The Pittsburgh Marathon took place on Sunday, May 3rd, 2026, and Norwin High School teachers showed their community pride by participating.

The marathon began at Liberty Avenue and ended on Boulevard of the Allies and Stanwix, passing through Downtown, the Strip District, and various other neighborhoods. This 26-mile run was taken on by teachers Miss McNary, Mr. Bartels, Mrs. Knipple, and Mrs. Fairbanks, who completed in a half-marathon.

“Running has been an obsession and maybe even a healthy addiction for me for many years now,” said math teacher, Miss McNary. “The marathon gives me a real test of mental and physical endurance.”

These bonding experiences take a long time to build up to, finding motivation to excel—or even just participate—in one.

“I completed the 2004 Marine Corps Marathon but was never able to complete another one until this past fall when I completed the 2025 Erie Marathon,” said Mr. Bartels. “Both were grueling but worth the training. The Marine Corps in Washington, D.C. was like the Pittsburgh one: tens of thousands of people and full of energy.”

These events can bring people together, even those who are already close—no matter the hurdles.

“One of my best friends asked me to sign up with her as she wanted to accomplish it while fighting stage 4 breast cancer–I simply couldn’t tell her no,” said Mrs. Fairbanks.

The intense work that is put into conquering a marathon can take a lengthy amount of time, putting effort forward.

“I trained for each one using a program called the Jeff Galloway method,” Mr. Bartels said. “He was a marathoner who just passed away in February of this year. I found his training schedule manageable with my own daily routines, and it has worked well for me whether I’m running full or half marathons.”

Each marathon is motivated by the people who are watching the run, fostering a place of enjoyment and collaboration.

“The spectators lining the 26-mile route and cheering us on are the best,” said  McNary. “There’s something about strangers cheering on strangers!”

Even for experienced runners, the course can be a lot to take on—especially with injury or health complications.

“The course was what I expected, and the crowds and other runners made the run as enjoyable as 4.5 hours of running can be,” Mr. Bartels said. “I did better than I thought. Late in my training, I made a dumb mistake: I played pickleball with a friend and aggravated my foot. Praise God, it didn’t negatively affect me during this race. I reached my goal time and was satisfied that I ran with all of my strength.“

Despite the task at hand being a large one, making progress and simply having fun while doing it is the most important part.

“I gave it my all, and I am proud of myself for that,” Miss McNary said. “It was harder than I thought because my body started shutting down with too many miles left to go. I already signed up to run again next year, though!”

They even shocked themselves with their pace and how amazing it felt to run next to people fighting their hardest!

“I far exceeded my goal in regards to timing, but just spending time and running the first few miles with someone fighting so hard through her [Mrs. Fairbanks’s friend’s battle was the most rewarding,” said Mrs. Fairbanks. “She’s the real champ!”

While difficult, these Norwin teachers displayed their hard work and love for the community by trying their hand at the Pittsburgh Marathon. Whether running or walking, they enjoyed the experience and put their best foot forward.

The Pittsburgh Marathon is a fantastic event that creates a great amount of camaraderie in the city, with each runner or spectator being able to cheer each other on passionately through the entire race. The lengthy run may be a large feat, but it is one anyone interested should attempt.