Pittsburgh Marathon Advice

As a native Pittsburgher, I thought I'd suggest a few things:

1. Anything anyone hands you on a stick during the race is not to be eaten. Just trust me on this one.

2. Go to Primanti's after the race, not before. The sandwiches are incredible.

3. Do not run the race course after dark.

4. When you hit the South Side, you might be offered beer. The big uphill is just ahead of you - skip the beer.

5. Race day can be very hot. If it is, hit every fluid station for all you can.

6. Race day can be very cold. If it is, you may need more than singlets and shorts.

7. The guys in the florescent orange hats are amateur radio operators. If you get into trouble, they can get you help.

8. People along the course will yell to you 'Looking good!' Of course, they're lying. They mean well, though.

9. Contrary to my nightmares, the Straggler Bus is not used to supply organs to the local transplant programs.

10. If you can, take in a game at PNC Park - it's the best baseball field ever.

11. Be careful when you ask native Pittsburgher's for directions. The directions tend to be of the form 'Go down the street until you pass where the Isaly's used to be. Turn right and go until you come to where the Gulf station used to be.' You get the idea.

12. Do not swim in the rivers. Do not drink river water or eat anything caught in the rivers.

13. First Presbyterian Church downtown has a short service before the race, if you want to go to church. The preacher knows that he has to get you out of there on time.

14. 'Pop' is a carbonated beverage. 'Gum band' is a rubber band. 'Jagoff' is an insult.

15. The Race Expo is worth checking out.

16. Personal Opinion: Elite Runners and Walkers is the best running shoe store in the area.

17. Ambulances are not supposed to cross the race course and almost never do, but on a rare occasion they have needed to sneak across. Please yield to them and understand that they are only doing this because someone's life is at risk.

18. The Runner's High ( http://www.runhigh.com/MainMenu.html ) will have race results eventually. I don't know how quickly they'll be able to post them.

19. Channel 11 (WPXI) is covering the race on TV.

20. Have fun! With the cheering crowds and the bands, it's a party!

These are non-Pittsburghers. They'll fall in a pothole and we'll have to call out the Search and Rescue Team again.

I used to be a paramedic for the City. At one time I was based at Filbert Street, near you. In all seriousness, I stand by the advice to not run after dark. I'll grant you that crime isn't that bad, but it's not worth the risk.

I remember sitting on my Dad's lap at Forbes Field because there was an I-Beam right in front of my seat. Forbes Field was a good park, but PNC is better.

Several diver friends of mine have discovered that they get diarrhea after being in the river. Especially before a marathon, diarrhea would not be a good idea.

Rob - Pleasant Hills! That's where else?

(I should have mentioned that Shadyside is a great place to shop, although I wish so many chain stores hadn't moved in.)

[snip]

At a current 96 or 7 pounds, I hardly violate the spandex rule.

Outsiders don't know what they've missed by missing Schenley's Hills.

[snip]

PWRD? I can't even think of a witty phrase that PWRD may stand for...

Pittsburgh's marathon ate me up once and I've never returned except to the sidelines of Shadyside to sip a cool one and applaud for faster folks than I. It's difficult to recoop from Boston to run Pittsburgh.

I'm a fellow runner from the burgh' and I gotta thank 'yens' for the posts, it sure made me laugh.You were right on the money. The only thing better that PNC PARK is the Primanti's inside of it! Yea, good idea, stay out of the 3 rivers, no taking dips at the Point!!! (Point = where the Ohio river begins as the Allegheny and 'Mon' converge.) If you can, do try and score some quality Islay's chipped chopped ham and some faygo pop at the local 'giant iggle'. Afterwards head down the strip district and catch a Donnie Iris Concert or da Clarks. Please, if locals offer you a 'Cold 'Iron' while running, politely refuse because that's how we say beer in Pittsburgh. Just incase UPMC will be on hand to pick up those extra organs!!!

Big K