Pittsburgh Will Close Roads for Great Race Weekend
Pittsburgh will implement various road closures on September 26 and 27 to accommodate the annual Great Race running event.
Updated on Sept. 23, 2026 in Running
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P3R will close multiple streets across Pittsburgh to host the annual Great Race series on September 26 and 27, 2026. The citywide running event expects to draw more than 10,000 total participants across its various races.
Why it matters
The road closures are necessary to ensure athlete safety and course logistics during one of the city's largest annual footraces. Organizing entities are managing these disruptions to facilitate the transition between the weekend's youth and adult events.
The event features a 1-mile Junior Great Race alongside a 10K with a $65.99 registration fee and a 5K race costing $60.49. Organizers anticipate a total field of 10,000 participants.
The players
P3R
This Pittsburgh-based organization manages the Great Race and other local running events focused on promoting community health.
Richard Caliguiri
He was the former mayor of Pittsburgh who founded the Great Race in 1977.
The details
P3R will manage road closures across Squirrel Hill, Oakland, Uptown, and Downtown to support the racing events. To enforce the route, the organization will place No Parking signs along all affected roadways throughout the weekend.
Timeline
September 26, 2026: Road closures for the Junior Great Race begin.
September 27, 2026: Road closures for the 10K and 5K main events occur.
Season Trajectory
As a cornerstone of the regional running calendar, the Great Race maintains its status as a premier fitness gathering in Western Pennsylvania. The event significantly influences local sports participation trends by bridging the gap between youth fun runs and competitive adult road racing.
Residents should expect significant traffic delays in Squirrel Hill, Oakland, Uptown, and Downtown throughout the weekend due to the closures. Drivers are advised to observe all temporary No Parking signs to avoid vehicle relocation during the event hours.
The takeaway
Participants and local residents should plan for significant travel delays as the race route winds through several major city neighborhoods. Checking official city notifications for specific road closure times will help navigate the area efficiently during the weekend.
Further reading
Find more information on local fitness events on our Running page.
Source note: This article includes information reported by TribLIVE.
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