The 36th annual Richard S. Caliguiri City of Pittsburgh Great Race will have runners and walkers streaming from Frick Park into downtown on Sunday. If you’re going to be in the neighborhood or racing, here are some things you should know coming into the weekend.
1) Registration is Full
This year there will be 15,500 runners and walkers participating in the race, reaching the cap organizers have set and making it the largest field for The Great Race. Also taking to the starting line will be 24 “perfect runners,” people who have ran all of the 35 past races.
2) If you’re not registered, there are still things to do.
On Saturday and Sunday the David L. Lawrence Convention Center is hosting the Great Race Expo.
“If you’re not registered for the race, you can still participate in the expo,"said Brian Katze, a race logistics manager. "We’ll have plenty of vendors on hand with demonstrations and products for sale, and race information for next year. So it is something that the family can enjoy. We have a kid’s zone as well with things kids can do while their parents are looking around and picking up their information.”
3) Get your pasta on.
The Wyndham Grand in Downtown Pittsburgh, as well as nine Olive Garden locations in southwestern PA will have expanded menu options on Saturday night. So you and your family can have your very own pasta party before race day. A list of locations are available on the Great Race’s website.
4) Street closures will be in effect.
If you plan on coming into the city on Sunday, here are some street closing you should be aware of (separated into “zones”).
Zone A: From Beechwood Boulevard to Forbes and Morewood avenues is closed from 8:30 a.m. until approximately 10 a.m.
Zone B: From Forbes and Morewood avenues to Fifth Avenue and Bigelow Boulevard is closed from 8:30 a.m. until around 10:30 a.m.
Zone C: From Fifth Avenue and Bigelow Boulevard to Fifth Avenue at the Boulevard of the Allies “slip ramp” is closed between 6:30 a.m. and 10:45 a.m.
Zone D: From Boulevard of the Allies to Commonwealth Place is closed between 6:30 a.m. and 11 a.m.
5) Port Authority Busses will be detoured around the race.
The bus routes that might interfere with the race will be taking detours in order to operate during the street closures.
“Service will re-begin back to normal as soon as the roads are opened, so it’s a short closure on a normally light traffic morning,” Katze said. “But if you are trying to travel around, make sure you pay attention to the posted detours and the schedules from the Port Authority.”
