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The Start Line

The Start Line (Sunday, May 7, 2023)

The start line for the DICK’S Sporting Goods Pittsburgh Marathon, UPMC Health Plan Pittsburgh Half Marathon, and FedEx Pittsburgh Marathon Relay is located on Liberty Avenue near 10th Street.

Your start line corral is assigned based on your expected finishing times. This keeps runners with similar running paces together and keeps things safe and helps avoid tripping hazards. If you are in Corrals B-E, you should be prepared to start your race later than the posted race start time. For example, Corral C is not expected to start the race until 7:20. Please note, though, that your official start time does not begin until you cross the timing mat at the start line! For example, a runner in Corral D may not cross the start line until 7:30 a.m., but their timing tag will not record the start time until they actually cross the start line.

Start Line Corrals

Start line corrals will open at 5:30 a.m. on Sunday, May 7. All corrals can be accessed from Stanwix Street and Liberty Avenue, but please make note of the access point to your start corral prior to your arrival on race day.

  • Corral A Access Point: 7th Avenue and Smithfield Street OR Penn Avenue and 9th Street
  • Corral B Access Point: 6th Avenue and Wood Street OR Penn Avenue and 7th Street
  • Corral C Access Point: Liberty Avenue and Market Street OR Penn Avenue and 6th Street
  • Corral D Access Point: Penn Avenue and 5th Avenue
  • Corral E Access Point: Stanwix Street and Liberty Avenue

Bibs correspond with one of five start line corral assignments, and your bib must be visible to gain access to the start line corrals. Only participants will receive access to their assigned start corral; family and friends will not be allowed to accompany participants into the start line area.

 

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 in Booth 228 — as well as the corresponding Gear Check tag, which is attached to your race bib. For the marathon, half marathon, and marathon relay, this will be a sticker on the back of your bib. For the 5K, there will be a tear tag at the bottom of 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.

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.