increases on August 6.

The EQT Pittsburgh 10 Miler course takes participants on a scenic tour of Pittsburgh through historic and charismatic neighborhoods.

The start line, located near Station Square, sits along the Monongahela River with one of the best views of Downtown. There's lots of on course entertainment.

There are 4 starting line corrals:
A - Runners faster than 8-minute/mile pace
B - 8 to 8:59-minute/mile pace
C - 8:59 to 9:59-minute/mile pace
D - 10-minute/mile or slower pace

All runners receive a long sleeve tech shirt, finisher medal, timed race, and post-race food and entertainment.

Runners in the EQT Pittsburgh 10 Miler race.

Take in all the beautiful Fall colors during the EQT Pittsburgh 10 Miler. (Photo credit: EQT Pittsburgh 10 Miler)

May 1-3, 2020
Pittsburgh Marathon Weekend

Registration opens on August 13, 2019.

I ran the Pittsburgh Half in 2019, and recommend it! I'll be back soon with a link when registration opens.

Picture of downtown Pittsburgh showing the river, two bridges and downtown office buildings.

Beautiful day in Pittsburgh, PA. (Photo credit: Google)