Crews Preparing For Busy Pittsburgh Marathon Weekend
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) - In a town known for a confluence of rivers, there is a confluence of the fit and healthy descending on the David L. Lawrence Convention Center.
Runners from all over the world are arriving for the Dick's Sporting Goods Pittsburgh Marathon.
For James Craig of East Liberty who finished the race last year, this year there is more motivation, "my goal this year is to run for the folks in Boston, but also to cross the finish line in an upright position."
Gene Pido sees the Marathon as just the latest challenge in an ongoing season of running, "This season I did a JCStone 50 k, which is about 50 miles, followed by a 30 k, then I did a 24 hour endurance race in Cleveland just two weeks ago."
The marathon's 5k runs Saturday, and then the half-marathon and marathon are on Sunday.
Neighborhoods like Bloomfield will turn the day into an overgrown block party which means a good day for Roslyn Dukes at Mama Ros's Sandwich Shop, "we stay busy the entire time. It's fun, it's nuts but it's really fun."
As usual the race will conclude in Point State Park where security is tight and the post Boston preparations are almost complete.
Pittsburgh Emergency Management Director Ray DeMichei says, "We're dotting the i's and crossing the t's as we speak."
More than three dozen runners who weren't able to complete the Boston Marathon because of the deadly bombing are getting a second chance to cross the finish line.
Pittsburgh Marathon officials say the race's big sponsor, Dick's Sporting Goods, is footing the bill to bring 37 runners to the city so they can run on Sunday.
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