• Runners, spectators advised to dress in layers for marathon,
Runners and spectators should expect chilly weather for the duration of the Dick’s Sporting Goods Pittsburgh Marathon on Sunday.
Ron Roth, marathon medical director, said Friday that temperatures are expected to be in the 40s Sunday morning and should remain there for the duration of the full marathon, the UPMC Health Plan Pittsburgh Half Marathon and the FedEx Ground Pittsburgh Marathon Relay, all of which are scheduled to begin at 7 a.m.
“We are prepared to take care of cold runners,” Mr. Roth said. “We recommend that the runners dress in layers and our spectators should dress in layers and then peel off those layers as they get warm. I would recommend a trash bag. It works as an excellent windbreaker and rain gear that’s disposable. I would recommend cutting a hole for the top of your head and for your arms.”
Sunday’s forecast calls for a high of 51 degrees, according to AccuWeather. There is a chance of rain at the start of Sunday’s events, and Mr. Roth said there is some concern from the medical staff about hypothermia. He expects the staff to treat between 1 and 3 percent of the more than 40,000 participants in this weekend’s slate of races, and many of the medical cases will be weather-related. Mr. Roth said a weather update will be provided at the start of the race.
Mr. Roth was one of several speakers at the race weekend kickoff event on Friday at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center, Downtown. Patrice Matamoros, Pittsburgh Three Rivers Marathon Inc. CEO, was joined by Allegheny County Executive Rich Fitzgerald, Pittsburgh Mayor Bill Peduto and professional runners for a ribbon-cutting ceremony.
“When you have people who run marathons across the country come up to you and say how well-run this marathon is, how professional it is, everything from the welcoming of the runners to getting through the race itself, as a politician, I take all the credit,” Mr. Peduto joked.