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| - The course sucked. It just sucked. There were so many hills, even a slight one right at the last 0.2 stretch which made this run an absolute nightmare. I'm from Pittsburgh and I've ran a few of these, but it felt especially hard this year. Do A LOT of hill training before running this course.
I would have given a 4 star, but that would not be fair to all the best volunteers and spectators that I have encountered
Cons:
This is a really hilly course. It was extremely challenging. You're easiest part is only gonna be that mile on East Carson Street. Watch out for that hill(s) going up Forbes towards Oakland. There's a slight hill which goes on forever, followed immediately by a giant one.
Pros:
-AWESOME volunteers and spectators. Hands down, they are the best out of the 13 or so different marathons I have ran. There was so much positive energy. The spectators would use their own money to support the runners like buying pretzels, oranges, fun size water bottles, and even watermelon and pineapple. Definitely a special shout out to those who came out for the moral support. Lots and lots of little kids out wanting to give the runners high fives - very sweet and cute
-non-diluted gatorade at hydration stations
-fresh oranges along the course
-really well equipped with porta potties.
-post marathon snacks? WOW. Bananas, chips, pretzels, Eat-n-Park smiley cookies, flavor and flavors of Panera Bread mini bagels, fruit cups, water, gatorade....AMAZING. Leave it to the yinzers to show you other marathons how it's done. ;)
-Expo bag is really nice. It's not all cheap and plastic. It's actual windbreaker fabric - whatever that material is called. Polyester? With 8.4 oz red bull silver? YUMM.
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