Every Mile Matters! Casey's Clubhouse and Always B Smiling Team Up for the 2027 Pittsburgh Marathon
Adaptive stroller relays, charity runners, family-friendly races, and the Clubhouse Walkers. There's a place for EVERYONE during Pittsburgh Marathon Weekend!
What if running a marathon wasn't just about crossing the finish line?
What if it was about creating opportunities, building friendships, celebrating inclusion, and giving athletes with disabilities the chance to experience something unforgettable?
That's exactly what Casey's Clubhouse and Always B Smiling are working to accomplish during the 2027 DICK'S Sporting Goods Pittsburgh Marathon Weekend, May 1–2, 2027!
Two Pittsburgh-area nonprofits. One incredible partnership. And a whole lot of miles for a great cause!
Through our partnership, we're bringing adaptive stroller racing opportunities to children and adults with disabilities while inviting the entire Pittsburgh community to get involved through the marathon's Run for a Reason charity program.
And here's the best part.
You don't have to be a marathon runner to participate!
Whether you're an experienced runner, a casual walker, a parent with young children, or someone who hasn't exercised in years, there's an opportunity for you to make a difference.
Two Organizations. One Shared Mission.
At Casey's Clubhouse, we've spent more than a decade creating opportunities for children and adults with disabilities through adaptive sports, recreation, friendship, and community.
Today, we serve more than 1,100 participants annually through programs that extend well beyond the baseball diamond.
But we're not the only organization in Pittsburgh doing incredible things for individuals with disabilities.
That's where our friends at Always B Smiling come in!
Founded by Dean and Kristin Huibregtse in memory of their son Bennett, Always B Smiling was created to carry forward the joy, love, and unforgettable smile that Bennett brought into the world.
What began as a family's mission to honor their son has grown into an incredible nonprofit supporting children, young adults, and families navigating disabilities and health challenges.
Through its welcoming community space, known as B-Town, Always B Smiling provides inclusive, no-cost programs designed to create meaningful experiences and lasting connections.
Their programs include adaptive biking, outdoor adventures, creative arts, music, yoga, sensory activities, and opportunities for families to connect with others who understand their experiences.
They also provide Buddee Bags to individuals and families experiencing hospital stays, offering comfort and encouragement during challenging times.
It's an organization built around one simple belief: everyone deserves to feel included, supported, and celebrated.
Sound familiar?
That's exactly why this partnership makes so much sense.
Casey's Clubhouse and Always B Smiling share a commitment to creating opportunities where abilities don't define possibilities.
And now, we're taking that mission to the streets of Pittsburgh! Again!
Learn more about our incredible partners at www.alwaysbsmiling.org.
Adaptive Stroller Relays: Every Athlete Deserves a Finish Line
One of the most exciting parts of our partnership is the opportunity to bring more athletes with disabilities into the Pittsburgh Marathon experience.
Through adaptive racing strollers, athletes who may not otherwise be able to participate in traditional road races can experience the excitement of race day alongside dedicated runners.
Imagine the energy of thousands of spectators cheering throughout Pittsburgh.
Imagine racing across the city, surrounded by teammates and supporters.
Now imagine crossing the finish line with your family and friends celebrating every second.
That's the experience we're working to create!
For 2027, Casey's Clubhouse and Always B Smiling are planning opportunities for 16 athletes to participate in adaptive stroller racing experiences.
Our goals include:
8 adaptive stroller relay teams, giving athletes the opportunity to experience the full Pittsburgh Marathon course with a team of runners.
8 adaptive stroller 5K or half marathon participants, allowing athletes to experience the excitement of race weekend over a shorter distance.
For the marathon relay, teams of runners will work together to push an athlete through the 26.2-mile course, sharing the responsibility and excitement along the way.
For the 5K and half marathon, athletes will be paired with runners for a memorable race through Pittsburgh.
And when those athletes cross the finish line, the celebration belongs to everyone!
This isn't about how fast someone finishes.
It's about the opportunity to participate.
It's about teamwork.
And it's about giving every athlete the chance to experience the pride of crossing a finish line.
Funds raised through our adaptive stroller partnership will be shared between Casey's Clubhouse and Always B Smiling, helping both organizations continue providing inclusive programs and experiences.
Interested in learning more about the adaptive stroller opportunities?
Visit our Run for a Reason page or contact Heather Dennis heather@caseysclubhouse.org.
Run for a Reason: You Can Support Casey's Clubhouse, Too!
Here's something important we want everyone to understand.
You don't have to participate in an adaptive stroller team to support Casey's Clubhouse during Pittsburgh Marathon Weekend!
We're also an official charity partner in the Pittsburgh Marathon's Run for a Reason program.
That means individuals, families, businesses, and groups of friends can register for participating races and choose Casey's Clubhouse as their fundraising charity.
Every dollar raised helps us continue creating opportunities for athletes with disabilities.
And with our facility expansion and growing programs, your support is more important than ever.
Through Run for a Reason, you can create a personal fundraising page, invite friends and family to support your efforts, and turn your race into something much bigger than a personal fitness goal.
You may even qualify to have your race registration fee refunded by meeting the event's fundraising requirements!
Whether you raise $100, $500, or $5,000, your efforts help support the mission of Casey's Clubhouse.
And there's a race for just about everyone.
From the Pet Walk to the Full Marathon: Find Your Race!
Pittsburgh Marathon Weekend isn't just for people who can run 26.2 miles.
It's a weekend filled with opportunities for participants of all ages and abilities.
Saturday, May 1, 2027
Pittsburgh 5K: A great option for beginners, walkers, families, and experienced runners.
Kids Marathon: A fun opportunity for young participants to celebrate movement and accomplishment.
Toddler Trot: Even the youngest members of your family can get involved!
Pet Walk: Bring your four-legged best friend and support a great cause.
Champions Mile: Another opportunity to participate in the excitement of race weekend.
Sunday, May 2, 2027
Full Marathon: Take on the ultimate 26.2-mile Pittsburgh challenge.
Half Marathon: Experience 13.1 miles of Pittsburgh pride.
Marathon Relay: Gather a team and share the miles.
4-Mile Fitness Challenge: Another way to get moving and experience race day.
BACK Half Marathon: Experience the second half of the marathon course while supporting charitable causes.
With so many events available, there's no reason to sit on the sidelines!
Explore the official Pittsburgh Marathon Run for a Reason program to learn about registration and fundraising opportunities.
Running Scares You? WAIT! Meet the Clubhouse Walkers!
We know what some of you are thinking.
"A MARATHON? ARE YOU CRAZY? I DON'T RUN!"
We hear you!
Maybe you haven't run since high school.
Maybe the thought of running even one mile makes your knees hurt.
Or maybe you simply prefer a nice walk with friends over sprinting down the street.
Guess what?
YOU BELONG HERE, TOO!
Introducing the Clubhouse Walkers!
We're bringing people together who want to get moving, support a great cause, and enjoy
the experience without the pressure of becoming a serious runner.
The idea is simple.
Get together. Walk together. Train together. And celebrate together!
Our goal is to build a group of Casey's Clubhouse supporters who can encourage one another, prepare for a walking-friendly race, and experience Pittsburgh Marathon Weekend as a team.
You don't have to be fast.
You don't need expensive running shoes.
And you certainly don't need to start training for 26.2 miles!
Whether you're walking to improve your health, spend time with friends, or simply support our athletes, the Clubhouse Walkers are about making every step count.
We'll share more information about opportunities to connect, train, and participate as a group as race weekend approaches.
Because sometimes the hardest part of a fitness challenge is simply getting started.
And it's a whole lot easier when you're surrounded by people cheering you on.
So put those running fears aside, grab your walking shoes, and come join the herd!
Your Miles Help Create More Than Memories
At Casey's Clubhouse, we often talk about being more than baseball.
And Pittsburgh Marathon Weekend is a perfect example of what that means.
When you participate in Run for a Reason, you're helping support adaptive baseball, strength training, travel experiences, workforce development, and year-round opportunities for children and adults with disabilities.
When you support our partnership with Always B Smiling, you're helping two organizations continue building inclusive communities throughout the Pittsburgh region.
And when you join the Clubhouse Walkers, you're showing that you don't need to be a professional athlete to make a meaningful difference.
Every participant has a reason for showing up.
Maybe you're running in honor of someone you love.
Maybe you're walking to accomplish a personal goal.
Maybe you're pushing an athlete across a finish line.
Or maybe you simply believe every individual deserves opportunities to experience the joy of sports and community.
Whatever your reason, we want you on our team.
Pittsburgh, Let's Make Every Mile Matter!
On May 1–2, 2027, thousands of people will fill the streets of Pittsburgh for one of our city's most exciting weekends.
And we want Casey's Clubhouse to be part of it in a BIG way!
Whether you're interested in adaptive stroller racing, running for a charity, participating in a family-friendly event, or joining our Clubhouse Walkers, there's a place for you.
Here's how to get involved:
Visit Casey's Clubhouse Run for a Reason to learn about our fundraising opportunities.
Register for a participating Pittsburgh Marathon Weekend event and select Casey's Clubhouse as your charity.
Share your fundraising page with friends, family, coworkers, and neighbors.
Interested in an adaptive stroller team or the Clubhouse Walkers? Contact Heather Dennis at heather@caseysclubhouse.org.
Get moving, have fun, and help us make a difference!
You can also learn more about the mission and programs of our partners at Always B Smiling.
You don't have to run the fastest. You don't have to go the farthest. You just have to have a reason.
And at Casey's Clubhouse, we've got more than 1,100 of them!
WELCOME TO THE CLUB. LET'S GET MOVING!
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