Next race
Sunday, 2 May 2027
7:00 am start
Distance
42.195 km / 26.2 mi
Urban road
Elevation
Hilly · 284 m gain
284 m climbing
Race profile
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.
Approximately 5,000 finishers
Course & terrain
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 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.
Hilly · 284 m gain — approx. 233 m above sea level
↑ 284 m · ↓ 286 m · net −2 m
Registration
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.
Getting there
Pittsburgh International Airport (PIT)
21 km / 13 mi
Race footage
Common questions
Official resources
Last updated 11 October 2026. Edition dates and course details are reviewed regularly.
Close to this race
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, 25 September 2027
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: Saturday, 15 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, 5 September 2027
The Columbus Marathon draws approximately 4,500 finishers on an urban road in Columbus, United States. The course starts and finishes at North Bank Park (311 W Long St). The route passes the Ohio Statehouse, Short North, Ohio State University, German Village, and Nationwide Children's Hospital. 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, 30 May 2027
The Marine Corps Marathon is one of the world's largest marathons, drawing approximately 16k finishers on a point-to-point road in Washington, D.C., United States. The course runs from the Pentagon in Arlington to the Marine Corps War Memorial (Iwo Jima). The route crosses the Arlington Memorial Bridge into Washington, D.C., passing the Lincoln Memorial, National Mall monuments, and Hains Point before finishing in Arlington. Rolling terrain with climbs on Memorial Bridge and at Hains Point.
Next race: Sunday, 25 October 2026
Planning guides
Practical guides to help you plan, train for, and run this race.
What flat, rolling, and hilly really mean — and how to read elevation gain, net change, and altitude on a marathon course.
How temperature, humidity, wind, and rain affect marathon performance — and how to use typical race-day weather when choosing a start line.
Match a race to your goals — personal bests, sightseeing, atmosphere, or a major milestone — using course data and realistic expectations.
