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The half marathon is quite often referred to as the “perfect distance” for a race. Here are 13.1 reasons why the UPMC Health Plan Pittsburgh Half Marathon should be your go-to half marathon.

1. It’s a great race for first-time half marathoners.
   “Being my first half marathon, I had a really fun time and can’t wait to run it again!” - 2018 half marathon participant
   “Amazing event! 2019 was my first half marathon experience, and it was incredible.” - 2019 half marathon participant
2. It’s also great for experienced runners.
   “I have done multiple half marathons, and Pittsburgh is the best - it is well organized and has great crowd support regardless of the weather.” - 2019 half marathon participant
3. Pittsburghers (and Pittsburgh runners) support runners no matter what.
   Even when we had to run virtually, one runner said that they “could feel and literally hear the Pittsburgh support while running my half on an empty country road in Erie, PA,” and out-of-towners say “I felt so welcomed by Pittsburgh!”
4. Spectators galore.
   More than 300,000 spectators line the streets for the DICK’S Sporting Goods Pittsburgh Marathon weekend of events, and they’ll be there to cheer you on for every step of your 13.1-mile journey!
   
   Photo by Chancellor Humphrey
5. You can even change things up and run the BACK Half Marathon!
   Have you run the half marathon several times and are looking to try something new? You can run the UPMC Health Plan Pittsburgh BACK Half Marathon! For most of the first half of the full 26.2-mile marathon distance, half marathoners and marathoners run the same course. At about the 11-mile mark, they split so the half marathoners can finish their race and the marathoners keep going. New in 2022: the BACK Half Marathon gives half marathoners the chance to see the other half of the race! All you need to do is Run for a Reason and raise $1,500 for a charity of your choice to earn one of the coveted and limited spots. Learn more here!
6. Runkeeper lists Pittsburgh as one of the top 15 running cities in the world.
   They called us the “‘unsung hero’ of North American running cities!"
7. The swag.
   UPMC Health Plan Pittsburgh Half Marathon runners get a premium gift as part of their event swag. In the past, it’s been exclusively branded running sunglasses and other amazing gear — stay tuned to learn what it will be in 2022!
8. Runners consistently tell us that our half marathon is the best they’ve ever run.
   “I love the half marathon course. It is challenging, the hydration and nutrition provided is well-placed, the spectators are fantastic throughout, and the post-race festivities are enjoyable with entertainment and more!” - 2019 half marathon participant
9. The cookie at the end!
   Pittsburghers love their Smiley cookies from Eat’n Park, and everyone gets one at the finish line!
   
10. RaceRaves says we’re the best half marathon in Pennsylvania!
    According to their runner surveys, “Finishers rave the ‘crowd energy [is] unreal’ and ‘there isn’t a dull spot on the course.’”
11. Awesome medals.
    These are reserved just for Runners of STEEL!
    
12. You can earn an extra medal!
    If you run the UPMC Health Plan / UPMC Sports Medicine Pittsburgh 5K Run on Saturday and then the UPMC Health Plan Pittsburgh Half Marathon (or BACK Half Marathon!) on Sunday, you’ll earn yourself THREE medals for your efforts since you completed the STEEL Challenge!
13. We’re back in person in 2022!
    After two years of virtual running, we’re BACK to an in-person start line in 2022. You don’t want to miss the return!

13.1. You will inspire someone AND be inspired.
Every runner has a story. You’ll inspire others by telling yours, and when you hear other runners’ stories, you’ll be inspired, too!

Photo by Chancellor Humphrey

Registration for the 2022 DICK’S Sporting Goods Pittsburgh Marathon Weekend of Events - including the UPMC Health Plan Pittsburgh Half Marathon - is open at thepittsburghmarathon.com.