P3R Adds Sensory Inclusive™ Heat to the 2023 Chick-fil-A Pittsburgh Kids Marathon

January 12, 2023

P3R’s partnership with KultureCity will help make one of the largest kids races in the country more inclusive

PITTSBURGH, PA /ENDURANCE SPORTSWIRE/ – P3R is proud to announce that the 2023 Chick-fil-A Pittsburgh Kids Marathon, scheduled for May 6, will offer participants and families a Sensory Inclusive™ heat. During the start of this heat, music volume will be lowered, activities will be reduced, and personal space will be increased for participants. This heat is perfect for participants with sensory sensitivities or other individualized needs making this event accessible to all.

“We know many participants enjoy the loud noises, large crowds, and hype prior to a race, but not everyone is the same,” said Troy Schooley, P3R CEO. “Thanks to our partnership with KultureCity, this Sensory Inclusive™ heat will allow participants a quiet place to wait near the start line and utilize sensory bags to help reduce sensory overload prior to participating.”

In addition to the race day efforts, staff and volunteers will also go through training prior to the race to help ensure the best guest experience for those with sensory needs. KultureCity’s Sensory Inclusive program is designed to help guests with sensory needs like autism, PTSD, dementia, and strokes, just to name a few, feel welcomed. Combining a safe space to gather, training by professionals, sensory bags, and signage, the program helps ensure that all guests are accepted and included.

The KultureCity Mobile Sensory Station and sensory bags will also be available at the Finish Line Festival in Point State Park during Sunday’s DICK’S Sporting Goods Pittsburgh Marathon events. This space provides a mobile sensory experience for friends, family, spectators and participants to make everyone feel welcome.

“Adding opportunities and assistance such as this truly support P3R’s mission to inspire any and all to MOVE,” Schooley said. “We strive to make our events inclusive and accessible to all, and this is just another example of our commitment to the mission. We want individuals with sensory sensitivities to not only feel welcomed, but also to have a great experience while they participate.”

The Chick-fil-a Pittsburgh Kids Marathon is one of the largest kids races in the country and drew more than 10,000 kids and their parents in 2022. For more information or to register, visit thepittsburghmarathon.com. For more information about KultureCity and its programs, click here.

Story contact: Kelsey Emch, P3R Public Relations Specialist, 417-425-9400 or kelsey.emch@p3r.org.

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About the DICK’S Sporting Goods Pittsburgh Marathon Weekend of Events
The Pittsburgh Marathon was held annually from 1985-2003. After a five-year hiatus, the DICK’S Sporting Goods Pittsburgh Marathon was relaunched in 2009 and debuted with a sold-out field of 10,000 participants. It has grown each year since, evolving from a single race day into a weekend of events for the whole family that annually attracts nearly 40,000 runners. Read more at: ThePittsburghMarathon.com

FACEBOOK: DSGPM TWITTER: @PghMarathon INSTAGRAM: pghmarathon

About P3R
P3R is the engine behind Pittsburgh’s greatest races. We strive to inspire any and all to MOVE with us. Best known for organizing the acclaimed annual DICK’S Sporting Goods Pittsburgh Marathon, P3R runs a variety of other high-quality races, events, and health and fitness programs throughout the Pittsburgh region. While many of our races attract some of the nation’s highest-profile professional athletes, we offer activities for all ages and ability levels. Anyone and everyone is invited to #RUNwithP3R! Read more at: P3R.org

FACEBOOK: RUNwithP3R INSTAGRAM: RUNwithP3R TWITTER: @RUNwithP3R