Home >  Sports >  Other Sports

Sunday, April 27, 2003

By Ray Fittipaldo, Post-Gazette Sports Writer

The UPMC/City of Pittsburgh Marathon made a name for itself in recent years when it played host to the U.S. men's national championships in 1997 and '98 and served as the U.S. Olympic team trials in 2000.

This year, for the third year in a row, race director Larry Grollman has concentrated his efforts on attracting an elite field of international runners. With an increased purse, Grollman said he has compiled the best field for the race, which will be a week from today.

	Online Map: Pittsburgh Marathon route

"Our men's elite field is the strongest we've ever had," said Grollman, who is in his seventh year as race director. "Our women's field will be strong as well. It was great being a championship venue all those years, but Pittsburgh likes seeing all the different international runners, too. Now we have an outstanding elite event that still has national interest."

The first-place male and female finishers will take home $12,500 in cash, up from $10,000 last year. If the male winner finishes in 2 hours, 12 minutes or faster and the female winner finishes in 2:32 or better, each will receive an additional $2,500 in a bonus prize.

The male and female winners last year ran 2:14:53 and 2:31:45, respectively.

The men's race last year ended in controversy after Eliud Kering, the leader entering the final lap at Heinz Field, failed to negotiate a sharp turn at the field's entrance and was passed by Reuben Chesang, who took advantage of the gaffe and raced to victory.

Kering took responsibility for the mistake and did not blame race organizers, but there was enough negative feedback from other runners concerning the route that Grollman decided to make a change.

This year, runners will cross over to the North Side from the Clemente Bridge and onto Federal Street. They will make a left onto General Robinson Street, a right onto Dorsett Drive and then a left onto Reedsdale Street. They will continue on Reedsdale until reaching Heinz Field, then turn left at Gate 6 and run straight through the tunnel and onto the field. They will run a partial lap around the field with the finish line at the 50-yard line on the east side of the field.

Last year, runners made a right turn off Reedsdale into Heinz Field. The only other major change to the course this year is the closing of the 16th Street Bridge, which forced organizers to adjust the route.

"We simplified it," Grollman said of the finish-line change. "A lot of people didn't like running the full circumference of Heinz Field. We listened to the runners. There are always turns you have to make. It will be well-marked, and we will have a volunteer at the turn. It was well-marked and a volunteer was there last year, too. But we did what we could to minimize any confusion."

There are a few other changes that will make the race unique this year. For the first time in the 19-year history of the event, a half-marathon will be offered to runners taking part in the Mellon Relay races. This was done because of the growing popularity of half marathons and relays for those who cannot commit to a training regimen for a full, 26.2-mile race.

In addition to the four-member teams that competed in the previous relay events, there will be two- and three-person teams this year. On a two-person team, each will run a half marathon (13.1 miles). On a three-person team, the half-marathoner will run the second half with the other team members splitting the first two legs.

On the four-person teams, the the first runs 7.9 miles; the second two 5.2 miles; the third7.9 miles and the fourth 5.3 miles.

A free shuttle bus service was added this year for relay runners only that will go from race zone to zone.

Marathon walkers will start at 7 a.m., 45 minutes before the runners to ensure the walkers' safety whilestreets were blocked from traffic. The wheelchair marathon begins at 7:35 with the runners starting at 7:45. The relay competition begins at 8, with the wheelchair 5K starting at 8:10 and the 5K run/walk at 8:15.

Grollman said participation this year could challenge the numbers from last year, which were the second highest in the history of the event behind only the 2000 race.