Organizers, Runners Get In Last-Minute Preps For Marathon

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) -- The Dick's Sporting Goods Pittsburgh Marathon is now just hours away.

A record 22,000 runners are resting up right now to get ready to hit the streets Sunday morning.

On Saturday, pre-race preparations were off and running, including new safety procedures for the race.

Pasta and bread were on the menu as hundreds of runners and their families converged on The Spaghetti Warehouse in the Strip District to carb up.

"Tonight there are guests from all over. I've talked to guests from West Virginia, from Michigan, from Boston, Cincinnati," said Chris Beers, the restaurant's manager. "We've got guests from all over the place and it's really neat to see them come together and bond as runners as tomorrow they compete against each other."

This is the third year The Spaghetti Warehouse hosted the pre-race, carbo-loading event.

Earlier on Saturday at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center, runners went on a shopping marathon. The latest in running equipment was on sale at the GNC Live Well Health and Fitness Expo.

While the adults will pound the pavement Sunday, on Saturday morning some junior runners obliged adoring crowds during the 1 Mile Fun Run on the North Shore.

"I like running because I think it gets me stronger," said Ridge Vlha, one of the pint-sized participants.

Ryan Clark, of the Pittsburgh Steelers, kicked off the event. Then, every child received a medal after the race.

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Pittsburgh Marathon
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