Kaitlyn Hughes | features editor

Mark Courtney has run an average of seven miles every day since 1979.

Approximately 16,255 days and counting.

“There are worse things to be addicted to,” Courtney said.

It’s his compulsion to run that keeps him going, knowing that it’s good for his body and mind.

On Sept. 29, he finished his 45th Richard S. Caliguiri City of Pittsburgh Great Race.

Courtney was part of more than 8,000 runners to complete either the 5k or 10k course that day.

Established in 1977 by Caliguiri, who was mayor at the time, the race started as a “community fun run.”

The race is held to support a good cause.

In 1988, Caliguiri died of amyloidosis, a rare disease that occurs when abnormal proteins called amyloid accumulate in organ systems in the body.

The race donates $1 from every registration to the Richard S. Caliguiri Amyloidosis Fund, which is held by the Pittsburgh Foundation to support medical research. This year $5 from every One GREAT Challenge, competing in both the 5k and 10k, registration was donated.

The route started at Frick Park in Squirrel Hill and ended in Point State Park. Runners passed five college campuses, multiple East End neighborhoods and under Pittsburgh’s tall buildings that make up the skyline.

Through sweat and droplets of rain, runners darted across the finish line. Some collapsed out of exhaustion, others threw their hands up towards the sky in relief.

After 6.2 downhill miles of neon-colored running shoes smacking the slick city concrete, the runners had reached their goal as they entered Point State Park.

“It’s a downhill course,” Courtney said, “but you need to work hard to run a good race.”

Brian Katze, race director, said that large civic events, such as the Great Race, are the fabric of communities.

He said it means a lot to see a large number of people come together for the race.

“It’s a pretty rewarding experience knowing that what we are doing means so much to people,” Katze said.

Despite there being thousands of runners, a male and a female came out dominant in their category.

Nick Wolk earned his fourth consecutive title as the first male finisher with a time of 31:52. Jennifer Bigham won the race in the women’s division for the sixth time finishing at 35:22.

Mayor Ed Gainey bestowed olive branch crowns upon their heads.

Bigham heard spectators shout “go, Jen” throughout the entire course.

She became emotional while crossing the finish line after hearing the support of the crowd.

Bigham was happy to be racing in her home city, especially bringing home the win.

She gets nervous every time she runs no matter the size of the race, but it is not the people watching or the stake of the title that creates her angst.

It is just because she cares.

“I only run for myself,” Bigham said to The Duke.

Throughout her victorious race she wore a shirt that read, “Bras For Girls,” which is a non-profit that gives away sports bras to support young women who want to stay active.

“I am very passionate about keeping girls in sports,” Bigham said.

She has been racing competitively for 30 years.

Running makes her feel more confident.

Bigham comes back to race every year to show other women what is possible.

Though many runners were experienced and a 10k was an easy feat, some were less acquainted with the challenge.

It was Nerina Sivonjic’s first time participating in a 6.2-mile race.

As Sivonjic completed the last quarter of the race her body yearned to slow down because of the fatigue in her muscles, but her friend pushed her to the finish.

“I took it on as a challenge because I don’t enjoy running,” Sivonjic said.

She said it is good to try new things, especially activities that can be constructive and healthy.

Courtney said that anyone can be a runner.

“It doesn’t take more than a decent pair of running shoes and a T-shirt,” he said. “You are only competing against yourself.”

Along with the runners, the spectators lining the streets of Pittsburgh added to the energetic atmosphere.

Music blaring at the last leg of the race, onlookers cheered, waved signs and rang cowbells as their loved ones and friends completed their goals.

Kittie Verdolini Abbott came out to support her husband, Tom Abbott, who is a perfect Great Racer. Meaning he has participated in the event every year since the inaugural race.

She said she is inspired from seeing people of all levels and ages joining in on the day.

Kittie Abbott watched the thousands of runners pass by.

“I’m not running right now, but I get tears in my eyes,” she said. “You know what has gone into it.”