Hundreds of thousands descending on Pittsburgh for Marathon this weekend

The Pittsburgh Marathon is the largest sporting event of the year in the city between runners and spectators.

Tory Schooley, CEO of P3R, Tells the Big K Morning Show there is a record number of participants this year, over 42,000 runners and walkers.

Up to 300,000 people could be in Pittsburgh this weekend, between those participating and those watching.

Many kids are participating as well with P3R’s “Kids of Steel” program in 266 schools across the Pittsburgh region.

The Marathon kicks off on Sunday at 7 a.m.

On Friday at noon, the Boulevard of the Allies will close between Stanwix and Wood Streets in preparation for the marathon.

On Saturday, General Robinson and Sandusky Streets, the Seventh Street Bridge and Seventh and Wood Streets will close for the kid’s marathon from 6:45 a.m. – noon.

Sunday, the main marathon course will close beginning at 1:30 a.m. affecting main roads in Downtown, The Strip District, Lawrenceville Shadyside, Oakland, The West End, North Side and South Side.

Roads will reopen by 2:30 p.m.

The marathon course:

Participants can pick up their bibs and race packets during the Pittsburgh Health & Fitness Expo presented by DICK’s House of Sport, at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center beginning Friday at 11 a.m. through 8 p.m. Saturday is from 9 a.m. through 5 p.m.

Get the latest information on the Marathon’s website .