What makes a race great? A fast, challenging or interesting course. Unique and/or practical swag. Post-race food, drink and party.

While all of the above make for a fun and memorable event, it's volunteers who make it all possible. They're the people who step up and allow us to step out on the road or trail on race day.

There are plenty of races built on good intentions and worthy causes, but a dream is not enough. A good volunteer organization has a plan that includes providing runners (and walkers) with an enjoyable experience while supporting a cause, locally or globally. And the best find a way to repeat the effort year after year or, as in our own former Butler Road Race, Inc., for decades.

A good race director is like a circus performer, juggling 10 balls at once while fielding whatever else is thrown their way. The best, like Buffalo Creek Half Marathon's Chris Ziegler, make the impossible task look easy. Still, Chris gives deserved credit to the more than 100 volunteers under her direction for making the Buffalo Creek Half a success for 14 years. “I just make some calls,” she says. “The same people come back and do the same jobs every year.”

Having a large pool of volunteers allows a race to offer more than the bare minimum of safety and comfort for participants and spectators. No one likes to wait in line on a cold race morning for registration or packet pick up. An efficient system and a good volunteer staff of early risers expedites the process. With more volunteers, races may add off-site registration or pick-up options.

Volunteers give their time doing everything from designing t-shirts and medals to packing hundreds of bags with bibs, shirts, pins and swag before the event to serving pizza, filling water coolers and handing out medals post-race. It's a long day and the best volunteers work tirelessly and with a smile for even the most demanding of weekend warriors.

Course monitor is one of the loneliest but most important volunteer positions on a trail race. Monitors slog through the woods, take their place at a critical point or confusing trail intersection, then stand alone for hours waiting for the occasional runner to cruise by. But a missing, inattentive or indecisive volunteer can ruin a race or put safety at risk for a runner unsure of which way to go. Good ones aren't just human signposts. They also offer humor or friendly encouragement.

One of the most physically demanding jobs and most underappreciated volunteers are the staff at water stations along a race course, especially at large, long races. It's tiring, repetitive and always wet.

But a well-run aid station is an oasis for runners, especially during long runs or difficult conditions. Experienced volunteers know how to make eye contact with individual runners and hold a cup so it doesn't explode in their hands. They understand the importance of keeping the course free of extraneous used cups and empty gel packets.

Good aid station volunteers not only provide water or sports drink, they offer comfort and encouragement. The best find a way to transfer energy to weary runners and send them on their way refreshed and renewed.

Those of us who love to race should realize that volunteers are the heart of any event. The next time you pin on that race bib, remember to thank those who make it possible start to finish. Better yet, take your turn at giving back by volunteering at an upcoming race.

Saturday, 9 a.m.: Habitat for Humanity of Indiana County 5k and 10k, Dilltown. Run on Ghost Town Trail. 724-388-1124 or r.a.perky47@gmail.comSaturday, 9:30 a.m.: 7th Annual Heart and Sole 5k and 5k Run/5 Mile Bike Duathlon, Ford City. 724-763-3974 or fcrccares@gmail.comSunday, 2 p.m.: Heavenly Gaits Trick or Treat Trot, Knox. 814-203-9691 or hgtrickortreattrot@gmail.comSunday, 3 p.m.: 10th Annual Great Pumpkin 5k and 1 Mile, Zelienople. Mark7669@zoominternet.netNov. 2, 8 a.m.: EQT 10 Miler, Pittsburgh. Pittsburgh-themed miles. www.pittsburgh10miler.orgNov. 2, 9 a.m.: Running of the Lions 5k, New Castle. Also pancake breakfast. Clarks142@comcast.netNov. 2, 9:30 a.m.: Dirt Monster 5 Mile Trail Race and 1 Mile Trail Walk, North Park. Challenging trail race starts at Grant Pavilion.Nov. 2, 10 a.m.: 38th Annual Butler YMCA Turkey Trot, Butler. 724-287-4733, ext. 115 or colsen@bcfymca.orgNov. 3, 9 a.m.: Indiana First Bank Veteran's Marathon, Half Marathon and Marathon Relay, Black Lick. 724-599-5929 or veteransmarathon@outlook.orgNov. 9, 8:30 a.m.: Hot Cider Hustle, Cranberry Township. Run at Graham Park. All finishers get shirt, cider, caramel apple, finisher's mug. Hotciderhustle.com/cranberrytownshipNov. 9, 9 a.m.: Sharpsville Community Food Pantry 5k, Sharpsville. Hilly terrain. Sandra04@outlook.comNov. 9, 9 a.m.: Buffalo Township Veteran's Day Race, Sarver. Out and back 5k or 10k on Butler-Freeport Trail. 724-201-1210 or buffalowpparksandrecreation@gmail.comNov. 10, 9 a.m.: Operation Troop Appreciation Veteran's Day 5k Race. Hampton Township. Rolling course through Hampton Community Park. Gerardmac977@aol.comNov. 16, 8 a,m.: Red Kettle Run 5k, Brackenridge. Flat and fast along Allegheny River, post-race pancake breakfast. 724-224-6310 or Alex.Senak@use.salvationarmy.orgNov. 16, 9 a.m.: Fight for Life 5k Run/Walk, Apollo. 724-568-2517 or dzukas@cancer.orgNov. 23, 9:30 a.m.: Oil City YMCA Turkey Trot 5k, Oil City. Start and finish on Samuel Justus Trail. 814-677-3000 or ocywellness@oilcityymca.netNov. 23, 5:50 p.m.: Kraynaks Merry Christmas Mile, Hermitage. Dress as your favorite Christmas characters, run prior to light up parade. Barrymclaughlin51@gmail.com or online registration at www.runsignup.comNov. 28, 9 a.m.: Ebensburg Turkey Trot 5k, Ebensburg. No day of event registration. 814-472-2200 or runsignup.com/Race/PA/Ebensburg/EbensburgTurkeyTrotNov. 28, 9 a.m.: Greensburg Turkey Trot 5k, Greensburg. 724-6100509 or www.gbgturkeytrot.comNov. 28, 9 a.m.: Grateful Gallop 5k, Grove City. Support Grove City Community Food Bank. runsignup.com/Race/PA/GroveCity/GratefulGallop5kNov. 28, 9 a.m.: Kiski Valley Turkey Trot 5k, Apollo. Also 1 mile fun walk at 9:05 a.m. prusia@comcast.net or kvturkeytrot.wordpress.comNov. 28, 9:30 a.m.: Gobble Wobble, Hermitage. gobblewobble.wordpress.com

Foot Pursuit 5k, Sept. 28: Christopher Taggart, 1st Overall M, 21:05; Simon Beck, 2nd Overall M, 23:26; Kevin Persch, 3rd Overall M, 24:39; Annie Hoffman, 1st Overall W, 25:51; Dawn Tucci, 3rd Overall W, 26:52; Michael Allias, 1st 30-39 M, 25:05; John Shawgo, 1st 40-49 M, 25:28; Dominick Degilio, 2nd 30-39 M, 25:35; Matt Chapman, 1st 20-29 M, 25:46; Jason Bennett, 2nd 40-49 M, 26:09; John Snyder, 1st 60-69 M, 26:22; Noah Graeser, 1st 14 & Under M, 26:53; Douglas Waid, 3rd 60-69 M, 26:54; Stephanie McCreary, 1st 40-49 W, 27:50; Cindy Bennett, 2nd 40-49 W, 27:58; Lizzy House, 1st 14 & Under W, 28:18; Hannah McCoy, 2nd 20-29 W, 28:50; Jim Lakin, 2nd 60-69 M, 28:57; Jeffrey Bennett, 2nd 50-59 M, 31:16; Jessica Graeser, 1st 30-39 W, 33:02; Madison Michael, 2nd 14 & Under W, 33:20; Kayla Albert, 2nd 30-39 W, 34:28; Michele Carson, 1st 50-59 W, 35:07; Ashley Nicol, 3rd 30-39 W, 37:56; Beth Hutchinson, 2nd 50-59 W, 38:11; Crystal Albert, 3rd 50-59 W, 39:03; Terry Reeher, 1st 70+ M, 41:08; Darren Waid, 32:21; Daniel Armour, 34:11; Renae Shawgo, 34:26; Stephanie Allias, 41:47; Jen Bulfone, 42:16; Brenda Bedillion, 50:09; Heidi Mikulin, 50:48; Erica Campbell, 50:48; Raesha Elser, 52:36; Mary Parker, 1:01:01Pittsburgh Great Race 5k, Sept. 30: Clay Burnett, 1st Overall M, 14:42; Lisa Burnett, 1st Overall W, 17:08; Sean McDonnell, 3rd 25-29 M, 15:22; Eric Shafer, 1st 50-54 M, 17:00; Rachel Martin, 1st 20-24 W, 18:37; Angelina Hunkele, 2nd 12-13 W, 19:20; Mark Golla, 3rd 45-49 M, 19:23; Amy Brown, 3rd 35-39 W, 19:42; Brady Hunkele, 3rd 11 & Under M, 20:28; Cathryn Polito, 2nd 50-54 W, 24:06; Sonya Crawford, 3rd 70-74 W, 33:18; Tyler Ross, 18:51; Mitch Radella, 22:17; Andrew Bender, 22:33; Paul Juliano, 22:48; Alfred Wahl, 22:49; Bill Snider, 22:56; Leigh Waldschmidt, 23:14; Cassondra Jackson, 23:41; Bradley McGill, 24:12; Amanda Hardt, 24:57; David Guo, 25:01; Denise Traubert, 25:20; Nick Cook, 25:49; Kerry Schults, 25:49; Myah Merhaut, 26:25; Aislyn Schessler, 26:29; Keelin Schessler, 26:33; Mark Blasinsky, 26:38; Teddy Klocko, 27:01; Josh Werkmeister, 27:15; Sergii Giltai, 27:17; Justin Barron, 27:18; Kelly Ramsey, 27:19; Juliana Hunkele, 27:29; Jessi Price, 27:36; Tara Valkavitch, 27:46; Ayla Alexander, 28:06; James Batchelet, 28:32; Lisa Batchelet, 28:32; Kim Burke Powell, 28:41; Addie Klocko, 28:56; Sharon Barlow, 29:17; Robert Crawford, 29:28; Laurie Schessler, 29:37; Jessica Nussbaum, 29:52; Richard Honsaker, 30:00; Rachel Thomas, 30:11; Jessica Dunbar, 30:33; Daniel Christo, 30:35; Elaine Wissolik, 30:35; Rob Doverspike, 30:36; Trisha Doverspike, 30:36; Jason Anderson, 30:47; Kiara LaRocca, 31:10; Jennifer Koshute, 31:19; Jake Golebiewski, 31:46; William Gibbs, 31:58; Alisha Anderson, 32:13; Sarah Smith, 32:53; Bonnie Myers-Toward, 32:57; Douglas Klocko, 33:05; Jim Hardt, 33:18; Kristina LaRocca, 33:21; Greg Willenkin, 33:42: Kristy Tonelli, 33:46; Allison Alexander, 34:02; Bobi-Jean Alexander, 34:02; Patrick Perry, 34:13; Doug Schumacher, 34:57; John Ciraula, 35:04; Gary Golebiewski, 35:07; Tricia Gray, 35:09; Christina Stevens, 35:11; Amy Buchwald, 35:15; Hannah Morgan, 35:38; Dina Snider, 35:40; Valerie Sands, 35:47; Lauren O’Keefe, 35:49; Heather Cook, 36:22; Shannon Tharnish, 36:27; Erin Nunnery, 36:56; Wisam Guerriere, 37:11; Domenico Fricioni, 37:29; Rachel Fricioni, 37:53; Carley Stoy, 38:31; Rusty Pfeiffer, 38:49; Ann Cheman, 38:50; Erin Smith, 39:47; Jim Cooper, 40:06; Robert Sands, 40:48; John Harding, 41:17; Caleb Rauscher, 42:15; Jaclyn Rauscher, 42:16; Mary Johnson, 42:31; Christopher Patton, 42:40; Anita Sleigh, 42:44; Rachel Singer, 42:53; Isabelle DeMarco, 42:54; Jacqueline Maurer, 43:26; Debbie Alexander, 43:52; Greg Alexander, 43:52; Lisa Barron, 44:10; Katherine McDonald, 44:39; Mary Ann Acton, 44:51; Sydney Ward, 45:15; Paul Ward, 45:15; Thomas McDonald, 45:33; John Cuchta, 47:49; Ed Barlow, 48:31; Laura Schulteis, 48:41; Tracey Fisher, 51:16; Amy Peterson, 53:49; Lou Peterson, 53:50; Allison Ketterer, 54:40; Barbara Miller, 55:49; Adelyn Fowler, 1:00:58; Terry Grubbs, 1:00:58; Damien Wissolik, 1:02:28Send comments and suggestions: Patricia Neubert. Phone 724-352-4395. Email lotzak@consolidated.netPat Neubert is a running columnist for the Butler Eagle