"I don't run. And if you ever see me run, you should start running too. Because something is probably chasing me." I am not sure who said that but it's true, I'm no runner. I actually only "trained" one day for this event about 4 months before it occurred, so I am using the word trained very loosely. No I am not a runner, but I am a take the bull by the horns type of chick and gets the job done. I will admit, walking to the starting line in Oakland I was having some mixed feelings. Please see posted pics for visual confirmation. It wasn't my finest hour. I was tired, cold, regretful, hungry, and nervous you know all the bad stuff. I was running the 5K. First time I ever ran in a race. Again I am having buyer's remorse, but I keep going with the encouragement of my husband who knows my whining well, we make it to the starting line. He was running in the 10K so he was able to wait with me until it started since the 10K started over an hour after the 5K. So the crowd is raring to go and I am rocking back and forth hugging myself for warmth as the first line of the Star Spangle Banner is belted out. Within moments we are prompted to go. The hordes of people start briskly walking to the starting line that will activate your tracker and off into a full on sprint. It's funny, because once I got going I was RUNNING. The people in the race are great motivators as is the crowd on the streets handing out water or just cheering the masses on. When I got tired I slowed down to a walk a couple of times but quickly would pick myself up and get back in there. I saw so many little kids running the 5K. That really encouraged me cause who wants a 7 year old to beat them?! Not me. I have to admit it was pretty cool running over the Boulevard of the Allies. Getting to the finish line I rejoiced "Rocky style" crossing the finish line in triumph. Did I do great? Hellz no. But I wasn't the worst and I am excited to do another one. But after being sore for almost 3 days I think I will train next time around. read more

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This was the fourth time that I ran the Great Race in Pittsburgh and probably the best experience that I've had yet. It didn't start out so smoothly though! My wife and I had to drag each other out of bed and get downtown early so we could park and then jump onto the buses to get to the beginning of the race. My wife was running the 5K for the first time. Her race started first and then my 10K started right after she would be done. She was nervous because this was her first time so I wanted to make sure that she wasn't rushing to get to the starting line. That didn't workout. We were too late to get to the buses so I just drove to the starting line and luckily I found some street parking. This was nice because I was able to walk her to the start line and make sure she was good. She was cold, kind of cranky, but she was ready and looked great! We took a few pictures and then she was off! I was so proud of her and she did a really good job. On to my 10K! I was ready! I had my Ipod with my running music. My Nike sweatband was keeping my bald head warm. I had my brand new running outfit on from Gabes! I looked like a runner! I was able to take the bus since I was early for my race. The bus ride to the 10K start line was so long. Once you get off of the bus there was a long wait to get to the starting line. So it was kind of rushed and I wasn't able to get my mind totally focused. Well the starting gun went off and after a few minutes I had to get mentally ready and off I went! The 10K starts off with some tough hills. Just from recent experience I knew I just had to take my time with the hills because after the hills there is some down hill running. I did exactly that and I felt really good. My legs felt great and I was keeping up with the 8.30 Pace runners. Usually I run this race alone so there was nobody waiting for me at the end. Since my wife ran this year and her race was earlier I knew she would be somewhere around the finish so that was extra motivation for me to keep going. I had a really good run. I averaged about 8.30 per mile and that's where I wanted to be. Next time I'll set my goals to 7.45 probably. It's such a great feeling when you cross that finish line. It's such an accomplishment no matter what type of race you run. Like I said before I ran this race alone the previous 3 times but this time was so special to do it with my wife. I'm going to work here hard this year so she will try the 10K next year with me! Maybe read more

Great Race - Races & Competitions Near Me - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

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Sept 2017 marks the 40th running of this great 10k and 5k 'Great Race'. Starting near the Frick museum and Frick Park, the race goes through well known areas in Squirrel Hill, Oakland, Hill District (I think?) and its all mostly downhill. If you actually trained you could PB I'm sure. But Not when's it's 75 but it's normally not 75... oh yeah well you could always get lucky?! Fun race vibe afterward at Point State Park. read more

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The Great Race is a great option for anyone who wants to run a 5k or 10k. I did the 5k and it started in oakland and ended in downtown near the Point. A nice feature of the course is that there is a lot of downhill, so it was a nice first time 5k for me. Everyone also got a medal at the finish line. There was also gatorade, panera bagels, fruit, and the Eat N Park smiley cookies. I will definitely do the 5k again and maybe one day the 10k! read more

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The Great Race is a race that takes you through downtown Pittsburgh and ends in Point State Park. You run on the Lincoln Parkway for part of the race. It takes place on the last Sunday of every September and there is a 10K (6.2 miles) and 5K (3.1 mile) race. I ran the 10K race last year along with about 9,000 other people (the rest were in the 5K). There are so many people that I didn't pass the actual start line until about 5 minutes after the race started. It's not an issue though as each runner has a chip in his/her bib and this records the time that you individually pass the start line as well as each mile marker along the race. The start of the race is really crowded. I was actually running on the sidewalk at the beginning, where there was a little more room. There are also lot of people passing out water throughout the race. The 5K starts in Oakland and the 10K near Frick Park. There are shuttles that travel between the finish line and start line BEFORE the race starts. Otherwise, you need to have someone pick you up from downtown after. The race is limited to 15,000 runners and it does fill up! Be sure to register at least a month before the race. It's $25 before August and $30 after. read more