City cancels 2021 Pittsburgh Marathon; smaller regional races still on

The City of Pittsburgh has announced it will not grant a permit for the 2021 Dick’s Sporting Goods Pittsburgh Marathon, effectively canceling this year’s event.

Officials decided that May, when the marathon has traditionally been held, was too early to host such an event in a year with an ongoing pandemic. The marathon attracts thousands of participants and hundreds of thousands of spectators from all over the country and around the world.

“We have worked for months right alongside our partners at the City of Pittsburgh to plan for this event,” said Troy Schooley, CEO of P3R, which organizes the Pittsburgh Marathon and other races. “We understand the difficult position they are in.”

Schooley said plans are still in place to hold the Fleet Feet Liberty Mile and Richard S. Caliguiri City of Pittsburgh Great Race later in the year.

“All of us at the City of Pittsburgh are optimistic that we will be able to host in-person events, as soon as it is safe to do so,” said Mayor Bill Peduto. “We will continue to work closely with P3R in the coming weeks and months to host in-person races and other events starting this summer.”

All registered participants will have the option to continue to train and race virtually. Marathon officials say virtual participants will earn a finisher medal, event shirt and running jackets (for qualifying events.)

More information can be found at ThePittsburghMarathon.com.