Dick's Sporting Goods Pittsburgh Marathon Announces Pacers, Cash and Prizes for "A" and "B" Olympic Trial Qualifiers at May 15, 2011 Race

PITTSBURGH, March 9, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Dick's Sporting Goods Pittsburgh Marathon announces special incentives and pacers to encourage Olympic hopefuls to race with them on May 15, 2011. A cash award of $1500 plus prizes and travel expenses will go to the top American male and female who achieves their first "A" qualifying time for the 2012 Olympic Trials in Houston.  Awards of $1250 in value are offered for the second and third place "A" qualifiers, and all first-time "A" and "B" qualifiers will receive a minimum of a $500 cash incentive, in addition to being eligible for the overall race prize purse.

Jeffrey Eggleston will rabbit the men at a pace of 2:19:00 through Mile 18, and Tyler McCandless will pace women to the 2:39:00 time.  The official Nugo Nutrition pace team will provide support to runners for a variety of time goals.

According to race director Patrice Matamoros, "Part of the Dick's Sporting Goods Pittsburgh Marathon mission is to promote the sport of long distance running. In an Olympic-qualifying year, we feel that offering a combination of pacers and cash incentives to help athletes offset their training costs and achieve their dreams was the most effective way for us to demonstrate our commitment."

To be eligible for the cash, prize and transportation package, athletes must register in advance for the Olympic Trials Qualifying Incentive Program. For further details, runners and coaches should call Kelsey Jackson of the Dick's Sporting Goods Pittsburgh Marathon at 412-586-7785, or visit www.pittsburghmarathon.com, and click on "Race Participants."

The Dick's Sporting Goods Pittsburgh Marathon is hosted by a nonprofit organization, and all events are funded through the generosity of sponsors and runners.  Recognized as one of the nation's fastest growing marathons, the race debuted in May of 2009 with a sold-out field of over 10,000 participants in the marathon, half marathon and marathon relay. In May of 2011, a sold-out field of approximately 20,000 will participate in five race weekend events:  Dick's Sporting Goods Pittsburgh Marathon, UPMC Health Plan Pittsburgh Half Marathon, FedEx Ground Pittsburgh Marathon Relay, UPMC Health Plan/UPMC Sports Medicine 5K Pittsburgh Run, and Toyota of Pittsburgh Kids Marathon. The event's 2011 Run for a Reason charity program will raise over $1,000,000 for participating charities, and several runners will attempt to qualify for the 2012 U.S. Olympic Trials at the race.

SOURCE Dick's Sporting Goods Pittsburgh Marathon