Thousands of runners from around the region, country and world descended on Pittsburgh before dawn Sunday to pound the pavement in search of accomplishment.
Mulegeta Birhanu Feyissa of Ethiopia was the first to cross the finish line in the Men’s Elite race with an unofficial time of 2 hours, 14 minutes. He was followed by Milton Rotich of Kenya in second place and Ian Carter in third.
Winner of the men’s full marathon finishes with a time of 2 hours and 14 minutes. Second place was right behind him. pic.twitter.com/D9RAefbyYb
— Renatta Signorini (@ByRenatta) May 4, 2025
Jane Bareikis of the United States won the Women’s Elite full marathon race for the second consecutive year Sunday, followed by Ethiopia’s Aberu Mekuria Zennebe in second place and fellow American Megan O’Neil in third.
And the first Pittsburgh Marathon female finisher has crossed the line. The time on the clock was about 2 hours and 36 minutes, but that time is unofficial. pic.twitter.com/8LpWPdbm8Z
— Renatta Signorini (@ByRenatta) May 4, 2025
The estimated 23,000 runners in the half and full marathon, 13.1 miles and 26.2 miles respectively, donned their best gear as they hit the course that winds up, down and around the city. Thousands more supporters woke just as early to cheer them on from neighborhood streets.
Racers took off on Liberty Avenue to the sound of fireworks Sunday morning.
It was quite the welcome for Austin Bush of Central Pennsylvania, who was running his first Pittsburgh Marathon. Bush said he usually runs one to two marathons annually.
“Just keeps me in shape year to year and keeps (me) reaching for something,” he said. “It’s worth the pain.”
He didn’t have a specific goal for the race Sunday. He was just was looking to experience Pittsburgh and its hilly course.
The Pittsburgh Marathon is underway – the first group of runners has hit the streets @TribLIVE pic.twitter.com/EBuhh2DlP5
— Renatta Signorini (@ByRenatta) May 4, 2025
David Nelson and his uncle Brian Passmore were representing “Star Wars” on the course, in celebration of the informal holiday coinciding with the race — “May the Fourth,” as fans say. They wore matching Star Wars-themed T-shirts and each had a character from the movies listed on their race bib.
The two live far apart but don’t let the distance stop them from being competitive with each other. Passmore lives in DuBois. Nelson is originally from there but now lives in Arkansas.
“It’s just to challenge ourselves at this point,” Passmore said.
The pair hoped to run the half marathon in under two hours. They’re trying to “earn the beers that were going to drink — a preemptive strike,” Nelson said.
A sea of runners moving along Anderson Street under 279 during the Pittsburgh Marathon on the North Shore/Side heading toward the stadiums. Lots of cheering and cowbells. @TribLIVE pic.twitter.com/bpe5PFV5RR
— Renatta Signorini (@ByRenatta) May 4, 2025
Sydney Mollica traveled from Tennessee to run the half marathon with her best friend Clarissa Harvey of West Virginia. They wore matching pink tank tops and black leggings and even got their nails done the same.
Mollica said she likes getting a medal at the end.
“Otherwise a Tennessean wasn’t typically coming to Pittsburgh,” she said.
Both women have run half marathons in the past. Harvey’s husband, Kenny, joined the duo.
“He’s competitive with himself,” she said.
Kenny Harvey agreed. “It’s me vs. me,” he said.
Leigh Rounce of Fox Chapel stops on the course outside PNC Park to say hello to her daughters and husband David. “She supports me so much in life, it’s nice to return the favor and it’s nice for the two girls to see their mom doing something,” he said. pic.twitter.com/F7RNXovSBc
— Renatta Signorini (@ByRenatta) May 4, 2025
Leigh Rounce of Fox Chapel stopped on West General Robinson Street outside PNC Park to say hello to her husband and their two daughters.
It was great for Brooke, 3, and Summer, 1, to see their mother being a role model, said her husband, David Rounce.
“She supports me so much in life, it’s nice to return the favor and it’s nice for the two girls to see their mom doing something,” he said.
It was Leigh’s first half marathon since having the girls and she’s been training for four months, her husband said.
Pittsburgh Marathon runners outside PNC Park have been appreciative of a sign Bre Berue McLernan made that is complimentary of their rear ends. Bre got a lot of high fives and thank yous. “I’ve been pleasantly surprised, I’m glad.” pic.twitter.com/QQqeQy1SeI
— Renatta Signorini (@ByRenatta) May 4, 2025
Runners outside PNC Park got a kick out of a sign held by Bre Berue-McLernan that complimented their backsides. She got a lot of high fives and positive feedback from those on the course. “I’ve been pleasantly surprised,” she said.
Berue-McLernan yelled to her wife, Adrienne, as she ran past, and the two had a moment on the sidewalk during Adrienne’s first half marathon. Adrienne Berue-McLernan attended University of Pittsburgh; the couple now live in Vermont.
The Dick’s Sporting Goods Pittsburgh Marathon officially got underway at 7 a.m. Sunday. Roads around the city closed for hours to allow racers space to pass by, and over, iconic Pittsburgh landmarks, such as the sports stadiums, inclines and bridges.
About 41% of participants are participating in their first marathon and 33% are running their first half marathon, according to race officials.
