Places to run, and do people run up the steps? (Pittsburgh: hardwood floors, neighborhood)

[Caladium]

Didn't want to go off topic on the other thread, but those sidebars about running groups brought up a question. So I'll start a new thread to ask...

Where do people like to run in Pittsburgh?

Do people like to run up and down the steps? Is it safe? Is it a thing to do?

Do you run in different places depending on the season?

Are there meet-up groups for runners, or do most people prefer running on their own?

[PghYinzer]

As for groups...check out Pittsburgh Sports League and People Who Run Downtown....

PUMP | PSL Running Club New

(FYI...the run information on there is outdated, but the runs still occur weekly, and the contact is the same. There is an email that goes out Tuesday for Thursday runs) They have 3, 4, and 6 mile runs every Thursday. Different part of the city and different restaurant each week for dinner and drinks afterwards. This week was the Downtown Light Run, which took us around looking at all the downtown tree and light displays.

People Who Run Downtown - A Pittsburgh Running Group

Also, I believe there is a Fleet Feet running group that runs on Thursdays also. I cannot remember the one that runs on Sundays...but if I do I will post....


As for running stairs, I have, and it is safe since it is def a daytime running thing, but I am not sure of a group that specifically runs stairs. I have to say the soreness level that comes from running the stairs is something I was not prepared for.

Changing of the season? Weather dependent, I run inside sometimes, but try to get out in a group, makes it much more enjoyable. I have found that if you are running in a more commercial area the sidewalks are fine, but in Brookline where I sometimes run, the ice is hit or miss, but you have to run no matter what so you get used to it.

I have spent a lot of time running at South Park (which has decent trails along with Schenley) and on the trails around South Side and 2nd Ave, but those are pretty flat, so I like to try to find some variety.

mapmyrun.com has a lot of maps on there that others have used, and it gives you an idea of distances and elevation changes.

If interested in running the Pittsburgh Marathon and want to support a good cause, check out Gilda's Club. They have a running group that trains together for the Pgh Marathon each year.

Welcome to Gilda's Club Western Pennsylvania

[I_Like_Spam]

The Schenley Oval is a popular place for runners here in Pittsburgh. Every lap is 5/8 mile, easy to calculate how far you've traveled.


I don't think running up and down city steps is that great of an idea- a lot of the city steps are in less than perfect condition, you could easily hurt yourself if you hit a piece of loose or missing concrete.

[Copanut]

Go to any local football stadium, best place to run steps. My old B-ball coach made us do that all the time.

Sad to say at 61 I only ride my bike, swim, and chase my wife around the house.(hardwood floors)

Seriously, running steps is the best exercise.

[gortonator]

Originally Posted by I_Like_Spam

The Schenley Oval is a popular place for runners here in Pittsburgh. Every lap is 5/8 mile, easy to calculate how far you've traveled.

I don't think running up and down city steps is that great of an idea- a lot of the city steps are in less than perfect condition, you could easily hurt yourself if you hit a piece of loose or missing concrete.

step running is fun. Best to only run up an come down a road as running down narrow steep steps is not hard work. There's some killer steps on the South Side I'd love to run - it's like a maze over there - would be good to do with a guide

I mostly run around Schenley Park as we live near there. The trail down behind the oval can be followed to the 'pond' (down some steps) and you can loop back around up steps towards Oakland or around the golf course, or stay in the park and run the trail back up towards Beacon/South Sq Hill Slums. I've run a couple of times through Frick over to Regent Sq - it's excellent in there but I'm still getting my bearings.

The hills and trails around town make for excellent fun running.

[doo dah]

There's Step Trek: StepTrek | South Side Slopes Neighborhood Association
A list of steps: Pittsburgh Steps
Also, people run the Cathedral of Learning steps, here is a weekly event: Weekly Cathedral of Learning Stairclimb then Lulu's Noodles! - The Pittsburgh Social Club! (Pittsburgh, PA) - Meetup

And I came across this site with a lot of various things to do: ActivePittsburgh.com Events, Activities, Things to Do in Pittsburgh

[Sealtite]

Originally Posted by Copanut

Go to any local football stadium, best place to run steps. My old B-ball coach made us do that all the time.

Sad to say at 61 I only ride my bike, swim, and chase my wife around the house.(hardwood floors)

Seriously, running steps is the best exercise.

Were you in the military?

[gortonator]

Originally Posted by doo dah

There's Step Trek: StepTrek | South Side Slopes Neighborhood Association
A list of steps: Pittsburgh Steps
Also, people run the Cathedral of Learning steps, here is a weekly event: Weekly Cathedral of Learning Stairclimb then Lulu's Noodles! - The Pittsburgh Social Club! (Pittsburgh, PA) - Meetup

And I came across this site with a lot of various things to do: ActivePittsburgh.com Events, Activities, Things to Do in Pittsburgh

thx - great info.

Although EveKendall has convinced me that Cathedral of Learning running/walking is beyond the bounds of civility.

[LIRefugee]

Originally Posted by gortonator

thx - great info.

Although EveKendall has convinced me that Cathedral of Learning running/walking is beyond the bounds of civility.

I've climbed the Cathedral of Learning twice. I'm not particularly in shape and I had to take some rest stops every fourth floor or so, but I didn't think it TOO hard. Walking up without stopping would be a different matter.

I know of at least one person who leads somewhat frequent five-mile hikes up and down the steps on the South Side, organized through the Pittsburgh hiking group on meetup.com.

[gortonator]

Originally Posted by LIRefugee

I know of at least one person who leads somewhat frequent five-mile hikes up and down the steps on the South Side, organized through the Pittsburgh hiking group on meetup.com.

Been on a few of these. great fun, and you get to see some amazing parts of Pittsburgh.

But I'd love to run them. That'd be wild ...