It's as sure a sign of autumn as the drone of leaf blowers throughout the neighborhood — but it's a lot more fun to be around.

Of course, I'm talking about the Richard S. Caliguiri-City of Pittsburgh Great Race, which takes place Sunday.

The first Great Race 10K in 1977 was the brainchild of Pittsburgh's fitness conscious mayor, Richard Caliguiri.

He died in 1988 from amyloidosis, a rare metabolic disease, but the race lives on as a memorial to him. The event has expanded to include a popular 5K distance race and team competitions in the 10K run.

This Sunday's 10K event will be the 30th consecutive running if you count 2003's Great Replacement Race.

The Replacement Race, held in Schenley Park, was hastily put together by a group of runners who refused to let the Great Race die. Pittsburgh city officials had canceled the event because budget constraints.

For many of us old-timers, Pittsburgh's Great Race holds a special place in our hearts and memories. I ran my first Great Race in 1978 as a neophyte in Kmart shoes and maroon cotton T-shirt.

Sharing the race experience with 9,000 fellow runners opened a door to an exotic world of discipline, dedication and personal reward, complete with its own lingo and rituals.

For many years, the Great Race became an annual party, a reunion of friends from the quite active Perpetual Motion Running Club in Butler. The club's Great Race bus trip included drop-off at the start in Frick Park and a post race picnic at the finish complete with subs and beer for the ride home.

Now, my Great Race trips are a little less boisterous. Mom and I still make our annual pilgrimage to the Great Race and it's still a running reunion. Like the Butler Road Race, the Great Race is a "must-run" event for many.

The weekend's events kicks off on Friday with the Highmark Blue Cross-Blue Shield Great Race Expo at The Circuit Center on Pittsburgh's South Side. The expo runs from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday and from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday. Because race-day applications aren't accepted, this is the last chance to register as an individual or a team.

Although there is no physical benefit to carbo-loading before a 5K or 10K the pre-race pasta feed is part of running's traditions. The Great Race Pasta Party in PPG Place's Wintergarden has seatings at 5, 6 and 7 p.m. Saturday to accommodate runners and their families. Advance tickets are recommended and are available at the expo.

You'll want to arrive early on Sunday for the start of either the 5K or the 10K. The easiest way to get there is to park downtown and ride the shuttle. Tickets are available at the expo or you can pay $1 as you board. Be sure you board the correct bus — 5K to Oakland, 10K to Frick Park.

With more than 2,000 runners at the 5K and 4,000 at the 10k, the starting-line crush can be crazy. Be careful, especially if you're not used to large races. Keep your elbows out and your hands up and don't try to open up your stride until the crowd thins out or you might clip someone's heels. After that, it's a mostly downhill dash.

Although construction prevents a thrilling finish in Point State Park this year, there will be plenty of refreshments waiting downtown.

For information about the Great Race, call 412-255-2493 or visit www.RunGreatRace.com

Upcoming events

Saturday, 7 a.m.: Akron Marathon, Akron, Ohio. Also half marathon and relays. 877-375-2786 or www.akronmarathon.org

Saturday, 8 a.m.: Up-N-Running Group Run, Valencia. 724-898-2525 or www.runpa.com

Saturday, 9 a.m.: Annual ALF 5K Run, Clarion. 814-226-8760 or clarionunitedway@verizon.net

Saturday, 9 a.m.: Hickory 10K and 5K Walk and Run, Hickory. 724-809-3022 or mandimcq@yahoo.com

Saturday, 9:30 a.m.: REZNOR 5K Run-Walk, Mercer. Also 5K walk at 9:35 a.m. Benefits Children's Aid Society of Mercer. Mike.smith@tnb.com

Saturday, 10:30 a.m.: Westminster Market Street Mile, New Wilmington. Precedes Westminster College Homecoming Parade. 724-946-6213 or mcneiltj@westminster.edu

Sunday, 8:30 a.m.: Run Around Erie 15K, Erie. Starts at Presque Isle State Park, also noncompetitive 5K and 1- mile events. 814-459-4775 or jshaw@eriecountygov.org

Wednesday, 6 p.m.: Running Wild Group Run, Hartwood Acres. 724-444-5311

Oct. 6, 9 a.m.: His Kids School 5K Run and Walk, Butler. Out and back in Jefferson Township. 724-352-0768 or Corace@gmail.com

Oct. 7, 9 a.m.: Good Samaritan Hospice 5K Run and Walk, North Park. Also health and wellness fair. 1-800-720-2557 or www.goodsamaritanhospice.org

Oct. 13, 8 a.m.: Octoberfest Half Marathon, Holidaysburg. Also 10K and 2-mile run-walk. 814-695-4467 or laurandt@holidaysburgareaymca.org

Oct. 13, 9 a.m.: Race for Pace 5K Run-Walk, Penn Hills. 412-244-1900 or www.paceschool.com

Oct. 20, 9 a.m.: Buffalo Creek Half Marathon, Cabot. Downhill on Butler-Freeport Trail. www.butlerfreeporttrail.org

Oct. 27, 9 a.m.: New Kensington YMCA 10K, Lower Burrell. 724-396-1853 or akoler@vpfymca.org

Race results

Saxonburg Festival of the Arts 5K, Sept. 8: Dominic Wyzomirski, 1st Overall M, 16:50; Cory Steinhagen, 2nd Overall M, 16:52; Brian Tackett, 3rd Overall M, 16:53; Alyssa Kunkel, 1st Overall W, 20:21; Jolene Kunkel, 2nd Overall W, 20:23; Shannon Evanchec, 3rd Overall W, 20:25; Tim Monfre, 1st 46-50 M, 17:31; Michael Fugate, 1st 16-20 M, 18:10; Brian Forester, 1st 36-40 M, 18:25; Chris Sentar, 1st 13-15 M, 18:25; Paul Kletzli, 2nd 13-15 M, 18:33; Kenneth McCrea, 3rd 13-15 M, 18:35; Alex Fertelmes, 1st 26-30 M, 19:08; Rich Makin, 2nd 46-50 M, 19:12; Mike Zizan, 3rd 46-50 M, 19:33; Robert Cunningham III, 1st 21-25 M, 19:40; Ford Stepp, 2nd 16-20 M, 19:41David Fugate, 1st 41-45 M, 19:46; David Donahue, 1st 51-55 M, 20:04; John Ciafre, 2nd 51-55 M, 20:11; Damian Skal, 1st 31-35 M, 20:12; Jim Duncan, 3rd 16-20 M, 20:41; Chuck Sarver, 3rd 51-55 M, 21:15; Amy Amadee, 1st 41-45 W, 21:25; Lou Alaksin, 1st 66+ M, 21:30; Paul DiPasquale, 1st 56-60 M, 22:05; Dorothy Moxie, 2nd 41-45 W, 22:12; Patricia Neubert, 1st 51-55 W, 22:15; Scott Taylor, 3rd 36-40 M, 22:28; Ben Andrews, 1st 10-12 M, 22:31; Wendy Recio, 3rd 41-45 W, 22:34; Cory Kamer, 1st 26-30 W, 22:41; Tina Gallo, 2nd 16-20 W, 22:43; Sharon Parks, 1st 36-40 W, 22:50; Scott Wetzel, 2nd 21-25 M, 22:53; Kayla Zboran, 1st 10-12 W, 23:05; Don Amadee, 2nd 41-45 M, 23:07; Amy Formica, 1st 31-35 W, 23:18; Lucas Kunkel, 2nd 10-12 M, 23:25Kylee Witche, 3rd 16-20 W, 23:27; Don Andrews, 3rd 41-45 M, 23:30; Tammy McGaughey, 1st 46-50 W, 23:51; Jeromee Geibel, 3rd 10-12 M, 23:59; Caitlin Miller, 1st 13-15 W, 24:46; Christina Corigliano, 2nd 13-15 W, 24:55; Emilee Hertweck, 3rd 13-15 W, 24:57; Cheryl Lane McKillop, 2nd 51-55 W, 26:08; Lou Lodovico, 2nd 66 and over M, 26:27; Ashley Brewer, 1st 9 and under W, 26:20; Ralph Ross, 3rd 66 and over M, 26:27; Marilyn Lapiska, 3rd 51-55 W, 26:29; Micci Hutterer, 3rd 51-55 W, 26:31; Carter Hoerth, 1st 9 and under M, 26:44; Kara Hoerth, 2nd 26-30 W, 26:45; Michael Moran, 3rd 61-65 M, 26:49; Frank Prazenica, 2nd 56-60 M, 26:59Katelyn Jones, 2nd 10-12 W, 27:11; Correne Jones, 2nd 36-40 W, 27:12: Melissa Juengling, 3rd 26-30 W, 27:18; Erin Donahue, 1st 21-25 W, 27:28; C. Sydry, 3rd 56-60 M, 28::00; Laura Fisher, 3rd 36-40 W, 28:10; Nancy McCarren, 3rd 46-50 W, 28:20; Margretta Lutz, 1st 66 and over W, 30:08; Alexandra Muck, 3rd 10-12 W, 31:35; Marsha Semple, 2nd 61-65 W, 33:41; Kelley Thompson, 2nd 31-35 W, 38:04; Joshua Trettel, 9 and under M, 43:59; Garrett Trettel, 3rd 9 and under M, 44:00Dillon Schwartz, 18:56; Grayson Hixon, 19:36; Van McCarren, 19:55; R.G. Witchey, 20:31; Ethan Hacker, 21:07; Bob Miller, 21:20; Owen Venesky, 22:16; Tom Williams, 22:26; John McClellan, 22:32; Michael Murphy, 22:50; Michael Beamer, 22:51; Bruce Soule, 23:02; Ron Shoentag, 23:04; Bob Fischer, 23:21; James Goasine, 23:23; Jack Oris, 23:35; Dana McCarren, 23:44; Kayla Davis, 23:54; Sam Ott, 24:11; Peter Edwards, 24:12; Frank Moxie, 24:27; David Drane, 24:32; Julia Murray, 24:47; Joe Zboran, 24:53; Luke Brewer, 24:55; Valerie Travis, 25:03; Beth Zboran, 25:03; Debbie Fugate, 25:23James Reich, 26:06; Rhett Stobert, 26:16; Becky Miller, 26:28; Cindy McCrea, 26:29; Ben Heitzer, 26:30; Robert Zaccari, 26:31; Meghan McCrea, 26:34; Nathan Williams, 26:34; Lisa Moss, 26:47; Brooke Wamsley, 26:52; Emily Hancheck, 26:55; Joel Geibel, 26:57; Pam Eckert, 27:03; Michael Venesky, 27:14; Amanda Crocker, 27:25; Jyri Gray, 27:55; Ken Fisher, 28:01; Christine Kunkel, 28:32; Devin McGowan, 28:49; Jim Pernazza, 28:53; Wes Brahler, 28:59Andrew Crocker, 29:09; Andrew Maurer, 29:10; Courtney Zacherl, 29:21; Glenn Lang, 29:36; Linda Boldy, 29:45; Jackie Fennell, 29:47; Remy Bergeron, 29:53; Susie Geibel, 30:16; Ken Meissner, 31:54; Chris Kier, 31:57; Andrew Bozzo, 32:54; Maggie McGouldrick, 33:58; Ellen Smith, 34:06; Lisa Bozzo, 34:08; Kirstie McGouldrick, 34:20; Mike Brestensky, 38:05; Britney Rabuck, 39:46; Cindy Geary, 39:57; Veronica Trettel, 43:57

Saxonburg Festival of the Arts 5K Walk, Sept. 8: Russell Hall, 1st Overall M, 36:43; Heather Venesky, 1st Overall W, 39:20; Jane Bennett, 2nd Overall W, 40:10; Craig Moss, 2nd Overall M, 44:18; Saundra Blitz, 41:13; Debbie Muck, 45:28; Steve Muck, 45:29; Maria Kletzli, 46:22; Luce Tetreaoht, 46:23; Mary Tackett, 47:49; Karen Robb; Dot Knapick; Laura Edwards; Charles Robertson; Sonnet RobertsonSend comments and suggestions to: 435 Cherry Valley Road, Saxonburg, Pa. 16056. Phone or fax: 724-352-4395. E-mail: bigp16@connecttime.netPat Neubert is the running columnist for the Butler Eagle.