30,000 runners brave soggy weather for Pittsburgh Marathon

PITTSBURGH — Runners, organizers, and spectators braved some soggy weather on Sunday morning to celebrate the return of the Pittsburgh Marathon.

“[The runners] have trained in tougher weather this year. They’ve trained in snow and sleet and hail,” said race director Troy Schooley.

“This has got to be the hardest race I’ve done and from 5Ks to marathons, I’ve probably done a hundred,” added Thomas Rule.

Rule is a runner from Johnson City, Tennessee, who completed the half marathon in what was his first visit to Pittsburgh.

“I loved it,” he said. “[There was] a lot of enthusiasm, the people were great cheering you on, there was bands, some of the signs that I saw were hilarious. It was just a lot of fun.”

PHOTOS: 2022 Pittsburgh Marathon

Dominican runner Alvaro Abreu took home the crown, completing the full 26.2-mile marathon in 2 hours and 16 minutes.

He was among an accomplished field of competitors.

“Former Boston Marathon champion, we have three Olympians in town. It was just a great elite field,” said Schooley.

This was the first in-person Pittsburgh Marathon since 2019.

In total, 30,000 runners competed across all the races this weekend.

They represented all 50 states and 12 countries — and brought a big boost to tourism.

“This is what it’s all about,” said Mayor Ed Gainey. “This is how you build your economy and this is how you continue to promote your city. It’s a proud day in our city and I’m very thankful.”

Next year’s race is scheduled again for the first Sunday of May.

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