Insider's Guide: The Pittsburgh Marathon

Get the inside tips and tricks about how to make the most of Marathon Weekend in Pittsburgh

With more than 40,000 runners of all ages and abilities, Pittsburgh is excited to welcome back the Pittsburgh Marathon Weekend on May 5, 2024! This year's Race Weekend features the Marathon, Half Marathon, Marathon Relay, 5K, Kids One-Mile, Toddler Trot and Pet Walk. Check out the 2024 Course Maps available starting in January!

Pittsburgh's beautiful landscape provides a scenic backdrop for the DICK'S Sporting Goods Pittsburgh Marathon offering breathtaking views of the city's bridges and rivers. The urban course weaves through many of our 90 unique neighborhoods filled with supportive crowds to cheer you on. There are lots of fun events and festivities going on throughout the city, so make plans now to stay for the entire Race Weekend!

Pittsburgh Marathon Interactive Map

In town for the first time? We created this interactive map full of everything you need for race weekend, including everything from nearby trails and grocery stores to restaurants, things to do and breweries to celebrate at when you finish!

Places To Eat

Pittsburgh is filled with plenty of places to carb up before the big race. Treat yourself to a sumptuous breakfast in the Strip District, a one-half square mile shopping district lined with ethnic grocers, produce stands, meat and fish markets, sidewalk vendors, bars and restaurants. Dine at one of Pittsburgh's iconic diners like Deluca's, Pamela's or Kelly O's.

And, every trip to Pittsburgh must include a famous Primanti Bros. sandwich, stacked high and topped with coleslaw and french fries. Need more? Relish our guides to eating Downtown, where to find the best pierogis, noodles and so much more.

Diverse Nutrition Options

Dietary restrictions are no worries in the city of Pittsburgh with plenty of excellent restaurants to help accommodate! Follow our vegan guide to Pittsburgh for some world-renowned cuisine and James Beard-nominated chefs, big reasons why we're considered a top foodie city.

Multiple halal restaurants are located right in Downtown Pittsburgh including top-ranked Alihan's Mediterranean Cuisine (they also have a spot next-door with halal breakfast), Rosewater Mediterranean and Sultan Doner Gyro all within a five-minute walk of each other. Salem's Market & Grill in the Strip is another storied halal stop.

Kosher options are available as well, with most locations in and around Squirrel Hill, a historically Jewish neighborhood. Enjoy Eighteen for sit-down dining, Milky Way for a kosher pizzeria experience, Pigeon Bagels for breakfast pastries and coffee and Murray Ave. Kosher for groceries.

Close-up of cooked meat served with salad and rice

Things To Do

The experiences and activities that you can see, do and find Only in Pittsburgh make a visit to our region truly stand apart. While you're in Pittsburgh for race weekend, be sure to check out unique places like The Andy Warhol Museum, the largest single-artist museum in the United States, the National Aviary, the country's largest bird zoo, The Roberto Clemente Museum and so much more!

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The National Aviary

Outdoor Adventure

Pittsburgh has lots of beautiful parks and scenic trails where you can stretch and loosen up for the big race. Point State Park sits in the middle of Downtown and has great views of the city and Pittsburgh's three rivers. North Shore Riverfront Park and Trail is an easy walk along the river across from the convention center, and the Three Rivers Heritage Trail is a 24-mile multi-use riverfront trail with access to city neighborhoods and local attractions.

Be sure to get out on the water, too! Stunning views of the city await you on Pittsburgh's three rivers. Relax and let someone else do all of the work on Cruisin' Tiki, a tiki bar right on the river. More tours on the water are available from the Gateway Clipper, including sightseeing and dinner cruises on colorful riverboats.

Post Race Celebrations

Pittsburgh loves a good party and there are many places around the city for a post-race celebratory drink! Near the finish line is Market Square, filled with entertainment, bars and restaurants like City Works, Revel + Roost and Five Iron Golf.

Venture down Penn Ave. for a specialty cocktail at The Warren, Tako or Social House 7. Or, head over to the Northside area to experience some of the city's craft breweries including Late Addition brewing + Blending, Allegheny City Brewing and Threadbare Cider House.

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Le Claire

Special Events Race Weekend

There's always something going on in Pittsburgh, from festivals to concerts and special events. Here's some other special events to check out race weekend:

Getting Around Pittsburgh

Whether by riverboat, trolley, funicular and everything in between, there's plenty of ways to get around the city and to and from Pittsburgh International Airport.

Follow our guides to riding the Inclines, using public transportation and other ways to get around in the city of Pittsburgh.

We can't wait to cheer on all the runners in the 2024 Pittsburgh Marathon! Good luck and don't forget to tag us in your race weekend pics using #LovePGH.

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Jared B.

Author

Jared B.

Enthusiastic Pittsburgher

Always in search of the next great craft beer and arcade. Can be found in the Supporters Section of Pittsburgh Riverhounds games and at whatever festival is happening in the city.

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