From Pittsburgh to Reykjavik, David Heyman promotes running and connection
'Running starts with a small step then all of a sudden you're part of this whole community, and it gives people more than they expected'
Shadyside resident David Heyman is using his voice to follow his feet. Following a newly announced partnership between DICK’S Sporting Goods Pittsburgh Marathon and Íslandsbanki Reykjavík Marathon, Heyman, 64, was named an ambassador.
The role, he said, enables him to work with both races, create content and promote newly established international ties.
Heyman has run the Pittsburgh and Reykjavik half marathons multiple times and said he’s looking forward to encouraging runners to explore vastly different settings.
“Driving from the airport to Reykjavik, you’re driving through lava fields that look like a moonscape. There are glaciers, there are waterfalls, there are black sand beaches,” he said. “It is just geographically a stunning place to visit.”
While Pittsburgh’s rivers are prominently featured in the marathon — runners need to traverse three city bridges — water is also a key element of the Icelandic course.
Apart from starting and finishing near Tjörnin (The Pond), nearly three quarters of the marathon course follows the Atlantic Ocean coastline.
The Pittsburgh-Reykjavic partnership stemmed from a mutual appreciation for possibilities, Troy Schooley, CEO of P3R, the organization behind the Pittsburgh Marathon, said.
“We were talking to several different marathons around the world, and when we jumped on a call with Reykjavik for the first time, within the first 10 minutes, we knew that these were our people.” Given both races’ commitment to attracting newcomers from diverse backgrounds, welcoming spectators, maintaining “operational excellence,” showcasing their city’s potential and using race weekend to increase charity, the bonds were clear, Schooley said. “It’s always great when big events can kind of bring together different people with one main objective.”
“We are so grateful and thankful that we’ve got connected to David through the Pittsburgh team. He knows the similarities. He knows both cities. He knows both cultures, so I think he’s like the greatest option and a big add-on to this collaboration and partnership,” Hrefna Hlín Sveinbjörnsdóttir, race director of the Íslandsbanki Reykjavík Marathon, said. “This is a partnership that is going to benefit both cities and not only the cities but also the participants from both cities. We’re building up a new community together. I think we’re opening doors.
We’re opening opportunities.”
Heyman adds to the overall goal because he’s able to speak to the “inclusivity” of both races, Schooley said. “That is massive.”
In several weeks Heyman will be headed back to Reykjavik for his thirteenth trip.
“My wife and I are in love with Iceland. It is our happy place,” he said.
Given his love of travel and running, Heyman has competed in races beyond Iceland as well; he’s run half marathons in Canada, Cuba, Hungary and Portugal. The Jewish runner has never raced in Israel, and — given its climate — doesn’t plan to do so anytime soon.
“The Cuba race was in November, and even that was hotter than my liking,” he said.
With sights set on promoting Reykjavik and Pittsburgh, Heyman is focused on the task ahead. He hopes others visit the two cities and use running to achieve similar understanding.
Running, whether as a social endeavor or personal quest, is “part of being a well-rounded individual who has a number of interests,” he said. “It gets you involved in community and groups, and to me that’s important.”
“Running isn’t just running. If you have been to a running event, there’s so much inspiration, there’s so much gratitude, it’s a whole new experience. You don’t have to set a personal best or be an elite athlete to go and run, you can just start with small goals in life — like I’m gonna get through the finish line of a 5K or a 10K,” Sveinbjörnsdóttir said. “I think the people that have taken the step to be a part of this community know that running starts with a small step then all of a sudden you’re part of this whole community, and it gives people more than they expected.”
PJC
Adam Reinherz can be reached at areinherz@pittsburghjewishchronicle.org.
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