More than 1,500 Runners and Walkers Started Their Journey to Marathon Weekend at annual Kickoff Training Run

PITTSBURGH – More than 1,500 runners and walkers gathered this morning in Pittsburgh’s Strip District to officially kick off training for the 2026 DICK’S Sporting Goods Pittsburgh Marathon Weekend of Events. The annual Marathon Weekend Training Kickoff Run, hosted by P3R, marked the beginning of a four-month journey toward one of the city’s most anticipated spring traditions.The 2026 event is expected to attract a record-breaking 50,000 participants across Marathon Weekend events, scheduled for May 1–3, 2026.

Adding to the momentum, both the DICK’S Sporting Goods Pittsburgh Marathon and the UPMC Health Plan Pittsburgh Half Marathon were recently recognized by Runner’s World as two of the top spring races to run in 2026, placing Pittsburgh among the world’s most iconic running destinations.

“The energy we see at events like today’s Training Kickoff is what makes Pittsburgh Marathon Weekend so special,” said Troy Schooley, P3R CEO. “It’s not just about the miles—it’s about the people, the community, and the commitment to moving together.”

Participants were led by the Peoples Pace Team and P3R Pace Team on 5K and 10K training routes, with multiple pace options designed to support runners and walkers of all experience levels. For many, the Training Kickoff Run has become a meaningful New Year tradition and an energizing way to commit to Marathon Weekend goals.

The kickoff event also featured on-site activations and support from a wide range of partners who will play a role throughout the training season and race weekend, including Bare Performance Nutrition, Brooks Running, Busy Beaver, Chicken of the Sea, Magee-Womens Research Institute, Forvis Mazars, Precision Metrics Labs, Runna, Turner’s, Urban Trail, WESCO,and UPMC Sports Performance. Participants also had the opportunity to connect with Run for a Reason Charity Program partners and learn how they can support local causes while earning a free race registration.

Registration for the 2026 DICK’S Sporting Goods Pittsburgh Marathon Weekend of Events is currently open, with prices set to increase on January 15. Participants are encouraged to register early to secure the best rates.For more information or to register, visit 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

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.