Everyone needs a dream, a reason to get up in the morning, a bright shining star in a sometimes gray and bleak sky. Runners are no different. We dream of running farther and faster, in an exotic locale or unique event.

But having a dream is just the first step. The hard part is turning that dream into a real goal with a plan to achieve it.

Last Saturday, hundreds of runners in our area rolled out of bed, gulped a cup of coffee, and laced up the shoes to take the first steps toward achieving their goal of completing the Dick’s Sporting Goods City of Pittsburgh Marathon in May while the mere dreamers slept.

Completing a marathon is an impressive goal requiring dedication, sacrifice and consistency of following a training plan. And it’s not too late to sign up and train for Pittsburgh’s major marathon. But a goal doesn’t have to be that daunting to offer motivation to get up and out on a cold Saturday morning.

Half marathon. The half marathon is the fastest growing race distance by participation in the country with numbers increasing by more than 10 percent in each year since 2006, according to Running USA. The 13.1 mile half marathon requires commitment without being all consuming since the training mileage requirement in completing a half is, understandably, half that of finishing a full 26.2 marathon. And finishing a half marathon should be an intermediate goal on the way to completing a full marathon.

Be aware, many popular half marathons sell out early. Sign up and seal the deal. The investment in your registration is a great motivator and will pay off later.

Shorter races. Participation in all running races has increased over the past few years, due in part to growth of charity and community events. What better goal than to run (or walk) to support a worthy cause or to support your neighborhood, whether it’s your first or 500th race?

Choose a cause that you truly care about as motivation to train. You could also offer your help behind the scenes before or after the event as a bonus to you and the charity.

Wild and wacky. More than one million people completed an off-road run in 2011. That encompasses everything from trail ultra-marathons to obstacle course events like Warrior Dash or Tough Mudder. If you’ve been strictly a road runner, off-road running opens a whole new world.

Trail running can be a welcome break from the pounding on the roads, but it does require a little practice. And forget your PRs. The challenge of trail racing is often to complete the course.

If you’re thinking of training for an obstacle course event, training will include strength building and overall fitness exercises along with running. But that’s not a bad thing. You may find yourself in better running shape after focusing on different muscle areas.

Triathlon. If you’d like to boost your training motivation and enjoy learning new things, try a tri. Choose an event that’s far enough away on the calendar since you’ll be learning and practicing new skills along with maintaining running fitness.

Triathlons, like trail runs, come in all shapes and sizes. Pick a sprint distance event with a pool swim and level road bike and running courses since your first goal should be to complete the event.

Once you’ve chosen your running goal for this coming year, don’t just sit and dream. Mark your calendar and work backwards from event day to today. Fill in the time-line with training details.

There are plenty of training plans available online, in books and magazines or at your local fitness center or running store. Don’t be afraid to consult other runners, especially those with experience in areas unfamiliar to you. Then, get moving.

Upcoming events

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

Saturdays, 8 a.m.: Big Beaver Big Dawgs Winter Training Runs, Beaver. Group of all ages and abilities running various distances. Starts at Second Avenue near Fire Station. http://bbbigdawgs.weebly.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

Sunday, 10 a.m.: Frigid 5 Mile, Allison Park. Hilly course through North Park. 412-490-0881 or www.eliterunners.com

Jan. 19, 11 a.m.: Chilly Cheeks Challenge 5 Mile and 10 Mile, Hermitage. Run through Buhl Farms Park. 724-456-2373 or pittsmullet@verizon.net

Jan. 26, 10 a.m.: Autism Frostbite 5K, North Park. Also kids run at 11 A.M. 412-980-0085 or www.positivemovementz.com/frostbite5k

Feb. 9, 10 a.m.: Cold Hands Warm Heart 5K, Indiana. Starts at UpTown Fitness. 724-549-8436 or www.active.com

Feb. 9, 10 a.m.: Community Options Cupids Chase 5K, Pittsburgh. Run on Northshore Trail. 412-431-7079 or bridget.haney@comop.org

Feb. 9, 10 a.m.: Rotary Club 5K, Kittanning. Run starts at new YMCA. 724-545-9622 or jbeeker@armstrongymca.org

Feb. 10, 10 a.m.: Erie Runners Club Valentine Prediction Run, Erie. Run starts at Presque Isle Rotary Pavilion. Those finishing the four to six mile course in the closest predicted time win chocolate awards. 814-774-3209 or dana@erie-runnersclub.org

Feb. 16, 10 a.m.: Trout Island Tromp 4.6 miles, Sharpsville. Run on rail-trail has 200 participant limit. 724-301-6775 or info@mctrails.org

Race results

Harmony Silvester 5K, December 31: Eric Geddis, 1st Overall M, 16:25; Andrew Razanauskas, 2nd Overall M, 16:56; Brian Tackett, 3rd Overall M, 16:59; Laura Cherchuck, 1st Overall W, 20:47; Susan Moury, 3rd Overall W, 21:08; Jason Jacobs, 1st 25-29 M, 17:32; Brett Foster, 2nd 15-19 M, 18:15; Braden Davis, 3rd 20-24 M, 18:34; Ben Gardner, 3rd 15-19 M, 18:36; Nate Andrulonis, 2nd 30-34 M, 18:48; Tim Wyant, 3rd 40-44 M, 18:58; James Cromer, 1st 35-39 M, 19:12; Michael Pease, 3rd 35-39 M, 19:45; Billy Lott, 1st 11-14 M, 19:56; John Armstrong, 3rd 45-49 M, 20:46; Bob Pudlo, 2nd 50-54 M, 20:57; Holly Bauer, 1st 35-39 W, 22:43; Emma Gentile, 1st 11-14 W, 22:55; Kristen Kelosky, 1st 45-49 W, 23:00; Karen Lyle, 2nd 35-39 W, 23:08; Lindsey Monahan, 2nd 30-34 W, 23:11; Bill Geddis, 3rd 50-54 M, 23:18; William Osche, 2nd 55-59 M, 23:19; David Suber, 3rd 55-59 M, 23:36; Christian Resch, 2nd 11-14 M, 23:43; Dorothy Moxie, 2nd 45-49 W, 23:44; Kristen McKinney, 3rd 15-19 W, 23:45; Jonathan Gengler, 2nd 25-29 M, 23:57; Nicole Kukieza, 1st 20-24 W, 23:57; Jack Neff, 1st 65-69 M, 24:09; Harry Green, 2nd 65-69 M, 24:15; Avery Lawson, 3rd 35-39 W, 24:15; Laura Hillock, 3rd 45-49 W, 24:28; Jinny Hertweck, 3rd 40-44 W, 24:31; Katelyn Conn, 2nd 20-24 W, 24:36; Taylor Hockenberry, 2nd 11-14 W, 24:59; John Antinossi, 3rd 65-69 M, 25:10; Lou Alaksin, 1st 70+ M, 25:11; Emily Todd, 3rd 20-24 W, 25:35; Norah Seibel, 1st 10 & Under W, 25:42; Thomas Gentile, 1st 10 & Under M, 26:12; Abby Burns, 2nd 10 & Under W, 26:37; Daria Hockenberry, 3rd 11-14 W, 28:42; Cindy Waltemire, 1st 55-59 W, 28:53; Patricia Wyant, 1st 65-69 W, 29:34; Dez Csizmadia, 2nd 70+ M, 29:34; Sherree May, 2nd 55-59 W, 29:41; Tom Murray, 3rd 70+ M, 30:19; Meghan Grill, 3rd 10 & Under W, 30:32; Carol English, 3rd 55-59 W, 30:38; Lois Adams, 2nd 65-69 W, 31:00; Dorothy Patinski, 1st 60-64 W, 36:49; Ethan Antinossi, 2nd 10 & Under M, 38:19; Judy Lyle, 3rd 60-64 W, 38:25; Sam Everson, 3rd 10 & Under M, 39:18;

Christopher Boyd, 19:19; Ben Nickel, 19:39; Joseph Wuenschell, 19:50; Connor McCandless, 20:06; Rick Colonello, 20:09; Jacob Sarachine, 20:54; Matt Marshall, 20:57; Noah Bowser, 21:01; Tyler Sienkiewicz, 21:45; Anthony Miller, 21:48; Aaron Depew, 21:53; Russell Oschenhirt, 21:57; Anthony Wuenschell, 22:02; Mitch Radella, 22:11; Jeff Smith, 22:30; Timothy Bachman, 2:33; Rick Hackenberg, 22:46; Donald Wallace, 22:54; Dominic Sarachine, 22:55; Michael Tokar, 23:21; Sean Dolan, 23:28; John DiLeo, 23:34; Jeff Syphrit, 23:47; Ben Mauti, 24:00; Ed Schmiech, 24:02; Mark Pekich, 24:02; Megan Pudlo. 24:03; Bruce Hall, 24:05; Karl Johnson, 24:09; William Marsh, 24:14; Eric Huff, 24:22; Nathan Giuliani, 24:28; Patty Schmidt, 24:29; John Snyder, 24:30; Lori McClaffery, 24:37; Giovanni Sarachine, 24:41; Jack Nickel, 24:42; Heather Healy, 24:42; Jacob Zimmer, 24:42; Jennifer Marcotte, 24:42; Anne Conn, 24:45; Julia Stejcek, 24:47; Daniel Ranayhossaini, 24:48; Ashley Worst, 24:51; Elizabeth Morris, 24:59; Ben Ranayhossaini, 25:03; Mike McCullough, 25:07; Bruce Hazen, 25:09; Caleb Bowser, 25:16; Christopher Wuenschell, 25:17; Timothy Drouin, 25:21; Gene Bradshaw, 25:22; Shay Houser, 25:31; Mark Casteel, 25:35; Kristen Oschenhirt, 25:39; Jeremy Peffer, 25:47; Bill May, 25:52; Jenny Wojnar, 26:02; Michael Corcoran, 26:03; Everett Burns, 26:11; Alex Lauer, 26:11; Robert Todd, 26:16; Jim Lynskey, 26:19; Joel Johnson, 20:20; Melissa Erdice, 26:20; James Gascoine, 26:22; Cheryl Fox, 26:26; Elizabeth Cromer, 26:28; Michelle Pekich, 26:29; Ferdinando Saglio, 26:29; Kim Bell, 26:36; Nick Bowser, 26:56; Jim Houser, 26:56; Matthew French, 26:57; Scott Kavanagh, 26:59; Barb McCandless, 27:07; James Hodgson, 27:11; Tony Pityk, 27:13; Melissa Wagner, 27:14; Thomas May, 27:21; Ted Kinney, 27:22; Steven Day, 27:29; Caleb Rauscher, 27:31; Edwin Amrhein, 27:36; Cindy Suber, 27:42; Toni Wright, 27:45; Mark VandeWater, 27:46; Shannon Poetrusinski, 27:50; Elliot Burr, 27:51; Kelly Stenger, 27:52; Kelsey Hillock, 28:04; Jill Hachenberg, 28:04; Jeffrey Kopinski, 28:05; Kevin Aufman, 28:05; Nanette Paracca, 28:07; Maura Medvitz, 28:10; Scott Wahlstrom, 28:12; Alice Wiesner, 28:20; Heather Lozowski, 28:27; Bethany Sauers, 28:34; Chelsey Giardina, 28:37; Donna Latsko, 28:41; Jeff Strejcek, 28:45; Sarah Huth, 28:54; Bill Daly, 29:05; Jason Regal, 29:06; Donna Statzer, 29:11; Amy Huff, 29:19; Keenan Klett, 29:23; Robyn Stewart, 29:23; Jacqueline Schoeffel, 29:27; Michael Kaveeli, 29:34; Mike Fuller, 29:42; Eileen Wrubel, 29:44; Tasha Werner, 29:51; Michael Coyne, 29:56; Meg Krimmel, 29:56; Charlie Lisella, 30:05; Cloey Wallace, 30:15; Lori Griffith, 30:16; Tony Bruno, 30:18; Mark Sienkiewicz, 30:24; Jack Young, 30:34; Brian Wagner, 30:47; Jamie Richards, 30:50; Dennis E. Arndt, 30:50; Matt Grill, 30:52; Sue Platt, 30:58; Nick Ranayhossaini, 31:06; David McGlennen, 31:12; Jarod Stewart, 31:18; Juli Drouin, 31:19; Riley Drouin, 31:19; Stephanie Reese, 31:20; Kate Burns, 31:23; Carleen Burns, 31:23; Bob Dawson, 31:26; Kimberly Thomas, 31:27; Dan Borchert, 31:37; Missy Jungling, 31:38; Diann Corll, 31:48; Ira Mazer, 31:51; Dawn Nickleach, 31:52; Sarah McClelland, 31:58; Jim Kalnas, 32:07; Karey VandeWater, 32:09; Karen Getner, 32:25; Chuck Morse, 32:32; Emily Gold, 32:35; Jill Todd, 32:41; Alyson Acquaviva, 32:44; Jeffrey Byko, 32:50; Jennifer Grooms, 32:56; John Bobb, Jr., 33:04; Jason Brown, 33:19; Bryan Gay, 33:19; Debra Kuminkoski, 33:20; Meg Chochola, 33:33; Sarah Thiebaud, 33:34; Ashley Thiebaud, 33:37; Justine Thiebaud, 33:37; John Thiebaud, 33:37; Dayna Martin, 33:41; Mary Blom, 33:44; Amy Barkus, 33:55; Scott Grooms, 33:57; Laura Augustine, 34:00; Leah Patinski, 34:00; Larry Laughlin, 34:03; Deborah Laughlin, 34:03; Cindy Hansen, 34:05; Alyssa Grasso, 34:06; Bob Markovich, 34:08; Trisha Lawless, 34:10; Mark Lawless, 34:10; Terry Moore, 34:21; Gary tipton, 4:21; Marjorie Justice, 34:24; Emily Wahistrom, 34:27; Sarah Johnson, 34:27; Janet Pudlo, 34:29; Kim Weaver, 34:40; Becky Johnston, 34:40; Cindy Maro, 34:42; Jeffrey Wolfarth, 35:21; Rich Johns, 36:01; John Frances, 36:09; Dyane Bratkovich, 36:20; Nathan Pudlo, 36:38’ Jeffrey Gentile, 36:43; Andy McIntyre, 36:52; Sarah Knapp, 37:39; Perlie Young, 37:42; Linda Bolena, 37:44; Buddy McClelland, 37:46; Jen Vogt. 37:56; Michelle Tucker, 38:08; Charles Fryman, 38:17; Madeleine Burr, 38:42; Dave Williams, 39:09; Sarah McCraley, 39:09; Tara Everson, 39:20; Jesse Allen, 40:21; Chessa Fernandez, 40:21; Jennifer Frisk, 40:32; Adrienne Grafton, 41:08; Margaret O’Reilley, 41:21; James Bowman, 41:29; Courtney Walstrom, 41:31; Pattie Massa, 42:29; Brenda Murray, 42:52; Raymond Aufman, 42:56; Kathy Miller, 43:05; Sue Evans, 43:09; Katie Jamison, 43:10; Patrick Lane, 43:51; Al Lane, 43:52; Melissa Lopez, 44:07; Joaquin Lopez, 44:09; Emily Kavanaugh, 46:06; Karen Kavanaugh, 46:12; Libby Gribik, 46:51; Cori Dunn, 46:52; Rita McClelland, 46:59; Jesica McKay, 47:18; Mary Lisella, 47:36; Terri Coyner, 47:36; Shirley Meier, 47:52; Tom Turner, 48:11; Linda Johnson, 49:08; Kristen Geary, 51:16; Frank Stanko, 51:17; Amir Rana, 52:30; Carol Hilyard, 52:46; Katie Purvis, 52:46; Judith Shisler, 52:47; Rita Lane, 57:08; Elyse Aufman, 57:29; Lynn Aufman, 57:54; Gwen Pierce, 58:07; RJ Pierce, 58:07

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