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Thursday, 29 September 2011 12:09

Written by Diana Nelson Jones

Hey boys and girls, it’s that time of year again: Step Days!

On back-to-back Saturdays, the neighborhoods of Fineview and the South Side Slopes will put up with, I mean welcome, throngs of people tromping up and down the hillside steps of which they are lucky to have many.

Fineview’s 16th annual Step-a-thon is this Saturday, starting at 8.30a. You can run, walk or limp the rugged 5-mile trek up, down, and around the streets, public stairways and greenways.

You can register online here or on race day with cash or check, but arrive by 8a to sign in.

It costs $25 for the 5-mile course, $15 for the 2½ mile course. All finishers will receive a glass coaster with a photo of one of Fineview’s many great and unique views.

If you finish, you will have added 1,360 steps to your body’s betterment. The Fineview Citizens Council informs that the Rising Main Street steps, 371 of them, are the equivalent of a 17-story building.

Proceeds from this event are dedicated to the greening, cleaning, and beautification of Fineview, and the preservation of the neighborhood’s many city steps.

This from FCC:

“Race organizers hope the Step-A-Thon will highlight the importance of preserving Pittsburgh’s public stairways, which have become a forgotton asset and fallen into disrepair in many communities.”

It is also darn proud of its amazing and underrated views (photo below above lifted from FCC Facebook page, top photo lifted from SSSNA Facebook page.)

The race begins at the intersection of Howard Street and East North Avenue in Deutschtown and ends at the Catoma Street Overlook in Fineview.

Music and an awards ceremony will run until 11a at the Catoma Street Overlook, with post-race refreshments and music by the Starlight Bluegrass Band.

For more information on the 2011 ‘Man Vs. Steps’ Step-a-Thon, visit: www.stepathon.org or contact FCC Program Manager Ed Lewis at (412) 231-0330.  

***

Next Saturday, the South Side Slopes Neighborhood Association will hold its 11th Step Trek. The gathering place is at South Side Park, 21st and Josephine. Registration begins at the highly civilized hour of 11a.

You can register here or at the event. The trek costs you $10. If your dog and cat want to walk with you, they have to pay $5 each.

Proceeds will benefit the Brashear Association’s food pantry, and your contribution of a can of something will be appreciated. They especially need peanut butter and jelly, spaghetti sauce, canned tuna, cereal and baby food.

This event will have food trucks, a Chinese auction and live music.

And remember, this is not a competition. There are several routes. You can wear yourself out and do all 2,700 steps or do what I’ve done — walk a few stair units, lollygag, get the T-shirt and take some photos.

Comments (1)

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written by FranklinChen, October 08, 2011 - 11:58 PM

I enjoyed my first Pittsburgh Step Trek today! Thanks for reminding me last week of this event. http://ow.ly/6RE5O

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