Two runs this Saturday benefit youth in western Pennsylvania. Both offer runners the opportunity for doing good by doing something we love.

At 9 a.m., runners will challenge the hills and mud of Switchback Raceway motocross track and trails in Butler at 519Strong 5k Mud Run and Moto Day. The event is named in honor of race director Derek Gold's friend and fellow motocross racer Jeremy Coast. Jeremy, number 519, lost his battle with cancer in 2015.

Derek started the 519Strong charity as a tribute to Jeremy and, according to their mission statement, “to provide inspiration, encouragement and support to families affected by childhood cancer and other medical issues.” The charity offers families facing hardship because of illness or injury assistance with travel to medical treatment, overnight stays for families, and other needs and holds an annual Christmas toy drive for Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh.

The 5k event, now in its second year, is an effort to expand outreach beyond the small motocross community. Derek was pleased to host 50 participants last year, 20 of whom also stayed to ride after the 5k. He expects more people this year since he's been able to publicize to a wider group this time.

Although 519Strong 5k is a timed event and offers awards for top 3 adult and youth finishers, Derek says most people do it to support the cause and have fun. Runners and walkers of all ages and abilities are welcome to challenge the hills and mud.

Derek says he won't know how muddy the course will be until race day. Although runners should prepare to get dirty, this isn't a Tough Mudder-type event. There are ways to avoid the mud if you want to. He also said that the race will not be cancelled for weather unless it's lightning.

You may register for 519Strong 5k online at runsignup.com until Thursday at midnight or register on race day beginning at 7 a.m. Preregistration includes a commemorative t-shirt while shirts will be on sale on race day for late registrations.

Run on the River 5k, 10k and 2k Family Fun and Pet Walk celebrates its seventh year as a benefit for youth programs of Valley Points YMCA in nearby Lower Burrell. Jill Conroy, race director and cycling and senior programs instructor for the YMCA says that scholarships funded by the race ensure that all kids can attend Y programs regardless of family income.

The events begin at Derek Kotecki Memorial Park this Saturday with the 5k start at 8:30 a.m. The 10k starts at 9:15 a.m., allowing runners to compete in both distances. Jill says that usually 20 or so runners choose to run both races. After a challenging hill at the start, runners enjoy a flat and fast run with views of the Allegheny River and music along the course on a coned lane of the road. 5k runners turn around at the dam while 10k competitors continue on scenic Wynn and Clara Tredway River Park Trail.

There's no charge to participate in the 2k Family Fun and Pet Walk from 8:45 to 10:15 a.m. The event takes place entirely within Derek Kotecki Park. Strollers are welcome on the 2k but are not allowed in the longer events due to traffic safety concerns.

Jill expects more than 100 participants, including runners from at least five states. Overall top three male and female finishers, first masters man and woman and top two finishers in age groups from 19 and Under through 70+ earn glass Irish coffee mugs.

All preregistered runners receive a goodie bag and a gender specific technical t-shirt while shirts for day-of-event registrations may be in limited sizes. All runners will also enjoy post-race refreshments of pizza and watermelon, a chance to win raffle prizes and a loaf of cinnamon swirl bread courtesy of Jenny Lee Bakery.

Online registration will be open until Friday night at runsignup.com or on Saturday between 7 and 8 A.M. For more information, contact Jill Conroy at 724-331-3569 or email jillhorvatic@hotmail.com.

Saturday, 5:30 or 7:30 a.m.: Laurel Highlands Ultra Challenge, Ohiopyle. Choice of 50k, 50k relay, 70.5 miles or 70.5 mile relay on rugged Laurel Highlands Trail. 412-337-6820 or rick.freeman1@verizon.netSaturday, 8:30 a.m.: Run on the River, Lower Burrell. 724-331-3569 or jhorvatic@hotmail.com.Saturday, 9 a.m.: 519Strong 5k, Butler. 814-758-3217 or dgold520@gmail.comSaturday, 9 a.m.: Art and Sole 5k Run/ Walk and 1k Fun Run, Erie. Run starts at Neighborhood Art House with children's artwork awards. 814-455-5508 or kstolar@neighborhoodarthouse.orgJune 15, 8:30 a.m.: Greater Clarksburg 10k, Clarksburg, WV. Also 2 mile walk/run. 304-672-3637 or runwithhat@yahoo.comJune 15, 9 a.m.: Beartown 5.5 Mile Trail Run, Sigel. Also 15 and 25 mile mountain bike races. www.fattirechallenge.com or fattirechallenge@yahoo.comJune 16, 8:30 a.m.: ERC Father's Day Race, Erie. Benefits Liberty House for Male Veterans, starts at Beach #1 at Lake Road. 814-882-5362 or twigham@gmail.comJune 19, 6:30 p.m.: Summer Solstice Run/Walks, Portersville. Start and finish at Pleasant Valley Beach with 1 mile at 6:30 P.M. and 5k starting at 7 P.M. Brenda.r.schwarz@gmail.comJune 21, 7 p.m.: Hope for Your Future 2 Mile Walk, 5k and 10k Color Run and Children's Superhero Run, Rimersburg. 2 mile run starts at 7, 5k and 10k at 8 P.M. hopeforyourfuture13@gmail.comJune 22, 8:30 a.m.: Rockwood Rotary 5k, 10k, Half Marathon Freedom Race, Rockwood. Run on The Great Allegheny Passage. 814-352-3207 or trunet@zoominternet.netJune 22, 9 a.m.: Butch's Bucket Brigade 5k, Worthington. Also Kids' Bike Race (ages 12 and under) at 11 A.M. 724-464-3420 or smechling64@yahoo.comJune 22, 3 p.m.: The Dam Tri Jr., Meadville. Youth triathlon for ages 8-15. Bike/fun race for kids 7 and under. 814-336-2196 or www.thedamtri.comJune 23, 9 a.m.: The Dam Tri XI, Meadville. Sprint and Olympic distance triathlons at Woodcock Creek Lake. 814-336-2196 or www.thedamtri.comJune 26, 7 p.m.: Strawberry Days 5k, Grove City. Race #1 in 36th Annual Mercer County QUAD series. 724-866-1374 or smc@runhigh.comJune 29, 8 a.m.: Steel City Road Runners Sandcastle 5k and Kids Fun Run, Homestead. stacey@steelcityrrc.orgJune 29, 9 a.m.: Butler Road Race 5 Mile and 2k, Butler. Run through downtown Butler. joella@zoominternet.netJune 29, 9 a.m.: Ellwood City Ledger 10k, Ellwood City. 724-752-1583June 30, 9 a.m.: Yuengling Gold Rush 5k, Pittsburgh. Run on Pittsburgh's North Shore and post-race party with beer, music, entertainment. 765-729-0691 or www.yuenglinggoldrush.comJuly 4, 8 a.m.: Zelienople Firecracker 5k and 1 Mile, Zelienople. Starts at Community Park. joella@getfifamilies.comJuly 4, 8 a.m.: Ultimate Freedom Run 5k, Meadville. Run on Ernst Trail. 814-724-5074 or www.theultimatefreedomevent.com

Flying Pigs 2.88 Mile Run, May 11: Seth Jenny, 1st Overall M, 17:08; Kara Shuty, 1st Overall W, 24:06; Charlie Mullins, 1st 30-39 M, 17:39; M.J. Pottinger, 1st 15 & Under M, 19:13; Titus Wilbur, 1st 40-49 M, 20:20; Miles Jenny, 2nd 15 & Under M, 23:03; James Jaskowak, 2nd 30-39 M, 24:08; John Snyder, 1st 60-69 M, 24:47 Marisa Guriel, 1st 40-49 W, 25:23; Bethany Kelley, 1st 20-29 W, 25:29; Stephanie McCreary, 2nd 40-49 W, 25:39; Cindy Bennett, 3rd 40-49 W, 26:56; Stephanie Whitmer, 1st 30-39 W, 27:15; Jason Bennett, 2nd 40-49 M, 27:21; A.P. Sunseri, 1st 70+ M, 29:04; Jim Lakin, 2nd 60-69 M, 29:06; Michele Carson, 2nd 50-59 W, 33:31; Pamela Beck, 2nd 30-39 W, 38:30; Terry Reeher, 2nd 70+ M, 40:39; Jade White, 3rd 20-29 W, 49:23; Pam Hummel, 1st 60-69 W, 52:38; Linda Fee, 2nd 60-69 W, 52:39; Connie Stembel, 3rd 60-69 W, 52:40; Amy Lockwood, 33:32; Carole Hubiak, 1:06:42; Terry Stutz, 1:06:43; Joan Montgomery, 1:07:59Glacier Ridge 50 Miler, May 11: Scott English, 1st Overall M, 8:23:47; Gwendolyn Musser, 1st Overall W, 9:17:03; Richard Cook, 9:52:37; Josh Edmiston, 10:10:09; Justin Donahue, 10:51:21; Stephen Mick, 11:34:10; Josh Wentzell, 11:45:15; Nicholas Meriwether, 11:52:22; Eric Shumaker, 12:04:03; Ryan Shumaker, 12:06:20Glacier Ridge 50k, May 11: Richard Koubek, 1st Overall M, 4:14:14; Lesley Bowers, 1st Overall W, 5:18:02; William Huber, 4:51:21; Will Stiglitz, 5:25:38; Gary Hayden, 6:21:42; Gregory Novotny, 6:39:04; Connie Hoffer, 7:26:46; Murray Hofmeister, 7:46:37; Edward Jenkins, 8:25:45; Trevor Zaliponi, 8:52:22; Shawna Zaliponi, 8:52:22; Kristy Marcinko, 9:26:47; Elizabeth Dickey, 9:48:36Glacier Ridge 30k, May 11: Robert Edman, 1st Overall M, 3:08:49; Maureen Copeland, 1st Overall W, 3:23:57; Jeff Lynn, 3:39:43; Michael Zucatti, 3:40:02; Tracy Mitchell, 3:46:36; Dan Tack, 3:52:55; Elizabeth Tatomirovich, 4:05:25; Mike Meyer, 4:20:33; Scott Meiser, 4:20:58; Gina Springer, 4:34:12; Bill Greenawalt, 4:44:49; Dutch Perz, 4:47:05; Harold Dunn, 4:58:21; Mark Ciotti, 5:38:49; Robert Crawford, 5:46:13; Laura Augustine, 6:06:28; Carol English, 6:07:41; Sherrie Mazurek, 6:08:15; Brian Frederick, 6:43:24; Amy Lehman, 7:33:14; Megan Meeder, 7:33:15Komen Race for the Cure 5k, May 12: Andrew Zentgraf, 1st Overall M, 17:07; Jennifer Bigham, 1st Overall W, 18:25; Stephanie Beisheim, 2nd Overall W, 21:09; Zach Sedor, 2nd 20-29 M, 19:46; Lee Stough, 2nd 30-39 M, 20:01; Phil Gibbons, 1st 50-59 M, 21:55; Kyle Page, 3rd 20-29 M, 21:59; Rich Sandala, 2nd 50-59 M, 22:45; Denise Tancredi, 2nd 50-59 W, 25:12; Thomas Guerra, 2nd 60-69 M, 27:45; Akash Schmid, 22:42; Tim Wilson, 22:47; Jacob Beisheim, 23:03; Josh Markley, 23:24; Jake Gustafson, 23:42; Daniel Donoughe, 24:10; Jeff Beisheim, 24:35; Jordan Dourlain, 24:41; Jaye Greenfield, 24:51; Olivia Pitcairn, 25:19; Rhyley Bundl, 25:37; Damien Cornish, 25:40; Jessica Savka, 26:18; Corey Faddish, 26:36; Kameron Smith, 26:46; Lauren Faddish, 27:31; Brian Dourlain, 27:59; Thomas Mangan, 28:19; Suzanne Natter, 28:19; Lauren Stumpf, 28:24; Brian Campbell, 28:34; Delanie Cowan, 28:39; Jennifer Eckenrode, 28:40; Jason Lewis, 28:57; Charles Kaminski, 29:12; Brian Blose, 29:31; Benjamin Veres, 29:35; Martin Lee, 29:39; Hillary Priebel, 29:39; Todd Libengood, 29:42; Devon Horton, 30:05; Ricky Olasz, 30:09; Patrick Horton, 30:09; Frank Cornell, 30:12; Daniel Merz, 30:16; Zack Kaczmarek, 30:39; Jeffrey Banyas, 31:08; Carol Bovan, 31:21; Ethan Myers, 31:50; Wendy Myers, 33:21; Brian Hall, 34:07; Nancy Thenthongkham, 34:24; David Bigenho, 34:27; Julie Rindt, 34:29; Nicholas Babeo, 36:20; Natalie Babeo, 36:22; Terry Melis, 36:28; Michelle Hines, 36:58; Carlee Vargo, 38:39; Nicole Claypoole, 38:41; Hope Hull, 38:46; Easton Hull, 38:46; Ashley Gibson, 39:01; Lauren Seeger, 41:28; Ann Cheman, 41:33; Melanie McIsaac, 42:00; Valerie Wolenter, 42:00; Marcia Semple, 43:38; Tasha Hall, 53:20; Maggie Storti, 57:35Send comments and suggestions: Patricia Neubert. Phone 724-352-4395. Email lotzak@consolidated.net.Pat Neubert is a running columnist for the Butler Eagle