More than 4,000 participants took to the pavement to run the inaugural EQT Pittsburgh 10 Miler. With temperatures in the mid-30s and clear skies, runners crossed four of the city’s bridges and weaved in and out of several of the most popular neighborhoods. 

With no clear leader in the first three hilly miles, a pack of six elite men emerged to take the helm. Elijah Muturi Karanja, Julius Kogo, Nelson Oyugi, Ruben Limaa, Jon Gray, and Fernando Cabada clocked 23:35 at the 5-mile mark. The race shaped up at mile eight when Americans Gray and Cabada fell off the lead pack and Kenyans Karanja and Oyugi broke away. Karanja out kicked Oyugi and took the title of champion, setting the race record in 46:51.

Karanja, a late addition to the field, commented that although the course was challenging, he was able to put in a surge the last mile to break away from the pack and take the title.

Cabada was the first American to cross the line in 47:32 and Slippery Rock University Alumni and Indiana, PA resident Jeff Weiss was the first local runner to finish in 49:14.

In the women’s field, Kenyan Sarah Kiptoo lead the race from wire to wire, taking the title of champion and race record holder in 53:56. Sophy Jepchirchir, of Kenya, Karolina Jarzymska of Poland and Lindsey Scherf of the US lead the chase pack. Jepchirchir took home silver with a time of 54:54 and Jarzymska bronze in 55:15. Scherf, a resident of Chapel Hill, NC was the first American, finishing in 55:55.

Post-race, Kiptoo said “it was a hard race, but a great course,” and with a laugh “very hilly.”

Glenn Edwards, 44, of Pittsburgh was the top male Masters finisher in 59:15. Taking home the title of top female Masters was Lisa Lucas, 47, of Upper St. Clair, finishing in 1:04:42. 

Chief Executive Officer of Pittsburgh Three Rivers Marathon, Inc. Patrice Matamoros reflected on the event post-race. “We’re thrilled at the turn out of this inaugural event for both competitive and recreational runners. Many thanks go out to the spectators and volunteers who braved the cold weather to support the participants. We could not have hosted a successful event without our partnership with title sponsor EQT and the City of Pittsburgh.”

A detailed listing of results can be found at Pittsburgh10Miler.org.