UPMC Health Plan Increases Pittsburgh Half Marathon Prize Purse to $34,500

Total prize purse places event in the top five of U.S. half marathons; even record $6,500 for each race champion

PITTSBURGH, March 6, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Dick's Sporting Goods Pittsburgh Marathon has announced that UPMC Health Plan, title sponsor of the UPMC Health Plan Pittsburgh Half Marathon, has committed more than $9,000 to raise the total prize purse for the 2013 event, making it one of the nation's top five largest half marathon prize purses.  

The UPMC Health Plan Pittsburgh Half Marathon, scheduled for Sunday, May 5, 2013, has increased its prize purse from $25,200 to $34,500, an event record. The top seven male and female finishers will receive prize money with the men's and women's champions taking home $6,500 each.

"Every year, we strive to move our elite program to the next level," said Patrice Matamoros, race director of the Dick's Sporting Goods Pittsburgh Marathon. "We thank UPMC Health Plan for their continued support of our elite program. The increased prize purse exemplifies how our race has grown over the past five years to become a world-class event."

In 2010, UPMC Health Plan became the title sponsor of the half marathon, the weekend's most popular race. With more than 12,000 finishers in 2012, the half marathon was the 20^th largest 13.1 mile road race in the United States according to Running USA.

"UPMC Health Plan is proud to support the Pittsburgh Half Marathon and we hope the added incentive ensures that it becomes one of the most competitive half marathons in the country," said Gina Pferdehirt, director of public relations and community relations at UPMC Health Plan. "As we celebrate our fourth year of supporting this great race, we have made a commitment to attract and reward top runners."

For more information, including elite runner registration and the complete prize purse breakdown, go to: www.pittsburghmarathon.com

SOURCE Dick's Sporting Goods Pittsburgh Marathon