A marathon is an expedition of sorts. You plan and prepare for months knowing that on race day something totally unexpected will happen.

This year's Pittsburgh Marathon proved to be just that kind of epic adventure.

Runners across the region tuned in to every weather report, watching first the long term, then seven-day and, finally, the weekend update.

But even a last-minute look Sunday morning left runners baffled as to what to expect from the skies over Pittsburgh from the 7:30 a.m. starting time to the finish three, four or more hours later.

In the course of the marathon, participants dealt with warm and muggy, cool and drizzling, buckets of rain, then merely cloudy weather. The only thing left out of the mix was the predicted possible thunder and lightning, which threatened to postpone the race or possibly cancel it in mid-event — a runner's worst-case scenario.

While marathon runners slogged along with water-soaked shoes and clothing, battling blisters and chafing, half marathoners dealt with their own man-made thunder, as police detonated a microwave oven found close to the finish line. The police, marathon organizers and volunteers did an amazing job of rerouting slower finishers of the half marathon out of harm's way while still giving them the opportunity to cross the finish line.

This year's marathon, which increased to nearly 16,000 participants, posed logistical problems for organizers and participants. Changes in the race's starting point alleviated some of the congestion feeding to the start line.

Even though it took more than 20 minutes for those in the back to reach the starting line, chip timing guaranteed that all would earn a correct start-to-finish time.

Participants in the marathon relay seemed to encounter the most problems. Several relay runners and walkers in my group reported lack of shuttles to and from relay stations and confusion among volunteers at the stations.

One relay participant was misdirected onto the half marathon course by a volunteer and another reported that the shuttle was nearly hijacked by an irate motorist stuck in traffic.

After all the excitement and confusion, pain and exhaustion, exhilaration and humiliation, most of my running group pronounced this year's Pittsburgh Marathon a success — or at least a great adventure.

Now that the marathon is done, it's time to welcome an even bigger event to the city of Pittsburgh. This Sunday, the city welcomes the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure to Schenley Park.The 5K chip-timed portion of this popular event starts at 8:35 a.m. and winds through hilly residential streets and park roads. By the time runners cross the finish line, runners and walkers in the untimed 5K or 1-mile walk still will be leaving the start area on their separate way through the park.As many as 35,000 people are expected to attend the event, which supports the Komen Foundation's fight against breast cancer. Other activities include a 7:15 a.m. warm-up, kids dash at 7:30 and an emotion-filled survivor parade and tribute at 8.Registration is still open for any of the Sunday morning's events. You can register at Schenley Park's Flagstaff Hill from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday or from 6:30 to 8:15 a.m. Sunday.

Saturday, 8 a.m.: Up-N-Running Group Run, Valencia. 724-898-2525 or shoes@runpa.comSaturday, 8 a.m.: ACMH 5K Wellness Run-Walk, Kittanning. 724-543-8850 or beersj@acmh.orgSaturday, 9 a.m.: Moraine Preservation Fund 5K Race and 2-Mile Fun Walk, Portersville. 724-368-9185 or www.morainepreservationfund.orgSaturday, 9 Sayre.: Economy Spring 5K Run-Walk, Baden. 24-869-4324 or mutch5288@comcast.netMay 12, 7 p.m.: Muskie 5K Mini-Marathon, Jamestown. Heather_harmon@jamestown.k12.pa.usMay 16, 9 a.m.: MS Miles of Smiles 5-mile race and walk, 1-mile handicapped accessible event, North Park. Teams and dogs welcome. 724-713-0934 or www.milesofsmiles.comMay 22, 9 a.m.: Mars Band on the Run 5K, Adams Township. Starts at Mars High. www.marsband5k.comMay 22, 8 a.m.: Race-A-Palooza, Lower Burrell. Choice of half marathon or 5k. 724-335-9191 or alasure@vpfymca.orgMay 25, 7 p.m.: Quality Life Series 5K, Grove City. Starts at Trinity Living Center, first race in summer series. 724-431-0770, Ext. 2104 or mikel@qualitylifeservices.comMay 28, 7:30 p.m.: Ogden Mile, Wheeling, W.Va. 304-233-0100, ext. 317 or www.ogden20k.comMay 29, 7:30 a.m.: Ogden Newspapers 20K and 5K Run and Walk, Wheeling, W.Va. Relay 20K starts at 8, 5K at 8:15. 304-233-0100, Ext. 317 or www.ogden20k.comJune 3, 6:30 p.m.: Gateway Track Miles, Monroeville. Free timed races run in heats at Gateway Middle School track. 412-372-3212 or don_tammy@msn.comJune 5, 9 a.m.: Freeport Flash 5K Run-Walk, Freeport. www.freeportcrosscountry.com

Race results<B>Pittsburgh Marathon, May 2: </B>Kipyegon Kirui, 1st Overall M, 2:17:12; Alena Vinitskaya, 1st Overall W, 2:42:33; Christopher Rotelli, 2nd 35-39 M, 2:54:54; David Terrill Sr., 3rd 50-54 M, 3:08:44; Leslie Kramer, 1st 30-34 W, 3:16:35; Emily Wolfarth, 1st 19 and under W, 3:24:33; Holly Bauer, 2nd 30-34 W, 3:25:49; Val Wolfarth, 3rd 50-54 W, 3:30:38; Curtis Grimm, 3rd 60-64 M, 3:45:47; Patricia Neubert, 2nd 55-59 W, 3:47:13Michael Baumgartel, 3:06:00; Seth Zimmerman, 3:09:42; William Peace, 3:16:38; Tracy Covert, 3:20:04; Ken Elias, 3:20:52; Robert Pudlo, 3:22:40; Kiyoshi Hayakawa, 3:23:16; Matt McCusker, 3:24:42; Marty Prokop, 3:24:47; Brian Decker, 3:25:09; Jodi Leung, 3:26:43; William Rogers, 3:28:27; Jason Brehm, 3:28:58; Bill Thompson, 3:29:56; Stacy Kopchak, 3:30:49; Jeff Wiley, 3:31:41; Darryn Zawitz, 3:33:03; Todd Roberts, 3:33:13; Tom Sosko, 3:33:26; Andrew Steiner, 3:34:39; Adam Leskanic, 3:34:48; Robert Malchano, 3:35:11Ron Trout, 3:36:07; Phil O'Hara, 3:38:49; Sean Girdwood, 3:39:25; Francis Donnelly, 3:39:44; Lincoln Larsen, 3:40:03; Henry Spreng, Jr., 3:40:55; Shannon O'Neil, 3:42:12; Lori Piedimonte, 3:43:31; Jim Carr, 3:43:31; Eric Fritch, 3:44:31; Dave France, 3:44:32; Charles Piveteau, 3:45:15; Sean Curran, 3:47:20; Scott Kurzer, 3:47:45; Robert Vislosky, 3:47:49; Matt Marshall, 3:48:45; Christopher Anderson, 3:48:51Jason Gallagher, 3:48:55; Stephen Ionadi, 3:49:04; Jeff Leya, 3:49:30; Keith Quisenberry, 3:49:51; Richard Colonello, 3:50:04; Mario Grana, 3:50:12; Mark Shipley, 3:50:43; Robert Miller, 3:51:21; Michael Kavecki, 3:51:34; Ken Zellars, 3:52:28; Jim Haughey, 3:52:50; Ed Rawlings, 3:52:55; Chris Cutone, 3:53:16; Tim McFarlane, 3:53:26; Joseph Wuenchell, 3:53:51; Ryan Long, 3:53:59; Brian Connell, 3:54:01; Mike Monaco, 3:55:02; Chris Romito, 3:55:04; Greg Stull, 3:55:14; Tim Mouser, 3:55:19; Jeffrey Listwak, 3:56:01; Mark Spontak, 3:56:03; Ferdinando Saglio, 3:56:07; Ronald Hanna, 3:56:17; Andrea Steiner, 3:56:59; Eric Melo, 3:57:04; Charles Huth, 3:55:37Keith Schneider, 3:56:13; Ken Zellars, 3:57:38; Lawrence Ross, 3:57:55; Michael Esham, 3:58:14; Mitch Radella, 3:58:22; Bob Clark, 3:58:25; Shannon Smith, 3:59:35; Tim Weil, 4:00:28; Tara Karns, 4:00:29; Ryanne Palermo, 4:01:14; Julia Simonovitch-Srejcek, 4:01:27; Tim Brack, 4:02:33; Mark Fleming, 4:02:35; Paul Severine, 4:02:39; Gary Heine, 4:04:55; Dean Longwell, 4:05:08; Avery Lawson, 4:05:44; Gary Snyder, 4:05:55; William Marsh, 4:06:13; Paul DiBucci, 4:06:22; Thomas Parenti, 4:07:00; Christopher Bise, 4:07:13; Rebecca Miller, 4:07:18; G. Ronald Ripper, 4:08:32Alicia Thompson, 4:10:54; Bill Melfi, 4:11:31; Thomas Minnock, 4:11:44; William Osche, 4:12:25; Lynne Peterson, 4:15:38; Brian McCafferty, 4:16:39; Pete Roknich, 4:16:40; Sean Dolan, 4:17:12; Michael Prokesch, 4:17:52; Jeremiah Friday, 4:17:55; Shauna Lansberry, 4:18:01; Alayne Lansberry, 4:18:02; Michael Labarre, 4:18:05; Bob Cunningham, 4:18:06; Randy Cameron, 4:18:17; Todd Trofimuk, 4:19:11; David Singh, 4:19:52; Susan Altemus, 4:20:18; Darryl Brandon, 4:21:15; Angelica Scott, 4:21:49; Gabriel Alexander, 4:22:01; Ken Krieger, 4:22:39; Bob Stanions, 4:25:45; Connie Hoffer, 4:26:26; Bradley Schmitt, 4:26:34Robert McSwaney, 4:26:34; Nicole Khoury, 4:27:01; Scott Gliebe, 4:27:20; Jinny Hertweck, 4:27:33; Michael Glew, 4:29:29; Stephen Haberman, 4:29:46; Michelle Choo, 4:30:07; Michael Winterhalter, 4:30:26; Christi Novak, 4:30:40; Bobby Johnston, 4:30:42; Dave Csupak, 4:30:56; Heather Cianfrocco, 4:31:26; Beth Winhold, 4:31:57; Matt Brandt, 4:32:01; Israel Christie, 4:33:17; Neal Franchock, 4:33:21; Sean Nolan, 4:33:38; Jeffrey Hinchberger, 4:34:01; Suzanne Leonberg, 4:34:30; Michael Houston, 4:35:44; Karen Bruch, 4:36:08; Andrew Weisner, 4:36:41; Jill Jackson, 4:36:57; Samantha Pou, 4:38:51; Tami Rippee, 4:40:16; Sherry Plecker, 4:41:30; Heidi Berkley, 4:42:09; Michon Kerlin, 4:43:30; Jeremiah Miele, 4:43:30; Jeffrey Straub, Jr., 4:41:09; Edward Doyle, 4:42:21; Michael Cherry, 4:42:56; Kelly Hartman, 4:44:28; James Hodgson, 4:45:42; Vicki Young, 4:46:12; James Burgess, 4:46:40; Rachel Salisbury, 4:47:00; Vicki Fender, 4:47:46; Amy Formica, 4:49:04; Darryl Tieken, 4:49:07David Elinsky, 4:49:28; Jeffrey Bauer, Jr., 4:49:51; Michael Davis, 4:50:31; Justin Kleckner, 4:50:25; Ricardo Baron, 4:51:15; Stephen Cooper, 4:52:18; Mary Morgan, 4:53:56; Kim Bell, 4:54:22; Andrew Super, 4:54:59; Biana Lisjack, 4:55:46; Chris Castle, 4:55:55; Matthew Callihan, 4:56:40; Elaine Rhein, 4:56:44; David Griffith, 4:57:02; Mike Cornell, 4:57:09; Michael Beyer, 4:57:41; James Miller, 4:58:00; Jim Erikson, 4:58:11; Melissa Jungling, 4:58:27; Scott Ackerman, 5:01:26; Jay Hagerman, 5:02:02; Richard Landgraf, 5:02:26; Tammi Landgraf, 5:02:26; Evan Lowe, 5:05:00; Eileen Wrubel, 5:05:19; Elizabeth Mitros, 5:06:29; John Gooss, 5:06:34; Barnes Allen, 5:06:34; Bill Swanik, 5:08:59; Craig Lutzic, 5:11:09; Kara Hoerth, 5:11:15Maianne Badaczewski, 5:1:36; Kim Jeongsoo, 5:11:47; Patricia Eckels, 5:11:57; Wendy Burgess, 5:13:13; Justin Curry, 5:13:26; Amanda Brozenic, 5:15:26; Jim Villela, 5:15:46; Aaron Stanley, 5:19:39; Marcie Good, 5:19:50; Robert Zukas, 5:20:23; Robert Crawford, 5:20:27; Elise Held, 5:22:48; Heidi Christy, 5:24:20; Rebecca Miller, 5:26:17; David Crowe, 5:26:46; Wesley Willow, 5:31:20; Carey Carvelli, 5:31:30; Mark Rankin, 5:34:48; Nathan Steadman, 5:35:21; Katie Miller, 5:38:39; Kyle Johnston, 5:42:08; Alicia Marks, 5:43:14; Bob Lusnak, 5:49:47; Terrence Moore, 5:49:47Vincent Klonowski, 5:50:08; Elizabeth McMeekin, 5:50:56; Thomas Donaldson, 5:51:48; Shu-Hua Wang, 4:53:09; Debbie Huth, 5:55:12; Carol English, 5:56:21; Anthony Ciccone, 6:03:32; Anne Semmler, 6:04:53; Lisa Johnston, 6:06:31; Matt McClelland, 6:09:59; Kathy Druschel, 6:11:34; Lisa Poepoe, 5:16:24; Ann Hixon, 6:21:57; Ken Wilson, 6:27:57; Joseph Cullen, 6:32:06; Brittany Horne, 6:35:06; Tiffany Mylan, 6:39:47; Susan Stutz, 6:39:54; Belinda Held, 6:45:24; David Byers, 6:52:40Send comments and suggestions to: 435 Cherry Valley Road, Saxonburg, PA 16056. 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