P3R’s American Development Program Reaches New Heights in 2016

PITTSBURGH – At P3R’s signature events this year, a record number of 73 American runners competed and earned a record $92,500 in prize money as a result of its American Development Program (ADP). Dedicated to offering a competitive prize purse, providing unique community engagement opportunities and committing to a clean sport, the program, in its third year, has made Pittsburgh a destination for top Americans who have represented the U.S. on the global stage as well as those with dreams of making a World Championship or Olympic team.

“Since launching the American Development Program in 2014, P3R has tripled the number of American professional runners who compete in Pittsburgh,” said Patrice Matamoros, P3R CEO. “The program has had tangible impact for the athletes and our events.”

Highlights of the 2016 American Development Program include:

• $171,950 of prize purse money awarded at P3R events in 2016, including $92,500 to American athletes.
• Emily Sisson and Leonard Korir both ran the fastest 10 mile times by an American – 52:03 and 47:13, respectively – for 2016 at the EQT Pittsburgh 10 Miler, a PRRO Circuit event.
• More than 100 P3R alumni competed in the U.S. Olympic Marathon and Track & Field Trials.
• Heather Kampf captured her fourth GNC Live Well Liberty Mile crown in 4:33.
  2016 U.S. Olympian Ben Blankenship made his Pittsburgh debut and won the GNC Live Well Liberty Mile, clocking 4:02.
• P3R continued its sponsorship of Team USA Minnesota, a post-collegiate distance training center focused on developing Olympians and national champions.

“The Liberty Mile is always one of my favorite races of the season, particularly thanks to the incredible fans and running community that has embraced me as ‘one of their own,’” Kampf said. “Those fans are what make me ‘want it more’ and find that extra gear when I need it at the end. This year was particularly special to celebrate the 5th anniversary of the Liberty Mile with a win!”

In addition to the financial support, the American Development Program also inspires the next generation runners by connecting professional athletes with students participating in P3R’s award-winning Kids of STEEL program.

Highlights of P3R’s community engagement in 2016:

• More than 500 drawings, letters and photos created by students at 24 Kids of STEEL sites were delivered to 20 athletes before they competed at the U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials. The notes and pictures urge athletes to eat healthy, get plenty of sleep and to “please try to finish in the top three.” The project was featured in Runner’s World.
• DICK’S Sporting Goods Pittsburgh Marathon headliners Serena Burla, Yihunlish Bekele and Rob Molke were pen pals with more than 80 Kids of STEEL participants at Waynesburg Central Elementary who were training for the Toyota of Pittsburgh Kids Marathon.
• Before competing at the EQT Pittsburgh 10 Miler, USA 10K champion Emily Sisson and DICK’S Sporting Goods Pittsburgh Marathon champions Clara Santucci (2014-15) and Jeffrey Eggleston (2011) visited 125 4th graders at Avonworth Elementary to inspire them before they started their training for the Toyota of Pittsburgh Kids Marathon.
• Blankenship and GNC Live Liberty Mile champions Kampf and Jordan McNamara visited Ben Franklin Elementary and participated in an assembly about health and running at the school.

P3R is committed to a drug-free, clean sport and completed more than 20 drug tests in 2016. To read P3R’s drug policy, click here.

For more information about the American Development Program, visit: www.thepittsburghmarathon.com/American-development-program

About the Pittsburgh Three Rivers Marathon, Inc. (P3R)

P3R is a nonprofit organization that is passionate about promoting the love of running and enhancing community access to health & fitness education and activities. Best known for organizing the acclaimed annual DSG Pittsburgh Marathon, we also run a variety of other high-quality races, events and health & fitness programs throughout the Pittsburgh region. While many of our races attract some of the nation’s highest-profile professional athletes, we offer activities for all ages and ability levels. The only criterion for participation is a desire to be happy, healthy and active! Learn more at: www.P3R.org

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