Thousands of runners, walkers and wheelchair athletes filled the streets of Pittsburgh Sunday as the Richard S. Caliguiri Great Race returned for its 49th year.
The annual event featured its signature 10K race, along with a 5K run and walk, drawing participants from across Western Pennsylvania and beyond. Founded in 1977 by former Pittsburgh Mayor Richard S. Caliguiri as a community fun run, the Great Race has grown into the largest 10K race in Pennsylvania and one of the city's most recognizable traditions.
The race winds through Pittsburgh neighborhoods and attracts everyone from competitive runners chasing personal records to families and first-time participants looking to be part of the community event. Organizers say the weekend is about
far more than crossing the finish line, serving as a celebration of fitness, health and Pittsburgh pride.
In addition to the 10K and 5K events, Great Race weekend includes youth races, family activities and community programming that help bring thousands of people together each year. The event also supports amyloidosis research through donations tied to race registrations.
According to race organizers, nearly half a million people have participated in the Great Race since its inception nearly five decades ago. What began as a local community run has evolved into a regional tradition and remains the largest 10K road race in Pennsylvania.
As runners crossed the finish line Sunday, they capped off another year of one of Pittsburgh's longest-running athletic traditions, with organizers already looking ahead to the race's milestone 50th anniversary in 2027.
This article by Gabby Sartori was created with the assistance of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Journalists were involved in every step of the information gathering, review, editing and publishing process. Learn more.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Pittsburgh Great Race draws thousands for 49th annual running tradition
