Who’s in the midst of spring training for Pittsburgh marathon weekend? We see you, Runners of Steel. Registering for a training run with P3R or the Steel City Road Runners is a great way to keep yourself motivated during training season. Registering for spring races at shorter distances is also a nice way to try new routes and practice your race-day pace.
The 9th Annual Brave American Classic race series is a perfectly timed spring race series in Sewickley. It’s close to the city, lines up with marathon weekend training, and benefits a worthy cause. Distances range from one mile to a 5K and 10K, so there are good distances no matter your level.
The race has local roots — it was started as a high school project by a local Sewickley resident. The run and walk were organized to benefit Boulder Crest Retreat, a non-profit that provides retreats for combat veterans their families. Nine years later, this is a favorite race among Pittsburghers, and the race has raised over $340,000 for Boulder Crest.
The course winds through the small, quaint borough of Sewickley. It’s also a very affordable race, ranging from $20-$35 depending on the distance. Plus the price doesn’t increase until the day before the race, so you have time to consider if you’re interested in running it or what distance you’d like to take on.
One of the side benefits of the race is getting to Sewickley on a Saturday morning! The area has a few local bakeries and restaurants that are worth stopping by while you’re there. We highly recommend grabbing coffee and the quiche of the day at Mediterra, a local bakery and cafe.
9th Annual Brave American Classic
Date: Saturday, March 21
Time: 9 a.m.
Location: St. Stephen’s Church, 405 Frederick Ave. Sewickley, PA US 15143
