Wondering if any Yinzers here have insight on the running community in the Burgh. While looking for places to live, I ran through Riverview Park on a trail, wow, was it beautiful. So peaceful.
How are the races here? Do people run recreationally in groups? What trails are good to run, either along the rivers or in the parks? These hills, hoo boy, can't wait.
Thanks ahead of time.
Posted Oct 27, 2014, 3:42 AM UTC
Hi there! I just moved to Pittsburgh a couple of weeks ago! RunPittsburgh has been very helpful for me. The site has lists of local running groups, running stores, and a great list of upcoming races in the area.
I usually run around my neighborhood (Mt. Lebanon area), but I also run on the Three Rivers Heritage Trail quite a bit and love it so far. Been told the Montour Trail is also great to run on, but I haven't made it there yet!
I second the Three Rivers Heritage Trail. It's wonderful.
Mile 0 - 0.5 of the Montour Trail is closed until Nov 15. There is parking right on Mile 0.5, just something to be aware of.
Nice links, that's great!
All of the Running stores have a local running club pretty much that do group runs during the week.
True Runner - Shadyside
Elite Runners & Walkers - Monroeville/Robinson
Fleet Feet - South Hills
Mojo - North Hills
Just to name a few. There is also the Steel City Road Runners who organize group runs on Thursday and Saturday and also group track workouts on Tuesdays around the area.
Pittsburgh is a great place to run. If you're into running roads or trails it has both to offer. There are a number of good safe routes in the city and if trails are your thing there are lots of those too. One thing you'll soon find out is that it feels like no matter where you go, you always seem to have to run uphill.
I'll have to check out Fleet Feet, I'll be on the West End though.
The Great Allegheny Passage goes from Pittsburgh to Cumberland, MD. You can pick it up in a bunch of spots along the way. It's a really pretty place to run or bike.
The great thing about running in Pittsburgh is when you do run on a flat course it feels like you can just keep going.
Holy crap, I want to run/hike to Harper's Ferry some day. Long live John Brown!
Welcome to Pittsburgh! I go to school around Oakland/Shadyside so I've only been running around that area. The best trails, by far, are in Schenley and Frick Park. Schenley, in particular, has a 1km dirt/gravel track that's perfect for intervals or tempo runs.
Race wise, the PGH Marathon is one of the largest events Pittsburgh has each year. The course goes around most of the city and over several bridges. They also bring in bands that perform along the course. The Pittsburgh Great Race 10k/5k is also pretty big here. I ran the CMU Donut Dash a few weeks ago—small event, but it was a really fun time.
I'm in university, so we have our own running club, but most of the local running shoe stores have their own clubs. True Runner in Shadyside organizes group runs around town and in Schenley park every week. The New Balance store by Pitt also has group runs.
In general, Pittsburgh is a pretty great place to run—for the summer at least. It gets miserably wet and cold during the winter, so make the most of the few good days we have left.
Thanks, this is helpful.