Pirates Charities to hold third annual "Pittsburgh Pirates 5K Home Run"

Pirates Charities, the official philanthropic arm of the Pittsburgh Pirates, announced the third annual "Pittsburgh Pirates 5K Home Run" event scheduled for Saturday, April 13, 2013. The morning event will take place on Pittsburgh’s North Shore, starting on Federal Street and finishing inside PNC Park.

The race is open to fans of all ages and abilities with staggered start times beginning at 8 a.m. Competitive runners can choose to run in the 5K individually or take part in the team challenge, where teams of four runners can compete against other teams based on average overall time. Top male and female individual runners in each age group (under 15, 16-19 and 10 year age groups from 20 to 70-plus), as well as top male, female and co-ed teams, will be recognized on the field at PNC Park prior to that night’s game against the Cincinnati Reds. Winners will also be awarded commemorative medals.

Fans who do not wish to run may still participate by walking the 5K route. Families may also take part by joining the One Mile Family Fun Run. The One Mile Fun Run course, which does not include the route inside PNC Park, is open to families of any size.

All participants are invited to the post-race party that will be held on Federal Street immediately following the event and will feature complimentary food and beverages. In addition, all participants will receive a commemorative t-shirt and a ticket voucher good for a complimentary ticket to any one Pirates game at PNC Park between April 13 and April 17, 2013.

Participants will also be entered into a drawing to win great prizes such as Pirates 2013 season tickets, autographed Pirates memorabilia and more. Complimentary parking will be available for all participants, courtesy of ALCO Parking.

In 2012, over 2,800 participants took part in the second annual 5k Home Run and raised more than $82,000 to help support Pirates Charities’ many local community and charitable initiatives.

"The Pittsburgh Pirates 5K Home Run has become a tremendous annual event and is a great way for our fans to have fun while helping to raise funds for Pirates Charities," said Pirates President Frank Coonelly. "The success of this event has been overwhelming the past two years and we look forward to another special event in 2013."

The 2013 Pirates Charities 5K Home Run sponsors to date include ALCO Parking, ROOT Sports, Trib Total Media, KDKA, Star 100.7, 93.7 The Fan, Y108, The Parking Spot and pirates.com.

To register or obtain complete race details, fans can log onto pirates.com/5Khomerun, or contact Jackie Hunter at 412-325-4776.