Friday evening runs might be a rarity, but we've got two to choose from this week.

At 5:30 p.m., the second annual Run for Hunger 5K, 10K and Walk runs through Birdsfoot Golf Club in Freeport. The event benefits Freeport Food Bank and Meals on Wheels of Freeport.

Run for Hunger features an unusual course, which is part scenic paved and gravel path, part wooded trail run. Participants in the 5K event run or walk on golf cart paths of Birdsfoot's front nine while 10K runners complete an additional 5K of challenging trail running.

Race director Tom Parenti said that although the 10K course is challenging, it is a good introduction to trail racing.

"I run there all the time," he said. "There's only one rock field where I have to slow down and we have that marked on the course."

Parenti also said that the entire course through the woods will be well-marked with paint blazes on trees and arrows on the trail.

Bright pink paint marks potential hazards, such as roots and rocks, while branch trails are blocked by caution tape.

The 5K course also will be free of hazards, as the portion of the golf course used for the event is closed to golfers.

You don't have to be adventurous to run the Run for Hunger. Kids can walk or ride their bikes for free alongside parents on the 1.5-mile fun walk. Strollers are also welcome.

After the event, all participants can stay for a catered spaghetti dinner with music and beverages (beer for those 21 and older). Dinner for runners and walkers is included in the $25 registration fee. Others can eat for $5.

Participants can register at 4 p.m. Friday. at Birdsfoot Golf Club. Please bring a nonperishable food item for donation to the food bank.

For information about Run for Hunger, call 724-602-1234 or e-mail tomparenti@yahoo.com.

If you hurry, you also could run the second of Friday's events: the Elderton Apple Butter Festival 5K Run-Walk that begins at 7 p.m. in nearby Elderton.

Although this is the first running of the Apple Butter Festival 5K, the course will be familiar to anyone who has run the Elderton 5K, a summer staple for 21 years.

In summer, this run is a gently rolling, relatively fast out-and-back dash through the small town between Kittanning and Indiana. The time of year and time of day add another dimension to the race as it will be run at dusk.

Race director Randy Frailey took a trial run on the course and reports that street lights offer adequate illumination, even in complete darkness.

The Apple Butter Festival 5K is only one of the events planned for Friday and Saturday in Elderton. On Friday, a DJ plays music in the street to accompany bingo and other games. Saturday's events include hayrides and a parade at 2 p.m.

You're welcome to register for the Apple Butter Festival 5K beginning at 5:30 p.m. on Friday for the 7 p.m. start, but T-shirts will be limited. For information call Randy Frailey at 724-354-3779.

Wednesday, 6 p.m.: Up-N-Running Group Run, Valencia. 724-898-2525 or www.runpa.comSaturday, 8 a.m.: Chamber Classic Half Marathon and 5K, North Park. 724-934-9700 or naccc@naccc.comSaturday, 8:30 a.m.: His Kids School 5K Run and Walk, Butler. Hilly out-and-back race through Jefferson Township benefits His Kids Christian School. 724-352-0768 or Corace@gmail.comSaturday, 8:30 a.m.: Hazelwood Oktoberfest 5K Run and Walk, Hazelwood. 412-421-7234 or www.signmeup.comSaturday, 9 a.m.: Patrick J. Madden Memorial 5K Run-Walk, Slippery Rock. Memorial run benefits American Cancer Society. www.patmadden5k.orgSaturday, 9 a.m.: Walk or Run 5K to Help Children with Dyslexia, New Castle. www.dyslexiawalk.orgSunday, 8 a.m.: Zoozilla 5K Gorilla Run-Walk, Pittsburgh. Challenging course winds through Pittsburgh Zoo in Highland Park. 412-665-3640 or www.pittsburghzoo.comOct. 11, 9 a.m.: Race for Pace 5K, Churchill Boro. Also Paws for Pace 1-mile dog walk. 412-244-1900 or www.paceschool.orgOct. 11, 10 a.m.: Kiski Cougar Classic 5k, Saltsburg. Run on road, wooded trails and grass on Kiski School campus. 724-639-3586 or Douglas.yoder@kiski.orgOct. 11, 9 a.m.: Crisis Shelter of Lawrence County 5K Run-Walk, New Castle. 724-758-8662 or www.crisisshelter.orgOct. 18, 9 a.m.: Buffalo Creek Half Marathon, Cabot. Start training now for this fast downhill run to Freeport. 724-898-2525 or register online at www.active.comOct. 18, 3 p.m.: Monster Stomp 5k Race, Walk and Goblin Trot, New Castle. 1-800-544-5250 or www.monsterstomp.comOct. 25, 10 a.m.: Ghostly Gray Cross Country 5K Walk, Run and Mountain Bike Excursion, Butler. Held at Camp Lutherlyn to benefit Troop D Camp Cadet Organization. 724-284-1134, Ext. 250Oct. 25, 4 p.m.: Haunted Hustle 5K, North Park. Also 1-mile walk, benefits MS Society. 724-444-5311 or info@runningwildpa.comNov. 1, 10 a.m.: Turkey Trot 5K, Butler. 724-287-4733 or jknauff@bcfymca.org

<B>Regent Square 5K, Aug. 23: </B>Charlie Ban, 1st Overall M, 16:25; Kelly Knickelbein, 1st Overall W, 19:40; Kevin Brumbaugh, 1st 10-14 M, 19:16; Jeff Leya, 3rd 45-49 M, 19:43; Tim Biggs, 1st 40-44 M, 20:11; Keith Spiro, 2nd 40-44 M, 20:45; Cindy Grimm, 1st 55-59 W, 23:31; Karen Bruch, 1st 50-54 W, 25:54; Matt Schmidt, 20:10; Michael Schmidt, 20:15; Bill Schmidt, 20:57; Wes Huang, 22:40; Mark McCullough, 23:42; John Pristas, 24:50; Greg Robinson, 25:03; Chris Fink, 26:14; Beth Winhold, 26:40; Terry Fuller, 29:10; Gloria Caceres, 29:34; Emily Toy, 29:44; Wayne Toy, 29:44; Ronald Stec, 29:49; Jon Stepanovich, 30:16; Lisa Nath, 32:38; Ada Defanti, 33:01; Juliane Manfred, 35:28; Mary-Alice Dolan, 35:47; Jamie Rueckles, 37:39; Keren Rueckles, 37:39; Lara Essey, 38:20; Robert Meals, 48:32<B>Regent Square 1.5-Mile Fun Run, Aug. 23:</B> Alex Myers, 8:24; Rachel Reynolds, 11:43; Jackson Spiro; Kate Spiro; Will Spiro; Jennifer Spiro; Claire McCafferty; Steffany McCafferty; Laura McCafferty<B>IKEA Half Marathon, Sept. 9: </B>Eric Shafer, 1st Overall M, 1:13:48; Robin Garber, 1st Overall W, 1:31:21; Justin Cubeki, 2nd 20-24 M, 1:20:36; Lawrence Ross, 1st 55-59 M, 1:31:25; Michelle Choo, 1st 50-54 W, 1:38:14; Sharyl Relic, 2nd 45-49 W, 1:40:36; Janet Zelner, 2nd 35-39 W, 1:43:15; Ferdinand Saglio, 3rd 60-64 M, 1:49:47; Dianne Brooks, 3rd 55-59 W, 2:03:47Jeff Lynn, 1:26:57; Brent Collins, 1:31:17; John Armstrong, 1:34:32; Bob Pawlowski, 1:34:55; Scott Pearson, 1:37:48; Michael Finikiotis, 1:40:35; Christopher Paylo, 1:41:57; Jason Gallagher, 1:43:19; William Marsh, 1:45:28; Philip Mathew, 1:45:40; Robert Pudlo, 1:46:58; Bob Markovich, 1:48:24; Michelle Heinz, 1:51:31; Chuck Warden, 1:52:07; Kim Keeley, 1:52:40; Joella Baker, 1:54:13; Paul DiBucci, 1:55:02Mark McCullough, 1:56:23; G. Ripper, 1:57:45; Jerry Heinz, 1:57:50; Michelle Bamburak, 1:58:33; Brian Shuttleworth, 2:01:54; Rebecca Miller, 2:01:55; Heather Cianfrocco, 2:01:59; Israel Christie, 2:02:24; Joseph Wuenschell, 2:03:59; Kelley Lesko, 2:07:40; Vicki Young, 2:08:13; Colleen Fallon, 2:09:17; Kristin Krause, 2:09:53; Patricia Kloonan, 2:10:00; Mark Shipley, 2:10:49; David Howes, 2:12:21; Nathan Mancine, 2:13:30; Michael Beyer, 2:15:18; Stacie Brethauer, 2:15:18; Jeanne Iasella, 2:26:31; Carrie Breisinger, 2:36:09; David Ebersole, 2:41:23; Marydonna Ravasio, 2:48:51; Michael Ward, 2:48:56<B>IKEA 5K, Sept. 6: </B>Jay Dolmage, 1st Overall M, 14:46; Christina Keck, 1st Overall W, 18:36; Brad Zerbe, 2nd 25-29 M, 19:37; Elizabeth Morris, 1st 30-34 W, 23:54; Angela Marchiori, 25:19; Lara Essey, 27:58; Chris Taormina, 28:38; Tony Phillips, 29:07; Deborah Marin, 29:39; Kristine Poloyac, 30:49; Jessica Long, 30:49; Aryn Micaletti, 36:43Send comments and suggestions to: 435 Cherry Valley Road, Saxonburg, PA. 16056. Phone: 724-352-4395. E-mail: bigp16@connecttime.net