Defending Champion Jane Bareikis and Hometown Star Will Loevner Lead Elite Field for 2025 DICK’S Sporting Goods Pittsburgh Marathon

PITTSBURGH – Defending champion Jane Bareikis and Pittsburgh native Will Loevner headline a talented group of professional runners competing at the 2025 DICK’S Sporting Goods Pittsburgh Marathon, scheduled for Sunday, May 4.

Bareikis, who captured her first Pittsburgh Marathon title in 2024 with a time of 2:37:37, returns looking to defend her crown. With a personal best of 2:29:00, she’s one of the fastest U.S. women in the field and hopes to bring even more heat to this year’s race.

“I am so excited to come back to Pittsburgh to defend my title,” Bareikis said. “This race has amazing crowd support. Training has gone well, and I am ready to put myself in position to defend the title. It will not be easy but I am excited for the opportunity to be here. Pittsburgh is a special place for me. It was my first-ever marathon win, and it would mean everything to be able to win again.”

Joining her in the women’s field is Megan O’Neil of the Hansons-Brooks Original Distance Project, who will make her Pittsburgh debut after a standout 2024 season. Ethiopia’s Aberu Mekuria Zennebe, with a blazing 2:24:30 personal best, will also be one to watch after finishing runner-up at the 2024 Philadelphia Marathon. Rounding out the top women is Chaltu Fikadu Marame, winner of the 2023 Bucharest Marathon.

On the men’s side, all eyes will be on Loevner, a Winchester Thurston graduate who placed second in 2024 and has since won the Philadelphia Marathon. With a personal best of 2:16:52 and unmatched course familiarity, he’s eager to break the tape in front of a hometown crowd.

“Pittsburgh is the toughest, hardest working city I know and I hope to channel that grit for the Marathon,” Loevner said. “Nothing makes me more excited than racing my heart out in the city that I love. Ever since I was a kid I’ve loved the Pittsburgh Marathon and to have a shot to make my city proud means everything.”

Loevner will face stiff competition from Zimbabwe’s Bradley Makuvire, fresh off a victory at the 2025 Austin Marathon; American marathon veteran Juris Silenieks, who continues to chase sub-2:14; and Ethiopia’s Mulgeta Birhanu Feyissa, who owns a world-class 2:09:56 personal best and finished second at the 2024 Philadelphia Marathon.

The 2025 DICK’S Sporting Goods Pittsburgh Marathon and UPMC Health Plan Pittsburgh Half Marathon offer a prize purse totaling $102,000.

For more information about the 2025 DICK’S Sporting Goods Pittsburgh Marathon Weekend of Events, visit:www.ThePittsburghMarathon.com.

About the DICK’S Sporting Goods Pittsburgh Marathon Weekend of Events  

The Pittsburgh Marathon was held annually from 1985-2003. After a five-year hiatus, the DICK’S Sporting Goods Pittsburgh Marathon was relaunched in 2009 and debuted with a sold-out field of 10,000 participants. It has grown each year since, evolving from a single race day into a weekend of events for the whole family that annually attracts  more than 45,000 runners. Read more at: ThePittsburghMarathon.com  

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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.  

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