by Reese Price

Pittsburgh streets came alive as GS students along with thousands of runners recently took on the marathon’s weekend festivities.

The Dick’s Sporting Goods Marathon took place over the weekend of May 2-3, bringing record braking participation into the city. With 52,000 participants filling the streets, this was Pittsburgh’s largest marathon in history.

“Pittsburgh really showed up for all of the runners, even in the colder temperatures,” Business Teacher Mrs. Rachael Pozik said. “My favorite sign that I saw was from Business teacher Mr. Tyler Brinton that said ‘Sub Plans?’ That really made me chuckle.”

The weekend featured multiple events for all ages and skill levels. Runners and walkers competed in the full marathon, UPMC Health Plan Pittsburgh Half Marathon, marathon relay, 5K and kids’ races. The events went through Downtown, Oakland, the Strip District and the North Shore, giving participants a full tour of the city.

“My favorite part of the half marathon race was running across one of Pittsburgh’s iconic bridges,” senior Quinn Dieter said. “The views of the city and all of the people cheering really made it memorable.”

GS students were among those who took on the challenge, participating across several races. Senior Brody Burkholder, Onno Lohmann and Jordan Span each ran the half marathon. Whether running for personal bests, fitness or for fun, GS represented the school with pride in Pittsburgh.

“My pr before the race was 7:05 per mile, and during the race I was able to run 6:42,” sophomore Silas Bogert said.

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Junior Silas Bogert poses with his medal after finishing the half marathon.

Photo Courtesy: Silas Bogert

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Training for these races often requires months of preparation. From early morning runs to balancing schoolwork and athletics, many students endured the physical and mental strength needed to cross the finish line.

“The race is very mentally challenging,” Bogert said. “What helped me was prayer in every discouraging section, especially after running up hills, like the West End Bridge that was approximately 6.5 miles into the race.”

Beyond the race itself, the marathon weekend pulled the community together. Volunteers, spectators and local organizations came together to support the runners, making the event more than just a competition, rather a celebration of hard work and determination.

“My favorite part of racing is continuously seeing what your body can do, how far you can push it and how all of your hard work and discipline really pays off,” Pozik said.

As the largest marathon to date, this year’s event left a lasting impression on the people who participated. For GS students, it was an opportunity to be part of something bigger than themselves, one mile at a time.

“I would absolutely do it again,” Dieter said. “Pittsburgh is one of my favorite half marathons to do and I plan to continue the tradition in future years.”