The Campus Challenge connects college students across Western PA with exclusive discounts, school spirit, and a community built around movement. Here is how to get your campus involved.
A new school year brings new goals, new friendships, and a fresh start. For college students across Western PA, it also brings a new challenge. The Campus Challenge is giving enrolled students at nine local colleges and universities the chance to represent their school, get active, and cross the finish line of one of the best spring marathons in the country. Here is what the program is and how your campus can get involved.
What is the Campus Challenge?
The Campus Challenge is P3R's official college and university participation program, connecting students with exlcusive discounts and perks for the 2027 DICK'S Sporting Goods Pittsburgh Marathon Weekend. Starting in October 2026, enrolled students can lock in flat-rate registration for the DICK'S Sporting Goods Pittsburgh Marathon or the UPMC Health Plan Pittsburgh Half Marathon. Student groups can also sponsor on course cheer stations or organize volunteer teams on race day, giving campuses a presence on Pittsburgh's buggest running weekend beyond the start line.
Built for the Demands of Student Life
College is one of the most demanding chapters of a person's life. Academics, internships, athletics, and everything in between can pile up fast. Phyiscal activity is one of the most effective tools students have to manage it all.
Frances McPeek, the director of Robert Morris University's Campus Recreation Center put it simply: "Students are in a stressful part of their lives, and it is important that we can offer an outlet to help manage their stress and educate them on health and fitness, which can be built upon even post-graduation."
The Campus Challenge gives students a concrete goal to work toward, a community to train with, and an experience that carries well beyond the finish line.
School Spirit Meets the Start Line
There is something unique about representing your school on a race course. The Campus Challenge turns marathon weekend into a friendly competition of school pride, with students from nine Western PA universities lining up together, pushing each other, and cheering each other on.
For RMU, the fit feels natural. "The P3R Campus Challenge is a great partnership and being able to provide our students with options for runs and walks throughout the community is great," said McPeek. "We also have a decent student population that enjoys being involved with the DICK'S Sporting Goods Pittsburgh Marathon, and being able to offer deals is a great added bonus."
Use the Campus Challenge as a reason to start a run club, build a training group, or organize a cheer station for your school on race day. The connections you make training for race day have a way of sticking around forever.
Ready to Join?
The Campus Challenge is open to enrolled students at Carlow University, Carnegie Mellon University, Chatham University, Duquense University, La Roche University, Point Park University, Robert Morris University, Slippery Rock University, and the University of Pittsburgh. Don't see your school? Email campuschallenge@p3r.org to get your campus started.
Sign up here using your school (.edu) email. Flat-rate registration begins in October 2026. Start the semester on the right foot.
About P3R
P3R is the region’s go-to premier sporting event and experience expert. While best known for the annual DICK’S Sporting Goods Pittsburgh Marathon, P3R organizes up to 20 major events every year. With a rich history of working with top-tier clients such as the Pittsburgh Steelers, UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, the Pittsburgh Penguins, the National Senior Games, and more, P3R brings operational excellence to every aspect of event planning and execution. As part of P3R’s non-profit mission to inspire any and all to MOVE with us, we provide premium event experiences and robust programming - including the Run for a Reason Charity Program, award-winning Kids of STEEL program, Pittsburgh Corporate Challenge, RUN Varsity, and more - that engage everyone in the Western Pennsylvania community and beyond.