Blog

Nick Wolk, a WPIAL cross country champion at Peters Township and former Pitt standout, loves running in Pittsburgh and is excited to once again run “the most Pittsburgh race ever” on Nov. 6. After crossing the EQT Pittsburgh 10 Miler finish line in third in 2021, he hopes to break the tape this year.    

Since graduating from Pitt in 2020, Wolk has kept MOVING by competing for top spots at local races and running for the Pittsburgh Track Club. After winning the Richard S. Caliguiri City of Pittsburgh Great Race for the second year in a row last month, he’s excited to see what he can do at the EQT Pittsburgh 10 Miler.  

“I always want to compete for the win,” Wolk said. “EQT always attracts a strong field so whether I succeed or not, I know the competitive spirit will bring the best out of me. I would love to finish under 49 minutes this year, somewhere around 4:50 pace per mile.”

Here is Wolk’s advice for those getting ready to toe the start line at this year’s EQT Pittsburgh 10 Miler or 10K.  

Keep your pace in the 10K

The 10K is an exciting mix of speed and aerobic strength. The first few miles can feel alarmingly easy, so you need to be disciplined on your goal pace or you will run into trouble in the fifth mile.    

Take it one mile at a time

A 10-miler presents a difficult mental challenge in the second half where it can start to feel like you have forever to go until the end, but if you can take it one mile at a time, the end will come sooner than you expect.  

 

Take advantage of the fast and scenic course

The course is as fast as you could make 10 miles in Pittsburgh. It attracts great competition, is spectator friendly, and I can see my friends and family many times throughout the course. It chains together niche and beautiful neighborhoods with the bridges and has an awesome kick to the finish.  

Mix things up during training

Staying motivated is a blend of unthinking discipline, remembering the goals for which you are pushing yourself, and finding ways to enjoy the process. For me, that is finding different people and communities to run with or finding new neighborhoods to explore.

Know that no matter what your pace or experience level is, you are part of the Pittsburgh running community

Pittsburgh running for me is defined by the different communities within it. There are so many runners in Pittsburgh representing different ability levels and different neighborhoods, each of which is interconnected and bridged by different community organizers and personalities.

And if you can’t participate this year, show up on race day and support the running community

I am so excited to see all of the Pittsburgh running community at the EQT Pittsburgh 10 Miler this year. If you can't race, make sure you are out on the course cheering!