Road closures, increased security in effect for Pittsburgh Marathon

PITTSBURGH — This weekend, over 40,000 runners from all 50 states and 20 countries are expected to participate in Pittsburgh Marathon Race Weekend events. Thousands of other people will gather to cheer on race participants.

For those looking to make their way around the big race, Pittsburgh Marathon organizers recently announced street closures for the duration of the weekend.

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The initial road closures occurred downtown Friday, beginning at noon on the Boulevard of the Allies between Wood Street and Stanwix Street. This area will remain closed until Sunday.

On Saturday, North Shore and Downtown closures began at 7:30 a.m., ending at noon.

For Sunday, the downtown-area closures will begin at 11:30 p.m. Saturday night and will end at 2:30 p.m. Sunday.

Marathon organizers suggest that all participants plan to arrive at least two hours prior to the start of the race Sunday for parking, making note that there will be no shuttles to take participants to and from parking garages or lots before or after the race.

For more road closure and parking information, visit thepittsburghmarathon.com.

Added security measures will also be implemented throughout the weekend to ensure safety. Those measures include security checkpoints and perimeters where only runners are allowed.

"We also have over 493 law enforcement officers and private security that are working throughout the start, finish, and course race weekend," said Patrice Matamoros, Pittsburgh Three Rivers Marathon, Inc. CEO.

Allegheny County Executive Rich Fitzgerald said law enforcement is ready.

"There are plans we don't put out publicly, but the mayor and I and chiefs of police and superintendents, they work together collaboratively to make sure that safety and security are paramount," said Fitzgerald.

WPXI