By Grace Senneway
staff writer | sennewayg@duq.edu

About 6,500 people participated in Pittsburgh’s EQT 10 Miler race on Sunday. This day marked a new record high, with the largest number of racers to ever compete in the event’s 14-year history, according to EQT’s website.

Many people came from different backgrounds and experiences to join together in the streets of Pittsburgh and cross the finish line.

For some, running began as a childhood sport, while others found the sport through connecting with family, friends or just to have something to do in their free time.

Delaney Tedesco, a junior at the University of Pittsburgh, said she began running in middle school, but that wasn’t her original intention.

“I didn’t make the soccer team, and a few of my friends were joining the cross country team,” Tedesco said. “So I joined, and I’ve been running ever since.”

For other racers, like Duquesne Medical Student Rachel Lobo, running started as a way to fill up some spare time.

“My friend wanted to run the turkey trot because med school was really busy so none of us were going home for Thanksgiving,” Lobo said. “That’s how I got into running, so we could have something to do on Thanksgiving. We actually really liked it, so we kept running.”

Lobo’s classmate Ryan Marra had another reason for starting his running journey — his wife.

“After I finished college sports, I just wanted to stay in shape. I started doing marathons with my wife,” Marra said. “But I can’t let her outshine me, so I started doing them myself.”

Similarly, 46-year-old Stephanie Lucas found motivation to run through her family.

“I started walking, and then I got really bored, so I started going faster and faster until I started running. After having my son, it was a way for us to get out as a family, push a stroller or just spend time outside together,” Lucas said.

Many participants also said their appreciation for the City of Pittsburgh drew them to the race.

“This is one of my favorite races in Pittsburgh,” Lucas said. “I love running in the city, especially when the weather is nice and cool in fall. It’s awesome.”

Like Lucas, Lobo and Tedesco said they have had pleasant experiences with running in Pittsburgh, and both wanted to come back to the city of bridges for more.

“I did the half marathon in Pittsburgh in the spring, and this is my second race here,” Lobo said.

While the four racers love running in the city, they said the hilly terrain can bring challenges. Each person approached Sunday’s race with a unique mentality that allowed them to keep pushing toward the finish line.

Racers like Lucas and Tedesco said they had difficult starts, but stayed determined and persevered through the course.

“I had a really bad first two miles after my shin cramped up,” Lucas said. “I was really upset, so I walked and I re-tied my shoes, took a sip of water, and then I really locked in. But overall, I think I did really well, and I’m very pleased.”

Tedesco had the opposite experience.

“The first three miles were great, and then it started to get really tough. But I just kept the finish line in mind and said. “I’m going to finish it no matter what,’” she said.

Others, like Lobo and Marra, turned to something in their headphones to keep themselves entertained throughout the race.

“I listened to Spanish EDM. When it was really hard, I listened to Motley Crue to keep getting through it,” Lobo said.

“I just listened to a podcast the whole time to distract myself. By the time the podcast ended, the race was over, so it worked,” Marra said.

While runners were proud of themselves for finishing, others already had their sights set on larger goals.

“I want to do the half marathon next year, so I wanted to do this race to see the city and get used to that terrain,” Marra said.