The G-20 Summit might be the biggest news in Pittsburgh this week, but for runners the main event in town takes place after the summit leaves.

This Sunday marks the 32nd running of the City of Pittsburgh's Great Race, which is the largest 10K event in the state. With the addition of the 5K in 1993, the Great Race has become the largest competitive running event in the region. More than 10,000 finishers and more than 100 teams took part in last year's competition.

This year's race might be even bigger. Mike Ridley, Pittsburgh's assistant director of Parks and Recreation, said by Monday more than 11,000 had registered to run, walk or wheel.

Radley has been in involved with the Great Race for 31 of its 32 years. He relies on his staff and volunteers to make this event run smoothly each year. Radley doesn't anticipate any problems leftover from the G-20.

"They'll all be gone by Saturday," he said.

All traffic restrictions will be lifted downtown by Sunday morning. As in the past, all city parking lots will charge $5 to park on race day. There has been a price increase — the first in the history of the race. It now costs $2 to ride the shuttle from downtown to the race start. Shuttle bus tickets are sold at the race expo.

Because of the G-20, the Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield Race Expo hours have been expanded. The expo at Circuit Centre on Pittsburgh's South Side will run from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday and from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and features packet pickup, registration and lots of shopping. There is no race-day registration for the Great Race.

If you're going on Friday, remember that G-20 traffic restrictions will be in place in the Golden Triangle, but both the 10th Street and Hot Metal bridges will be open.

A new service will cut down on congestion at the packet pickup. Runners can check for their race number online beginning at 11 a.m. today at www.rungreatrace.com, instead of squinting at the list of 10,000 names posted on the wall at packet pickup.

This year's Great Race Pasta Party at Spaghetti Warehouse in Pittsburgh's Strip District has been expanded. The official party takes place from 4 to 10 p.m. Saturday. But during this week, runners sporting a Great Race T-shirt from a previous year's event earns a 32-percent discount on their dining bill.

As in past years, the Great Race will honor the event's founder, the late Mayor Richard S. Caliguiri, and partners with the Amyloidosis Foundation.

The 5K starts in Oakland Sunday at 8:30 a.m. The 10K begins in Frick Park at 9:30. Both races feature a net downhill run ending at Point State Park. For information, call the Great Race Hotline at 412-255-2493 or visit www.RunGreatRace.com.

Saluting volunteers

Great Race Director Mike Ridley expressed thanks to all volunteers whose work is invaluable but sometimes goes unnoticed.

One volunteer that we can thank in person is Mile 4 split timer Brendan Tuite of Renfrew.

Tuite, a former runner, has served at this mile point for at least 10 years.

Upcoming eventsSaturday, 7 a.m.: Akron Marathon, Akron, Ohio. Also half marathon and five-person relay. 877-375-2786 or www.akronmarathon.orgSaturday, 8 a.m.: Up-N-Running Group Run, Valencia. 724-898-2525 or shoes@runpa.comSaturday, 8:30 a.m.: VillageFest 5K Run and 2-Mile Walk, Slippery Rock. 724-794-8180Saturday, 9 a.m.: United Way 5K Race-10K Challenge, Clarion. Starts at Clarion University Stadium. 814-226-8760 or clarionunitedway@verizon.netSaturday, 9:30 a.m.: Run for Sight 5K, Moraine State Park. Run on paved bike trail benefits Blind Association. 724-287-4059 or info@theblindassociation.orgWednesday, 6 p.m.: Fun run at Adams Community Park meets weekly for consecutive loops in park. 724-352-4395 or bigp16@connecttime.netOct. 2, 6 p.m.: Elderton 5K, Elderton. 724-354-3779 or rfrailey@alltel.netOct. 4, 8 a.m.: Zoozilla 5K Gorilla Run-Walk, Pittsburgh. Run through Pittsburgh Zoo. 412-665-3640 or www.pittsburghzoo.comOct. 10, 8 a.m.: Chamber Classic Half Marathon and 5K, North Park. 724-934-9700 or www.signmeup.comOct. 10, 9 a.m.: Race for Pace 5K, Penn Hills. Also Paws for Pace 1-mile dog walk. 412-244-1900 or www.paceschool.orgOct. 11, 9 a.m.: Good Samaritan Hospice Memorial 5K Run- Walk, North Park. Benefits hospice services. Bring your dog for $5. 1-888-352-1571, ext. 8363 or www.goodsamaritanhospice.orgOct. 11, 9 a.m.: Pizza Joe's 5K, New Castle. Also kids run at 8:40. jessicat@pizzajoes.comOct. 17, 9 A.M.: Buffalo Creek Half Marathon, Sarver. On Butler-Freeport Community Rail Trail. 724-898-2525 or www.buffalocreekhalfmarathon.orgOct. 24, 8:30 a.m.: Harvest Moon 10-Mile and 5K, Moon Township. 412-490-0881 or www.eliterunners.comOct. 25, 9 a.m.: Quality Life Cup Series 5K, Emlenton. Final race in series with cash prizes. 724-431-0770, ext. 2104 or www.qualityLifeServies.com

Race results

IKEA Half Marathon, Sept. 12: A.J. Kelly, 1st Overall M, 1:13:32; Heather Parks, 1st Overall W, 1:22:22; Malcolm East, 1st 50-54 M, 1:23:01; Chris Matessa, 1st 16-19 M, 1:38:49; Sharyl Relic, 1st 50-54 W, 1:39:18; Christine Murray, 2nd 55-59 W, 1:54:46; Jerry Heinz, 3rd 60-64 M, 1:58:17; Thomas Murray, 3rd 65-69 M, 2:05:01; Gloria Caceres, 1st 70 and over W, 2:10:09Jeff Leya, 1:29:14; Brent Collins, 1:32:33; John Armstrong, 1:35:30; Robert Pudlo, 1:36:47; John Millea, 1:37:38; Josh Boudreau, 1:38:08; Ben Bowser, 1:39:40; Dan Nguyen, 1:39:54; Philip Mathew, 1:41:44; Bob Schroeck, 1:43:59; Mark Shipley, 1:44:11; Aaron Benedict, 1:45:42; Michelle Heinz, 1:47:49; Paul DiBucci, 1:48:15; Joe Thaner, 1:48:46; Israel Christie, 1:48:57; Michael Prokesch, 1:52:48; Bob Markovich, 1:53:38; G. Ripper, 1:54:32; Ron Hartle, 1:54:35; Katie Griffin, 1:54:50; Jim Steinkircher, 1:55:08; Sharon Millea, 1:55:24; David DeCaria, 1:56:12; R. Custer, 1:57:08; Aaron Stanley, 1:57:14; Avery Lawson, 1:58:06; Michael Cortazzo, 1:59:33; Gloria Caceres, 1:59:49; Michelle Choo, 2:00:27; Mary Morgan, 2:00:39; Pamela Kristoff, 2:01:54; Bob Dawson, 2:02:41; Vicki Young, 2:03:59; Diane Brooks, 2:08:12; David Ebersole, 2:12:34; Heather Oros, 2:13:12; Summer Fowler, 2:13:12; Dana Hoover, 2:16:54; Wayne Toy, 2:17:37; Anne Dawson, 2:22:35; Ken Wilson, 2:49:17; Patricia Healy, 3:09:14

Mars Adams Township 5K, Sept. 12: Michael Baumgartner, 1st Overall M, 18:18; Amanda Johns, 1st Overall W, 21:08; Derek Smith, 2nd Overall M, 21:38; Robert Grant, 3rd Overall M, 21:54; Debbie Deddo, 2nd Overall W, 22:42; Emily Cook, 3rd Overall W, 22:51; Kyle Frederick, 1st 13-19 M, 22:26; Roger Murray, 2nd 50-59 M, 22:35; Peter Hyde, 2nd 40-49 M, 24:56; Jacob Porter, 1st 12 and under M, 25:11; Krista Novak, 2nd 30-39 W, 25:39; Jeremy Nickel, 2nd 30-39 M, 26:53; Ken Deddo, 3rd 50-59 M, 27:16; Suzanne Leonberg, 1st 50-59 W, 27:16Kyle Deddo, 2nd 13-19 M, 27:35; Braden Rawa, 2nd 12 and under M, 28:02; Randy Rawa, 3rd 40-49 M, 28:03; Mackenzie Schutt, 1st 13-19 W, 28:08; Heidi Odom, 1st 40-49 W, 28:32; George Knell, 2nd 60 and over M, 29:29; Lynn Dixon-Stewart, 3rd 30-39 W, 30:05; John Carmelite, 3rd 30-39 M, 30:06; Tyler Latch, 3rd 12 and under M, 30:43; Makayla Mercier, 2nd 13-19 W, 32:14; Eric Kerstetter, 2nd 20-29 M, 32:41; Dayna Porter, 2nd 40-49 W, 34:47; Tiah Popa, 2nd 20-29 W, 35:28; Caroline Barent, 1st 12 and under W, 35:33; Olivia Woerle, 3rd 13-19 W, 36:04; Suzanne Drake, 3rd 20-29 W, 36:42; Hubert Dewey, 3rd 60 and over M, 44:32; Julie Bummer, 2nd 50-59 W, 46:36; Lorraine Hilliard, 3rd 50-59 W, 48:38; Norma Maxwell, 1st 60 and over W, 53:47; Riley Jackson, 2nd 12 and under W, 53:53; Rose Kaufman, 2nd 60 and over W, 54:45; Olivia Waters, 3rd 12 and under W, 56:30David Schutt, 28:09; Terry Onufer, 28:29; Rob Odom, 28:34; Don Ellenberger, 28:41; Jim Latch, 28:43; Rich Barent, 30:02; Jamie Reddinger, 30:14; Rebecca Beck, 30:18; Chamaine Mercier, 32:16; Evan Deddo, 34:03; Sandy Dillner, 41:27; Abby Grant, 43:47Amy Woerle, 43:57; Ted Woerle, 44:02; Lisa Barent, 46:58; Jeffrey Bummer, 47:02; Elissa Dewey, 48:36; Melissa Hilliard, 48:38; Zachary Waters, 51:22; Rhonda Buzard, 53:49; Rhonda Buzard, 53:49; Deb Riley, 53:50; Melissa Fallucchi, 54:42; Chrystal Shelvey, 54:44; Lynn Bourchier, 55:08; Missy Fahler, 55:34; Drew Waters, 55:36; Nadine Waters, 56:32; Christine Brennan, 56:34; Jeanne Weterman, 56:39; Pat Kelly, 56:41; Carol Kaufman, 56:43Send comments and suggestions to: 435 Cherry Valley Road, Saxonburg, PA 16056. Phone: 724-352-4395. E-mail: lotzak@consolidated.netPat Neubert is the running columnist for the Butler Eagle.