Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States
The Pittsburgh Marathon draws approximately 5,000 finishers on an urban road in Pittsburgh, United States. The course starts and finishes at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center. The route crosses the city's three rivers via multiple bridges, passing PNC Park and Mount Washington. Hilly with repeated bridge climbs throughout.
Pittsburgh Marathon is a certified 42.195 km (26.2 mile) marathon — the standard World Athletics marathon distance.
The next Pittsburgh Marathon is scheduled for Sunday, 2 May 2027 with a 7:00 am start. The certified course covers 42.195 km (26.2 miles) with 284 m of climbing on a hilly with notable climbs layout.
The Pittsburgh Marathon is a hilly city loop starting and finishing at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center, crossing the rivers and climbing through neighbourhoods known for steep streets and bridges. The flatter river-level sections are the easiest places to recover rhythm, while the repeated bridge climbs and neighbourhood hills are the tougher work; crowd support is strongest downtown, on the major bridge crossings, and along the North Shore and Oakland corridors.
The Pittsburgh Marathon course is hilly with notable climbs over 42.195 km (26.2 miles). Runners cover 284 metres of climbing and 286 metres of descent, with a net descent of 2 metres from start to finish.
The DICK'S Sporting Goods Pittsburgh Marathon uses open registration at thepittsburghmarathon.com with no ballot or qualifying time. Sign-up for the May race typically opens the previous September and tiered pricing increases over the winter. Charity bibs are available through official partner organisations, and the full marathon can sell out given the city's strong running community.
Race-day footage from the course to help you picture the route, crowds, and key landmarks on marathon day.
Last updated 18 July 2026. Edition dates and course details are reviewed regularly.
Other races closest to Pittsburgh.
The Akron Marathon attracts approximately 1,500 finishers each September through the Rubber City on the Ohio & Erie Canal. The course passes Stan Hywet Hall, the Akron Art Museum, and the canal towpath on rolling northeast Ohio terrain. September's crisp Midwest autumn and the intimate community atmosphere make it one of Ohio's best-loved marathons.
Next race: Saturday, 26 September 2026
The Cleveland Marathon draws approximately 4,500 finishers on an urban road in Cleveland, United States. The course starts and finishes in downtown Cleveland. The route crosses the Hope Memorial Bridge, passes Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and follows the Lake Erie shoreline. Hilly with climbs on the Hope Memorial Bridge and through Ohio City.
Next race: Sunday, 16 May 2027
The Erie Marathon draws approximately 1,300 finishers each September on a lakeside loop road in Erie, United States. Running almost entirely inside a state park gives it an unusually calm race-day feel for a fast marathon. The loop passes Lake Erie shoreline, wooded park roads, and wide open lake views with almost no climbing. The course is very flat throughout.
Next race: Sunday, 6 September 2026
The Columbus Marathon draws approximately 4,500 finishers on an urban road in Columbus, United States. The course starts and finishes at the Ohio Statehouse. The route passes the Short North, Ohio State University, and German Village. Very flat throughout.
Next race: Sunday, 18 October 2026
The Buffalo Marathon draws approximately 1,209 finishers each May on an urban road in Buffalo, United States. Western New York's signature Memorial Day marathon combines a flat course with strong local crowd support. The route passes Delaware Park, waterfront stretches along Lake Erie, and Buffalo neighborhoods on a flat urban loop. The course is very flat throughout.
Next race: Sunday, 2 May 2027
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