Elite Field Announced for Pittsburgh Marathon

Published by WTAE on April 25, 2014

Two-time Marathon champion James Kirwa and Pennsylvanian Clara Santucci lead a strong elite field for the 6th Pittsburgh Marathon, set for Sunday, May 4, 2014. Runners will compete for an overall Marathon record prize purse of $47,000 plus an additional $26,000 available to Americans as part of Pittsburgh’s inaugural American Development Program.

“With a record prize purse, our defending men’s champion going for a rare three-peat and top fields led by Gebo Burka and Clara Santucci, our sold-out 6th edition should be something special in the City of Champions,” said race director Patrice Matamoros.

Clara Santucci, 27, who was the first American woman to cross the finish line at the 2013 Bank of America Chicago Marathon and has a marathon personal record of 2:29:54, leads the women’s Marathon field. She will face tough competition from Ethiopian Yeshimebet Bifa, who recently set her personal record at the 2013 Seoul International Marathon after finishing in 2:26:18. Jane Vongvorachoti, from the U.S., adds to the competitive field. She recently set with a half marathon PR of 1:15:24 at the 2014 USA Half Marathon Championships.