Time is running out on gift shopping for the holidays. I can’t help you with the Grandpas or Little Johnnies on your list, but I do have a few gift suggestions for your favorite runners.

Food. Runners eat — a lot. And runners are often in a hurry to refuel. Make a basket of individually portioned pre-run snacks such as pretzels, fruit bars and trail mix along with packs of energy-on-the-go gels, blocks or beans. Don’t forget post-run foods that include protein — peanut butter crackers, foil packed tuna or hot chocolate mixes.

Socks and underwear. Go ahead, roll your eyes. Ordinary socks and underwear are the epitome of boring Christmas gifts. But in running, socks and underwear aren’t just clothing necessities — they’re sports equipment.

The most important quality in running socks is the material. Visit a sporting goods or running store for advice on technical fabrics which wick away moisture and prevent blisters. And check out natural fabrics such as hemp and Smart Wool, which helps feet stay comfortable when sloshing through winter puddles.

Running socks are available in thick or thin weights and in various lengths according to personal preference. If you’re outfitting a racer, many prefer the shorter, thinner sock. Trail runners may prefer a longer length sock with more cushioning against sticks and stones.

Underwear. It’s not your father’s long johns. Long underwear that keeps you warm and dry on winter runs is called “base layer.” Look for material that wicks moisture from the skin or for colder temperatures, generates heat when wet. Depending on preference, base layers can be body-hugging or loose fitting, zip-front, high or low necked.

Shoes. Unless your runner has worn the same shoe model and size for the past five years and refuses to change, I don’t advise purchasing actual shoes. Instead, give a gift certificate to a specialty store that offers custom fitting and a wide range of shoe choices from traditional to minimalist.

Gear. Running is a simple sport. All you really need is a pair of shoes — and even those are optional if you subscribe to the new barefoot movement. But running can also be as technical as a smartphone with not only GPS so that you won’t get lost, but with apps that provide information about your workout and link to your computer.

A little less technical is the basic chronograph or heart rate monitor that gives basic information about your training or head-lamp for night running.

Nontechnical gear includes everything that doesn’t require batteries. How about a foam roller to work out the post run kinks, lace locks to keep those shoes tied even while crashing through brushy trails, or ice cleats for those inevitable slick winter runs?

Encouragement. Many runners work better with a goal in mind. Preregister your favorite runner for a spring or summer race. Encouragement doesn’t mean commitment. The Dick’s Sporting Goods Pittsburgh Marathon allows you to purchase registration credit as a gift. Your runner then chooses the race distance — marathon, half marathon or 5K.

Destination runs. Although we have plenty of running opportunities right outside our door, sometimes it’s fun (and motivating) to run away from home. Whether it’s a weekend camping trip that includes a trail race or a major marathon in a big city, running road trips are always adventures. Give your runner a collection of race brochures to choose from as a destination event or an activity in an already planned trip.

A destination run doesn’t have to be far away or expensive. Give a voucher for an afternoon run through a local park followed by a picnic lunch or offer to baby sit for a stay-at-home mom or dad while they run.

Upcoming events

Saturdays, 8 a.m.: Up-N-Running Group Run, Valencia. Post run coffee and snacks. 724-898-2525 or shoes@runpa.com

Tuesdays, 6:30 p.m.: Elite Runners Group Run, Robinson Township. Weekly three mile fun run for all abilities. www.eliterunners.com

Wednesdays, 6 p.m.: Elite Runners Group Run, Monroeville. Weekly four to five mile group run for all abilities. www.eliterunners.com

Wednesdays, 7 p.m.: MoJo Sports Group Run, Seven Fields. Run three to seven miles with friends. 724-772-2808

Saturday, 4 p.m.: Santa Shuffle 1 Mile, Cleveland, OH. 216-623-9933

Dec. 21, 7 p.m.: Doomsday 5K, Sharpsville. bonnherb@yahoo.com

Dec. 29, 1 p.m.: Jingle Bell Run 5K, Canfield, OH. 330-770-8351

Dec. 31, 3 p.m.: Harmony Silvester 5K, Harmony. Also 1 mile fun run. Holiday celebration begins at 6 p.m. 724-452-3149 or saltemus@zoominternet.net

Dec. 31, 4 p.m.: The Great New Year’s Eve Race 5K, Cuyahoga Falls, OH. 330-678-3985

Dec. 31, 6:30 p.m.: First Night 5K, State College. 814-571-1960

Jan. 1, 10 a.m.: Erie Runners Club New Year’s Day 5 Mile Race, Erie. Starts at Presque Isle State Park Rotary Pavilion. 814-774-3209 or dana@erie-runnersclub.org

Jan. 5, 9:30 a.m.: James V. Snyder Memorial Resolution Run 5K, North Park. 412-607-3060 or info@jvresolution.com

Jan. 5, 11 a.m.: Odyssey 5K, Monongehela. 724-554-9778

Jan. 5: Frozen Sasquatch Trail Run, Charleston, WV. Choice of 25K or 50K. 304-415-4104

Jan. 6, 2 p.m.: Run to Read Half Marathon, Fairmont, WV. 304-366-6055

Jan. 13: Frigid 5 Mile, Allison Park. 412-490=0881 or www.eliterunners.com

Race results

Treesdale Turkey Trot 5K, Nov. 24: Tom Reinhart, 1st Overall M, 20:11; Chris Rotelli, 2nd Overall M, 20:45; Emily Reinhart, 1st Overall W, 23:42; Emma Gentile, 2nd Overall W, 24:14; Nathan Mrjenovich, 1st 14-16 M, 22:27; Frankie Petrini, 2nd 14-16 M, 22:27; John Reed, 3rd 14-16 M, 22:43; Mark Casteel,1st 40-44 M, 23:57; Dillon Kessy, 1st 17-18 M, 24:08; Rick Kessy, 3rd 50-54 M, 24:40; Natalie Petrini, 1st 12-13 W, 25:09; Todd Zeisler, 2nd 40-44 M, 25:27; Rob Waltrip, 3rd 40-44 M, 26:20; Gregory Reed, 1st 45-49 M, 26:40; Rachel Cronin, 1st 14-16 W, 27:33; Taylor Hockenberry, 1st 12-13 M, 28:01; Melissa Morgan, 1st 20-24 W, 28:57; Kate Hrach, 1st 40-44 W, 29:09; Eric Kingsley, 2nd 17-19 M, 29:28; Tom Entry, 2nd 55-59 M, 29:53; Sydney Cole, 2nd 14-16 W, 30:37; Hannah Kemper,, 3rd 14-16 W, 31:11; Cathy Zeisler, 2nd 40-44 W, 31:42; Dan Linden, 1st 20-24 M, 31:44; Brennen Kelley, 2nd 12-13 M, 32:03; Jocelyn Bell, 1st 30-34 W, 32:12; Elaine Kessy, 1st 45-49 W, 32:39; Brooke Barnes, 2nd 20-24 W, 33:12; Robert Willig, 3rd 45-49 M, 33:26; Brittany Barnes, 3rd 25-29 W, 33:27; Eileen Price, 2nd 45-49 W, 33:28; Jamie Harkins, 2nd 35-37 W, 33:45; Kelley Cugini, 3rd 40-44 W, 34:00; Richie Price, 1st 11 & Under M, 34:11; Jane Pawlowicz, 1st 11 & Under W, 34:23; Dan Borchert, 2nd 35-39 M, 34:31; Tom Vandling, 1st 65-69 M, 34:31; Joey Dudkowski, 2nd 11 & Under M, 34:40; Matt Dudkowski, 2nd 11 & Under M, 34:40; David Gaylord, 1st 70+ M, 36:42; Barbara Lane, 1st 65-69 W, 37:03; Gianna Rotelli, 2nd 11 & Under W, 38:17; Dakota Kelley, 3rd 11 & Under M, 38:43; Barb Barnes, 1st 50-54 W, 39:59; Regan Price, 3rd 11 & Under W, 40:06; Joey Kelly, 24:13; Joe Farrell, 26:05; Sean Farrell, Bruce Barnes, 27:22; Jonathan Lawther, 33:48; Dana Kingsley, Nicole Yeager, 36:21; Robert Yeager, 36:21; John Grenei, 37:45; Matthew Wardle, 38:54; Jeffery Lawther, 39:13; Rich Price, 40:11; Sarah Phillips, 47:21; Alessandro Phillips, 47:22; Ava Folloni, 51:07; Megan Hrach, 51:08; Julia Phillips, 52:04

Christmas in Volant 5K, Dec. 1: Dan Dygert, 1st Overall M, 18:00; Debbie Conner, 1st Overall W, 20:14; Timothy Wyant, 2nd 40-44 M, 18:21; Billy Lott, 1st 14 & Under M, 19:13; Caryn Gehrke, 1st 30-34 W, 20:26; Blake Benko, 2nd 14 & Under M, 21:51; Mitch Radella, 2nd 45-49 M, 22:28; David Suber, 2nd 55-59 M, 23:25; Taylor Hockenberry, 3rd 14 & Under W, 23:43; John Antinossi, 1st 65-69 M, 24:20; Karen Carmichael, 2nd 40-44 W, 26:33; Jason Regal, 3rd 15-19 M, 26:42; Cindy Suber, 3rd 50-54 W, 26:54; Patricia Wyant, 1st 60-64 W, 27:50; Sherree May, 1st 55-59 W, 27:53; Dez Csizmadia, 2nd 70+ M, 28:09; Gale Mussey, 1st 60-64 M, 29:48; Ann Cheman, 2nd 60-64 W, 30:02; Michelle Brochetti, 3rd 35-39 W, 31:52; Lois Adams, 3rd 60-64 W, 32:17; Terry Reeher, 3rd 70+ M, 33:34; Bill May, 25:18; Tara Kennedy, 26:20; A.J. May, 27:03; Connor Casteel, 27:45; Robert Kinney, 29:19; Michael Clinger, 29:40; Autumn Heinz, 30:14; Yoder McClelland, 31:48; Sarah McClelland, 31:48; Debra Kuminkoski, 32:40; Chrissy Shirey, 33:12; Avery Benko, 33:41; Dane Benko, 33:43; Brian Sattely, 34:30; Karleigh Reinsel, 34:49; Dylan Freeman, 36:04; Jennifer Voght, 36:51; Bridget Casteel, 37:41; Brenda Murray, 39:14; Rebecca Breitenstein, 42:22; Tamra Schiappa, 43:18

Nittany Valley Half Marathon, Dec. 2: Daniel Craighead, 1st Overall M, 1:11:46; Meira Minard, 1st Overall W, 1:28:25; Susan Moury, 1st 40-44 W, 1:35:20; Mark Courtney, 1:33:48; John Armstrong, 1:35:37; Kate Bassett, 1:51:57; Cindy Waltemire, 2nd 55-59 W, 2:00:28

Trot for Tots 5K, Dec 2: Ryder Ballou, 1st Overall M, 15:34; Kristen Leslie, 1st Overall W, 16:16; Mitch Radella, 2nd 45-49 M, 18:42; Kate Hrach, 1st 40-44 W, 20:27; Lori McClafferty, 3rd 40-44 W, 22:02; Alicia Swanson, 20:51; Roger Hyde, 22:30; Tony Chan, 23:17; Maria Cortijo, 28:11

Trot for Tots 10K, Dec. 2: Douglas Basinski, 1st Overall M, 37:17; Dana Newlin, 1st Overall W, 43:31; Mark Casteel, 1st 40-44 M, 40:49; Roger Hyde, 54:03; Ed Elinski, 54:21; Tony Chan,57:17; Lori McClafferty, 59:39; Maria Cortijo, 1:12:17

Send comments and suggestions: Patricia Neubert, 435 Cherry Valley Rd., Saxonburg, Pa. 16056. Phone 724-352-4395. Email lotzak@consolidated.net

Pat Neubert is a running columnist for the Butler Eagle