Yes, runners are different.

A few years ago, a series of ads took a humorous look at how runners differ from the general public.

Runners were pictured doing some of those quirky things that runners do: changing clothes in the back of a car, spitting or snorting on the street, applying Band-Aids to delicate areas.

In all of these scenes, the runners went about their business completely oblivious to the reactions of disgust and horror on the faces of passers-by.

Runners seem to have a closer connection with their bodies and how they function. After hours spent in our own company, we're comfortable in our own skin.

Runners also develop a sense of practicality and individuality that runs counter to some of the social rules of modesty or privacy. We sometimes do things like change clothes on Main Street because we are used to existing within ourselves, apart from the world around us.

Runners also are different in no less eccentric but more desirable ways. We all marvel at our octogenarian champions, Lou Lodovico and my mother, Margretta Lutz. Both are youthful, connected and enriched by running and competing, and they are embodiments of the documented health benefits of running.

I was reminded of these when I recently underwent outpatient surgery. The nurse taking my health history found it unusual that a woman in her mid-50s took no medications. I was just a little proud that my pulse hovered around 40, a sign of successful long distance training.

It's not just the old-timers who reap the benefits of runners' differences. Visit a high school cross country team to see them in young people.

Running not only starts them down a path to good health, but it fosters other desirable traits. The discipline of running carries over to academics. As observed by our own Butler Road Race Scholarship committee, cross country runners rank at the top of their classes.

The biggest difference between runners and nonrunners might be the company we keep. Being a runner is like belonging to a club, an inclusive rather than an exclusive club. The annual dues in this club are cheap. All it takes is the willingness to work up a sweat placing one foot in front of the other.

I was reminded of the closeness of runners as nearly 800 socialized in North Park's Rose Barn, catching up with old friends and meeting new ones before the Spring Thaw Run Feb. 28.

Some were seasoned marathoners, plodders or champions. Others planned to stretch the limits of their endurance on the Spring Thaw course in preparation for a later marathon or half marathon debut.

The stream of hundreds of runners circling North Park Lake on a frigid Saturday garnered some incredulous looks from drivers passing by and a few barks from dogs on leashes out for a morning walk. Because we're runners most of us are used to those looks and we understand.

Upcoming eventsSaturday, 8 a.m.: Up-N-Running Group Run, Valencia. Run on country roads. 724-898-2525 or shoes@runpa.comSaturday, 9 a.m.: Shamrock Challenge, Harmony. Choice of 10-mile run, 5K run or 1-mile run and walk starts at Strawberry Ridge Golf Course. Also family fun run and golf contests. 724-321-4265Saturday, 9:30 a.m.: St. Patrick's Day 5K Walk-Run, New Brighton. 724-495-9417 or jhilfinger@beavercountypa.govSaturday, 10 a.m.: St. Patrick's Day 10K and 5K Race, Erie. jimlang@bigwhitetrailer.comSunday, 7:30 a.m.: Running Wild and North Park Road Runners Group Run, North Park. Starts at Boy Scout Cabin. 724-444-5311 or www.runningwildpa.comWednesday, 6 p.m.: Running Wild and NPRRC Group Run, North Park. Starts at J.C. Stone Field. 724-444-5311 or www.runningwildpa.comMarch 21, 9 a.m.: Chippewa Township St. Patrick's Day 5K Run, Beaver Falls. 724-846-6211 or wissnerc@verizon.netMarch 21, 10 a.m.: Diane Kelly 5K Run and Walk, Warren. 814-726-0110 or chris@warrenymcaMarch 21, 10 a.m.: Larry Winschel St. Paddy's Day Run, South Park. Choice of 4.2 miles, 2 miles or 1 mile walk. Part of Greater Pittsburgh Road Runners series. 412-561-0768March 28, 8:30 a.m.: Just a Short Run Half Marathon and 5K, North Park. Also 30K and half marathon relay. 412-490-0881 or www.justashortrun.netMarch 28, 9 a.m.: Race for Grace 5K Run and 1-Mile Fun Walk, North Huntingdon. www.reflectionsofgrace.orgMarch 28, 11 a.m.: Cook Forest Half Marathon and 5K, Cooksburg. Run out and back along Clarion River. 814-393-2081 or www.cookforest.comApril 4, 10 a.m.: Prep for Pittsburgh Half Marathon and 5K, Goddard State Park, Mercer. 724-301-6775 or outdoors@neo.rr.com

Race resultsSpring Thaw 10 Miles, Feb. 28: Steven Strelick, 1st Overall M, 54:58; Heather Parks, 1st Overall W, 1:03:05; Malcolm East, 1st 50-54 M, 1:03:39; Mark Courtney, 2nd 50-54 M, 1:05:50; Matt Manna, 3rd 35-39 M, 1:06:39; Heather Melzer, 1st 35-39 W, 1:09:16; Jeff Lynn, 3rd 40-44 M, 1:10:20; Leslie Kramer, 2nd 30-34 W, 1:13:07; Emily Wobb, 1st 19 and under W, 1:14:21; Emily Reinhart, 3rd 19 and under W, 1:20:17; Patricia Neubert, 1st 55-59 W, 1:27:02; Marcia Semple, 3rd 60-64 W, 2:07:11; Margretta Lutz, 1st 70 and over W, 2:07:12Timothy Wyant, 1:10:21; Jodi Lobert, 1:14:22; Dan Nguyen, 1:15:04; Bill Wyant, 1:19:07; Richard Jacobson, 1:22:09; Ryan Kennis, 1:22:15; Mark Blasinsky, 1:23:07l; Darryl Brandon, 1:23:52; John Swanson, 1:24:02; Mark Shipley, 1:24:02; Debbie Smiga, 1:25:22; Jeff Smith, 1:25:34; Pete Ekstam, 1:28:03; Kelly Flaherty, 1:29:25; Steve Maxwell, 1:30:29; Wayne Toy, 1:31:39; Holly Bauer, 1:32:29; Michele Bamburak, 1:33:26; John Bergonzi, 1:33:38; Robert Congdon, 1:34:07; Jennifer Powell, 1:36:02; Debbie Gallagher, 1:36:39; Hannah Bowman, 1:38:11Thomas Puskar, 1:38:12; Nicole Khoury, 1:38:14; Patty Schmidt, 1:38:43; Jen Beachem, 1:38:44; Steven Day, 1:39:24; Mike Cornell, 1:39:48; Tom Murray, 1:40:39; Heidi Berkley, 1:41:06; Alice Wiesner, 1:41:39; Suzanne Leonberg, 1:41:47; Sean Nolan, 1:42:47; Patricia Cloonan, 1:43:30; Jennifer Flango, 1:46:32; Jinny Hertweck, 1:52:32; Erica Lesko, 1:54:37; Jennifer Himes-Smith, 1:56:33; Eric Mirarchi, 2:07:49

Spring Thaw 15 Miles, Feb. 28: Matt Montellanico, 1:41:44; Mark Hunkele, 1:45:44; Adam Leskanic, 1:46:11; Jeff Lynn, 1:51:07; David Barardinelli, 1:59:43; Lori Piedimonte, 2:05:28; Jeremiah Friday, 2:05:43; Michele Heinz, 2:07:59; Theresa Cardone, 2:09:28; Paul Kirsch, 2:10:05; Kimberly Ebbert, 2:10:31; Jeremy Bennett, 2:11:10; Bob Todd, 2:12:02; Mary Jo Sanks, 2:12:04; Michael Glew, 2:12:26; Carl Hill, 2:14:35; Diane Zalenski, 2:15:11; Amy Formica, 2:17:03; Kris Poloyac, 2:17:04; Jason Logue, 2:17:59; Todd Trofimuk, 2:18:16; Mark Benvenuto, 2:18:32; John Armstrong, 2:19:05; Erin Nicotra, 2:20:06; Kristen Kelosky, 2:20:47; Aaron Stanley, 2:25:07; Dove Saunders, 2:26:36; Amy Leonard, 2:29:29; Carrie Snell, 2:30:01; Alice Wiesner, 2:36:28; Valerie Jacobs, 2:39:44; Mike Cornell, 2:41:06; Ron Bennett, 2:49:28; Margretta Lutz, 3:13:04; Marcia Semple, 3:13:06

Spring Thaw 20 Miles, Feb. 28: Eric Robertson, 1st Overall M, 2:05:59; Mindy Sawtelle, 1st Overall W, 2:19:51; Leslie Kramer, 3rd Overall W, 2:24:56; Malcolm East, 1st Masters M, 2:10:38; Jackie Horvath, 1st Masters W, 2:25:23; Christopher Rotelli, 2:12:08; Mitch Radella, 2:30:06; Melissa Shaeffer, 2:36:32; Joel Shaeffer, 2:36:32; Michael Nagel, 2:39:59; Ashley Brooks, 2:41:23; Ryan Urik, 2:43;38; Todd Roberts, 2:45:43; Todd Ashbaugh, 2:45:47; Jeremy Friday, 2:50:00; Bill Schessler, 2:50:30; Dorothy Moxie, 2:54:02; Bruce Barnes, 2:55:20; Cathy Connor, 2:56:51; Patricia Neubert, 3:01:11; Jeffrey Yingling, 3:04:36; John Armstrong, 3:12:37; Christopher Cutone, 3:15:40; Mary Morgan, 3:21:58; Steven Day, 3:22:28; Heather Cianfrocco, 3:30:06; Gineen Jarnevich, 3:30:07; Tom Parenti, 3:46:09Send comments and suggestions to: 435 Cherry Valley Road, Saxonburg, PA 16056. Phone: 724-352-4395. E-mail: bigp16@connecttime.netPat Neubert is the running columnist for the Butler Eagle.