More than 700 people have registered to run in Pittsburgh's first marathon since 2003.
Planners of the Dick's Sporting Goods Pittsburgh Marathon and local leaders on Sunday touted and publicized the return of the race, scheduled for May 3, by holding a kickoff event Downtown.
"I think the region struggled when this was canceled," said Allegheny County Executive Dan Onorato, speaking near the event's starting line outside the David L. Lawrence Convention Center.
"It's back after five years," he said. "The goal is to bring it back and make it a leading event in the country."
The marathon has not been run since 2003. Then-Mayor Tom Murphy canceled the 2004 race after the title sponsor, the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, backed out.
The city could not afford to pay for the event on its own, Murphy said.
The marathon's renewal primarily is due to new sponsorships such as Dick's Sporting Goods, Respironics and, as of Friday, Volkswagen. Dick's committed to sponsoring the event for three years. It has not disclosed the amount of its contribution.
The race's renewal is welcome news to local runners for a simple reason.
"It's close," said Eric Ripper, 38, who plans to run the event with his wife, Dannielle, 34, of Baden.
Local runners have the advantage of not having to travel and lodge elsewhere to run a marathon in an unfamiliar city, Ripper said.
The Rippers say the Pittsburgh race does not have too many ups and downs despite the city's hilly topography.
"I think Pittsburgh will be easier with regard to the hills," Dannielle Ripper said. "And, it'll be nicer because I know a lot of people here."
The first Pittsburgh marathon was in 1985 and attracted about 2,500 runners. By 2003, it had grown to about 6,000 participants from all 50 states and 20 countries.
