None of us are in peak running form at this time of the year. But that doesn’t keep us from participating in running events. Several February events offer novel approaches to preseason races.

Cupid’s Shuffle 5K, Couples Relay and 1-Mile Shuffle-Walk at 10 a.m. Saturday includes something for runners and walkers, singles and couples. The event is staged at North Park’s Harmar Pavilion, near Pie Traynor Field and the North Park Swimming Pool.

Runners can complete the 5K individually by running a figure eight, followed by a smaller loop, or share the distance with a partner. Couples can be spouses, siblings, parent and child or just friends. Walkers will complete an out-and-back course ending at Harmar Pavilion.

Race director Samra Savioz hopes this first-year event will attract not only runners but anyone interested in fighting the rare disease Glut1 DS, which affects only 250 children worldwide.

Cupid’s Shuffle raises awareness and funds for the Remi Savioz Glut1 Foundation, named after Savoiz’s 12-year-old daughter.

Cupid’s Shuffle will take place no matter what the weather brings. Savoiz promises heaters for warmth in the outdoor pavilion and hot coffee and bagels for participants.

Runners can register on Saturday beginning at 8:30 a.m. Arrive early to receive one of the long-sleeved commemorative shirts.

For information about Cupid’s Shuffle 5K or about Glut1 DS, visit www.remisglut1foundation.org.

The Erie Runners Club’s Valentine Prediction Run and Walk Sunday tests participants’ pacing sense. Runners and walkers predict their pace per mile for the 4- to 6-mile course. Those who finish closest to their predicted pace earn their choice of chocolate and candy awards. For fairness sake, runners are asked not to wear watches or other timing devices.

Participants can register on the day of the event at Presque Isle State Park’s Rotary Pavilion beginning at 8:30 a.m. for the 10 a.m. start. An optional commemorative safety vest featuring reflective taping and the ERC logo will be available while supplies last for an additional fee.

This race will take place regardless of the weather, so runners must take road and weather conditions into account when making their pace predictions. However, if Presque Isle State Park is closed for any reason, the race might be postponed or canceled.

Call 814-460-9930 or check www.erie-runnersclub.org Sunday morning to be sure. For information, contact race director Dan Albaugh at 814-774-3209 or e-mail dana@erie-runnersclub.org.

The Runnin’ Outta Our Mine 5K Feb. 19 presents a new way to escape winter. This race is held in the 55-degree temperature of an underground storage mine in Wampum.

But unless you’re already registered, you’ll have to wait until next year to experience underground running. The 400 entries have been filled since January. Save the date for next year. For information, call Herb Cratty at 724-841-6528.

The final February event is the familiar Spring Thaw in North Park at 10 a.m. Feb. 26. This event, which includes choices of 10, 15 or 20 miles, has been a rite of winter for 35 years.

The event offers rewards for completing each distance: long-sleeved technical shirt for 10 miles, running gloves for 15 and the coveted Spring Thaw hat for completing 20. Register by Sunday to be guaranteed a shirt in your size.

Spring Thaw has never been canceled due to inclement weather. Cold runners can change clothes indoors and warm up in North Park’s Rose Barn with post-race hot chocolate, pizza and delicious soup.

Don’t wait to register as last year’s Spring Thaw sold out before race day. Visit www.eliterunners.com for information.

Upcoming events

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

Saturday, 8:30 a.m.: Community Options Cupid’s Chase 5K, North Park. 412-431-7079

Sunday, 10 a.m.: Valentine Prediction Race, Presque Isle State Park, Erie. Racewalkers welcome, no watches please. 814-774-3209 or dana@erie-runnersclub.org

Feb. 26, 10:30 a.m.: Run for the Cookies 10K, Berwick. 570-759-1300 or www.runfordiamonds.com

March 5, 10 a.m.: Geisinger Humdinger 7.1 Mile Trail Run, Danville. First in RiverTowne series. 570-271-1055 or www.rivertownrace.com

March 5, 11 Danville.: Ellport Borough Winter Wonderland 5K, Ellwood City. 724-758-2506 or bonnherb@yahoo.com

March 6, 8:30 Danville.: Athletic Trainer River Run, Pittsburgh. Choice of 5K or mile runs, starts at UPMC Sports Medicine Center, South Side. 412-432-3770 or sanchioligi@upmc.edu

March 6, 8:45 Danville.: Mill Creek Distance Classic Half Marathon and 5K, Youngstown, Ohio. 330-726-6070 or ytownrunners.org

March 12, 9 a.m.: Leprechaun Leap Distance Festival, Erie. Choice of 10K or 5K in Presque Isle State Park. 814-580-8330 or jimlang@bigwhitetrailer.com

March 12, 9 Danville.: St. Paul’s March Mad Dash, North Park. 412-585-2361

March 19, 7:30 Danville.: Lt. J.C. Stone 50K Ultra Marathon, North Park. Starts at boathouse, consecutive loops around North Park Lake. 412-366-8740 or www.jcstone50k.com

May 15, 6:30 Danville.: Dick’s Sporting Goods Pittsburgh Marathon, Half Marathon and Team Relay, Pittsburgh. New course for runners and walkers. Sign up now before this event fills up. www.pittsburghmarathon.com

Race results

Chilly Cheeks Challenge 10-Mile, Jan. 22: Benjamin English, 1st Overall M, 1:02:18; Tracey Meder, 1st Overall W, 1:10:20; Josh Boggs, 1st 20-29 M, 1:03:29; Dan Dygert, 2nd 30-39 M, 1:04:56; Jonathan Bolha, 3rd 20-29 M, 1:06:19; Todd Hanks, 1st 40-49 M, 1:09:45; Leslie Kramer, 1st 30-39 W, 1:13:23; Mark Osborne, 2nd 50-59 M, 1:14:05; Amanda McMench, 2nd 30-39 W, 1:14:05; Greg Miller, 2nd 40-49 M, 1:14:15; Jeff Lynn, 3rd 40-49 M, 1:15:38; Jaclyn Disibio, 1st 20-29 W, 1:16:18; Shannon Huzicka, 2nd 20-29 W, 1:16:20Joe Winch, 3rd 50-59 M, 1:18:10; Matt Marlowe, 1st 19 and under M, 1:19:57; Andrew Noel, 2nd 19 and under M, 1:23:43; Carol Powers, 1st 40-49 W, 1:24:22; John Davis, 1st 60 and over M, 1:28:31; Ken Tack, 2nd 60 and over M, 1:30:15; Jake Winter, 3rd 19 and under M, 1:31:56; Linda Hart, 1st 50-59 W, 1:42:16; Jeanne Bacon, 2nd 50-59 W, 1:42:28; Jennifer Palicka, 3rd 20-29 W, 1:42:32; Gordon Hazlette, Sr., 3rd 60 and over M, 1:44:14; Tracie Hertel, 2nd 40-49 W, 2:03:03Craig Caylor, 1:08:27 Michael Pappas, 1:09:03; Holly Bauer, 1:15:10; John Armstrong, 1:15:53; Michael Evans, 1:15:58; Mitch Radella, 1:16:06; Don Bolger, 1:16:33; J.C. Siembida, 1:17:30; Scott Omerzo, 1:19:31; William Marsh, 1:21:08; Kyle Ward, 1:22:58; Damon Pickel, 1:25:02; Boy George, 1:25:44; Bob Markovich, 1:25:52; Crystal Anney, 1:26:43; Rick Hart, 1:27:08; Theodore Denney, 1:28:51Ted Isoldi, 1:29:57; Lisa Nemitz, 1:33:20; Charlie McQuillan, 1:34:46; Phil Yu, 1:35:33; Tim Wince, 1:36:53; Rachelle Schneiter, 1:37:56; Natalie Dorfield, 1:39:19; Brigette Irwin, 1:39:37; Alyson Zimbardi, 1:39:47; Tracey Pazzanita, 1:40:46; Summer Fowler, 1:41:01; Paul Baron, 1:41:44; Bruce McIntosh, 1:41:56; Kyle Horn, 1:44:14; Mike DeSantis, 1:45:07; Sheri Evans, 1:47:02; Kirstie Hitty, 1:52:04

Chilly Cheeks Challenge 5-Mile, Jan. 22: Curt Bacchus, 1st Overall M, 31:05; Emma Kennedy, 1st Overall W, 40:31; John Erdesky III, 1st 30-39 M, 32:52; Brian Forester, 1st 40-49 M, 33:15; Marlon Howard, 2nd 30-39 M, 34:29; Tayor Millich, 1st 20-29 M, 35:16; Steve Lengel, 1st 50-59 M, 37:01; Tim Hertel, 2nd 40-49 M, 37:19; Pete Fickert, 1st 60 and over M, 40:12; Ralph Wolford, 2nd 60 and over M, 40:37; Frank Tarrantine, 2nd 50-59 M, 41:29; Eric Weller, 3rd 40-49 M, 41:39; Brittany Leo, 1st 20-29 W, 42:09Cory Gibson, 3rd 30-39 M, 42:59; Jodi Campbell, 1st 30-39 W, 43:04; William Maxwell, 2nd 20-29 M, 43:12; Elizabeth Shook, 2nd 30-39 W, 43:32; Lyman Ringbloom, 3rd 60 and over M, 43:42; Sharon Hamilton, 1st 50-59 W, 45:17; Chaz Chavera, 1st 19 and under M, 45:31; Mike Diamond, 3rd 50-59 M, 45:44; Russell Howell, 3rd 20-29 M, 47:41; Julie Rudolph, 3rd 30-39 W, 47:49; Jodi Banas, 2nd 50-59 W, 48:28; Susan Borawski, 1st 40-49 W, 49:51; Amanda Dawes, 1st 19 and under W, 52:27; Jane Wilkins, 3rd 50-59 W, 55:18; Amy Weller, 2nd 40-49 W, 55:20; Tierney Weaver, 2nd 20-29 W, 56:13; Jessica Maxwell, 3rd 20-29 W, 56:59; Dee Banks, 1st 60 and over W, 1:13:23;Ashley Shook, 43:33; Tom Brown, 47:52; James Stewart, 48:03; Robert Pickel, 49:58; Don Hyde, 52:28; George Bartholomew, 52:30; Bob Kujala, 52:39; Kelly Huscroft, 52:39; David Sweeney, 53:06; Pam Miller, 55:58; Don Kuzma, 56:49; Peter Winkler, 59:00; Brenda Royer, 1:06:42; Lesley Frengel, 1:13:22; Jill Esenwein, 1:20:29

Riga Mortis Mile, Jan. 22: Ben English, 1st Overall M, 5:29; Amanda McMench, 1st Overall W, 7:30; Jonathan Bolha, 5:38; Curt Bachus, 5:41; Marlon Howard, 6:14; Tim Hertel, 6:22; Mitch Radella, 6:25; John Erdeskey, 6:25; Joe Winch, 6:37; Craig Caylor, 6:56; Don Bolger, 6:58; Todd Hanks, 7:02; Matt Marlowe, 7:09; John Armstrong, 7:31; Pete Fickert, 7:43; Cory Gibson, 7:45; John Davis, 8:37; Rachelle Schneiter, 8:57; Boy George, 8:58; Andrew Noel, 9:29; Jake Winter, 9:29; Brenda Royer, 12:13Send comments and suggestions to: 435 Cherry Valley Road, Saxonburg PA 16056. Phone: 724-352-4395. E-mail: lotzak@consolidated.netPat Neubert is the running columnist for the Butler Eagle.