Athletes Flock To Pittsburgh For 2012 Marathon
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) – Thousands of athletes took to the streets this morning for the 2012 Dick's Sporting Goods Pittsburgh Marathon.
Roughly 25,000 people were expected to participate in the events.
One of the treats of the event is how the course takes runners through various neighborhoods around the City of Pittsburgh.
This year's course started on Liberty Avenue between Sixth and Seventh Streets in downtown. From there, the course winds through the North Side, West End, South Side, Oakland, Shadyside, Homewood, East Liberty, Highland Park, Friendship, Bloomfield and the Strip District before runners cross the finish line on the Boulevard of the Allies.
More Marathon:
- 2012 Pittsburgh Marathon Finish Line Videos
- Spectators Line Marathon Route, Cheer On Runners
- Marathon Photo Gallery
The men's half-marathon winner was Julius Koskei of Kenya with a time of 1:02:57.
Julius Kogo, of Kenya, came in second with a time of 1:03:33.
Ketema Nigusse, of Ethiopia, came in third with a time of 1:05:07.
For the women, Fatuma Sado, of Ethiopia, won the half-marathon with a time of 1:12:43.
Risper Gesabwa, of Kenya, was second with a time of 1:13:36 and Hellen Jemutai, of Ethiopia, came in third with a time of 1:13:45.
Both Koskei and Sado's winning times broke records which were set just a year ago in the race.
This year's winner of the Pittsburgh Marathon was James Kirwa, of Kenya, with a time of 2:14:09.
Jeffrey Eggleston, who won last year's marathon, finished a close-second with a time of 2:14:26.
Nixon Kiplagat, of Kenya, wasn't far behind after leading most of the race and finished with a time of 2:14:46.
In the women's marathon, Malika Mejdoub, of Morocco, won by less than a second with a time of 2:39:30.
She barely beat out Alemtsehey Misganaw, of Ethiopia, who finished with a time of 2:39:31.
Hirut Beyene, of Ethiopia, came in third with a time of 2:39:56.
View the full results for the 2012 Marathon, Half Marathon, Relay & 5K here!
Meanwhile, the weather turned warmer than expected during the marathon. Organizers say a total of 365 runners were treated – 235 at the finish line and 130 at the medical aid stations along the course.
According to marathon officials, 60 people, including spectators, had to be taken to local hospitals.
View videos from the finish line here!
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