Race Weekend Q&A

That's really up to you! There are several garages and lots around the downtown area - try using the ParkPGH app for real-time capacity for Pittsburgh's garages.

Remember that some roads will already be closed (review the Getting Around Town info), so you might need to navigate around those closures to get to your selected parking location.

For Saturday's events, most participants park on the North Shore.

For Sunday's events, we've heard of people parking EVERYWHERE. Some park on the North Shore and walk across one of the bridges; some park in Station Square and cross the Smithfield St. Bridge; and others prefer to park as close to the start line as possible.

Go to Booth 362 in the Health & Fitness Expo to swap!

If you would like to switch your registration to a new event, log into your Race Roster account. Once you are logged in, you will see a box labeled Transfer on both the right or left sides of the screen. Please click on the box and then select Transfer to New Participant and complete the steps as directed. If you purchased a protection policy during your registration, please visit https://www.fanshield.com/ to file a claim.

Please note that switches and transfers will remain open through the start of the each event. To save time, we recommend completing your switch or transfer prior to arriving at the Expo. The fee is $30 plus any applicable change in registration fee.

Here's what we can tell you: what time(s) everything starts and what time(s) the corrals open. What we can't tell you is whether you'll have to wait in line for your race gear (if your event is on Saturday*), whether you'll have to walk far to get to the start line based on how you're getting downtown, whether there will be traffic, etc. Our best advice? Give yourself PLENTY of time to travel from your home (or wherever you're staying) (also, remember that some roads will already be closed, so give yourself EXTRA time), park (if you're driving), wait in line to pick up your bib (if your event is on Saturday and you don't come to the Expo on Friday*), and walk to the start line. As a reminder, here are the start times for each event:

Saturday, May 4, 2024:

• 8 AM - UPMC Health Plan | UPMC Sports Medicine Pittsburgh 5K starts
• 8:30 AM - Sheetz Pittsburgh Toddler Trot starts 
• 9 AM - U. S. Steel Pittsburgh Champions Mile starts
• 9:30 AM - Chick-fil-A Pittsburgh Kids Marathon starts
• Noon - Pittsburgh Pet Walk starts

Sunday, May 5, 2024:

• 5:30 AM - Start line corrals open for Marathon, Half Marathon, and Relay on Liberty Avenue
• 6:50 AM - Handcycle division begins
• 7 AM - Elite athletes begin; Corrals A-E start and continue through 7:40 AM
  • DICK'S Sporting Goods Pittsburgh Marathon
  • UPMC Health Plan Pittsburgh Half Marathon
  • FedEx Pittsburgh Marathon Relay
• 9 AM - BACK Half Marathon starts (Oakland)
• 9:30 AM - Oxford Athletic Club 4-Mile Fitness Challenge starts (Bloomfield)

*Remember - there's no race day bib pickup for Sunday events unless you purchase Will Call!

We'll send you a link when bib numbers are available - anticipated April 30!

Bib numbers will only be shared for marathon, half marathon, relay, and 5K races. You will need to know your bib number to pick up your race gear at the expo.

If you are participating in the 4-mile fitness challenge, champions mile, kids marathon, toddler trot, or pet walk, your bibs will be organized alphabetically by last name - you will not need to know your bib number ahead of time.

At the Health & Fitness Expo on May 3-4, 2024!

If you are participating in the 5K, champions mile, kids marathon, toddler trot, or pet walk, you do have the option to pick up your bib on Saturday morning (although we strongly encourage you to NOT wait until race morning to pick up your gear!). 

If you are participating in the marathon, half marathon (including the BACK half marathon and walking division), relay, or 4-mile fitness challenge, your must pick up your race gear at the Expo. 

Yep! You can authorize another individual to retrieve your race packet on your behalf. The individual picking up your packet is required to show the following items:

• Their own Photo ID
• A completed packet pickup slip
• Your bib number(s).

If you are participating in the 5K, champions mile, kids marathon, toddler trot, or pet walk, you do have the option to pick up your bib on Saturday morning (although we strongly encourage you to NOT wait until race morning to pick up your gear!). 

If you are participating in the marathon, half marathon (including the BACK half marathon and walking division), relay, or 4-mile fitness challenge, your must pick up your race gear at the Expo. 

Gear Check presented by FedEx:

Please follow these guidelines when checking your gear on race day:

• You must use a race-issued clear Gear Check bag — which you can pick up at the Health & Fitness Expo next to Participant Services — as well as the corresponding Gear Check tag, which is attached to your race bib. 
  • Luggage bags, oversized or overnight items, loose articles, or bags that are not race-issued will not be accepted at Gear Check.
• Do not check valuable items such as medication, jewelry, cell phones, cameras, electronic devices, etc. The event is not responsible for lost, stolen or damaged items.
• You must show your bib number when dropping off and picking up your gear.

Saturday, May 4, 2024:

• Gear Check will only be available for participants in the 5K and Champions Mile
• Participants in these events can drop off their belongings (according to all guidelines provided above) at the FedEx Gear Check location near the start line.
• After your race, you can claim your bag at the Gear Check trucks next to the Wyndham Hotel near the Finish Line Festival.

Sunday, May 5, 2024:

• Runners will NOT be permitted to bring or carry bags into the start line corrals. All bags must be checked into Gear Check prior to the start of the race at the Gateway T Station at the intersection of Liberty Avenue and Stanwix Street.
• All Gear Check trucks will stay at the Gateway T Station after the race for runners to claim their bags. All bags must be picked up by 2:00 p.m. on race day or they will be taken to P3R Headquarters at 810 River Avenue, Suite 120, Pittsburgh, PA 15212. Any bags not claimed by Friday, May 13 will be donated to Goodwill.

You can move back to a later corral but not forward. For example, a runner who is assigned to Corral C can choose to begin their race in Corrals C, D, or E. But that same runner cannot begin their race in Corrals A or B.

Your corral assignment is based on your expected finish time (which is based on the pace you provided when you registered). It's a safety concern for those moving a bit slower to be in front of those running faster - the faster participants will need to pass, which not only slows them down but increases the risk of people tripping and being injured. 

No animals are permitted on any race course except for the Pittsburgh Pet Walk. The only exception to this rule is if the animal in question is a service animal and the exception is approved by P3R by Monday, April 22. Please email us at info@p3r.org.

Learn about everything on your bib here!

They’re collected and donated!

Due to safety concerns, wheeled items such as baby strollers and baby joggers, bicycles, skateboards, scooters, roller skates, roller blades, stc. are not permitted on any race course with the notable exception of the Champions Mile.

Participants who need mobility assistance (for example, adaptive strollers, wheelchairs, walkers, etc.) can contact us at info@p3r.org for more information regarding accomodations.  

Sure, as long as it’s safe to run in and you follow all rules and instructions from race officials! As a reminder: backpacks, duffel bags, bags, hard or soft coolers, or purses are not permitted in the start and finish line areas or along the course, and you must clearly display your bib to access your start line corral and remain on the course.

While they are technically permitted, we strongly discourage you from using headphones, as they may make it more difficult for you to hear race officials in case of an emergency. Additionally, you’ll miss hearing the crowds of spectators cheering you on and the bands entertaining you throughout the course!

Head over to our friends at VisitPITTSBURGH for everything you need to know about visiting our beautiful city!

• Marathon: 16 minutes/mile
• Half Marathon: 20 minutes/mile
• BACK Half Marathon: 16 minutes/mile
• Marathon Relay: 16 minutes/mile
• 4-Mile Fitness Challenge: 16 minutes/mile
• 5K: 16 minutes/mile (but you'll have until 9 AM to cross the finish line!)
• Champions Mile: 30 minutes (no participants will be asked to exit the course if they have not yet completed the event)
• Kids Marathon: no time limit
• Toddler Trot: no time limit
• Pet Walk: no time limit

No, only registered participants with official race bibs will be permitted inside the start line corrals. You must clearly display your race bib to gain entry into the start line corrals through the designated entrances.

At P3R, we are committed to providing delicious and nutritious food options for all participants. We understand the importance of catering to various dietary needs and ensuring transparency about the ingredients used in the food we offer. CLICK HERE to view important information regarding allergens and nutrition for the food items being served:

We will provide a runner tracking option through the P3R App. Bib numbers and tracking are expected to be available on April 30.

We encourage runners and their families and friends to make a plan for where to meet after the race (as noted above, cell phone reception in the finish line area can be spotty due to so many people using the network in the same place). There will be a family reunion area in the Finish Line Festival at Point State Park.

The Red Cross is located on Liberty Ave in Gateway Center and they will be able to look up a runner's bib to let you know if they are being treated in our medical tent.

When you arrive at the Pittsburgh Health & Fitness Expo, you will first pick up your race bib, event shirt, and clear gear check bag.

For marathon, half marathon (including BACK half marathon and walking division), marathon relay, and 5K, you need to know your bib number to retrieve it (we will send you a link the week leading up to race weekend, and there will be opportunities to look up your bib number before you enter the expo). You will also need to present your photo ID.

Champions Mile, Kids Marathon, Toddler Trot, and Pet Walk bibs will be organized alphabetically by last name, so you will not receive your bib number ahead of time.

For Saturday events, you can pick up your race gear on Saturday morning (although we strongly suggest you pick up your race gear on Friday at the Expo to avoid lines on Saturday morning):

• 5K: from 6:30-7:45 AM in Red Lot 5 (you will need to know your bib number!)
• Champions Mile: 7:45-8:45 AM in Red Lot 5
• Kids Marathon: Starting at 8 AM in Red Lot 5
• Toddler Trot: from 7:30-8:45 AM at the Kids of STEEL tent in Point State Park
• Pet Walk: from 10-11:45 AM at the Humane Animal Rescue Tent in Point State Park.