It’s the last weekend in September, and it is going to be a great one.
More than 9,000 people from 38 states are scheduled to participate in several events on Saturday and Sunday culminating with the annual Richard S. Caliguiri City of Pittsburgh Great Race. It is an annual tradition that’s been running since 1977.
The Great Race — established as a 10K race, 6.2 miles, by the late Mayor Richard S. Caliguiri — has attracted nearly a half-million participants. Over the years, it has grown to include a 5K run/walk, running clinic, two-day expo and children’s race.
“As one of Pittsburgh’s oldest-running races, the Richard S. Caliguiri City of Pittsburgh Great Race and Dollar Bank Junior Great Race has a rich history of bringing together our community and fostering a sense of camaraderie,” said race director Brian Katze. “We’re thrilled to welcome participants of all ages and abilities for a weekend full of exciting races and memorable moments.”
Race times
The Dollar Bank Junior Great Race is on Saturday in Point State Park. The Family Fun Run, Tot Trot and Diaper Dash will take place between 9:30 and 11 a.m.
The 10k event is on Sunday.
The 5K Run & Walk starts at 8 a.m. at Fifth Avenue and Atwood Street in Oakland.
The 10K Handcycle Division starts at 9:25 a.m. at Beechwood Boulevard near Frick Park. The 10K Race starts at 9:30 a.m. at Beechwood Boulevard near Frick Park.
Participants can pick up their race packets in Point State Park from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and Saturday at Point State Park or 6 to 8:45 a.m. on Sunday.
Giving back
Caliguiri, who established the Great Race as a community fun run, died in 1988 of amyloidosis, a rare protein disorder in which one or more organ systems in the body accumulate deposits of abnormal proteins known as amyloid. Each year, the Great Race donates $1 from every Great Race and Dollar Bank Junior Great Race registration to the Richard S. Caliguiri Amyloidosis Fund, held by the Pittsburgh Foundation and dedicated to supporting medical research.
In 2024, $5 from every One GREAT Challenge registration will be donated. The One GREAT Challenge is for runners who register and run both the 10K and 5K races. A few hundred people do this, Katze said. They will receive a special T-shirt and a medal.
Roads closed/Transportation/Parking
For the Junior Great Race, Diaper Dash, Tot Trot and Family Fun Run on Saturday in Point State Park, no road closures will be in effect.
Roads will be closed starting at 5:30 a.m. on Sunday, according to P3R, which produces the event.
On Sunday, closures begin in Downtown Pittsburgh near Stanwix Street starting at 5:30 a.m. and along the 6.2-mile course by 6:30 a.m. Roads remain closed until 11 a.m. Streets in the Downtown, Uptown, Oakland and Squirrel Hill neighborhoods will be impacted.
Residents and visitors in the affected zones are advised to park vehicles outside the closure areas if they need to travel during the event. Pittsburgh Regional Transit buses will be re-routed in some areas because of street closures. People who park around Station Square and the North Shore can take advantage of the light rail system, which is always free between those locations and Downtown. Real-time parking can be found at parkpgh.org. There should be plenty of parking because the Pirates and Steelers are out of town this weekend.
Weather
As of Thursday afternoon, forecasters are continuing to monitor the path of Hurricane Helene, which doesn’t look like it will affect Pittsburgh with any heavy rain or thunderstorms. But there is a chance for light rain on Saturday and more chance for precipitation on Sunday, said Bill Modzelewski, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Moon. Winds will be 5-10 miles per hour on both days.
Temperatures will be in the mid-80s on Saturday and mid-70s on Sunday with lows in the 60s both days.
There will be plenty of cloud cover and some humidity between 80-90 percent both days, Modzelewski said.
Katze said they would continue to watch Helene. The events happen rain or shine short of a weather emergency, which they have plans for in case conditions change dramatically, Katze said.
“A light rain is never a bad thing for runners. That will keep them cool if it’s humid,” Katze said.
Organizers expect warmer temperatures and some humidity so they’ve added some misting stations. There will be plenty of water stops and medical staff available. Unlike a marathon of 26.2 miles, participants won’t be on the course for hours.
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“If it gets too hot and you need to slow down, you can walk,” Katze said.
They’re perfect
There are 18 runners who have run every Great Race — this will be their 47th. A mini-reunion is held for them at the start line and their accomplishment is recognized in the opening remarks.
“The fact they’ve made it out here every time for almost 50 years is impressive,” Katze said. “They embody what this race means, which is a chance to have fun every year with friends and family and the community to enjoy the city of Pittsburgh. The Great Race is for everyone, which is what Mayor Caliguiri wanted to create.”
Details:RunGreatRace.com