History of the Great Race

The annual Richard S. Caliguiri City of Pittsburgh Great Race started in 1977, when former Pittsburgh Mayor Richard S. Caliguiri established the race as a “community fun run.” Since that inaugural competition, nearly a half million people have participated in the Great Race, making the event the largest 10K race in Pennsylvania. The popular fall fitness classic has expanded to include a 5K run/walk, a running clinic, the Junior Great Race, Great Race Expo and more. 

1977-1979

• Mayor Richard S. Caliguiri establishes The Great Race as community “fun run” and appoints Leonard Duncan race director. (’77)
• Carl Hatfield of Philippi, WVA, wins inaugural Great Race.
• Numbered Popsicle sticks serve as timing device. (’77)
• Frisbees serve as timing device. (’78)

1980-1984

• Race attracts 10,000 runners from three countries and 25 states. (’81)
• Team competition is established. (’81)
• Race is named the largest road race by The Runner magazine. (’83)
• Bernie Caplan becomes race director. (’84)

 

1985-1989

• Computerized registration and timing is introduced. (’86)
• Race sets registration record to date: 12,807 participants. (’87)
• Mike Radley becomes race director. (’87)
• Race hosts The Athletics Congress (TAC) Masters 10K National Championships. (’89)

 

1990-1994

• Race officially becomes “Richard S. Caliguiri City of Pittsburgh Great Race.” (’93)
• 5K run/walk is established and attracts 865 participants. (’93)
• Laura Mykytok sets current 10K female course record of 31:02 (’94)

 

1995-1999

• Junior Great Race is established for children 12 and younger. (’95)
• Stephen Nyamu sets current 10K male course record of 27:09 (’95)
• “ChampionChip” electronic scoring chip for shoelace is introduced. (’99)

 

2000-2004

• Great Race canceled due to City of Pittsburgh fiscal crisis. (’03)
• Great Race returns – nearly 8,000 runners and walkers participate. (’04)
• “On Your Mark with Highmark Youth Challenge” is introduced to encourage children to compete in community footraces. (’04)

 

2005-2009

• Finish line temporarily moves to Gateway Center during park renovation. (’06)
• Finish line returns to Point State Park. (’08)
• Partnership with PRC creates “Great Race Grows Green.” (’08)
• “ChronoTrack” disposable timing chip on the bib is introduced. (’08)

 

2010-2014

• Race becomes one of 31 races worldwide to receive “green” certification from the Council for Responsible Sport. (’11)
• 35th anniversary celebration includes surprise on-stage proposal during awards ceremony. (’12)
• Combined 5K/10K races set registration record of 16,000 participants. (’14)

 

2015-2019

• Brian Katze becomes race director. (’15)
• Artist Burton Morris designs race shirt in celebration of 40th anniversary (’17)
• The Dollar Bank Junior Great Race course takes children out of Point State Park and onto the road for the first time. (’18).

 

2020-PRESENT

• Race introduces “virtual” format in response to COVID pandemic. (’20)
• Nick Wolk becomes first-ever participant to win both 10K and 5K races in the same year. Wolk’s 5K time of 14:10 shattered the course record by 15 seconds. (’21)
• 18 men – known as “Perfect Great Racers” – keep the streak alive by completing 46th consecutive race. (’23)