A few huge events dominate the May running calendar, and it’s exciting to participate in a large-scale event once in a while.

But looking beyond this weekend’s Dick’s Sporting Goods Pittsburgh Marathon and May 12’s Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure, runners will find interesting local events on a smaller scale.

On May 11 at 6 p.m., Autism Speaks U SRU holds its first 5K Challenge to benefit Autism Speaks. Jessica Smithson, president of this newly founded college chapter of the national organization, says that the race’s name reflects both the challenges faced by children and families with autism and the challenging race course for this inaugural 5K event.

This Autism 5K Challenge will be run at Slippery Rock Dunes, a local motocross race area that includes campgrounds and recreation areas. The course includes scenic trails which wind through the wooded areas of that recreation site.

Smithson hopes for at least 100 participants in the event. The Saturday evening start gives families from out of town plenty of time to arrive and offers Slippery Rock University students a weekend activity. After the run, there will be music and food available.

You may sign up online for the Autism 5K Challenge at bit.ly/autismspeaksthechallenge or register on the day of the race beginning at 5 p.m. For more information, contact Jessica Smithson, 571-224-2729 or jls8250@sru.edu.

Another local May race is committed to improving each year. The fifth annual Mars Band on the Run is May 18 at Mars High School and makes the jump from popular 5K to multi-distance event with the addition of a 10K distance this year.

Although the events have approximately 2-1/2 miles of the rolling course in common, the two distances have separate start times — 8:55 A.M. for the 10K and 9 A.M. for the 5K. Both courses are USATF sanctioned and have been measured for certification.

Due to increased participation — 600 runners and walkers finished the event in 2012 — this year’s races will be chip timed and utilize starting and finishing timing mats.

As in past years, the post race festivities will be held indoors. Runners can relax and munch on donuts, cookies, yogurt and assorted drinks in the high school cafeteria. The awards ceremony will take place in the gymnasium.

In addition to overall and age group awards, Band on the Run will reward winning teams of from three to five members in three categories. Last year’s event featured more than 15 teams.

Mars Band on the Run also hosts a 1K Children’s Fun Run entirely within the grounds of Mars High School. The event also works with Races for Kids to provide financial assistance for kids who cannot afford entry fees. Visit www.racesforkids.org for details.

Participants may pick up their race packets May 17 at Up-N-Running running store. Day of event registrations are also welcome beginning at 7:30 a.m.

For more information, visit www.marsband5k.com. Register online at www.race360.com/18202.

Upcoming events

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

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

Saturday, 8 a.m.: Kids Castle 5K & 1 Mile Fun Run, Cranberry Township. Run through Community Park. 412-761-9720 or kidscastle5k@hotmail.com

Saturday, 8 a.m.: Dick’s Sporting Goods Pittsburgh 5K, Pittsburgh. New course. All finishers receive medal. Register at Race Expo on Friday. www.pittsburghmarathon.com

Saturday, 8 a.m.: The Cinco, Warren. Out and back choice of half marathon, five mile, or 5K runs, kids dashes and post race party. 954-675-4684 or chuckgray@me.com

Saturday, 9 a.m.: Tim Zahumensky IUP Scholarship for Nursing 5K, Freeport. Cross country run starts at Freeport Area High School. tjt@salsgiver.com

Saturday, 9 a.m.: 5K in May, Meadville. 814-673-2938 or caycc5kinmay@gmail.com

Saturday, Noon: Pittsburgh Marathon Pet Walk, Pittsburgh. www.pittsburghmarathon.com

Sunday, 7 a.m.: Dick’s Sporting Goods Pittsburgh Marathon, Half Marathon and Team Relay, Pittsburgh. Event is sold out but if you’re not running, spectators are welcome. www.pittsburghmarathon.com

Sunday, 10 a.m.: Nature Festival 5K, Foxburg. Run on groomed trails through Riverstone Estate. 724-659-3116 or mvereb@embarqmail.com

May 8, 6:30 p.m.: Muskie Mini Marathon and 2 Mile Walk, Jamesown. Run at Pymatuning State Park. Heather_harmon@jamestown,k12.pa.us

May 11, 6 p.m.: Autism 5K Challenge, Slippery Rock. Benefits Autism Speaks

May 11, 9 a.m.: ACMH 5K Wellness Run/ Walk, Kittanning. Starts at ACMH Hospital. 724-543-8850 or beersj@acmh.org

May 12, 8:30 a.m.: Komen Pittsburgh Race for the Cure 5K, Pittsburgh. 412-342-0500 or komenpittsburgh.org

May 15, 7 p.m.: Run Like an Animal 5K, Hermitage. Well behaved dogs welcome. 724-456-2373 or pittsmullet@verizon.net

May 18, 8:55 a.m.: Mars Band on the Run 10K and 5K, Mars. Also 1K kids run, starts at Mars High School. racedirector@marsband5k.com

May 18, 9 a.m.: Meet U in 5, Titusville. Begins at Drake Well Museum. 814-827-2797 or meetuinit@gmail.com

May 18, 9 a.m.: Team Alex Fun 5K/ 5 Mile Run/ Walk, North Park. Starts at North Park Boathouse. 724-934-3672 or contact@teamalexfund.org

May 19, 7:30 a.m.: Rite Aid Cleveland Marathon, Half Marathon and 10K, Cleveland, OH. Flat and fast. Register at clevelandmarathon.com

May 19, 9 a.m.: MS Miles of Smiles 5 Mile and 5K Race and Walk, 1 mile handicapped accessible, North Park. Starts at Boathouse. 724-713-0934 or msmilesofsmiles.com

May 24, 7 p.m.: Fryburg Mayfest, Fryburg. 814-221-9807 or fryburgmayfest@gmail,com

May 25, 6 p.m.: 5K XC Run for Fire Victims, Slippery Rock. Run on Slippery Rock Dunes trails. Post race party with live music, overnight camping. 724-482-2608 or www.slipperyrockdunes.com

May 27, 8:50 a.m.: Mercer 5K Freedom Fun Run, Mercer. Starts at U.S. Post Office. 724-699-4589 or pizzajoes@hotmail.com

June 1, 9 a.m.: Beaver Volunteer Fire Department 5K & 10K, Beaver. Starts at Beaver Volunteer Fire Company. beavervfdrace@gmail.com or register online at www.beavervfd.org.

June 1, 9 a.m.: Freeport Flash 5K Run/ Walk, Freeport. Flat and fast course on Butler-Freeport Rail Trail benefits Freeport Cross Country team. www.freeportcrosscountry.com

Race results

Just a Short Run 5K, March 30: Ryan Lerda, 1st Overall M, 17:08; Rachel Tano, 1st Overall W, 22:00; Patrick Strollo, 2nd 25-29 M, 19:50; Beau Eshenbaugh, 2nd 20-24 M, 22:44; Robbie Miller, 3rd 15-19 M, 23:27; Shannon McChesney, 1st 15-19 W, 23:56; Makara Smocer, 1st 14 & Under W, 24:22; Shaelyn Parry, 2nd 14 & Under W, 24:26; Julie Bone, 1st 45-49 W, 26:17; Tom Merhaut, 1st 50-54 M, 26:41; Amy Kinney, 2nd 35-39 W, 27:20; Leslie Babcock, 2nd 20-24 W, 27:32; Nichol Murray, 3rd 30-34 W, 28:02; Jim Seles, 2nd 45-49 M, 28:45; Gage Smocer, 23:40; John Zervos, 24:00; Brian Zima, 25:07; Lucas Mowery, 25:09; Jake Miller, 25:13; Chuckie Green, 25:51; Erin Gaetano, 26:43; Jaison Moslander, 27:29; Erica Fay, 27:56; Matt Parson, 28:19; Marissa Seles, 28:45; Christy Bitner, 29:00; Drew Schlegel, 29:13; Christian Colafella, 29:21; Wendy Myers, 29:37; Stephen Manukas, 30:44; Matt Buchwald, 31:17; Bethany Harmon, 31:52; Samantha Macdonald, 32:08; Jay Angoff, 32:27; Pamela Carden, 32:56; Danielle Campbell, 33:18; Matt Cecchetti, 33:21; Autumn Saltmar, 33:31; Jessica Moslander, 33:33: David Bates, 33:49; Sue Pantano, 33:55; Rachel Goetz, 34:15; Mackenzi Courson, 34:44; Deanna Budziszewski, 34:49; Melissa Breckenridge, 34:58; Tina Conway, 35:07; Lamarr Haines, 36:15; Chuck Green,37:10; Priscilla Green, 37:11; Arlene Goetz, 39:10; Heather McCoy, 40:39; Mary Morgan, 40:48; Nichole Snyder, 41:09; Ashley Zwigart, 41:13; Amy Buchwald, 42:16; Crystal Waits, 43:14; Anjali Kaul, 47:07; Brian Kaleida, 47:07; Konnie Oleniacz, 48:13; John Knapton, 48:19; Fred Como, 48:42; Mike Brestensky, 51:48; Jessica Kowatch, 56:00; Melanie Smith, 1:00:06

Big Foot Half Marathon, April 6: Tom Lipsie, 1st Overall M, 1:20:34; Mindy Sawtelle-Zottol, 1st Overall W, 1:27:32; Charlie Weaver, 2nd Overall M, 1:34:34; Melissa Shaeffer, 2nd Overall W, 1:40:56; Clint Hartle, 1st 30-39 M, 1:38:45; Matt Uram, 2nd 40-49 M, 1:44:20; Kurt Bowers, 2nd 50-59 M, 1:49:28; Carrie Smith, 1st 30-39 W, 1:55:31; Erica Ridley, 2nd 30-39 W, 1:56:31; Janet Ryen, 2nd 40-49 W, 2:01:00; Sara Brunazzi, 3rd 20-29 W, 2:02:14; Dan McMeans, 1:53:55; Joshua Carlson, 1:56:30; Wayne Toy, 2:09:16; William Kennedy, 2:24:51; Sara Neccir, 2:31:39

Big Foot 5K, April 6: Matthew Casella, 1st Overall M, 21:09; Sara Roudybush, 1st Overall W, 21:39; Andy Lattaizio, 3rd Overall M, 21:39; Logan James, 2nd 10-14 M, 25:54; Abbey Smith, 1st 15-19 W, 26:12; Keri Neiswonger, 2nd 30-39 W, 28:42; Alexandra Soule, 2nd 9 & Under W, 28:49; Bruce Soule, 3rd 40-49 M, 28:50; Faye Smith, 1st 50-59 W, 29:29; Brian Kepple, 3rd 30-39 M, 29:44; Letitia Bowers, 3rd 40-49 W, 32:21; Marlo Mellish, 3rd 9 & Under W, 33:49; Sara Andreassi, 3rd 15-19 W, 35:19; Laina Berry, 1st 10-14 W, 40:37; Gary Henry, 2nd 50-59 M, 40:54; Scott Andreasi, 3rd 50-59 M, 42:27; Lynne Shieffer, 1st 60+ W, 44:52; Shuck Shiefer, 3rd 60+ M, 45:06; Ian Olsen, 3rd 9 & Under M, 57:27; Bradley Yapp, 27:03; Cindy McCree, 33:00; Zackary Crispen, 33:10; Kelsey Cushey, 33:23; Caitlin Welton, 33:37; Julie Wylie, 33:39; Holly Mellish, 33:55; Cathy Lorigan, 35:20; Kelsey Chvala, 39:41; Lauren Bowser, 41:38; Paula Berry, 41:39; Hunter Stitt, 54:24; Erin Boguslawski, 55:12; Darlene Booher, 55:15; Dalton Booher, 55:16; Stacy Martin, 57:42

Glacier Ridge 50 Miler, April 13: David Lister, 1st Overall M, 7:58:23; Mikala Shremshock, 1st Overall W, 9:50:50; Shaun Huppertz, 10:26:19; Tom Parenti, 12:21:08; David Murray, 12:44:25; Murray Hofmeister, 13:51:22

Glacier Ridge 50K, April 13: Jeff Nelson, 1st Overall M, 4:22:17; Robert Gaus, 3rd Overall M, 5:00:34; Melissa Goodman, 1st Overall W, 5:45:27; Tammy McGaughey, 3rd Overall W, 6:42:28; Seth Murray, 5:44:19; James Arthur, 6:45:54; Steve Lash, 6:58:49; Jeff Lynn, 6:59:46; Nathan Boyle, 7:04:14; Patty Schmidt, 7:08:40; Mark Hess, 7:27:41; Peter Ekstam, 7:38:44; David Adams, 9:37:47

Glacier Ridge 30K, April 3: Andrew Holland, 1st Overall M, 2:33:57; Benjamin English, 2nd Overall M, 2:43:11; Maureen Copeland, 1st Overall W, 3:20:43; Kevin Osborne, 3:10:47; Adam Bilger, 3:12:17; Matt Rogos, 3:17:08; William Huber, 3:35:57; Brian Buchan, 3:39:46; Jeremy Peffer, 3:49:07; Jim Carr, 3:52:00; Renea Gaus, 3:53:17; Nancy McCaskey, 4:07:35; Ed Elinski, 4:27:42; Mary Blom, 4:27:42; Julia Murray, 4:28:59; Connie Hoffer, 4:43:324; Victor Vouga, 4:51:56; Robert Crawford, 4:58:04; Denise Shearer, 5:03:19;

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

Pat Neubert is a running columnist for the Butler Eagle