The Richard S. Caliguiri City of Pittsburgh Great Race returns the weekend of September 26–27, 2026 — its 49th running. The Dollar Bank Junior Great Race goes Saturday; the 10K and 5K run through the heart of the city Sunday morning. Around 10,000 runners, and most of them bring people.
Know what else is happening that weekend before you book. This is one of the busiest weekends on Pittsburgh’s calendar and the Great Race is only part of it: Pitt hosts Bucknell on Saturday the 26th, the Steelers host the Bengals on Sunday the 27th, and IROS brings thousands of international researchers into the city starting that same Sunday. Four separate crowds, one weekend. If you are running, book earlier than you think you need to.
Why a home beats a hotel on race weekend
Race mornings start before the coffee shops do. A house gives you a kitchen for the 5:30 AM breakfast you actually want, a real bed the night before, parking so you are not moving a car at dawn, and a washer for everything you ran in. Afterward you have somewhere to put your feet up that is not a lobby — and if your family came in to watch, they have space rather than a second hotel room.
Groups running together do especially well in a whole home: one kitchen, one meeting point, one address for everybody, and nobody negotiating a hotel breakfast window on race morning.
Make a weekend of it
The Great Race finishes with the rest of Sunday wide open, and late September is Pittsburgh at its best. The Strip District on Saturday morning is the right pre-race carb stop, and Mount Washington at golden hour is the view everyone flies in for. Start with our Pittsburgh food guide and Things to Do in Pittsburgh.
Where to stay. Rivers & Steel City Homes offers full homes across the Pittsburgh metropolitan area — parking, a kitchen, laundry, and room for everyone who came to cheer. 2,700+ guests since 2018; book direct and save 5–15% over Airbnb and VRBO. Find your dates at riversandsteel.com/search.
More to plan your trip: Things to Do in Pittsburgh · Sport on the Pittsburgh events calendar. Ready to visit? Find your stay »
Comments are closed.