Great Race A Family Affair For Caliguiris

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) – One of Pittsburgh's most popular races is just over a week away.

The "Great Race" is one of the biggest of the year for local runners.

But it holds a special significance for the family of Pittsburgh's late former mayor Richard Caliguiri.

The 38th running of the Richard S. Caliguiri City of Pittsburgh Race is still a week away, but for months now the son and grandson of the former mayor have been in training.

David Caliguiri was only 5 years old in 1977 when his father, the mayor, founded the Great Race. Today he has three kids of his own, including 12-year-old Max, who's worked his way up from all the kids events to the big race.

"I've run every one," Max said. "From the diaper dash, to the tot trot, the 1-mile run, the 5K and the 10K."

"As a parent, it's probably one of the greatest gifts in life," said David. "When you can share something that's a tradition in your family with your own kids."

The race has swelled from a few hundred runners that first year to more than 12,000 today. A fitting testament to a mayor who helped transform Pittsburgh from its smoke stacked past into a more vibrant, healthier city.

"My father just wanted tan event that was fun for the people of Pittsburgh and showcased the city and I don't know an event that does that better than the Great Race," said David.

And so every year now the Caliguiri's Great Race is a three generational family affair – a celebration of the life of a great mayor and the town he loved so well.

And the Great Race is about family, the Caliguiri family and thousands of others throughout the Greater Pittsburgh area. Because on that Sunday morning, on the starting line of Frick Park, we're all one, big, happy family.

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