Patti Nelson was a familiar Evans City figure. A lifelong resident, she was truly a “professional volunteer,” giving time to a number of community organizations including Evans City Library, EDCO Park, Evans City Food Cupboard and many more. An avid quilter, Patti belonged to The Caring Quilts of St. Kilian and The Quilters of St. John. She was also a founding member of the Nelson Charitable Foundation.

When Patti lost her battle with cancer in 2015, friends established the Patti J. Nelson Foundation to keep her memory alive and to continue her service to Evans City. The foundation supports Evans City Library, a particular passion of Patti’s.

In addition to her support of the Evans City community, Patti was a dedicated walker and part of a group of daily exercisers --- walkers and runners. As one of Patti’s dear friends, Carol English recalls, it was a group consensus to hold a run/walk on their favorite scenic but challenging loop. The Patti J. Nelson 5k and 1 Mile Fun Run/Walk was born.

Now in its third year, Patti J. Nelson 5k will be held Saturday, April 21 at 10 a.m. The one mile fun run and walk starts at 10:15. Both begin at the Nelson’s home near Lamperski Greenhouse on Rt. 68 in Evans City on the roads where Patti once daily walked her dogs and exercised with friends.

Although Carol serves as race director, she says the event is a group effort for this close-knit community. Carol credits the corps of volunteers for the event’s continued success both in quality of the experience and quantity of participants. This year, more than 120 have preregistered, including Patti’s husband Jim and their kids.

The 5k distance is a competitive run offering awards to top three overall male and female finishers and age group awards to first three men and women in age groups from 14 & Under through 60+. Additionally, overall winners will have their names engraved in the event’s permanent trophy which on display at the event. If you don’t win a competitive award, you may win one of the raffle or Chinese auction prizes donated by local businesses.

The one mile distance is strictly for fun. Kids in strollers and well behaved dogs may participate but should line up on the sides and back of the pack. All walkers and runners are welcome but kids ages 12 and younger each receive a finisher’s medal for their efforts.

The race awards ceremony takes place at 11 a.m. with lunch and musical entertainment to follow. Carol English is hoping for sun on race day but says the event will go on regardless. There will be a large tent in case of rain.

Runner’s registration includes commemorative T-shirt, bag, lunch and party. Nonrunners may sign up for lunch and the celebration for a $10 fee.

Day of event registrations are welcome beginning at 8 a.m. on race day.

Patti J. Nelson 5k and 1 Mile Run/Walk is only one of many events planned for the foundation and Evans City Library. Past events have included a wine tasting and golf outing. Future events include a benefit at Jergel’s in Wexford in September. For More information, check the website www.pattijnelsonfoundation.com.

Good luck and best wishes to all runners participating in Monday’s 122nd Boston Marathon. The world’s oldest and one of the largest marathons, Boston is referred to as “the everyman’s Olympics” since it requires that runners meet a qualifying standard to register.

Upcoming events:

Thursdays, 6:30 p.m.: Shoes ‘n’ Brews, Valencia. Fun run or walk followed by social BYOB at Up’N’Running store. 724-898-2505

Saturdays, 8 a.m.: Up’N’Running Group Run, Valencia. Any level of runner or walker welcome, also spring marathon and half marathon training groups. 724-898-2525 or www.runpa.com

Saturday, 9 a.m.: Run Across Guatemala, Allison Park. Run at North Park Pool area. runacrossguatemala.wixsite.com/guatemala5k

Saturday, 9 a.m.: Penn State PTA Hustle for Muscle 5k, Sharon. Run at Penn State Shenango campus with $50 gift card for first overall man and woman. 724-983-2836 or shenango.psu.edu/pta5k

Saturday, 9 a.m.: Tortoise and Hare 5k, Foxburg. 724-659-3116 or foxburgfreelibrary@gmail.com

Saturday, 9 a.m.: Magee Hospital 5k, New Castle. 724-651-0328 or finleytttsfundraiser@gmail.com

April 21, 9 A.M.: Phenomenal Hope 5k, Pittsburgh. Run at Riverfront Park on North Shore. Phenomenalhope5k@gmail.com

April 21, 9 A.M.: Flying Pigs 5k, Grove City. Run through Memorial Park. 724-458-9667 or esax2002@yahoo.com

April 21, 10 A.M.: Patti J Nelson 5k and 1 Mile, Evans City. 724-272-7564 or cenglish@co.butler.pa.us

April 21, noon: Pittsburgh Craft Beer Week Run, Aspinwall. Run and drink beer with Pittsburgh Hash House Harriers at this charity run. Entry fee includes beer and pizza. (Must be 21 years old to participate.) www.pgh-h3.com or 412-508-5366.

April 22, 9:15 A.M.: Montour Trail National Tunnel 5k and 10k, Cecil. 10k starts at 10 a.m. runsignup.com/Race/PA/Cecil/NationalTunnel10Kand5Kand2Kfamilyfunwalk

April 22, 1 P.M.: Union All Sports Booster Club 5k, 10k Trail Run and 2 Mile Walk, Sligo. All students register for $5. Shicky68@hotmail.com

April 25, 7 P.M.: Sunset Sprint 5k, Grove City. Morrisonkl1@gcc.edu

April 28, 9 A.M.: Superhero 5k and 1k Fun Walk, Allison Park. Starts at North Park Pool, costume contest, family activities. 412-760-0483 or www.superherorun.org

April 28, 10 A.M.: Hero Dash and Splash 5k Trail Run and Walk, Franklin. Walk starts at 10:30. dbaker@sugarcreekborough.us

May 5, 8 A.M.: UPMC Health Plan/ UPMC Sports Medicine 5k, Pittsburgh. Kickoff race for Pittsburgh Marathon weekend from North Shore to downtown. www.thepittsburghmarathon.com/5k

May 5, 9:30 A.M.: Toyota Pittsburgh Kids Marathon 1 Mile, Pittsburgh. Run from North Shore to downtown. www.thepittsburghmarathon.com/kidsmarathon

May 6, 7 A.M.: Dick’s Sporting Goods Pittsburgh Marathon, Half Marathon and Relay, Pittsburgh. www.thepittsburghmarathon.com/marathon

May 6, 9 A.M.: Punxsutawney Mason Lodge 5k/10k, Punxsutawney. Pviollella3@gmail.com

May 9, 6:30 P.M.: Muskie 5k Mini Marathon and 2 Mile Walk, Jamestown. 724-932-3186 or muskie5k@yahoo.com

May 12, 8 A.M.: Love your Library 5k Race and Walk-a-Thon, Saegertown. 814-763-5203 or Saegertown.ccfls.org

May 12, 6:30 A.M.: Glacier Ridge Ultra (30k, 50k and 50 Miles), Moraine State Park. Starts at Pavilion 7, Daniels Boat Launch on North Shore. tamsuemcg@embarqumail.com

May 12, 7:45 P.M.: GLOW 5k and 1 Mile, Zelienople. Kids in strollers welcome. Ericseaman1986@gmail.com

May 13, 8:35 P.M.: Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure 5k, Pittsburgh. Also 5k Walk and One Mile Fun Walk. www.komenpittsburgh.org

May 19, 8:55 A.M.: Mars Band on the Run 5k/ 10k and Kids Fun Run, Mars. www.marsband5k.com

Race results:

March Mad Dash 10 Mile, March 10: Evan Conti, 1st Overall M, 58:16; Meta Haley, 1st Overall W, 1:04:44; Melissa Conjack, 3rd Overall W, 1:09:02; John Armstrong, 3rd Overall M, 1:09:41; Elijah Shekinah, 1:09:50; Tammy Slusser, 1st 50-59 W, 1:12:29; Mark Casteel, 1st 40-49 M, 1:14:35; Kristine Poloyac, 1st 40-49 W, 1:19:39; Chuck Sarver, 2nd 60+ M, 1:21:06; Lori Fromlak, 1:24:53; Andrew Drake, 2nd 20-29 M, 1:27:14; January Scheidlmeier, 1:29:05; Sean Hutchins, 1:36:40; Shana Hutchins, 1:36:40; Catherine Hrach, 1:40:04; John Ropelewski, 1:50:24; Frank Piedimonte, 1:50:45; William Woods, 1:55:36; Janelle Fumerola, 1:55:37; Steffanie Lariviere, 2:16:09

March Mad Dash 5 Mile, March 10: Rachel Reynolds, 1st Overall W, 28:56; Kenneth Midgley, Jr., 1st Overall M, 30:06; Scott Prentice, 3rd 40-49 M, 43:49; Jeff Sterling, 1st 60+ M, 46:57; Dara Sterling, 2nd 60+ W, 46:58; Heidi Yeager, 3rd 40-49 W, 49:20; Amanda Lucco, 49:33; Corrine Satriano, 51:24; Scott Winkler, 52:35; Sasha Pesanka, 56:45; Dusty Nolan, 57:59; Emily Haberman, 59:30; Sean Nolan, 1:02:08; Michelle Cook, 1:26:14

March Mad Dash 5k, March 10: John Reed, 1st Overall M, 16:19; Julia Kocherzat, 1st Overall W, 20:02; Ben Rishel, 1st 19 & Under M, 19:50; David Rishel, 2nd 40-49 M, 24:11; Benjamin Cadamore, 3rd 19 & Under M, 26:21; Torrey Cunningham, 3rd 20-29 W, 27:25; Caroline Cunningham, 3rd 19 & Under W, 30:14; Marcy Valentas, 1st 40-49 W, 36:24; Karl Gerthoffer, 27:21; Richard Guido, 28:10; Jackie Valentas, 31:09; Luke Valentas, 31:20; Joanna Valentas, 32:50; Tracy Lachendro, 33:49; Jennifer Cadamore, 34:17; Amy Yurisined, 36:18; Tom Culley, 1:00:27

Lt. JC Stone 50k Ultramarathon, March 17: Josh Litofsky, 1st Overall M, 3:40:06; Becky Wittrig, 1st Overall W, 4:30:50; John Armstrong, 3:12:39; Mary Siegel, 5:30:34

Not Another Polar Vortex 15k, March 31: Emery Strotman, 1st Overall M, 59:29; Stevie Huston, 1st Overall W, 1:05:56; Jim Alcorn, 1st 50-54 M, 1:13:03; Chris Buckley, 1st 55-59 M, 1:18:27; Nathan Milliren, 2nd 35-39 M, 1:18:35; Stephanie Kirkpatrick, 1st 25-29 W, 1:25:18; Rhonda Maloney, 3rd 50-54 W, 1:33:58; Cheryl Ferraro, 2nd 55-59 W, 1:34:01; Heidi Desmond, 3rd 25-29 W, 1:42:21; Theresa Tipkovitz, 1st 60-64 W, 1:45:12

Not Another Polar Vortex 5k, March 31: Matthew Jeromin, 1st Overall M, 17:58; Niava Price, 1st Overall W, 22:19; Mitch Radella, 1st 50-54 M, 22:35; Tyshawn Brownfield, 1st 15-19 M, 22:56; Jacob Fisher, 2nd 11-14 M, 23:27; Ben Bossart, 3rd 11-14 M, 24:15; Shane Brunazzi, 1st 35-39 M, 24:43; Alexis Rodriguez, 1st 11-14 W, 25:28; Autumn Tavaglione, 2nd 11-14 W, 26:22; Killarney Cline, 1st 10 & Under W, 41:00; Terrayah Parris, 1st 15-19 W, 41:19; Deb Vanek, 2nd 60-64 W, 41:30; Kim Kenetz, 1st 50-54 W, 50:24; Andrea Brunazzi, 2nd 65-69 W, 53:38; Ashlyn Brunazzi, 3rd 10 & Under W, 54:27; Alontae Johnson, 25:56; Joslyn Fulmore, 29:23; Emma Francis, 29:27; Stan Michovich, 35:24; Chad Smith, 35:46; Lauren Maneer, 35:57; Kristina Buckmaster, 41:04; Natalie Walthall, 52:39

Send comments and suggestions: Patricia Neubert. Phone 724-352-4395. Email lotzak@consolidated.net

Pat Neubert is a running columnist for the Butler Eagle.