Next weekend the region celebrates a major event, or combination of events, associated with Dick’s Sporting Goods Pittsburgh Marathon.

While the excitement and enthusiasm for running is great, it’s not for everyone. If you’re not a fan of running in a herd, there’s a smaller, quieter, less expensive alternative nearby.

The ACMH 5k Run/Walk will be held May 6 at 9 a.m. in Kittanning. The race, now in its seventh year, benefits ACMH Cancer Center, providing patient services and equipment. This year’s proceeds will go toward purchase of a new linear accelerator which administers radiation to cancer patients and gives them a greater chance of beating the disease.

ACMH 5k begins at the hospital grounds in Kittanning. The course is a gently rolling asphalt loop through the surrounding residential community.

The 5k is chip-timed and offers competitive awards to the first three male and female finishers and top three finishers in age groups from 10 and under through 65-plus. Three-time ACMH winner Ian King of Chicora holds the male course record of 17:11. Women’s course record holder Ariana Perella of Ford City is a two-time winner with her record-setting time of 21:26 set in 2014.

Race Director Jodi Beers expects about 100 participants for this year’s event. While only those registered by April 24 are guaranteed a commemorative T-shirt, all finishers can enjoy post-race food by StudeCakers Cupcakes in the Cancer Center. The Turner Dairy Thunderbird, a car whose trunk has been transformed into a cooler, will offer iced tea and juice at the finish area.

Day of event registrations are welcome and open at 7:30 a.m. in the Cancer Center parking lot. You may register online at www.runsignup.com or download a printable application at www.acmh.org. For more information, call Jodi Beers, 724-543-8850 or email beersj@acmh.org

Butler Road Race memories: This week I spoke with Mike Blessel, race director for Butler Road Race since the early 1990s. That’s when his title became official, but he’d performed the same duties since 1981.

Mike has run 24 marathons, a 50-miler and numerous shorter races in his competitive running years, but amazingly, he’s only run the Butler Road Race once as a 10k in 1979.

After that, he became too active in the race’s organization to participate. Although he no longer competes, Mike runs about three miles six days per week.

Blessel cites computer scoring and Champion Chip timing as the biggest improvements in race directorship over the years. Race results are more accurate and much faster. It’s also cut down on the number of volunteers and the amount of hard labor needed to set up, tear down and handle the logistics of matching pull tags with timing results and keeping track of four finishing chutes.

Mike is justly proud of being a part of the Butler Road Race and its organization.

“We’re grateful for the opportunity to work with great people who have dedicated their time to putting on a quality race that makes Butler proud,” he said.

He is also hopeful that the race will continue in some form or another.

“The race has character and uniqueness. It’s a beautiful course, especially through Alameda Park,” Blessel said.

Upcoming events

Wednesdays, 6:30 p.m.: Mojo Run Group, Cranberry Township. All paces, distances and ages welcome. 724-772-2808 or info@mojorunningpittsburgh.com

Thursdays, 6:30 p.m.: Shoes ‘n’ Brews, Valencia. Starts at Up-N-Running store with your choice of pace and distance followed by social hour with beer. 724-898-2525 or shoes@runpa.com

Saturdays, 8 a.m.: Up-N-Running Group Run, Valencia. All paces, distances and ages welcome. 724-898-2525 or shoes@runpa.com

Saturdays: Butler Babes group trail runs, various locations. Run various distances on trails in area parks. tamsuemcg@embarqmail.com

Saturday, 10 a.m.: Autism Speaks 5k, Sharpsville. 724-992-3234

May 6, 9 a.m.: ACMH 5k Wellness Run/Walk, Kittanning. 724-543-8850 or beersj@acmh.org

May 6, 8 a.m.: UPMC Health Plan 5k Run, Pittsburgh. Run from Northshore to downtown. www.thepittsburghmarathon.com

May 6, 8:30 a.m.: Nancy Carner Memorial 5k for Hope, Franklin. Run on Samuel Justus Recreation Trail. 814-671-7391 or nancycarnermemorial5k@gmail.com

May 6, 8:30 a.m.: Sheetz Pittsburgh Marathon Toddler Trot. Course in Point State Park for kids ages 2-5. www.thepittsburghmarathon.com

May 6, 9 a.m.: ACMH 5k Wellness Run/Walk, Kittanning. 724-543-8850 or beersj@acmh.org

May 6, 9:30 a.m.: Toyota of Pittsburgh Kids Marathon, Pittsburgh. One mile run from Northshore to downtown. www.thepittsburghmarathon.com

May 7, 7 a.m.: Pittsburgh Marathon, Half Marathon and Relay, Pittsburgh. www.thepittsburghmarathon.com

May 10, 6:30 p.m.: Muskie 5k Mini Marathon and 2 Mile Walk, Jamestown. Starts at Pymatuning State Park Main Beach. 724-932-3186, Ext. 1319 or muskie5k@yahoo.com

May 13, 6:30 a.m.: Glacier Ridge Ultra 30k, 50k, 50 Miles, Portersville. Rugged trail run starts at McDaniels Boat Launch, North Shore of Moraine State Park. tamsuemcg@embarqumail.com or www.glacierridgetrailultra.com

May 13, 8 a.m.: Mud on the Mountain, Champion. Run 8 off-road miles at Seven Springs Resort. 814-352-7777 or mudonthemountain.com

May 13, 9 a.m.: Fight for Air Climb Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh. Climb 23 or 46 flights of stairs to benefit American Lung Association. 412-321-4029 or sbogus@lunginfo.org

May 13, 9 a.m.: Jumping for JAVA 5k and 1 Mile Fun Run, Zelienople. 724-462-7975 or www.lanvwa.org

May 20, 9 a.m.: Mars Band on the Run 5k and 10k, Mars. www.lightspeed-racing.com

May 20, 9 a.m.: Leslie Sparano Summerfest Sweat 5k, Sharpsville. Scenic out and back across Shenango Dam. 724-662-0130 or fpm.colucci@gmail.com

May 20, 7:30 p.m.: GLOW 5k and 1 Mile Fun Run, Zelienople. 412-715-8307 or jcedmiston@gmail.com

May 21, 8 a.m.: Mighty Moraine Spring Sprint Triathlon, Portersville. www.mightymoraineman.com

May 26, 7 p.m.: Fryburg Mayfest 5k, Fryburg. 814-221-9807 or www.fryburgmayfest.com

May 29, 8 a.m.: Memorial Day Human Race 5k, Meadville. mfinton@zoominternet.net or www.ernsttrail.org

June 24, 9 a.m.: Butler Road Race, Butler. Choice of 5 mile run or 2 mile run/walk. 724-284-4676 or butlerroadrace@butlerhealthsystem.org

Race results

#ATU On the Run 5k, April 1: Robert Richards, 1st Overall M, 21:12; Sydney Birchard, 1st Overall W, 23:14; Lecia Felix, 45:51

Run to Fight Children’s Cancer 5k, April 2: Alexandra Gongas, 1st Overall W, 23:09; Scott McGee, 1st Overall M, 24:45; Emma Lizewiski, 23:10; Joey Alfano, 24:49; Jaime Diorio, 25:27; Nate Trezciak, 26:37; Caleb Rebholz, 27:08; Meghan Boland, 27:09; Dani Larkin, 27:24; Rich Holdley, 27:26; Jason Ball, 27:45; Mike Bauer, 29:41; Lisa Zierden, 31:10; Timothy Guzzo, 31:35; Todd Slezak, 33:22; Cole Slezak, 41:13; Meridith Fraschi, 41:32; Jacob Fairbend, 41:53; Maria Querriera, 47:53; Sam Nellis, 47:55; Kelly Eckenrode, 48:31; Paige Eckenrode, 48:33; Maria Alfano, 49:21; Robby Sheils, 49:22; Maria Murra, 49:52; Lorain Hesidenz, 50:05; Stephanie Slezak, 50:52; Patty Aggas, 51:18; Josie Hoover, 51:38; Aidan McGinnis, 51:40; Kayleigh Morgan, 51:42; Stacey Morgan, 51:43; Rachel Elms, 53:29; Tanner Sherry, 53:31; Alexandra Pfab, 53:33; Drew Balla, 53:34; Jennifer Shenk, 54:10; Jodi Carter, 54:13; Richard Wisniewski, 55:14; Scott Smith, 55:15; Martin Hoover, 58:50; Samantha Hoover, 58:52; Jamie Wisniewski, 59:58; Shellie Smith, 1:00:01

Not Another Polar Vortex 15k, April 2: Bill Lamb, 1st Overall M, 58:39; Erika Suhy, 1st Overall W, 1:03:43; Mitch Radella, 1st 50-54 M, 1:11:13; Emery Strotman, 1st 35-39 M, 1:13:47; Kristina Buckmaster, 1:35:36

Not Another Polar Vortex 5k, April 2: Lukas Dunaway, 1st Overall M, 18:42; Marisa Dombrowski, 1st Overall W, 22:07; Heidi Fleming, 1st 45-49 W, 31:02; Alex Lauver, 1st 10 & Under M, 36:56; Kim Kenetz, 2nd 50-54 W, 38:31

Dirty Kiln Trail Half Marathon, April 8: Matt Lipsey, 1st Overall M, 1:37:51; Meira Minard, 1st Overall W, 1:55:40; Matt Sudak, 3rd 30-39 M, 2:05:23; Coryn Snyder, 3rd 20-29 W, 2:33:13; Michael Ranck, 3rd 60-69 M, 3:22:45; Jonathan Bost, 2:18:26; Joe Poerio, 2:22:46; Mark Knapp, 2:31:35; James Dillehey, 2:31:43; Hope Thompson, 2:38:14; Ben Craven, 2:43:47; Elri Moggee, 3:09:19; John Simsik, 3:34:09

Achilles Pittsburgh Hope and Possibility 5k Race, April 8: Ryan O’Dowd, 1st Overall M, 17:54; Ashley Felix, 1st Overall W, 20:19; Catherine Hrach, 2nd 40-49 W, 21:45; Lori Fromlak, 2nd 30-39 W, 22:23; Charles Lucas, 2nd 40-49 M, 24:02; Amanda Hardt, 2nd 20-29 W, 24:46; Vincent Trigili, 3rd 40-49 M, 25:22; David Convery, 3rd 50-59 M, 26:14; Wyatt Stoll, 1st 19 & Under M, 33:49; Grady Stoll, 2nd 19 & Under M, 40:28; Jessica Griggs, 25:50; William Woods, 27:33; Mike Bauer, 28:43; Sharon Barlow, 31:38; Joseph Stoll, 33:49; John Mlakar, 34:56; Janelle Fumerola, 35:02; Brian Kampi, 36:05; Lauren Kampi, 36:05; Kristi Trigili, 37:12; Jack Harding, 39:17; Rosemary Stoll, 40:35; Christine Kampi, 43:26; Rachel Tomaro, 1:10:41

CBA Thunder 5k Run and Walk, April 8: Matthew Puleio, 1st Overall M, 16:55; Gianna Gurino, 1st Overall W, 19:31; Douglas Waid, 1st 40-44 M, 25:42; Mark Perrine, 2nd 60-64 M, 26:26; Lyla Dunkerley, 1st 10 & Under W, 31:57; Darren Waid, 1st 20-24 M, 32:00

Boston Marathon, April 17: Geoffrey Kirui, 1st Overall M, 2:09:37; Edna Kiplagat, 1st Overall W, 2:21:52; Brian D Buchan, 3:14:39; Jason R Sittler, 3:19:06; Amanda Yagel, 3:22:11; Kimberly Hohman, 3:25:51; Mark Courtney, 3:26:26; Kristen Suvick, 3:43:49; Carlyn J Goodrich, 3:44:26; Benjamin English, 3:44:46; Catherine R Hrach, 3:45:05; Jim Csonka, 3:49:21; John H. Armstrong, 3:57:10; Val Wolfarth, 3:57:31; Dianne Zalenski, 4:03:33; Gwendolyn G Musser, 4:07:05; Tj Pynos, 4:09:33; Karen Lyle; 4:17:48; Mark S Shipley, 4:50:56

Send comments and suggestions: Patricia Neubert, 435 Cherry Valley Road, Saxonburg, PA. 16056. Phone 724-352-4395. Email lotzak@consolidated.net

Pat Neubert is a running columnist for the Butler Eagle.