Press Release: April 30, 2015
Americans Ready to Race at 7th DICK’S Sporting Goods Pittsburgh Marathon
P3R offers $132,000 overall prize purse plus $40,500 American Development Program and 2016 Olympic Marathon Trials qualifying bonus monies in the Steel City on Sunday, May 3
PITTSBURGH, PA – Defending Marathon champion Clara Santucci and top American male Tyler McCandless lead the U.S. contingent for the 2015 DICK’S Sporting Goods Pittsburgh Marathon and UPMC Health Plan Pittsburgh Half Marathon set for Sunday morning, May 3 in the Steel City.
Pittsburgh Three Rivers Marathon, Inc. (P3R), the event organizers, are offering $132,000 in guaranteed prize money with $8000 for the Marathon champions and $6500 for the Half-Marathon winners. In addition, P3R continues its support of American athletes by offering $40,500 in U.S.-only bonuses at both events as part of its American Development Program (ADP). There is also a bonus of $10,000 for the first person breaking Marathon event records: 2:10:24 by John Kagwe (KEN) in 1995 and 2:29:50 by Margaret Groos (USA) in 1988.
“Our theme this year is ‘Game on Pittsburgh’, and with deep fields and prize money, we look forward to our athletes being ‘on’ this Sunday morning to produce exciting races and 2016 U.S. Olympic Trials qualifying times in the City of Champions, and we could also see an event record or two broken,” said Patrice Matamoros, P3R CEO.
The ADP prize purse goes 5 deep per gender – provided race time standards are met:
Marathon (Men 2:25 or faster and Women 2:50 or faster): $4500, $3500, $2500, $1500 and $1000
Half Marathon (Men 1:12 or faster and Women 1:22 or faster): $3000, $2000, $1000, $750 and $500
U.S. athletes also have the opportunity to earn bonuses if they achieve the “A” or “B” qualifying standards for the 2016 U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials hosted by the ASICS LA Marathon on Saturday, February 13.
In addition to Clara Santucci (2:29:54, personal best) and Tyler McCandless (2:15:26), top Americans expected in Pittsburgh include:
MARATHON
U.S. Men
Tony Migliozzi (2:17:27)
Jed Christiansen (2:18:31)
Bryan Morseman (2:19:57)
Tyler Sewald (2:25:00)
U.S. Women
Yihunlish Bekele (2:30:39)
Devon Yanko (2:38:55)
Christina Murphy (2:39:15)
Emily Potter (2:39:55)
Emily Gordon (2:39:58)
Anna Weber (2:50:01)
Emily Giannotti (debut)
HALF-MARATHON
U.S. Men
Josh Dedering (1:03:31)
Christian Thompson (1:04:31)
Jeff Weiss (1:04:40)
Nik Schweikert (1:05:52)
Alex Koksal (1:09:24)
Josh Carson (1:09:28)
U.S. Women
Caitlin Comfort (1:12:16)
Carly Seymour (1:14:04)
Jennifer Bigham (1:15:59)
Sara Zambotti (1:16:58)
Kelsi Nutter (1:17:05)
Heather Utrata (1:18:56)
Kate Hails (1:19:58)
Mindy Sawtelle-Zottola (1:20:16)
P3R’s American Development Program includes the DICK’S Sporting Goods Pittsburgh Marathon, UPMC Health Plan Pittsburgh Half Marathon, GNC Live Well Liberty Mile on July 31 and EQT Pittsburgh 10 Miler tentaively scheduled for October 25.
For more event news, go to: www.thepittsburghmarathon.com/news
About the DICK’S Sporting Goods Pittsburgh Marathon
Join us for the ultimate experience that will take you on an unforgettable journey. The 2015 DICK’S Sporting Goods Pittsburgh Marathon is more than just a run. With 30,000 competitors and $25,000 in prizes, you’re sure to have one incredible adventure. Runners and spectators will play through 7 months of virtual and old-fashioned competition – starting at registration, continuing through training and culminating with one epic weekend of games.
Organized by the Pittsburgh Three Rivers Marathon, Inc. (P3R), the 7th edition is set for May 2-3, 2015. For more information, go to: PittsburghMarathon.com
About the Pittsburgh Three Rivers Marathon, Inc. (P3R)
Pittsburgh Three Rivers Marathon, Inc. (P3R) is a non-profit organization which promotes the love of long-distance running and enhances community involvement in fitness activities through high quality events open to a wide variety of ages and ability levels. Our events will consistently serve the needs of our runners and our sponsors; will engage and reward our volunteers; will enhance the economic well-being of the Pittsburgh region; will partner with public and private entities to create the best possible event experience; and partner with appropriate charitable organizations to give back to the community.
See more at: www.pittsburghmarathon.com/about-us
FACEBOOK: DSGPM TWITTER: @PghMarathon INSTAGRAM: PghMarathon