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GNC Live WeLL PittsburGh heaLth aNd FitNess exPoDon’t forget to stop by the GNC Live Well Pittsburgh Health and Fitness Expo before your race! Held at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center, the Expo is the only place to pick up your packet and other important information for race day. Once you’ve taken care of that, explore the hundreds of vendor booths, featuring clinics, products, and services that are geared toward leading a healthy lifestyle. Free and open to the public, the Expo is a dream day for running enthusiasts of any age. David L. Lawrence Convention Center, 1000 Fort Duquesne Blvd., Downtown. 412.565.6000. pittsburghcc.com.

Friday, May 2: 11 a.m.-8 P.m. (10-11 a.m. FOr VIP)Saturday, May 3: 9 a.m.-6 P.m.

PuriNa Pro PLaN Pet WaLkThis is probably the best walk your dog will ever take! The Purina Pro Plan Pet Walk invites runners to bring their four-legged friends to Point State Park Saturday, May 3, at 12 p.m. all well-behaved pets, who have their current vaccinations, are welcome to leash up and enjoy the beautiful course. as a bonus, a portion of the event’s proceeds will benefit the animal rescue League & Wildlife Center. So, give your dog a great day and help another dog get a great life!

uPMC heaLth PLaN PittsburGh haLF MarathoNYou know what they say about half marathon runners: They’re only half crazy! On Sunday, May 4, thousands of runners will take off from the corner of Liberty avenue and Seventh avenue, and finish at Stanwix Street and Boulevard of the allies. Completing the 13.1 miles of the UPmC Health Plan Pittsburgh Half marathon is a proud moment for any runner, and as the sponsor, UPmC Health Plan is proud to lend its name to the race. The organization strives to promote healthy lifestyles in the city, and this is just one of its many contributions. UPMC Health Plan, U.S. Steel Tower, 600 Grant St., Downtown. upmchealthplan.com.

PreseNtiNG sPoNsors

5 Whirl / maY 2014 Pittsburgh marathon guide

ToyoTa of PiTTsburgh Kids MaraThonPittsburgh’s youngest runners are getting in on the fun of race weekend, too! children in pre-kindergarten through sixth grade will run the toyota of pittsburgh kids Marathon on saturday, May 3, at 10 a.M. the 1.2-Mile fun run can be coMpleted with parents or as a solo adventure.

this year, thousands of children are going the extra mile by joining the giant eagle kids of steel program. an extra 25 miles, to be exact. with those miles logged in before the race, these tough-as-steel students will have completed a full marathon after finishing the race! for their hard work, the children will receive a special finisher prize and a president’s challenge certificate, and five of the participating elementary schools will earn a $1,000 grant to support their physical education programs.

professional runners ian burrell and clara santucci have been motivating students at two kids of steel schools all year. they send their expert advice and encouragement through a pen pal system to help them run their best races. “it’s a ton of fun seeing the interest in the sport from kids just starting their running careers,” burrell says. “it reminds me of my initial years running and how much fun they were.” in addition to talks about training, santucci writes to the students about what they’re learning in school and what she has learned while running across the world. she taught them about denmark, where she raced earlier this year, through the geography-teaching cartoon “flat stanley.” “it’s so important for young kids to be able to connect with people outside of their own little world,” santucci says. “i am striving to help provide some of that for them.”

Q & a

Clara Santucci was the first American woman to finish at the 2013 Chicago Marathon.

ian Burrell was the first American man to finish at the 2014 Houston Marathon.

Get to kNoW the ProsWhile Burrell and Santucci make a positive impact on the Kids of Steel, they also stand out on the race course. as members of the american Development Program, the runners encourage the next generation of U.S. long distance runners at the Pittsburgh Three rivers marathon, Inc.’s flagship events: the DICK’S Sporting Goods Pittsburgh marathon, UPmC Health Plan Pittsburgh Half marathon, GNC Live Well Liberty mile, and EQT Pittsburgh 10 miler. We asked the pros about their stellar careers and how we can aspire to achieve the same passion for running.

tell uS aBout your running BaCkgroundS.ian Burrell:

I started running in high school in Colorado, and did cross country and track for four years. I was recruited to the University of Georgia and competed for five years, earning all-american a few times. after that, I joined a professional group in Flagstaff, ariz., that made strides toward the 2012 Summer Olympics. I ran there from 2008-2010 but decided to further my education and went to law school at the University of arizona in Tucson.

Clara SantuCCi: my running career started in Doddridge County, W.Va. When I first started running in middle school, I was far behind where I am now, not even the best on my team. But I always kept my eyes on the next level and worked toward that. I went to college at West Virginia University, ran cross country and track, and became a four-time all-american. after graduation, I knew I wanted to pursue a professional career as a marathoner.

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What Was your most memorable marathon?Cs: Boston was my debut marathon. It really brought to life everything I had dreamed about the whole marathon experience. The crowds were deafening, the course was unique and historic, the pain of the last few miles were like nothing I had felt, and the finish was a rush of relief and an exhilarating sense of accomplishment. It was a very positive experience and one I’ll always be thankful for.

have you run in Pittsburgh before?ib: I did the EQT Pittsburgh 10 Miler last year. I really like what they’re doing with the races and for U.S. distance running and the community. I’m excited to do the half marathon there this year.

What’s the most reWarding asPeCt of distanCe running?ib: When you’re able to hit your goals. There have been races where I haven’t hit my goals, and it takes years to get to the levels I want to be at. So, when you achieve those outstanding goals, it’s amazing.

Cs: It builds resilience and that can reach into all areas of your life. You just learn how to propel yourself along with your own will and feet.

We all have off days during training. hoW do you PoWer through?ib: You have to keep it in perspective and assure yourself that you might be going through a rough patch. Running has ebbs and flows; you have to keep in mind that things are going to get better. If you keep on working at it, you’re going to hit the better times.

Cs: I’m motivated by the only thing that can make an off day better: knowing I gave it my best that day. I know if I give it my best, I can still hold my head high.

What is your best adviCe for runners?ib: Be patient. It’s 10 times easier said than done because you want to see results now, but it takes a lot of time to build endurance and get to where you want to go.

Cs: Always keep the fun and enjoyment in running. It’s good to get serious and work hard toward goals, but enjoying the run is what’s going to make and keep it a lifetime habit.

PHOTOGraPHS ON OPPOSITE PaGE FrOm IaN BUrrELL aND CLara SaNTUCCI

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