My son and daughter ran their first 5K races at about age 6. Not that they were especially gifted or precocious —- they just followed in the family's footsteps.

This Saturday's Middlesex Mad Dash in Valencia offers several ways for kids to follow their parents to fitness. This first-time event, held in conjunction with Middlesex Community Day, includes a 5K run/ walk at 8:30 a.m. followed by a kids' half mile run/ walk at 10 a.m.

This will be the first time as race director for Cindy Knauff, member of Middlesex Parks and Recreation Board of Directors.

"I've had a lot of help from local runners," Knauff says. She especially credits Ed Doyle of nearby Up-N-Running for the idea of staging the race and Herb Cratty of Miles of Smiles timing service who plotted and measured the course.

Laying out the course presented a challenge as Middlesex Township can be hilly. The 5K begins in front of the municipal building on Browns Hill Road and, after a short side trip, travels a rolling out and back route through Community Park to Old Route 8. The Kids' Mad Dash runs one loop completely within the park.

Both the 5K and half mile events utilize the walking trail proposed for improvement. The Parks and Recreation Board has plans to expand the trail and add landscaping and a gazebo along the route.

Trail improvement is only one part of the proposed renovations which will encompass the current baseball and soccer fields and add a new playground facility. The complete plan is on display and can be viewed in the Middlesex Township Municipal Building.

Although the race's main intent is to increase awareness of the fitness trail, it does offer competitive awards. Top male and female 5K runners earn medals along with the top three in age groups from Under 14 through Over 60 in 10-year increments. Top three finishers in the kids' run earn medals while all kids who finish the half mile course earn ribbons.

Refreshments include bananas, pretzels, water and ice tea. All participants receive commemorative T-shirts and goodie bags and are eligible to win random drawing prizes donated by local businesses.

Some of these businesses will be among the more than 15 booths on the park grounds for Community Day. In addition to informational booths, there will be activities for kids from 11 a.m. through 2 p.m.

Cindy Knauff hopes for participation by at least 80 runners and walkers for this first event. More than 30 have preregistered (as of Tuesday), but weather forecasts look good for a cool but sunny Saturday morning. Day of event registrations are welcome and are guaranteed a T-shirt.

Knauff says that response in the kids' run has been poor so far, possibly due to the $15 entry fee. "That's something we'll have to look at for next year," Knauff says. "This year is just a starting point."

Registrations open at 8 a.m. at the Middlesex Township Municipal Building on Browns Hill Road for both the 9 a.m. Mad Dash 5K Run/ Walk and the 10 a.m Kids' ½ Mile Mad Dash. For more information, call 724-473-1198.

Upcoming events

Saturday, 8 a.m.: Pre-Bicentennial 5K Run, Barnesville, OH. Proceeds benefit area rails to trails and cross country and track teams. 740-425-2822 or runthisfivek@sbcglobal.net

Saturday, 9 a.m.: Ellwood City Ledger 10K, Ellwood City. Starts at Veterans Memorial Swimming Pool. 724-752-1583

Saturday, 9 a.m.: Ford City Heritage Days 5K Run/ Walk, Ford City. Flat course through downtown, part of community festival. 724-763-3986 or jsolak@iup.edu

Saturday, 10 a.m.: Tunch and Wolf's Walk for the Homeless, North Park. Non-competitive walk with food, live entertainment, Steelers autographs, benefits Light of Life mission. 412-803-4171 or www.LOLWalk.org

Saturday, 10 a.m.: Ridgway Independence Festival Cross Country 5K, Ridgway. 814-772-0285 or asantis@comcast.net

July 4, 7:30 a.m.: Race for Virginia and Friends 5K, Cranberry Township. Race begins in Cranberry Community Park. Lots of goodies, proceeds benefit Children's Hospital Pediatric Cancer Research Fund. 724-772-7429 or online registration at www.raceforvirginia.org

July 4, 8 a.m.: Whiskey Rebellion 5k, Canonsburg. 714-746-1807 or wildbiochic@excite.com

July 4, 9 a.m.: Brentwood Firecracker 5K Run, Brentwood. Run on Fourth of July parade route, plus street party with costume contest, refreshments, random drawings. 412-882-5694

July 4, 9 a.m.: Firecracker 5K, Hampton Township. 412-486-0400 or chris.locher@hampton.pa.org

July 4, 7 p.m.: Groundhog 5K Run/ Walk, Punxsutawney. 814-938-1008 or www.punxsutawneyphil.com/commcenter

July 7, 7:30 a.m.: Butler YMCA Triathlon, Moraine State Park. A tradition for 26 years with ¼ mile swim, 7 mile bike, 5K run. 724-287-4733 or jknauff@bfymca.org

July 7, 8:30 a.m.: Rockwood Rotary Half Marathon and 5K Run/ Walk, Rockwood. Level out and back on Allegheny Highlands Trail. 814-926-2469

July 15, 7:30 a.m.: Presque Isle Half Marathon, Erie. jimlang@bigwhitetrailer.com or register online at www.erie-runnersclub.org

July 18, 7 p.m.: Fredonia 5K, Fredonia. Rolling out and back course with downhill finish, third in Mercer County QUAD series. 724-458-4435

July 21, 8:30 a.m.: Junkyard Jaunt 5K, Natrona Heights. Flat, out and back, USATF certified course, benefits Highlands Cross Country Boosters. 724-991-3003

July 28, 8:30 a.m.: Raider Maze 5K, Harmony. New course runs on Seneca Valley High School Campus, also 1 mile fun run. 724-538-8940 or raidermaze5k@yahoo.com

Race results

God's Country Marathon, June 2: Thomas Banchy, 1st Overall M, 2:49:41; Tatiana Maslova, 1st Overall W, 3:14:57; Scott Pearson, 3:30:43; John Armstrong, 3:58:53; William Thompson, 4:10:07

Strawberry Days 5k, June 6: Kevin Pool, 1st Overall M, 15:28; Casey Dinger, 4th Overall M, 17:16; Ann Beck, 1st Overall W, 19:19; Mark Courtney, 1st Masters M, 17:58; Tom Bollinger, 1st 16-19 M, 17:31; Nathan Achezinski, 1st 20-24 M, 17:36; Michael Dreves, 1st 30-34 M, 17:52; Steve Banks, 2nd 20-24 M, 17:59; Jacob Kildoo, 2nd 12-15 M, 18:45; Brent Collins, 2nd 45-49 M, 19:19; Mitch Radella, 2nd 40-44 M, 19:28; Scott Pearson, 3rd 40-44 M, 19:30; Charles Casalnova, 3rd 45-49 M, 19:39; John Ciafre, 2nd 55-59 M, 20:53; Susan Dreves, 1st 30-34 W, 20:58; Hana Casalnova, 1st 12-15 W, 21:06; Sarah Thompson, 1st 16-19 W, 21:17; Bob Gracie, 3rd 55-59 M, 21:45; Beth Sciullo, 2nd 30-34 W, 22:06; Cindy Grimm, 1st 55-59 W, 22:08; Lori Thomas, 1st 35-39 W, 22:16; Katie Roitz, 2nd 16-19 W, 22:48; Elizabeth Witmer, 2nd 25-29 W, 22:51; Beth Roitz, 3rd 16-19 W, 23:02; Carol Donahey, 1st 40-44 W, 23:13; Samuel Archibald, 1st 10-11 M, 23:53; Kalie Davis, 1st 10-11 W, 24:29; Holly Depew, 3rd 35-39 W, 25:12; Adam Lowe, 2nd 10-11 M, 26:14; Lou Lodovico, 3rd 70+ M, 26:28; Kathy Shoaf, 1st 60-64 W, 26:38; Olivia Lowe, 2nd 9 & Under W, 29:32; Otha Montgomery, 1st 70+ W, 45:06; Cory Steinhagen, 18:07; Ryan Sestak, 18:21; Bradley Cubbage, 18:24; Jacob Montag, 19:02; Jackson Udy, 19:40; Richard Stewart, 19:46; Allan Smith, 20:14; Justin Frazier, 20:41; Christopher Bloch, 20:55; Ethan Smith, 20:57; Callahan Spigler, 21:08; Ryan Thompson, 21:16; Matthew Getsay, 21:27; Jacob Spurk, 21:29; Michael Labarre, 21:38; Rick Black, 21:47; James Flatt, 21:58; Cody Campbell, 22:06; Andy Owens, 22:26; Jim Osborne, 22:38; Bill Swanik, 22:45; Ron Hartle, 23:03; Madeline Spigler, 23:10; Tawney Murray, 23:31; Kayla Brendlinger, 23:49; Ruth Perry, 23:53; Jim Thrasher, 24:04; Caleb Thrasher, 24:05; Don Owrey, 24:13; Steven Roitz, 24:16; Eliza Lowe, 24:18; Stacey Sada, 24:21; Billy Benden, 24:29; Amanda Cagno, 24:40; Mary Morgan, 25:01; Kevin McCarl, 25:33; Cynthia Johnston, 25:39; Wendy Recio, 25:42; Jessica Richards, 25:46; Debbie Courtney, 25:50; Jennifer Dundore, 25:54; Tony Sunseri, 26:08; Billy Woodman, 26:18; Abby Casalnova, 26:19; Patty Barb, 26:21; Devon Rock, 26:30; Margy Somor, 26:36; William Dundore, 26:50; Jen Henderson, 26:56; Kelly Roitz, 27:27; Marci Dodds, 28:19; Leah Spryn, 28:20; Tim Sestak, 28:33; Megan Bashline, 28:40; Katie Herman, 28:52; Jason Shannon, 28:58; Beverly Heasley, 29:05; Evan Lowe, 29:33; Gail Shannon, 29:42; Joseph Bishop, 29:51; Carla Osborne, 29:56; Julie Witmer, 30:22; Beverly Lowe, 30:22; Terry Reeher, 31:08; A.J. Terwilliger, 31:12; Merle Hughes, 31:26; Lori Richmond, 32:02; Tom Shannon, 32:33; Art Campbell, 34:07; Donals Cescon, 38:41; Ada Rumberg, 38:43; Keith Mercer, 43:24; Susan Herman, 44:58; Tina Boggess, 50:39

Send comments and suggestions: Patricia Neubert, 435 Cherry Valley Rd., Saxonburg, PA. 16056. Phone or fax 724-352-4395. Email bigp16@connecttime.net

Pat Neubert is a running columnist for the Butler Eagle