This Saturday marks the 20th anniversary of the Sept. 11 terrorist attack on our nation.

We still mourn the loss of innocent lives on that day and we remember the sacrifice of first responders and ordinary citizens who risked or lost their lives to help others on that grim day.

One local race, the 5th annual Patti J. Nelson 5k and 1 Mile Fun Run/Walk, will hold a moment of silence in recognition of this day and these people before running in memory of two well-known and well-loved community volunteers.

Patti Nelson, a lifelong Evans City resident, was truly a “professional volunteer,” giving time to a number of community organizations including Evans City Library, EDCO Park, Evans City Food Cupboard and many more. She was also a founding member of the Nelson Charitable Foundation.

When Patti lost her battle with cancer in 2015, friends and family established the Patti J. Nelson Foundation to keep her memory alive and to continue her service to Evans City. The foundation supports Evans City Library, a particular passion of Patti's.

Patti had been a dedicated walker and part of a group of daily exercisers — walkers and runners. As race director Carol English recalls, it was a group consensus to hold a run/walk on their favorite scenic, but challenging loop. The Patti J. Nelson 5k and 1 Mile Fun Run/Walk was born.

This year's event also honors Ed Doyle, founder of Up-N-Running running store, who passed away last year. Ed was an ambassador for our sport and a generous supporter of local races, including the Patti Nelson 5k.

The Patti J. Nelson 5k will start at 10 a.m. this Saturday with the one-mile fun run/walk starting at 10:15. Both begin at 400 Old Rte. 68 in Evans City and run the roads where Patti once daily walked her dog and exercised with friends.

Patti loved her dog Petunia and Ed's black labs, Lazlo, followed by Virgil, were frequent companions on family walks. Dogs are welcome at Saturday's events. There will be dog treats and water bowls at each aid station on the course and signs along the race route that designate official dog sponsors.

Although the course is the same as in years past, this running marks a change in date for the event. The 5k began as a spring race and wasn't held in 2020 due to COVID restrictions. This new date should offer milder weather for participants in the race and at post-race festivities.

Carol says that the race looked to CDC guidelines and also consulted Dr. Cathie Nelson, Patti Nelson's daughter, in planning a COVID-safe event. All activities are held outside where runners and spectators have room to stay a comfortable distance from one another. There will be hand sanitizer, gloves and masks for anyone who needs one.

The 5k distance is a competitive run offering awards to the top three overall male and female finishers and age group awards to first three in age groups from 14 & Under through 70+. Additionally, overall winners will have their names engraved on the event's permanent trophy on display at the Evans City Library.

The one-mile distance is strictly for fun. This year's flat course will pass a local family's lemonade stand. Kids in strollers and well-behaved dogs are welcome. All ages may join the fun walk/run but kids ages 12 and younger receive a finisher's medal for their efforts.

The race awards ceremony is followed by a free pig roast and live musical entertainment by Metro Band. Non-participants may join the lunch and celebration for a $10 fee. All may take a chance on one of the raffle or Chinese auction prizes donated by local businesses. This year, massage therapist Karen Walzer will be on hand for anyone who needs pain relief after running the hills.

And every participant may present their race bib at MoJo Running in Cranberry Township for a $10 discount on running shoes following the race.

There will be a registration and packet pickup on Friday from 5 to 7 p.m. at Turner Tractor Driveway, 1525 Evans City Road (Rt. 68.) Day of event registrations are welcome beginning at 8 a.m on race day at the starting area, 400 Old Rt. 68 in Evans City.

For more information, check the website www.pattijnelsonfoundation.com.

Saturday, 8 a.m.: Barber Beast on the Bay 10 Mile, Erie. Run 10 miles with 30 obstacles. 814-480-6810 or http://www.barberbeast.org/Saturday, 9 a.m.: Lee Foster Memorial 5 Mile, St. Marys. Tribute race now in its 37th year, flat, out-and-back course. runsignup.com/Race/PA/SaintMarys/LeeFosterMemorial5MileSaturday, Duff Park HillBuster 20k and 10k, Murraysville. Challenging trail runs. runsignup.com/Race/PA/Murrysville/DuffParkHillBusterSaturday, 10 a.m.: Patti J Nelson Foundation 5k & 1 Mile, Evans City. Benefits Evans City Public Library. 800-466-2119 or pattijnelsonfoundation.com. Register online at runsignup.com/Race/PA/EvansCity/PattiJNelsonFoundationMemorialRunWalkSunday, 7 a.m.: Erie Marathon @ Presque Isle, Erie. Starts at Rotary Pavilion in Presque Isle State Park. runsignup.com/Race/PA/Erie/ErieMarathonSunday, 4:30 p.m.: Hoodlebug 5k Run & Walk, Homer City. Flat and fast course partly on Hoodlebug Rail Trail. 412-289-6299 or jswauger@comcast.net. Register online at runsignup.com/Race/PA/HomerCity/hoodlebug5kSept. 18, 8 a.m.: Rockin' the Knob Trail Challenge, Claysburg. Challenging runs at Blue Knob Resort. Choice of marathon, half marathon or 10k. www.alleghenytrailrunners.com/rock-n-the-knob-trail-challenge/Sept.18, 8 a.m.: Peanut Butter Festival 5k, New Bethlehem. 814-275-3929Sept. 18, 9 a.m.: Bigfoot Boogie 5k Trail Race and Hike, Grove City. runsignup.com/bigfootboogieSept.19, 8 a.m.: Boston Harvest Half Marathon, 10k and 5k, Boston. Also kids 100 meter dash. Out and back course on crushed limestone rail trail. runsignup.com/Race/PA/Boston/BostonHarvest5k10k?aflt_token=HrZcYWJT57TH3GH4vWg7QL584fEmdOnK&r=YSept. 25, 10 a.m.: Fool's Run 10k & 5k, Black Lick. Out and back on Ghost Town Trail starts at Saylor Park. 724-349-0501 or marathonauctions@gmail.com. Online at runsignup.com/Race/PA/Blairsville/FoolsRun10K5KSept. 26, 7:45 a.m.: FAAP Fall Classic, Allison Park. Choice of 20k, 10k or 5k on North Park Trails. ultrasignup.com/register.aspx?did=85992Sept. 26, 8 a.m.: City of Pittsburgh Great Race 5k & 10k, Pittsburgh. Point to point with finish downtown. 10k start @ 9:30 A.M. www.rungreatrace.comOct. 2, 10 a.m.: FlyBy 5k, Pittsburgh.Run at Pittsburgh International Airport. 412-586-7785 or Dylan.junker@p3r.orgOct. 2, 10 a.m.: Applefest Race for any Pace 5k, Franklin. Run through downtown Franklin. 814-432-2138 or dkrizon@franklinymca.orgOct. 2, 1 p.m.: Tuff Tornado Run, Butler. Obstacle course run for ages 4 and under through adult in Alameda Park. runsignup.com/Race/PA/Butler/TuffTornadoRunsOct. 9, 9 a.m.: Mahoning Shadow Shuffle Half Marathon, 10k & 5k, Punxsutawney. runsignup.com/Race/PA/Punxsutawney/PUNXSUTAWNEYMAHONINGSHADOWSHUFFLE

Lake Arthur Half Marathon, July 17: Amos Ramsey, 1st Overall M, 1:39:28; Kuluna Kennedy, 1st Overall W, 2:00:22; Jeff Smith, 1st Masters M, 2:07:24; Erin Kohlmeyer, 1st 30-39 W, 2:26:22; Travis Wisniewski, 1st 20-29 M, 2:28:06; Katie Kovacic, 2nd 30-39 W, 2:28:12; Marlee Osche, 3rd 20-29 W, 2:28:12; Laura Augustine, 1st 50-59 W, 3:12:58; Sherrie Mazurek, 1st 60+ W, 3:16:09; Carol English, 2nd 60+ W, 3:24:52; Priscilla Bromley, 2nd 40-49 W, 3:27:19; Travis Sanders, 2:20:19; Zachary Porter, 2:20:50; Nathan Ford, 2:26:40; Bruce Brinker, 2:27:41; Hannah Lindey, 2:32:04; Dana Hoover, 2:36:15; Sara Porter, 3:00:03; Bee Barkley, 3:41:19; Lily Murray, 3:41:20; Maritza Cable, 3:53:19Kinzua Half Marathon, July 25: Matthew Gorsline, 1st Overall M, 1:23:18; Marina Martino, 1st Overall W, 1:34:25; Timothy Wyant, 1:35:17; Camille Bromley, 1:35:46; Andrew Maxwell, 1:38:57; John Armstrong, 1:54:15; Seamus Duffy, 1:57:36; Tim Heusey, 2:06:20; Meredith Heusey, 2:06:21; Coleen Whalen, 2:20:00; Jinny Hertweck, 2:13:46Kinzua 5k, July 25: Owen Sexton, 1st Overall M, 19:47; Cleofe Rose Poloyapoy, 1st Overall W, 20:54; Kara Mostowy, 29:03; R. Oelschlager, 29:28; Trevor Stifler, 31:15; March Creeks, 35:20; Russ Oelschlager, 43:59; Stacey Oelschlager, 44:00; Missy Cozad, 44:02Send comments and suggestions: Patricia Neubert. Phone 724-352-4395. Email lotzak@consolidated.netPat Neubert is a running columnist for the Butler Eagle