We’re all looking forward to running and breathing without the encumbrance of face masks. Last Saturday’s Run to Breathe Half Marathon and 5k cautiously headed down the road to racing freedom.

Directed by Miles of Smiles Timing Service, Run to Breathe Half Marathon and 5k benefits PA Cystic Fibrosis, Inc. Supporting the cause is personal for Miles of Smiles owner Herb Cratty, whose grand-nephew suffers from CF. Herb estimates that over their more than ten years of support, the Crattys and Miles of Smiles have generated and contributed more than $1 million.

Half of the contributions funds research for CF and the other half supports families of children with the disease by purchasing ventilators, vests and other equipment.

For the past four years, Run to Breathe has grown in popularity despite COVID restrictions. The first event in April of 2018 saw 56 half marathon and 58 5k finishers. This year, with 299 registered, 159 completed the 13.1 miles while 86 finished the 5k.

This year’s races and the August, 2020 event also offered virtual options. While a number of runners participated virtually in August at the height of the pandemic, only seven are registered virtually this year. Virtual participants have until May 31 to submit results to receive a finisher’s medal for completing the half marathon or a shirt for the 5k finish.

Herb says that participants in this year’s Run to Breathe expressed that they felt safer and more confident attending races this year, but that doesn’t allow race directors to ignore safety protocols. This year’s event participation was limited to 350. Race packets were pre-prepared for self-check-in and, though the entire event was held outdoors, masks were required any time runners or spectators couldn’t maintain social distancing.

Run to Breathe courses are out-and-back on the paved bike trail at Moraine State Park. The 2020 and 2021 races were run in a time trial format rather than head-to-head competition. Runners had a half-hour starting window in which to cross the timing mat and begin their individual race against the clock. Herb hopes they can return to head-to-head racing next year since most competitors prefer it.

Refreshments at aid stations and postrace were bottled or packaged with the exception of Tim Wu’s shaved ice stand at the finish area. Instead of congregating at an awards ceremony, runners checked posted results. While all half marathon finishers earned hand-crafted wooden medals, top overall and age group winners in both half marathon and 5k collected their awards from Bonnie Cratty, who staffed an awards table.

Herb says that, barring unforeseen circumstance, next year’s Run to Breathe will return to its mid-April date. He expects that Pittsburgh Marathon will once again occupy the first weekend in May and Run to Breathe will provide a great last longer training run leading to Pittsburgh’s marathon or half marathon.

Herb maintains a high fitness level year round with six days per week of running. Since he wasn’t timing as many events in 2020, he was able to boost his annual mileage to 2,500 miles and to achieve a life goal of running a 100-mile week. He doesn’t have a personal racing goal for this year, but expects to time many more events this year.

Miles of Smiles will be timing Glacier Ridge Trail Races on May 15, Summer Solstice 5k on June 16 and several triathlons in Moraine State Park. Herb says that the park is a beautiful location for running and that park officials are easy to work with.

Herb is also looking forward to timing the 46th Annual Butler Road Race 5 Mile and 2k on June 19. Registration is now open at bcfymca.org/Butler-Road-Race.

Upcoming events

Saturday, 8 a.m.: Hills Creek Challenge, Wellsboro. Run on a 5k singletrack loop around Hills Creek Lake. Register for 3, 6 or 12 hour options and run as many loops as you want in the allotted time. falconracetiming.com/event/hills-creek-endurance-challenge-wellsboro-pa/

May 12, 6:30 p.m.: Muskie 5k Mini Marathon and 2 Mile Walk, Jamestown. Scenic run at Pymatuning State Park. Also virtual option. Heather.harmon@jasdmuskies.com or register online at runsignup.com/Race/PA/Jamestown/Muskie5kand2MileWalk

May 15, 8:30 a.m.: Rails to Trails 5k Run/Walk/K9 Walk and Tunnel Fun Run, Barnesville, OH. Free kids run, hand-craftes trophies, door prizes, lots of food. runsignup.com/Race/OH/Barnesville/BarnesvilleRailsToTrails5k

May 15, 8 a.m.: Diamond Dash 10k & 6k Runs and 5k Walk, Hollidaysburg. 814-695-4467 or contactus@blairregionalymca.org

May 15, 8 a.m.: 37th Guthrie Gallop 10k & 5k, Sayre. The 5k race starts at 9:30 A.M. Discount registration for those who wish to run both distances. runsignup.com/Race/PA/Sayre/GuthrieGallop5k10k

May 15 & 16: “Great Allegheny” Ohiopyle Half Marathon, 10k and 5k, Ohiopyle. Run on scenic Great Allegheny Passage Rail Trail. Also virtual option. Run 10k or 5k on Saturday starting at 9 A.M. Half Marathon on Sunday starting at 7:30 A.M. runsignup.com/Race/PA/Ohiopyle/GreatAlleghenyOhiopyleHalfMarathon10kand5k?aflt_token=HrZcYWJT57TH3GH4vWg7QL584fEmdOnK&r=Y

May 15, 9 a.m: 519Strong Off Road 5k, Grove City. Run through wooded Grove City Memorial Park. 814-758-3217 or register online at runsignup.com/Race/PA/GroveCity/519Strong5K

May 16, 8 a.m.: Cleveland East Side Half Marathon, Fairport Harbor, OH. Flat course along Lake Erie. Also virtual option. runsignup.com/Race/OH/FairportHarbor/ClevelandEastHalfMarathon

May 16, 8 a.m.: Parker Dam Trail Run 25k & 15k, Penfield. Run on scenic singletrack trails of Parker Dam State Park. www.trans-sylvaniaproductions.com/pdtr

May 21, 7 p.m.: Elderton 5k, Elderton. rfrailey@windstream.net or register online at runsignup.com/Race/PA/Elderton/Elderton5KRunWalk

May 22, 8 a.m.: Old Turnpike Half Marathon, Waterfall. Run on abandoned PA Turnpike through Sideling Hill and Rays Hill tunnels. wolfcreektrackclub.com/old-turnpike-half-marathon/

May 22, 10 a.m.: Phenomenal Hope 5k, Pittsburgh. Run at Riverfront Park on Northshore. Also 1 Mile and Half Mile Kids’ Runs and virtual option. runsignup.com/Race/PA/Pittsburgh/phenomenalhope5k

May 28, 7 p.m.: Fryburg Mayfest Fun Run 5k, Fryburg. Kicks off local festival. runsignup.com/Race/PA/Fryburg/FryburgMayfestFunRun5K

May 29, 8 a.m.: Path of the Flood Historic Races, Johnstown. Run the entire 14 mile course of the 1889 Johnstown Flood or 5k or 8 Mile portions. www.jaha.org/events/path-flood-races/

May 30, 9 a.m.: Dahoga Dash 5k, Wilcox. 814-512-1374 or randylindberg@hotmail.com

June 5, 7 a.m.: God’s Country Marathon, Half Marathon and Relay, Galeton. Scenic and challenging point-to-point course. 814-558-5353 or amy_eppley@yahoo.com

June 5, 8 a.m.: Boston Trail ½ Marathon and 5k Run/Walk, Elizabeth Township. Run on Yough River Trail of Great Allegheny Passage. 412-780-7802 or thebostontrail.com/half-marathon-and-5k-run-elizabeth-pa/

June 5, 9 a.m.: Freeport Flash 10k and 5k, Sarver. Starts at Monroe Road trailhead on Butler-Freeport Community Trail. runsignup.com/Race/PA/Sarver/FreeportFlash5K10K

June 5, 9 a.m.: Art & Sole 5k Run/Walk and 1k Fun Run, Erie. Run through downtown Erie. 814-455-5508 or kstolar@neighborhoodarthouse.org

June 6, 7 a.m.: Lake Wilhelm Marathon and Half Marathon, Sandy Lake. Run on paved trail around scenic Lake Wilhelm in Maurice Goddard State Park. No strollers, no dogs. wolfcreektrackclub.com/lake-wilhelm-marathon-half-marathon/

June 19, 9 a.m.: 46th Annual Butler Road Race 5 Mile and 2k Run/Walk, Butler. Early bird discount registration now until April 17. https://bcfymca.org/Butler-Road-Race

Race results

MKG Half Marathon, April 3: Noah Mandel, 1st Overall M, 1:19:56; Megan Miller, 1st Overall W, 1:30:24; Hannah Gildersleeve, 2nd 30-39 W, 1:48:50; Vanessa Snyder, 3rd 30-39 W, 1:50:36; Traci Hanna, 2nd 40-49 W, 2:03:21; Bo McCleary, 3rd 30-39 M, 2:08:40; Mitch Radella, 1:50:10; Julie Ferringer, 2:19:51; Tedd Nesbit, 2:25:58; Tony Sunseri, 2:27:49; Lisa Jamison, 2:38:10; Connie Burkhardt, 3:15:17

Dyngus Day 5k, April 10: Andrew Cenkner, 1st Overall M, 17:43; Tyler Shick, 3rd Overall M, 20:18; Alyssa Mueller, 1st Overall W, 21:18; Ashley King, 2nd Overall W, 21:58; Jackie Lashley, 3rd Overall W, 24:25; Jonathan Shick, 1st 15-19 M, 23:05; Mitch Radella, 3rd 50-59 M, 23:42; Karin Byers, 1st 50-59 W, 25:48; Stefanie Carlina, 1st 15-19 W, 26:36; Debbie Courtney, 2nd 50-59 W, 27:09; Timothy James, 3rd 40-49 M, 27:35; Jonathan Collins, 2nd 15-19 M, 28:10; Madeline Adamczyk, 1st 20-29 W, 29:10; Lucas Pott, 1st 14 & Under M, 29:39; Thatcher Mays, 2nd 14 & Under M, 30:11; Tasha Werner, 2nd 40-49 W, 30:28; Sarah Sharar, 2nd 15-19 W, 33:03; Sawyer Mays, 3rd 14 & Under M, 34:44; Ava Sharar, 1st 14 & Under W, 37:27; Sue Corbett, 3rd 40-49 W, 38:36; Eddie Seskey, 3rd 15-19 M, 44:09; Teagan Mozdy, 3rd 14 & Under W, 48:08; Erin Kohlmeyer, 27:44; Leanne Mays, 27:54; Daryl Pudlo, 28:50; Jeremy Pott, 29:45; Bill Morosetti, 29:47; Andrew Chiapusio, 30:38; Catherine Rudolph, 32:57; Brian Droz, 33:45; Nicholas Kelly, 33:55; Carol Dowling, 34:24; Tara Kraisinger, 35:13; Beth Ann Skinner, 35:38; Courtney Blood, 35:51; Terry Logan, 36:51; Darren Casher, 37:05; Ashley Tuzikow, 37:13; Ray Lynn, 39:40; Jeanann Hass, 42:11; Lisa Collins, 43:07; Mason Devenyi, 44:07; Kristi Devenyi, 44:12; Maureen Seskey, 44:13; Roman DiNardo, 45:09; Jack Harding, 46:04; Natalie Evans, 48:09; Melissa D’Andrea, 49:14; John Adamczyk, 51:11; Rhonda Witkowski, 56:30; Aiden Webb, 56:39; Danielle McLachlan, 58:33; Erica Cole, 59:57; Nancy Karolak, 1:04:33; Jonathan Selling, 1:04:59; Cathleen McGonigle, 1:06:31; Coleen McGonigle, 1:06:31

One Love’s 5k, April 18: Liam Clyma, 1st Overall M, 19:50; Erin Ward, 1st Overall W, 25:59; Evan Vent, 26:32; Emma Rudolph, 26:32; Ryan Beard, 28:42; Anthony Sunderi, 31:42; Micah McNeil, 35:35; Piper McNeil, 35:36; Tim McNeil, 35:37; Shawna Hardy-Emerson, 36:26; Zoe McNeil, 50:42

Hyner View Trail 25k Challenge, April 24: Ben Robinson, 1st Overall M, 1:46:22; Katie O’Regan, 1st Overall W, 2:19:28; Christine Bear, 1st 50-59 W, 3:00:15; Ken Kurtz, 2:26:59; Kip Sudak, 2:33:51; Michael Warren, 2:36:35; Jonathan Bost, 2:44:15; Gwendolyn Sudak, 2:51:09; Ron Lozowski, 3:07:32; Andrea Ridings, 3:36:17; Robert Bagueley, 3:47:12; Bill Thompson, 3:53:45; Scott Green, 3:55:28; Richard Lasalle, 3:56:20; Cory Vesey, 3:58:08; Tiffany Haddad, 4:03:37; Gerard Martorell, 4:08:53; Eric Adams, 4:10:54; Cody Beachy, 4:14:40; Michelle Finn, 4:29:51; David Portman, 4:31:07; Robin Portman, 4:31:08; Denny Colegrove, 4:35:47; Lisa Myers, 4:36:30; Christina Tongyai, 4:46:31; Maria Anderson, 4:52:24; Elizabeth Dickey, 5:31:16

Hyner View Trail 50k Challenge, April 24: Reagan McCoy, 1st Overall M, 4:36:12; Nicole Yokum, 1st Overall W, 5:16:53; Eric Kosek, 1st 40-49 M, 5:07:35; Philip Samotus, 6:32:53; Nicole Werner, 6:35:20; Roth Reasan, 6:38:13; Josh Edmiston, 6:53:22; Joseph Higgins, 7:28:52; Elizabeth Moores, 8:34:08;

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

Pat Neubert is a running columnist for the Butler Eagle