Everything You Need to Know About Pittsburgh Marathon Weekend

PHOTO FROM PITTSBURGH MAGAZINE ARCHIVES

Just as the 2026 NFL Draft departs, another large-scale event is taking over the city: the annual Pittsburgh Marathon.

If news of the event snuck up on you, you’re not alone. Just about everything that wasn’t football related seemed to have gotten lost in the chatter last week. But fear not! This guide contains just about everything you need to know about the marathon, including which roads will be closed and when you can expect to see the most crowds.

What and When Is Marathon Weekend?

From May 1-3, a variety of events will take place across the city, although most will be held Downtown or on the North Shore. The exceptions are the 13.1-mile half marathon and the full 26.2-mile marathon, which take runners (and walkers) through the city’s diverse  neighborhoods. 

The 5K takes place at 7:30 a.m. on Saturday, May 2. It starts on West General Robinson Street next to PNC Park and ends on the Boulevard of the Allies near Point State Park. It takes runners through the lower North Side and over the Andy Warhol Bridge to the finish line Downtown.

The Kids Marathon also takes place on Saturday, May 2. The course spans a mile from the North Side to Downtown and kicks off at 9:30 a.m. Through the Kids of STEEL program, kids run a total of 25.2 miles as they train for race weekend. They cap it off with the 1-mile race, marking a full 26.2 miles. By calling it a marathon, organizers say they emphasize the importance of perseverance, health habits and movement no matter the distance.

Also on Saturday, the Toddler Trot will kick off at 8:30 a.m. in Point State Park. The short dash is a chance for kids to “take their first steps toward an active lifestyle,” organizers say.

The Champion’s Mile takes place at the same time as the Toddler Trot: 8:30 a.m. on Saturday, May 2. This event, sponsored by U.S. Steel, starts near PNC Park and ends at the same finish line as the half and full marathons. It encourages folks of all abilities to run, walk or roll to a memorable finish; the untimed event welcomes everyone in a celebration of supporting families and friends living with disabilities. 

Even your pets can get involved in Marathon Weekend. At noon on Saturday, May 2, the Pet Walk starts in Point State Park and loops through the green space, ending at the Finish Line Festival within the park.

The full marathon kicks off at 7 a.m. on Sunday, May 3 at 7 a.m. It starts at Liberty Avenue near 10th Street, winds through the Strip District, Uptown, Polish Hill, Bloomfield, Friendship, East Liberty, Highland Park, Homewood, Point Breeze, Shadyside, Oakland, the South Side, Allentown, Mount Washington, the West End, and the North Side before ending on Boulevard of the Allies near Point State Park.

The half marathon starts at the same time and place as the full marathon, and the finish line is the same, too. But paths diverge around mile 12; when the full marathon continues on to Oakland, the half circles back toward town across the Birmingham Bridge.

At 9:30 a.m. on Sunday, May 3, the Four-Mile Fitness Challenge will take over much of Liberty Avenue, from Bloomfield to Downtown. Participants will make their way through various fitness tasks at each mile, including a buoy chain pull and planks, weighted jump ropes, kettle bells, tire flips, burpees, pushups and jumping jacks. It starts at the corner of Baum Boulevard and Liberty Avenue in Bloomfield and ends on Boulevard of the Allies near Point State Park.

How Many People Will Be There?

P3R, the organization that puts on the marathon each year, says that this year’s event is expected to be the largest yet. The Pittsburgh Business Times reported that the 26.2-mile marathon has officially sold out as of early April, marking a record number of sign-ups. There are still spots available in the half marathon, back half marathon, 5K and other subevents, but more than 50,000 people are expected to come out to run this weekend, according to race organizers.

A record number of participants have also signed up to participate in the Run for a Reason Charity program, which raises funds for more than 50 charities; collectively, 4,770 runners and walkers are expected to raise more than $1.5 million to support local and national causes. 

“Seeing a record number of participants step up to support causes close to their hearts, and collectively raise more than $1.5 million, is incredibly powerful,” says Troy Schooley, CEO of P3R, in a statement. “This program continues to transform lives across our community, and we’re proud to provide a platform where every mile has a greater impact.”

How can I get around the city?

The significant road closures that take place across Marathon Weekend are the most controversial aspect of the event, and it is possible traffic troubles could be compounded by the later phases of NFL Draft-related road closures lingering through May 10. Organizers encourage everyone to plan ahead and leave early if you have to get around the city during any of the events. 

For Marathon Weekend, road closures in the Downtown area begin on Friday, May 1 at noon and will continue until late afternoon on Sunday, May 3. On Friday, Boulevard of the Allies will be closed between Wood and Stanwix streets. Roads around the North Shore and the Golden Triangle will be closed on Saturday, May 2, but the most significant road closures across the city will be on Sunday, May 3, as runners and walkers traverse the 26.2-mile course from Downtown to East Liberty and back.

Pittsburgh Regional Transit is not running additional service for the event and will be operating on its regular weekend schedule, with extensive detours, according to race organizers. Rideshares are typically readily available throughout the weekend, whether you’re looking to get Downtown early to run a race or just trying to get to work.

Most participants and spectators who drive into town for the race park on the North Shore for the weekend events, although some also park in Station Square and walk across the Smithfield Street Bridge. West General Street Garage on the North Shore opens at 5:30 a.m. on Saturday, while Gold Lots 1 and 2 open at 6 p.m. On Sunday, the garage, Gold Lots and the Red Lots open bright and early at 4 a.m. For real-time parking details, you can download the ParkPGH app.

Event organizers have provided a detailed map that offers routes in and out of the city for commuters who aren’t participating in the race. As a general rule of thumb, park outside of the marathon’s immediate footprint if you think you may need to go anywhere during peak marathon hours. 

The Marathon Weekend road closures will be supplemented by Phase 5 closures from the NFL Draft. Reedsdale Street, Chuck Noll Way and Tony Dorsett Drive remain closed through May 6.

No matter where you’re coming from or headed to, be sure to allow for extra time, especially if you’re going anywhere near the North Shore or Downtown. Marathon Weekend celebrates the city’s unique neighborhoods, promotes healthy living and benefits numerous charities, both locally and nationally. It is well worth a few days of heavier traffic and detours. 

What About the Live Well Expo? 

At the David L. Lawrence Convention Center Downtown, an expo celebrating all things health and wellness opens to the general public at 11 a.m. on Friday, May 1. (VIPs can get in starting at 10 a.m.) 

Expo admission is not limited to Marathon Weekend participants; it’s free and open to the public! However, it is where participants will pick up their race bibs and event T-shirts throughout the weekend. In order to pick up your race packet, you’ll have to provide your bib number (a link to which should be in a confirmation email), as well as a photo ID. 

At the expo, you’ll find vendors like 4Run2, Dicks Sporting Goods and Brooks selling fitness apparel, socks and shoes, as well as local businesses selling their wares. And, there’s usually free Chick-fil-A sandwiches involved.