Pens' 6.6K continues to be a unique and special event

Fall was in full force on Sunday morning as a sea of black and gold dedicated runners gathered on Fifth Avenue outside of PPG Paints Arena to embark on the sixth annual Pittsburgh Penguins 6.6K Run and Family Walk presented by Highmark.

With chilly temperatures, crisp air and vibrant-colored leaves, runners ran the equivalent of 4.10- miles through downtown Pittsburgh over two bridges and a tunnel, the only race in the city to do so. Walkers, families with strollers and furry friends had the option to participate in a 3.3-kilometer course as well.
All proceeds from the event benefit the Mario Lemieux Foundation and the Pittsburgh Penguins Foundation, with the unique distance of 6.6 kilometers paying homage to Mario Lemieux himself.
Every year, Lemieux fires the starting gun to kick off the race and then meets runners at the finish line where he personally high-fives every finisher. This year, Lemieux was joined by former Pens players Phil Bourque, Jay Caufield, Pierre Larouche and Bryan Trottier to cheer on runners and hand them their medals. Trottier even performed the national anthem.

"This is my third or fourth year doing this event," Bourque said. "I know it's getting up early, I know it's chilly, but it's such an amazing cause. Just to see Penguins fans that are runners, they bring their dogs and their kids, it's great. At the end of the day, why are we all doing this? We're doing this for Mario and his foundation and what he has done for this community. It's a great cause. I'm proud to be a part of it."
Participants had the option to raise money for both causes.
"We had a ton of fundraisers this year," Mario Lemieux Foundation Executive Director Nancy Angus said. "They raised over $75,000 for both of our foundations. We are so happy about their participation. The winner is from Maryland, third place was from Canada. It was a really nice effort."
Fittingly, both the male and female division winners were Pittsburgh natives. Back-to-back champion Ann Mazur Robb is an avid runner and grew up in Allison Park. This race has become one of her favorites.
"I love this race," Mazur Robb said. "I live in Charlottesville now, but Pittsburgh is my hometown. This race is always around my birthday, I had my 33rd birthday yesterday. Now I'm running a 6.6K. I love that Mario is at the end and there were even more Penguins at the end this year, that was awesome.
"At the second bridge, there was actually construction occurring as we were racing. I actually loved it. It was so Pittsburgh. I love the tunnel at the end. You have to keep going. The light at the end of the tunnel is Mario Lemieux (at the finish line)."
Following the race, runners gathered outside of the Verizon Gate to enjoy post-race fuel and browse through merchandise from the race's sponsors while they waited for the Awards Ceremony.

Top finishers among each age group were presented with a specialized Mario Lemieux hockey puck and got their picture taken outside of the arena with a city backdrop. Dan Potash emceed the Awards Ceremony and Bourque presented the runners with their prizes.
Once all of the top division finishers were recognized, Potash and Bourque conducted a raffle. Various signed Pens memorabilia were given to a few lucky winners. A signed puck from Sidney Crosby, signed jerseys from Patric Hornqvist, Brian Dumoulin and Evgeni Malkin and a signed vintage National Hockey League Wales All Star jersey were just a few of the raffled items.
Not many people would voluntarily sacrifice their Sunday morning to go out and run in chilly fall temperatures, but the Pittsburgh Penguins 6.6K Run and Family Walk has continuously been such a fantastic event to unite the community over two phenomenal causes that it's become a staple in the city.
"It's unbelievable event," Bourque said. "It's so well-run, so professional, so smooth. Right in the heart of the city. It really is unique and special."