Pittsburgh Marathon offers money as incentive
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To attract runners trying to qualify for the U.S. Olympic Team Trials, the Pittsburgh Marathon added monetary incentives to its growing elite program.
American runners who finish well enough in the race, which begins at 7 a.m. Sunday, can qualify for the marathon at the January 2012 Olympic Trials in Houston, where the top three men and women qualify for the 2012 Summer Olympics in London. Men who finish in 2:19 or under and women who run a 2:39 or under earn an "A" qualification time and receive funding to travel to Houston. Women who finish at 2:46 or under earn a "B" time and qualify but don't receive funding. Runners also can qualify in the half marathon -- 1:05 for the men, 1:15 for the women.
This year, the marathon will give $1,500 to the top American male and female who earn their first "A" time and $1,000 to the second- and third-place "A" qualifiers, all of whom also earn $750 in gift certificates. All other first-time "A" qualifiers and all first-time "B" qualifiers receive $500.
PG VIDEO: MARATHON COURSE"We're treating them really well," marathon administrative assistant Kelsey Jackson said. "We have great incentives."
This year, there is a wait list for the elites, or competitive runners, who qualify based on previous race times, due to the availability of funds for hotel rooms. In addition to waiving the race entry fee and providing lodging and a per diem, the marathon will provide the elite runners with a guided tour of the course, a technical meeting about race day procedures and access to special areas post-race. The marathon also will have pacers this year, experienced runners who will run the race at the men's and women's qualifying times.
"From the minute they come off their flight to the minute they leave our city and are done with this, finished with the marathon, we take care of them," race director Patrice Matamoros said.
First Published May 8, 2011 12:00 am
