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Rocky Saporito has run every single EQT Pittsburgh 10 Miler since the race launched in 2013, and he can’t wait to run another one again this year on November 6. At first the race was an opportunity to run with his coworkers. When a group of his college friends started running various races in memory of their friend Sam Hicks, an FBI agent lost in the line of duty, Rocky decided to join “Team Hicks” and run for Sam each year.  

“To this day there are a few of us out there still sporting our bright gold ‘Team Hicks’ shirts on the course,” Rocky said. “I have somewhat made it a personal mission to continue setting time aside to run this race each year to not only honor my friend but hopefully run into some familiar faces.”  

As one of only 52 people who have run the EQT Pittsburgh 10 Miler every year since the beginning, he is determined to keep running the event. Even a knee surgery in 2016 did not stop him.  

“I made it my goal to get the surgery and three months later get back to running so that I could participate in the 2016 race,” Rocky said. “Crossing the finish line that year was more emotional than most"  

For every race, Rocky makes a new playlist that he uses during his training. He attempts to make the playlist length approximately what he thinks his anticipated finish time will be. On race day, he parks on the North Shore and walks over to Station Square listening to that list.   

“I take in the city and the bridges and think how lucky I am to be healthy enough to be doing what I am about to do. It is quite a peaceful and surreal moment each time,” Rocky said.  

 

Rocky encourages those that haven’t done the race to try it out.  

“If someone is afraid of trying a marathon, particularly the half-marathon, the EQT Pittsburgh 10 Miler is the perfect starter race for them,” Rocky said. “I enjoy how it is basically the UPMC Health Plan Pittsburgh Half Marathon in reverse. I think the crowd size is still impressive but a first time runner wouldn't feel overwhelmed.”  

“I love how the EQT Pittsburgh 10 Miler is the perfect bookend to the UMPC Pittsburgh Half Marathon,” Rocky said. “I typically try to do both, but undefeated ‘Father Time’ is catching up with me. I will continue to participate in the EQT Pittsburgh 10 Miler every year until my body won't let me or it stops to exist!”  

Don’t miss your chance to celebrate 10 years of the EQT Pittsburgh 10 Miler and experience the very best of Pittsburgh. Register today.