Frequently Asked Questions

WHEN IS THE 2013 GREAT RACE?
The Great Race will take place on Sunday, September 29, 2013. The 5K Run & Fitness Walk will begin at 8:00 am at the corner of Fifth Ave. and Atwood St. in Oakland, and the 10K Run will begin at 9:30 am by the corner of Beechwood Blvd. and S. Dallas Ave. in Frick Park.
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WHAT IS THE CAP FOR THE 2013 GREAT RACE?
Starting in 2013, The Great Race will cap registration differently than in previous years. Instead of having a single combined race cap, each race will be capped individually for a total of 15,500 runners:
• 10,000 in 10K run
• 5,500 in 5K run/fitness walk
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DO I HAVE TO RUN THE RACE I SIGN UP FOR OR CAN I SWITCH DISTANCES IF I WANT TO?
Given that the 10K and 5K races are now capped individually, it is important that you select the race you intend to run when registering. While we are able to allow runners who register for the 10K to switch down to the 5K, we can no longer allow runners who registered for the 5K to switch up to the 10K. If you select the 5K when you register, you cannot switch to the 10K. Registrants who wish to switch down from the 10K to the 5K must do so in writing, and the requests can only be granted if 5K spots are still available.
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DOES THE RACE COURSE FEATURE A LOT OF HILLS?
The Great Race course does contain hills, but it is predominately downhill. Miles 1 and 5 contain the most uphill sections, while miles 2, 3, 4, and 6 contain light rolling hills and downhill stretches. Click here to view the elevation map.
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IS SHUTTLE BUS SERVICE AVAILABLE?
Yes. Shuttle service is available to those who wish to park downtown by the finish line and ride to the 5K and 10K start lines. Shuttles will leave from Stanwix St. between Penn Ave. and Liberty Ave. (in front of Fifth Avenue Place) from 6:15 am to 7:15 am for 5K runners and from 7:15 am to 8:45 am for 10K runners.

Runners and walkers can purchase passes for $2.50 each at the Highmark Blue Cross & Blue Shield Expo.

Shuttles will leave from the same location from 9:30 am to 12:30 pm for runners who parked at the start lines and wish to return to their vehicles.

Please visit the Transportation page for complete shuttle details as well as complete parking information.
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WHAT ARE THE ROAD CLOSURES FOR THE GREAT RACE?
Street closings for both the 10K and the 5K are divided into four separate zones. Zones C & D will be closed at 6:30 a.m. Zones A & B will close at 8:30 a.m. Each zone will re-open at different times. The schedule is as follows:

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I WOULD LIKE TO BE SEEDED.
HOW DO I REQUEST A SEEDED POSITION?
To request a seeded position, simply compose a brief letter to the Race Director stating your request for a seeded position. Include with the letter a copy of 10K results from the past 12 months. The letter can be mailed to:

Race Director
Richard S. Caliguiri City of Pittsburgh Great Race
459 City County Building
414 Grant Street
Pittsburgh, PA 15219

Once the request is received it will be reviewed and if the 10K times you provided are good enough to be included in our seeded runner pool, then you will receive a seeded number when you pick up your packet and number at the Great Race Expo. 
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HOW DOES A 10K TEAM REGISTER?
To register as a team for the 10K, a team captain must fill out a team declaration form. A team must consist of a minimum of three (3) to a maximum of five (5) runners, and each runner must be individually registered as a runner.

The fee for a team registration is $25.00, and team declaration forms can be turned in up to the close of The Great Race Expo on Saturday, September 28, 2013. Any forms received after the close of the Expo will not be accepted.
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HOW CAN I VOLUNTEER FOR THE GREAT RACE?
We are currently putting together shift information for The 2013 Great Race. For more information regarding volunteering, please call The Great Race Hotline at 412-255-2493.

To sign up to become a Great Race volunteer as an individual or as a group, please visit the volunteer page. Simply fill out the form for yourself or your group, and select your preferred shift(s). Some shifts or areas require more volunteers than others, so the availability of some shifts may be limited.
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SUBMIT A QUESTION
Don’t see your question listed above? Enter your email address and question below, and a Great Race staff member will respond to your question in a timely manner.
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