FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 16, 2002
CONTACT: Susan Manko
UPMC Health System
(412) 624-2607
MankoSM@msx.upmc.edu
David Monti
Media Consultant
(212) 752-2666
david@raceresultsweekly.com
2002 UPMC HEALTH SYSTEM/CITY OF PITTSBURGH MARATHON'S NEW COURSE WILL FINISH
IN HEINZ FIELD, NEW HOME OF THE STEELERS
May 5 Race Will Offer $59,250 In Prize Money
PITTSBURGH, Jan. 15 - Adding more excitement to what has already been
dubbed one of the best-managed marathons in the United States, organizers of
the UPMC Health System/City of Pittsburgh Marathon announced today that the
2002 race will begin and end at Heinz Field, the new home of the legendary
Pittsburgh Steelers. In fact, the race will finish inside the beautiful new
stadium, which opened in August 2001. Runners of all abilities will be able
to see themselves enter the stadium on the huge JumbotronT video screen
inside of Heinz Field.
"We are very grateful for the warm reception and cooperation the marathon
organizers have received from Jimmie Sacco, general manager of Heinz Field,
and the Rooney family, owners of the Pittsburgh Steelers," said Freddie H.
Fu, M.D., chairman of the board of directors for the UPMC (University of
Pittsburgh Medical Center)/City of Pittsburgh Marathon, Inc.
"We know that finishing a marathon can be one of the greatest triumphs in
a person's life. Being able to watch oneself on the Jumbotron screen just
like the Olympic marathoners will heighten the experience for our runners
even more," added Race Director Larry Grollman.
The Heinz Field venue also offers other benefits for runners. Thanks to
Alco Parking, ample parking will be available in the stadium parking lots,
which will also serve as the race day staging area. Runners will also be
able to see the beautiful new Pittsburgh Pirates baseball stadium, adjacent
to Heinz Field.
The new start and finish lines dictated some other minor course changes,
but the race will maintain most of its traditional route through Pittsburgh's
diverse neighborhoods. "We are proud to continue our Neighborhood Festival
program whereby residents hold parties along the race course," said
Grollman. "In addition, our Music By The Mile program will continue,
featuring at least 40 musical acts to help keep our runners moving."
The course changes will allow runners to take in the new, expanded David
L. Lawrence Convention Center as well as the UPMC Sports Performance
Complex. Just opened in September 2000, the complex encompasses the
world-class UPMC Center for Sports Medicine and the indoor and outdoor
training facilities for the Steelers and the University of Pittsburgh
Panthers. As in previous years, Pittsburgh marathoners can enjoy an
automobile-free course.
"We especially thank the Allegheny County Department of Public Works for
its cooperation in revising its construction schedule involving the 16th
Street Bridge to keep the bridge open for our runners this year," added
Grollman.
Runners who do not feel ready to take on the 26.2-mile marathon distance
can try the Mellon Relay Team Competition, one of the five largest in the
United States, where four people team up, each running a portion of the full
marathon distance. For something even shorter, runners can choose the UPMC
Health Plan 5K Run/Walk.
Other attractions to the marathon include a course that remains open for
seven hours, USAirways Pacing Teams, ChampionChip electronic scoring, a free
pre-race training seminar held the day before the race, pre-race pasta
party, the two-day Marathon and Fitness Expo, and the Coca-Cola Great Hall
at Heinz Field, which will be open before, during and after the marathon,
featuring entertainment, games and refreshments. The Children's
Mini-Marathon also will be held at the UPMC Sports Performance Complex the
day before the marathon.
Complete information on the marathon -- including a revised race course
map and detailed course description, event start times and entry forms -- is
available at the official race website, http://www.upmc.edu/pghmarathon.
The entry fee for the marathon remains at $50 through Feb. 15, then rises
to $55 through March 31. After that, the fee increases to $65. Mellon Relay
Team Competition athletes can sign up for $30 per person through March 31.
The fee increases to $40 after that. Entry for the UPMC Health Plan 5K
Run/Walk costs $16 through March 31 and goes up to $21 after that.
PRIZE MONEY TO REWARD BOTH INTERNATIONAL AND U.S. RUNNERS
A total of $59,250 in prize money will be guaranteed for the marathon,
but the total payout could increase to $64,250 if certain conditions are
met. The winning man and woman will be awarded at least $7,500, but the
winners' checks will be increased to $10,000 if they run under 2:14:00 and
2:35:00, respectively. Male and female second place finishers will be
awarded $5,000 while third place finishers will receive $2,500, down to $500
for seventh place.
In addition to open prize money, the top four U.S. men and women are
eligible to earn separate awards. Thanks again to Chrysler/Jeep of Western
Pennsylvania, an incentive pool of $14,000 will continue to help develop and
support American marathoners. The first U.S. male and female citizens to
cross the finish line will receive $2,500 in addition to any open awards
they may have earned. The second, third and fourth U.S. male and female
finishers will receive $2,000, $1,500 and $500 respectively.
"Pittsburgh is the only major U.S. marathon this year to offer special
prize money for Americans. We are proud to continue this special support,"
said Grollman.
Top masters (40+ years old), Pennsylvania residents and City of
Pittsburgh residents also will be given special prize money awards. The top
three masters finishers will be paid $500, $250 and $125, respectively,
while they are also eligible for open and U.S.-only awards, if applicable.
The prizes for Pennsylvania and City of Pittsburgh residents are intended to
reward local runners only and are not cumulative with open, U.S.-only and
masters awards. A total of $3,500 has been set aside for the local runner
categories.
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