PITTSBURGH— A group of running enthusiasts who have the backing of city and Allegheny County officials are working to revive the Pittsburgh Marathon in time for the city's 250th anniversary next spring.

The marathon began in 1985 and was last run in May 2003 after then-Mayor Tom Murphy said the city could no longer afford the extra police protection and other services needed for the race.

But now Allegheny County Executive Dan Onorato said he working with Mayor Luke Ravenstahl on a plan to revive the race next May. Under that plan, the county would provide the necessary police protection, county spokesman Kevin Evanto told a Pittsburgh newspaper.

Onorato and Ravenstahl are working with two Pittsburgh area runners who are relying on the support of marathon experts, including Bill Rodgers, who won the New York and Boston marathons four times each, to renew the race.

"Pittsburgh could put on a great marathon again," Rodgers told the newspaper. "You just need local government behind it, valuing health and fitness."

The group is trying to round up sponsors to pay the estimated $1 million needed to hold the race.

At its peak in 2000, the race attracted more than 6,400 runners from 46 states.