‘Tis the season for celebrating traditions and for making memories. That’s the motivation behind this Sunday’s 6th Annual Clint Puller Memorial Toy Run 5k in Meadville.

The 5k, an out-and-back dash on the level and paved Ernst Trail, is held in memory of the late Clint Puller of Brookville, boyhood friend of race director Mike Richards. As Richards explains of the family-friendly event, “It’s a great opportunity to help people make Christmas memories.”

Although the run has its serious racers, many participants take their fun as earnestly as their running. Richards encourages runners to dress in their best holiday attire.

“We’ve had elves, Santas, reindeer and someone dressed in a big pink bunny suit from A Christmas Story last year,” he said.

Strollers and well-behaved dogs are welcome on the course. Most people are realistic about their time expectations and self-seed with the potential winners toeing the starting line and those with a more leisurely pace forming in the back of the pack. The race is chip timed, so there’s no need to rush.

After the run, the holiday celebration continues at a post-race party and awards presentation at the family-friendly Roff School Tavern a few miles from the race. The tavern donates a huge pot of chili and the first 20 pizzas are free. Runners are welcome to spend the afternoon watching football or socializing.

Clint Puller 5k offers a Best Male and Female Costume Award along with prizes for the first three men and women overall. Age group awards are presented to ages 19 and under through 60+ in ten-year increments.

As of Monday, more than 120 runners had preregistered. Mike expects over 150 participants, depending on the weather. While most of the previous Clint Puller races have been cold, this year’s temperatures are predicted in the 30s, a virtual heat wave for mid-December in Meadville.

Mike says he can’t foresee that the event would ever be cancelled for inclement weather. There are a lot of diehard runners and a lot of volunteers who would clear the course if a snowstorm blew through the day before the race (as it did last year.)

Mike, a former Grove City College athlete, retired from football in favor of his other sport --- running. He and wife Sabrina have competed in the Clarion River Half Marathon, Pittsburgh Marathon and others. With a house full of kids ranging from age 7 to 3 weeks, they have been running for fitness instead.

Both parents see the importance of being good examples to their kids. Mike says they all walk the dog around the neighborhood and celebrate the end of the school year with a race around their block.

Clint Puller Memorial Toy 5k is a benefit for Toys for Tots, an organization founded in 1947 by members of the U.S. Marine Corps. Currently 40,000 Marines, veterans and volunteers work to distribute 18 million toys to seven million children annually through Toys for Tots.

In its past five years of support, Clint Puller Toy Run has donated $13,000 to the cause. Runners are encouraged to bring a new, unwrapped toy to contribute.

Online registration for the event is open until 6 op.m. Thursday at localraces.com/events/meadville-pa/the-clint-puller-memorial-toy-run-. You may also register on Sunday at the starting area at Mercer Pike Trailhead beginning at 9:30 a.m. for the 11 a.m. race start.

For more information, visit the event on Facebook or contact Mike Richards at 724-992-9154 or Michael.richards@pa.usda.gov. For more information about the good work of Toys for Tots, to donate or volunteer, visit www.toysfortots.org.

Upcoming events

Saturday, 9 a.m. Santa Hustle 5k, Erie. Also 1-Mile Rudolph Run for kids age 12 & under. 847-829-4536 or http://www.santahustle.com/pennsylvania

Saturday, 10 a.m.: Snowflake 5k, Erie. Starts at Presque Isle State Park’s Rotary Pavilion. 814-774-3209 or erierunners.club/event/snowflake-5k-2/2018-12-08/

Saturday, 4 p.m.: Jingle Bell Run, Pittsburgh. Run on Pittsburgh’s North Shore benefits Arthritis Foundation. 412-556-1645 or tnewberry@arthritis.org

Sunday, 9 a.m.: Trot for Tots 5k & 10k, Oakdale. Out and back on Panhandle Trail. 412-490-0881 or register.chronotrack.com/r/40089

Sunday, 9 a.m.: Clint Puller Memorial Toy Run 5k, Meadville. Christmas costumes encouraged. 724-992-9154 or Michael.richards@pa.usda.gov. Online registration at localraces.com/events/meadville-pa/the-clint-puller-memorial-toy-run-2018

Sunday, 11 a.m.: Santa’s Ugly Sweater 5k, Ridgway. Time your own 5k. Entry is a lightly used or new winter coat donation for Salvation Army. www.facebook.comevents/1979774482098730/?active_tab=discussion

Sunday, 11 a.m.: Reindeer 5k, Zelienople. Also Kids 1 Mile, ½ Mile and ¼ Mile at 11:45 A.M. 724-321-4265 or www.active.com/zelienople-pa/running/distance-running-races/reindeer-race-2018?int

Sunday, 2 p.m.: Two for Tots Hills for the Holiday 5k Run and 1 Mile Fun Run, Mercer. awesomeevents.org

Dec. 13, 6:45 p.m.: 8th Annual Holiday Lights Run and Charity Auction, Pittsburgh. Run sponsored by Fleet Feet benefits the Fund for Victims of Terror. Starts at Nova Place on Pittsburgh’s Northshore. Doors open at 5 P.M. 412-851-9100

Dec. 31, 3:30 p.m.: Harmony Silvester 5k and 1 Mile Fun Run, Harmony. Out and back course. Part of New Year’s Eve celebration with German food, music and more. Fireworks and New Year’s Ball Drop at 6 p.m. saltemus@zoominternet.net or online registration at runsignup.com/Race/PA/Harmony/Silvester

Dec. 31, 4 p.m.: Twilight 5k Run, 2 Mile Run and 2 Mile Walk, Hollidaysburg. Walk starts at 5 p.m. through the lights of Lakemont Park’s Lights on the Lake. fkopriva@hollidaysburgymca.org or .blairregionalymca.org/index.php/race/2014-race-series/twilight-race

Dec. 31, 6:30 p.m.: First Night State College Resolution Run, State College. 814-571-1960 or dhel@psu.edu

Jan. 1, 10 a.m.: ERC New Year’s Day 5 Mile Race, Erie. Starts at Rotary Pavilion near Presque Isle State Park’s Beach #7. Dan.a@erierunners,club or erierunners.club

Jan. 5, 11 a.m.: Resolution Run 5k Run/Fun Walk, Derry. Run around Keystone State Park Lake. 724-464-0900 or runsignup.com/Race/Register/?raceId=27566

Jan/ 5, 1 p.m.: Run 2 Read Half Marathon, Fairmont, WV. Run through Prickett’s Fort State Park. 304-694-6042 or www.runtoread.org

Race results

Pittsburgh YMCA Turkey Trot 5 Mile, Nov. 22 (finishers under 37:00): Jim Spisak, 1st Overall M, 24:32; Nicole Hilton, 1st Overall W, 30:06; Anthony Miller, 34:15; Lisa Palmer, 34:24; Jono Pelusi, 34:59; Evan Miller, 36:18; Michael Curren, 38:15; Gregory Reed, 39:06; Nick Barker, 39:35; Zachary Franiewski, 40:18; Sandra Zugell, 41:08; Patricia Hudeck, 43:32; Andrew Bock, 44:01; Ross Hassler, 44:17; Jim O’Brien, 44:31; Eric Schindler, 44:32; Justin Angert, 44:41; Sherri Fulton, 45:03; Mark Browne, 45:04; Carolyn Stirling, 45:24; Jacqueline Schindler, 46:13; Jonathan Kline, 46:29; Erika Clark, 47:05; Piper Treece-Angert, 47:13; Ryan McCormick, 47:26; Mary Ann Broad, 47:26; Shana Hutchins, 48:38; Benjamin Schogel, 48:42; Rachel Smith, 49:45; Edward Witt, 50:02; Maria Branagan, 53:50; Nancy Thenthongkham, 53:53; Susan Kushnereit, 53:56; Karlee Kushnereit, 53:56; Stephanie Moran, 55:08; Lucas Pott, 55:35; Jeremy Pott, 55:36; Larry Barnes, 56:03; Nicole Sikora, 56:42; Amanda Zetwo, 56:59; Gregory Zetwo, 57:00; Sandy Banerjee, 57:04; Fred Florian, 1:03:39; Alexandra Nieri, 1:08:21; Cynthia Rosequist, 1:09:08

Pittsburgh YMCA Turkey Trot 5k, Nov. 22 (finishers under 40:00): Scott McGeary, 1st Overall M, 16:08; Danielle Hinish, 1st Overall W, 19:34; Ryan Pettes, 20:02; Donald Donatelli, 20:52; Dave France, 21:57; Chris Bush, 22:15; Emma Lammert, 22:35; Jared Kolwyck, 22:51; Gregory Reed, 23:09; Jake Scheidt, 23:12; Brian Braun, 23:19; Steve Cottington, 23:24; Matt Kynaston, 23:38; Eva Kynaston, 23:40; Brian Croop, 23:54; Finnian Kichi, 24:17; Andrew Williams, 24:29; Kevin Cottington, 24:30; Noah Raymundo, 24:31; Charles Warden, 24:44; Kilian Perkins, 24:57; Nicholas Warden, 25:06; Erin Cole, 25:12; David Cole, 25:13; Nancy Belz, 25:27; Alan Dum, 25:31; Nick Barker, 25:39; Toby Perkins, 25:46; Sam Larsen, 25:55; Dean Longwell, 26:00; Ryan McCormick, 26:00; Sabrina Mitchell, 26:20; Brenna Burry, 26:34; Patricia Hudeck, 26:50; Rita Ranallo, 27:04; Jim O’Brien, 27:12; Alexander Kynaston, 27:16; Maya Daugherty, 27:23; Wendy Wick, 27:25; Bill Daugherty, 27:34; Steve Hawbaker, 27:48; Gary Clark, 27:49; Matthew Wheeler, 27:50; Brian Kelly, 27:51; Justin Angert, 27:59; Nick Hall, 28:03; Sam Hall, 28:06; Sherri Fulton, 28:07; Zack Daugherty, 28:17; Benjamin Krokosky, 28:21; David Fuller, 28:25; Brad Goodman, 28:29; Piper Treece-Angert, 28:30; Kameron Carter, 29:07 Sondra Larsen, 29:11; Kristy Magdelinic, 29:14; Taylor Magdelinic, 29:15; Lynne Warth, 29:30; Rachel Kelly, 29:35; Susan Kushnereit, 29:35; Karlee Kushnereit, 29:35; Madison Gumto, 29:38; Zachary Snyder, 29:41; Jordan Sheran, 29:41; Alessandro Bertola, 29:43; Cara Livorio, 29:44; Danielle Gumto, 29:48; Michael Kichi, 29:49; Janis King, 29:52; Katie Braun, 29:55; Erika Clark, 30:13; Emily Kella, 30:20; Heather Daugherty, 30:25; Grace Daugherty, 30:25; Nicole Snyder, 30:25; Morgan Sinan, 30:44; Mary Sinan, 30:45; Amanda Zetwo, 30:49; Lisa Willbur, 30:51; Gregory Zetwo, 30:51; Laura Holesh, 30:55; Ashley Nindl, 30:59; Carson Parkhill, 31:06; Trish Parkhill, 31:06; Joni Mulvaney, 31:17; Brandon Coneby, 31:19; Anthony Schluep, 31:20; Elizabeth Heid, 31:23; Jeff Ptak, 31:32; Hemanth Kapoor, 31:45; Genavera Martinelli, 32:09; Steve Martinelli, 32:10; Ella Larsen, 32:17; Julia Valentine, 32:18; Samantha Hohn, 32:33; Jerry Heinz, 32:38; Mark Browne, 32:48; Maria Branagan, 32:49; Allie Bartholow, 32:52; Tasha Hall, 32:53; Regis Flowers, 32:55; Martin Acosta, 32:59; Heather Kelly, 33:16; Scott Kelly, 33:17; Kristi Stiegler, 33:23; Jonah Bayer, 33:35; Linda Dunbar, 33:37; Joni Raymundo, 33:37; Nancy Thenthongkham, 33:43; Claire Williams, 33:43; Emily Manganello, 33:50; Christopher Straub, 33:50; Louis Stamerra, 33:54; Noelle R Sequite, 34:18; Danielle Wiles, 34:18; Wyatt Bonfili, 34:19; Jerry Ritzert, 34:20; Chris Bonfili, 34:20; Maddie Bonfili, 34:22; James Papst, 34:30; Tanner Bartholow, 34:32; Linda Harrold Robash, 34:47; Missy Battle, 34:57; Morgan Tramontano, 35:05; Cecilia Ottenweller, 35:08; Ian Gumto, 35:08; Brianna Martig, 35:14; Liz Wiese, 35:15; Sandy Banerjee, 35:20; Cailey Gibson, 35:41; Christie Karns, 35:41; Laura O’Donnell, 35:43; Cono Passione, 35:47; Robert Snyder, 35:48; Kurt Larsen, 35:50; Jeff Warth, 35:56; Alyssa Duggan, 35:57; Zach Duggan, 36:00; Michele Nichols, 36:06; Andrew Bell, 36:21; Elizabeth Austin, 36:24; Michael Valentine, 36:25; Julie Snyder, 36:40; Laure Ritzert, 36:51

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

Pat Neubert is a running columnist for the Butler Eagle