Marathon, Pens & Pirates' Fans Could Cause Weekend Traffic Woes
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) -- It is hands down Pittsburgh's biggest spectacle of the year.
This year's theme for the Pittsburgh Marathon is "Run Home to Pittsburgh." And plenty will do just that.
"We'll have over 30,000 participants throughout the weekend, but when you add in spectators that are at the start line, the finish line and on the course, probably about 100,000," says Pittsburgh Marathon Director Patrice Matamoros.
You can add to that a 1:35 p.m. start time for the Pirates at PNC Park who will be hosting the Toronto Blue Jay, as well as what's shaping up to be Game 2 of the second round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs over at CONSOL Energy Center.
That's three major events in one day, but it's not without precedent. It happened in 2010.
Matamoros says the key is planning.
The North Shore lots will open at 4 a.m. for the marathon runners. But they are also needed for Pirates' fans.
"As far as overlap, our runners are out of the North Shore before the people even come in," Matamoros says.
But Pirates' fans and Penguins' fans need to understand that Liberty Avenue from the Strip District to Smithfield Street, as well as the length of Smithfield to the Boulevard of the Allies and the lower end of the boulevard will be closed to traffic for the runners.
So, plan ahead which side of the closed street you want to end up on when you arrive Downtown.
"Make sure you give yourself an hour and a half to get somewhere, just like you were going to the airport," Matamoros said.
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