Preparations For Marathon Underway

The Pittsburgh Marathon and The City of Pittsburgh announced on Wednesday that a survey assessing the economic impact of the 2010 Marathon revealed about 8.2 million in direct spending was generated and indirect spending was about $22 million. Indirect spending includes items such as running gear and restaurant meals. This survey was done by an independent agency.

18,000 runners are expected to participate in this year's marathon, to be held in May. 35 percent of them will be coming from out of state. This year's race will be different than year's past, starting downtown, going through new to the marathon neighborhoods in the West End and ending on the North Shore.

The marathon requires much support from the city.

"We have to have several several meetings with everyone from the city because we impact so many people," said Patrice Matamoros, the Pittsburgh Marathon Race Director, "We rely heavily on those agencies so we can run our race."