Pittsburgh Marathon weekend is off and running Friday

There’s a lot more to the Dick’s Sporting Goods Pittsburgh Marathon than the 26.2.

Sunday’s annual race, which flows through 14 neighborhoods with street festivals and bands along the route, is the main event of a full weekend of events that begins Friday and involves kids, dogs, the whole family.

For those just trying to get around, see the map below.

Also note that the U.S. Postal Service, as a precautionary measure, will take out of service or lock access to mail collection boxes along the marathon route beginning Friday. Boxes will be returned to service by close of business Monday.

Here is the marathon weekend schedule:

FRIDAY

11 a.m.-8 p.m.: GNC Live Well Pittsburgh Health and Fitness Expo with products, services, entertainment and information from hundreds of vendors, David L. Lawrence Convention Center, Downtown. Free.

SATURDAY

9 a.m. to 6 p.m.: Health and Fitness Expo, David L. Lawrence Convention Center.

8 a.m.: UPMC Health Plan/UPMC Sports Medicine Pittsburgh 5K Run, West General Robinson Street and Mazeroski Way, North Shore.

8:30 a.m.: Sheetz Pittsburgh Toddler Trot, Point State Park, Downtown.

9:30 a.m.: Chick-fil-A Pittsburgh Kids Marathon, West General Robinson Street

by PNC Park, North Shore.

9 a.m.-1 p.m.: Saturday Finish Line Festival, Point State Park.

Noon: Blue Buffalo Pittsburgh Pet Walk, one-mile walk with all proceeds benefiting Humane Animal Rescue, Point State Park. SUNDAY

6:50 a.m.: Handcycle Division, Liberty Avenue near 10th Street, Downtown. 6:55 a.m.: USATF Half Marathon Championships

7:05 a.m.: Marathon, Half Marathon, and Relay, Liberty Avenue near 10th St., Downtown. 7 a.m.-2 p.m.: Finish Line Festival, Point State Park

For details, http://pittsburghmarathon.com.

Andrew Rush/Post-Gazette Kathy Reed of Uniontown hugs her friend Branden Teets of Denver after they finish the half marathon at the Dick’s Sporting Goods Pittsburgh Marathon last year on the Boulevard of the Allies, Downtown. Ms. Reed lost more than 100 pounds and celebrated by competing in her first marathon.