As they say at PPG Paints Arena, “It’s a Great Day for Hockey!” To paraphrase the Pittsburgh Penguins’ late beloved coach Badger Bob Johnson, it’s also a great day for running at the home of the Pens.

This Sunday at 8 a.m. marks the sixth running of Pittsburgh Penguins 6.6k Run and 3.3k Family Fun Walk. The event supports the charitable work of the Pittsburgh Penguins Foundation and Mario Lemieux Foundation.

More than 4,000 runners and walkers are expected for the competitive 6.6k (4.1 miles) and more for the untimed 3.3k walk, which both start at 8 a.m. in front of PPG Arena. The course has been changed from the original to accommodate the large number of participants.

Jinny Hertweck of Butler has run two Lemieux races and says the new start and staging area is a big improvement.

“The first time, it was very crowded and disorganized at the start. Last year was much better,” she said. “The walkers all started in the back and runners self-seeded by pace.”

For safety, kids in strollers are welcome in both events, but must start in the back of the 6.6k. Walkers are also permitted in the 6.6k distance, but must maintain a 20-minute mile pace since roads will reopen. Well-behaved dogs on leashes are welcome only in the 3.3k event.

Both runners and walkers begin on wide and straight Fifth Avenue and cross the Monongahela River to Pittsburgh’s Southside. Walkers then turn around and head back across the bridge.

Runners continue along Carson Street on part of the Pittsburgh Marathon/Half Marathon course, then cross the river again after two miles. From there, it’s an out-and-back level mile and a trip through the Armstrong Tunnel before the uphill finish in front of Mario Lemieux’s statue on Centre Avenue.

Jinny says the best part of the race was that Mario Lemieux personally high-fived everyone crossing the finish line. “Mario actually being there is a big deal,” she says.

Mario and the Penguins’ presence is evident throughout the race. All participants receive a Penguin t-shirt and medal. While the top three male and female finishers earn cash, top three winners in age groups from 9 and under through 80+ earn Penguins hockey pucks. There’s also a post-race expo with a raffle for prizes, including Pens memorabilia signed by Sidney Crosby, Patric Hornqvist, Mario Lemieux and more.

It’s too late to sign up online for the Pittsburgh Penguins 6.6k Run and Family Fun Walk, but you may register at PPG Paints Arena Verizon Gate from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Friday or on raceday at PPG Paints Arena inside the Highmark Gate beginning at 6:30 a.m. Parking is free in the lots across the street, but allow plenty of time since traffic may be congested.

For more information, visit www.mariolemieux.org/our-events/6-6k-run-and-family-walk/. Find out more about the charitable work of Mario Lemieux Foundation and Pittsburgh Penguins Foundation at www.mariolemieux.org/ and https://pittsburghpenguinsfoundation.org/

Reminder: There’s still time to register for this year’s Buffalo Creek Half Marathon, set for 9 a.m. Oct. 20. Register online at runsignup.com/Race/PA/Cabot/BuffaloCreekHalfMarathon or on Oct. 18 and 19, 10 a.m to 7 p.m. at Up-N-Running’s new location, 1177 Pittsburgh Rd.(Rt.8), Valencia. There is NO race day registration.

Upcoming events

Saturday, 9 a.m.: Mahoning Shadow Shuffle Half Marathon and 5k, Punxsutawney. www.punxsutawney.com

Saturday, 9 a.m.: West Penn Trail Triathlon, Saltsburg. Sprint triathlon with 7 mile paddle on Conemaugh River, 14 mile bike on West Penn Trail, 5k run on West Penn Trail. 724-676-4712 or barrytuscano@verizon.net

Sunday, 8 a.m.: Trail to Eagle Trail Run 10k, Beaver Falls. Run through Brady’s Run Park. 724-480-9250 or troop423@comcast.net

Sunday, 8 a.m.: Pittsburgh Penguins 6.6k Run and 3.3k Family Walk, Pittsburgh. https://www.mariolemieux.org/our-events/6-6k-run-and-family-walk/

Oct. 20, 6:30 a.m.: Erie Runners Club Personal Endurance Classic, Erie. Run consecutive 1-mile loops in Harborcreek Community Park. Your choice of distance up to 12 hours. runsignup.com/ercpersonalenduranceclassic

Oct. 20, 9 a.m.: Buffalo Creek Half Marathon, Cabot. Mostly downhill on Butler-Freeport Trail. runsignup.com/Race/PA/Cabot/BuffaloCreekHalfMarathon

Oct. 20, 9:30 a.m.: Chase Away Hunger 5k, Beaver Falls. Scenic run through Brush Creek Park. 814-688-8525 or OakGrove5k@gmail.com

Oct. 20, 10 a.m.: 17th Annual Pittsburgh Steel Wheelers 5k Run/Walk/Wheel, Allison Park. Run from North Park Boathouse follows bike and hand cycle event. laurie@wptla.org

Oct. 20, 6 p.m.: Great Pumpkin 5k Run/Walk, New Castle. Also kids run at 5:45 P.M. Costumes optional for this run in Cascade Park. 724-652-5105 or RunSignUp.com

Oct. 27, 10 a.m.: Brookville YMCA Color Run Half Marathon, Brookville. Color runs of 10k, 5k and 1-mile following at 11 A.M. All events run on rail trail. 814-849-7355 or tinahouseholder@gmail.com

Oct. 28, 3 p.m.: Great Pumpkin 5k and 1 Mile, Zelienople. Mattew.sauers@gmail.com

Oct. 29, 2 p.m.: Sunday Run Day, Springdale. Last day for fun run of 5k or 1 mile distance plus free post-run pint at Leaning Cask Brewery. Families, strollers, dogs welcome but must be 21 or older for beer. 724-715-7539 or www.leaningcaskbrewing.com

Nov. 3, 9 a.m.: Ridgeway Turkey Trot Marathon, Ridgeway. Certified Boston qualifier runs out and back on Clarion-Littler Toby Rail Trail. Also half marathon, 5k and 3-person marathon relay. 814-776-1146 or www.ymcaridgeway.com

Nov. 3, 9:30 a.m.: Dirt Monster 5 Mile Trail Race and 1 Mile Trail Walk, Allison Park. Challenging trail run or rolling trail walk through North Park. www.ocdfwpa.org/dirt-monster-race or ocdirections@verizon.net

Nov. 4, 9 a.m.: Indiana First Bank Veteran’s Marathon, Half Marathon and Marathon Relay, Black Lick. Half marathon starts at 9:30 a.m. All events run out and back on Ghost Town Trail. 724-599-5929 or veteransmarathon@outlook.com

Nov. 10, 9 a.m.: Buffalo Township Veterans Day 10k and 5k, Sarver. Out and back run on Butler-Freeport Trail starts at Monroe Road trailhead. 724-822-9953 or www.buffalotownship.com

Nov. 11, 9 a.m.: Operation Troop Appreciation Veteran’s Day 5k Race, Allison Park. Slightly rolling course through Hampton Community Park. www.operationtroopappreciation.org or Gerardmac977@aol.com

Race results

City of Pittsburgh Great Race 10k, Sept. 30 (finishers under 1 hour): Jim Spisak, 1st Overall M, 28:16; Travis Myers-Arrigoni, 5th Overall M, 31:43; Samantha Bower, 1st Overall W, 35:30; Autumn Rose Greba, 8th Overall W, 37:25; Mark Courtney, 2nd 60-64 M, 41:14; Breanna Franchak, 2nd 12-13 W, 43:49; Bob Gracie, 3rd 70-74 M, 49:07; Tim Flynn, 35:07; Matthew Sudak, 37:51; Nick Gentile, 39:12; Mark Golla, 39:25; Gwendolyn Musser, 39:46; Tyler Ross, 40:08; Quinton Johnson, 40:35; Jessi Drayer, 41:10; Bob Pudlo, 41:39; Andrew Laux, 42:09; Todd Roberts, 42:18; Matthew Brissette, 43:28; Greg Vojcsik, 43:50; Gary Hayden, 43:57; Chad Collums, 43:57; Jonathan Bost, 44:04; Donald Donatelli, 44:15; Brian Irwin, 44:43; Samuel Whalen, 44:56; Nikki Williams, 45:12; Brian Kile, 45:18; Mary Tate, 45:43; Ryan Abel, 46:10; Colleen Abel, 46:11; Bill Schmidt, 46:24; Adam Ranalli, 46:37; Joseph Poerio, 46:42; Brian Meyers, 46:44; Josh Edmiston, 46:48; Chad Coblitz, 46:50; Jinny Hertweck, 47:11; Nick Barker, 47:15; Katelyn Jones, 47:18; Richard Balazs, 47:24; Calum Munro, 47:33; Jerry Kosar, 47:38; Orryn Sledge, 47:54; Quentin Panger, 48:02; Corey Savannah, 48:05; Emily Ochman, 48:18; Doroty Moxie, 48:27; Alana Jensen, 48:30; Christine Edmiston, 48:40; Meagan Fogel, 48:44; Daniel Kolano, 48:47; John Alexander, 48:49; Paul Gantile, 49:01; Eric Domitrovic, 49:02; Angela Shoop, 49:29; Micci Hutterer, 49:29; Maria Caruso, 49:30; Roger Lutz, 49:34; Terrilyn Tomaszewski, 49:34; Erica Trimble, 49:42; Chris Flynn, 49:51; Andra Titus, 49:53; Thomas Lynch, 50:19; Corinne Petrus, 50:22; Beth Bereksazi, 50:23; Bob Manfredi, 50:25; Scott Meiser, 50:29; Jeffrey Wessel, 50:42; Megan Wessel, 50:42; John Crum, 50:43; Julie Walker, 50:48; Joseph Shimko, 50:53; Amanda Zacchia, 50:58; Steve Robertson, 51:10; Steve Hawbaker, 51:20; Hannah Hugo, 51:22; Brian Croop, 51:30; Laura Goosen, 51:39; Jennifer McNabb, 51:42; Lexie Nieri, 51:46; Don Accamando, 52:00; Allison Miller, 52:01; Scott Golla, 52:01; D. Thomas Cegan, 52:03; Kathy Hensler, 52:05; Mark Stanek, 52:08; Rob Vandenburgh, 52:15; Denise Ejzak, 52:29; Kimberly Castro, 52:30; Ryan Miller, 52:39; Lsuren Jacisin, 52:42; Austin Micko, 52:44; Ian Schauer, 53:22; Tom Kolano, 53:36; Coleen Whalen, 53:42; Kevin Gallagher, 53:45; Wayne Babcock, 53:46; James Pieffer, 53:54; David Sciullo, 53:57; Alicia Kidder, 54:20; Amy Cegan, 54:11; Todd Pindroh, 54:19; Leigha Pindroh, 54:21; Sherry Cusatis, 54:22; Joeph Badaczewski, 54:26; Jeff Immel, 54:29; Nancy Immel, 54:30; Erin Stonebraker, 54:30; Amy Rickman, 54:31; Christine Sevin, 54:46; Ashley Trott, 54:46; Josh Lutz, 54:49; Mary Beth Keally, 54:52; Bruce Barnes, 55:02; Crystal Wonderling, 55:08; Eamonn Clements, 55:09; George Karpakis, 55:15; Abby Annes, 55:28; Cheryl Daniels, 55:30; Kara Lipke, 55:37; Jeennifer Markey, 55:37; Mary Dias, 55:39; Steve Smith, 55:43; Jim Ellis, 55:43; Michael Bittner, 55:46; Matt Tomaszewski, 55:47; David Pacella, 55:47; Jodie Luther, 55:49; Terry Ann Fuller, 55:53; Matthew Dunbar, 55:54; Bill Swanik, 55:59; Billy Garella, 56:00; Craig Girondi, 56:00; Wendy Wick, 56:00; Katie Jamison, 56:13; Eric Schindler, 56:17; Michael Helbling, 56:24; Lisa Collums, 56:38; Jeff Hans, 56:41; Heather Daugherty, 56:41; Jorge Biaggini, 56:56; Eva Cervantes, 56:57; Nicholas Streets, 56:59; Richard Jacobson, 57:04; Christina Mullen, 57:06; William Woods, 57:25; Jonathan Krystek, 57:27; Ryan Sedar, 57:33; Jeff Segar, 57:47; Ron Nyman, 57:49; Chad Slaughenhoupt, Tiffany Haddad, 57:55; Lauren O’Donnell, 58:03; Regiane Morgueta, 58:03; Sara Fritz, 58:04; Rebecca Kolano, 58:21; Eric Mazanek, 58:27; David Campos, 58:30; Sean Hutchins, 58:44; Amanda Rhoads, 58:45; Kevin Riley, 58:47; Katie Riley, 58:48; Alivia Montgomery, 58:52; Molly Koegler, 58:52; Megan Kosar, 59:03; Shannon Gallagher, 59:04; Anna Timko, 59:07; Steve Mote, 59:12; Anthony Colangelo, 59:14; Jennifer Pacella, 59:15; Amy Lutz, 59:21; Audra Foster, 59:22; Nancy Conlon, 59:25; Brandee Rentz, 59:27; Cyndie De Lucia, 59:28; Gary Boyd, 59:29; Carolyn Stirling, 59:38; Emily Haus, 59:38; Tom Haus, 59:39; Susan Kushnereit, 59:45; Karlee Kushnereit, 59:45; Elinore Kneidinger, 59:48; Brandon Gold, 59:53; Mike Giobbi, 59:54; Abby Conlon, 59:57; Pete Braunger, 1:00:00

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

Pat Neubert is a running columnist for the Butler Eagle