The Spring Thaw

Be a Part of History

The winter's first big race is back for its 50th incredible year. The Spring Thaw is the longest continuously run race in Pennsylvania, and you get to be a part of that history when you participate in its 50th running on February 28, 2026.

The Spring Thaw starts and finishes at North Park's iconic boathouse and follows counterclockwise loops around the lake with 5, 10, 15, and 20 mile race options. This race is a great training/test event for the 2026 Pittsburgh Marathon or any other spring race!

Race Start - all distances - 10:00am. Course closes at 2pm.

We are proud to continue to support 412 Food Rescue.  CLICK HERE for full details on how to help support their mission.

About 412 Food Rescue

Driven by the belief that good food belongs to people, not landfills, 412 Food Rescue was founded in 2015 as a direct response to the disconnect between food waste, hunger, and environmental sustainability. 

In the US, nearly 40% of all food produced is wasted while 1 in 8 people experience food insecurity. Food waste is also one of the leading causes of greenhouse gas emissions and is the single largest component in our landfills.

With the help of a dedicated fleet of 20,000+ volunteer Food Rescue Hero drivers equipped with the 412 Food Rescue app, over 26 million pounds of healthy, surplus food has been picked up from food retailers and delivered to nonprofit partners serving those who need it most. That's equivalent to 21.6 million nutritious meals and sequestered 41 million pounds of harmful CO2 emissions.  

Join The Movement

The 412 Food Rescue app makes claiming food rescues easy and convenient, guiding each volunteer every step of the way from pick up to delivery.

Become a Food Rescue Hero today!

412 Food Rescue is a (501)(c)(3) charitable nonprofit organization that depends on support from individuals to deliver our mission to end food waste and feed those who are hungry. We are thankful for all of our supporting #FoodRescueHeroes, GCXC and everyone involved with The Spring Thaw for this great opportunity!

CLICK HERE TO MAKE A DONATION TODAY!

5 mile course map - CLICK HERE

10 mile course map - CLICK HERE 

15 mile course map - CLICK HERE

20 mile course map - CLICK HERE

Course limits: 

15mil participants must maintain a 16min per mile pace

20mi participants must maintain a 12min/mile pace and start their final 5miles no later than 1pm

We at GCXC love dogs and many of our staff have them.  They are a wonderful addition to any family.   However, for safety and insurance reasons, we do not allow them at our events.  Please come to our races and have a blast with your family, friends and fellow runners but we kindly ask you to leave your dogs at home.  

SERVICE ANIMALS:  If you will be accompanied by a service animal, please contact the race director before the event so that we may make the appropriate accommodations for you.

Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.

The use of over-ear, noise-cancelling headphones is prohibited at this event. Amplified music that is not provided by race staff or volunteers is additionally prohibited (i.e. bluetooth speaker).
 
It is vital that you are able to immediately hear and respond to on-course staff and volunteers' instructions. 
 
Participants are encouraged, for their own safety and the safety of those around them, to use only bone conduction (i.e., Shokz) or single-ear headphones for personal audio if necessary. 

GCXC does allow strollers at races where it is safe to do so.   If there is a race where we can not, we will specifically list that on the event website.   

However, we do ask that anyone with a stroller start in the rear of the event, or if you are competitive with your stroller, start on the left or right of the field and not in the middle.  This will allow for the safety and comfort of all participants at the event.  Thank you for your cooperation and understanding.

The Spring Thaw started its life as the First Annual Boston Marathon Qualifier Marathon on Feb 20, 1977.  It was founded by Tom Abbot and Harvey Kucherer as an opportunity for Pittsburgh area runners to run a Boston Qualifying time in scenic North Park.  Since its founding by Abbot and Kucherer there have only been three race directors: Mark Courtney, Kevin Smith, and now Matt Imhof with GCXC.  At the time of its founding, it was the only opportunity for marathon distance locally.  The first event had 24 finishers, and grew to close to 200 by 2000.   

Over time, the race evolved from a marathon to a multi-distance event (10, 15 and 20 mile options) with a well-loved post-race soup buffet!  Unfortunately, after a mid-2000s peak of over 1000 participants, registration fell and the soup was scrapped in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.   

In 2020, the race was taken over by GCXC Race Timing, after purchasing the rights from Pro Bike + Run.  In 2022, GCXC added the shorter 5 mile distance to encourage more Pittsburgh runners to participate.  It has now become the 2nd most popular of the 4 race distances.   GCXC looks forward to continuing the great tradition of this race and, while always striving to innovate, ensuring the event's prominence on the spring race calendar in the Pittsburgh area.

VIRTUAL RUN FAQs:

• WHAT IS A VIRTUAL RUN? A Virtual Run is an event you can complete Anytime/Anywhere! There isn't a set time or place since virtual runs are meant for you to complete at your convenience and at your own pace.
• HOW DO I SUBMIT MY TIME? - After completing your 5 Frigid 5 Mile run, simply go the link below, click the blue submit results button, log in to your RunSignUp account and upload your results.  SUBMIT RESULTS HERE
• IS THERE A SPECIFIC APP WE NEED TO USE TO TRACK OUR TIME? You can track your run with any app, watch, or fitness device that you would like.
• CAN I COMPLETE MY VIRTUAL RUN BEFORE I HAVE RECEIVED MY GEAR? You don't have to wait to receive your gear in the mail.  You can complete your run at any time. 

Awards will be be presented in the following categories:

• Top 3 overall male and female in all 4 races: 5, 10, 15, and 20 miler
• Top Male and Female Master's in the 10-mile
• AGE GROUP awards for the 5, 10, 15, and 20 mile will go to the top 3 males and females in the following categories:
  • 19 and under
  • 20-29
  • 30-39
  • 40-49
  • 50-59
  • 60-69
  • 70+

Per current USATF guidelines, top 3 overall placements are based on gun time. 
Age group awards will be based on chip time.

Results will be posted on our GCXC PA results page and also posted on our Facebook page after the race.  

PRE-RACE PACKET PICK-UP: TBA

RACE DAY PACKET PICK UP

• Race day packet pick-up will begin at 8:15 am in the Rose Barn at North Park across from the boathouse.

PLEASE BE PREPARED ON RACE MORNING

• CARPOOL, CARPOOL, CARPOOL
• We have over 500 participants in this years race.
• There are only about 250 official spots near the boathouse.    
• CARPOOL, CARPOOL, CARPOOL
• There are also NO BUSSES
• CARPOOL, CARPOOL, CARPOOL

AVAILABLE PARKING LOCATIONS

• Parking will be available IN THE LARGE LOT TO THE LEFT of the Rose Barn and other satellite lots. (see BLUE SECTIONS BELOW)
• There is NO PARKING IN THE ORANGE LOT as this is reserved for OTB staff and customers.
• There is also NO PARKING AT ROSE BARN PACKET PICK UP/CHECK IN.   This lot will be closed.

• Rose Barn lot across from the Boathouse.  Approximately 200 spaces  BLUE LOT
• Pearce Mill lot less than 1/4 mile from Boathouse.  Approximately 30 spaces  SMALLER BLUE LOT ON LEFT
• Spillway lot along Babcock Blvd. is located 3/4 mile away—over 100 spaces.
  • CLICK HERE FOR GPS
• Skating rink lot located approximately 1 mile away.  Over 150 spaces.
  • CLICK HERE FOR GPS

Although we hope changes are minimal, we understand changes sometimes are necessary due to life events or training issues. 

• ALL CHANGES MUST TAKE PLACE BEFORE THE EVENT.
• YOU CAN NOT MAKE CHANGES MID-RACE!  YOU MUST RUN THE DISTANCE YOU SIGNED UP FOR.

HOW TO CHANGE YOUR EVENT DISTANCE:

• All changes will incur a $5 change fee, plus any difference in race fee
• Changes may be made online by the athlete themselves anytime prior to 2/21/25 at 11:59 pm.
• Visit www.runsignup.com and click on the "Athlete Login" link at the top right.
• Sign in with the email & password which you used when you registered.
• Go to MY RACES and choose the 2026 SPRING THAW
• Select the EDIT REGISTRATION OPTION.
• Then select TRANSFER EVENT 
• Follow the directions on the screen.
• NO CHANGES allowed after 2/21/26
• NO CHANGES on Race day
• If you are changing down in distance there is no additional fee over the $5.
• If you are changing up in distance, you pay the difference, if any, plus the $5 change fee

The only thing better than running glorious lake loops in the dead of winter is running them with friends & family!  Invite others to join you and earning cash back on your registration.

HOW DO I EARN REWARDS?  JUST FOLLOW THESE STEPS.

• When you register, you will receive your personal rewards link in your confirmation email. 
• Simply share that link with your family, friends, and fellow runners via email, social media or text.
• For every transaction that is completed, using your unique code, you will earn a referral credit. 
• When you hit a level below, you will instantly earn a reward back to the payment method that you signed up with.

1. 1. 5 referral registrations = $10 BACK
   2. 10 referral registrations = $20 BACK
   3. 15 referral registrations = $30 BACK

The more you refer, the greater your rewards.  So spread the word and start saving today!

RULES

• The referral has to signup with your unique referral link. You cannot email us "after the fact for credit" saying "I referred someone and ask for them to be added to your total.
• The RunSignUp system automatically keeps track and refunds automatically.

HOW CAN I SEE HOW MANY PEOPLE HAVE REGISTERED THROUGH MY REFERRAL LINK?

• You can track your referred registrations through your RunSignUp profile. Log into RunSignUp and go to Runner Links>>My Referrals or click THIS LINK.  

GCXC is proud to partner with USATF Three Rivers on their 2022-2023 Winter Grand Prix.   USATF Three Rivers is the local chapter of USA Track & Field.  The Grand Prix will score points for USATF Three Rivers members and they will be eligible for unique prizes at the end of the series.   The series is open to all USATF Three Rivers members.  This years events include:

• Run Santa Run 5k Cranberry - Saturday, Dec 10th, 2022
• Frigid 5 Miler - January 8th
• Groundhog Day 5k - February 4th
• Spring Thaw 10 Mile - Feb 25th
• Shamrock Run 5k Cranberry - March 4th
• March Mad Dash 5 Mile - March 11th
• Just A Short Run 8.1 Mile - March 25th

For information about USATF Three Rivers and all they do, please click the link below.

• http://www.usatf-threerivers.org

For information on USATF member benefits, please click the link below.

• https://www.usatf.org/home/top-utility-nav-content/membership

We will have 3 water stops per lap on the course.  Locations listed below are for lap 1.  Participants will continue to pass 3 stops per lap on subsequent loops.

• Mile 1.75 - Lake Shore Drive.  
• Mile 3.5 - Ingomar Road
• Mile 5 - Boathouse (after passing the start/finish after loop 1).   The stop will also have GU for the 15 and 20 mile runners.

Volunteers will be on hand to support you and cheer you on. Please deposit the cup in one of the garbage containers which will be located just up the road from the stop.   Please deposit all nutrition packaging in these receptacles as well.   Help us keep North Park beautiful.   

Head back to the Rose Barn after you finish to warm up and have some delicious soup! This will definitely be one of your best post-race meals this winter.

Conquer the Cold is back and colder than ever in 2026 

• 21st Annual Frigid 5 Miler - Sunday, January 11, 2026 at North Park
• 50th Annual Spring Thaw - Saturday, February 28, 2026 at North Park
• 26th Annual Sean T. Smith Memorial Just A Short Run - Saturday, March 28, 2026

This unique challenge is not for the faint of heart. With the infamous Frigid 5 final hill; the Spring Thaw winter temps, and JASR’s famous mile 1 climb, this challenge will surely bring out the best in runners of all abilities!

All participants who complete the challenge will:

• Receive an exclusive, commemorative GCXC “Conquer the Cold” Winter Challenge finishers medal at Just A Short Run on March 28, 2026.
  • Medal reveal coming soon!
• Receive all individual race SWAG from Frigid 5, Spring Thaw, and Just A Short Run
  • A commemorative 2026 Frigid 5 custom knit tossle cap and finisher medal
  • A commemorative 2026 Spring Thaw 50th Anniversary long sleeve tee, socks, and finisher medal
  • A commemorative pair of 2026 Just A Short Run running shorts and a finisher medal
• Pay only one transaction fee (not three!) when registering and save money
• Have the opportunity to purchase Challenger-only apparel to wear during your training
• Get huge kudos on your accomplishment from family, friends, and fellow runners
• Experience immense pride as you conquer the winter chill, maintaining your training momentum as we head into spring 2026

Best of All, You Create Your Own Challenge:
The challenge is simple: sign up for all 3 events at once, pick your distances at each race, and you are registered for the challenge. There are 16 different combinations to choose from.  Eat your heart out Burger King!  Our runners can have it their way.

NOTE:  YOU MUST REGISTER FOR THE CHALLENGE USING THE CHALLENGE BUNDLE TILE TO BE ELIGIBLE FOR THE CHALLENGE PERKS. Registering for each race separately does not qualify as the challenge.

All runners will receive a commemorative long-sleeve, super soft tee shirt and an incredible finisher medal (image TBA soon).   10, 15, and 20-mile participants will also receive a custom pair of 50th anniversary socks.   And everyone will have the opportunity for some really awesome limited-edition anniversary add-ons!