The Highs and Lows of The Pittsburgh Marathon

The Pittsburgh Marathon was canceled for five years due to budget constraints, but a recent study shows that the 2009 race generated over $22 million in spending.

1 minute read

September 12, 2009, 11:00 AM PDT

By franny.ritchie


The Dick's Sporting Goods Pittsburgh Marathon generated $21.6 million in spending and another $900,000 in state, city and county tax revenues, a tidy sum that means its back to stay.

"We knew we had impact, but knowing exactly what it was is really beneficial in terms of showing its value to the city of Pittsburgh," says race director Patrice Matamoros. "We're already well on our way to planning the 2010 race with more than 1,700 registered participants, which is way up from where we were last year at this time."

Some 10,600 runners hit the streets last May; more than 5,500 arrived from outside of Allegheny County. The marathon attracted more than 45,000 racers and participants to the Golden Triangle and another 50,000 lined the streets to cheer. The 3-day weekend contributed $2.4 million to restaurants and bars another 21.7% of the runners stayed in local hotels, pumping $275,000 into local hotel revenues.

Thanks to Franny Ritchie

Wednesday, September 9, 2009 in PopCity Magazine

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Cover CM Credits, Earn Certificates, Push Your Career Forward

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

June 11, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Rendering of Shirley Chisholm Village four-story housing development with person biking in front.

San Francisco's School District Spent $105M To Build Affordable Housing for Teachers — And That's Just the Beginning

SFUSD joins a growing list of school districts using their land holdings to address housing affordability challenges faced by their own employees.

June 8, 2025 - Fast Company

Yellow single-seat Japanese electric vehicle drivign down road.

The Tiny, Adorable $7,000 Car Turning Japan Onto EVs

The single seat Mibot charges from a regular plug as quickly as an iPad, and is about half the price of an average EV.

June 6, 2025 - PC Magazine

White Waymo autonomous car driving fast down city street with blurred background at night.

Seattle's Plan for Adopting Driverless Cars

Equity, safety, accessibility and affordability are front of mind as the city prepares for robotaxis and other autonomous vehicles.

3 hours ago - Smart Cities Dive

Two small wooden one-story homes in Florida with floodwaters at their doors.

As Trump Phases Out FEMA, Is It Time to Flee the Floodplains?

With less federal funding available for disaster relief efforts, the need to relocate at-risk communities is more urgent than ever.

5 hours ago - Governing

People riding bicycles on separated bike trail.

With Protected Lanes, 460% More People Commute by Bike

For those needing more ammo, more data proving what we already knew is here.

7 hours ago - UNM News