Sometimes you have to run away from home to appreciate hometown running.

Last weekend, I completed a race exchange by running Turn Up the Volume 5k Run/ 2 Mile Walk in Harrisburg. A friend had visited earlier in the year, joining me for the St. Barnabas 5K in August.

I like to attend out-of-town races. But while most of the large, metropolitan races offer quality, they’re sometimes as generic as Holiday Inn or McDonalds. The small town events reveal much more about the culture and running community.

Turn Up the Volume was truly a small town event. It has been held annually for the past four years in memory of local woman Glenda Hooper-Macut and raises awareness about ovarian cancer, the fourth leading cause of cancer death in women.

My friends and I arrived early to the registration desk, printing our own bib information. A volunteer then color coded our bib with a crayon dot to designate age groups, five in all. I competed in the oldest group — age 45 and older.

I warmed up with my usual routine of jogging, stretching and form drills. At home, I’m used to sharing the road with dozens of like-minded racers in various stages of preparation. But here, only a handful of runners trotted through the parking lots and level paths of Harrisburg Area Community College.

Most of the participants stood chatting in groups, wearing their race day shirts or sat with their dogs in the shade. That was my next clue that this may not be considered a serious race.

At 2 p.m., the race director herded the 50 or so 5K runners toward the starting line — a crack in the sidewalk under a huge teal and white balloon arch. Walkers of all ages and sizes assembled behind the runners for the two-mile un-timed fun walk.

The race director sounded an air horn and runners surged through the balloon arch and an immediate 90 degree right turn onto a long, straight sidewalk. Behind me I heard gasps and laughter as the balloon arch, caught by a sudden gust of wind, trapped runners and walkers in a helium-filled corral for a few seconds.

I found myself running toward the front of the pack and quickly settled into fourth place along the wide sidewalk, following teal directional arrows and reading the ovarian cancer information placards placed along the course through the college campus.

Several pedestrians strolling across campus seemed surprised to be passed by one, two, then a dozen or so runners at a time.

At the edge of campus, we pounded across a wooden footbridge over tiny Paxton Creek, then exited into a long, hot parking lot. Just past the first mile marker, volunteers offered water from the back of a pick-up truck. I considered the logistics of carrying, opening, drinking and discarding a full 20-ounce bottle of water and decided to pass on the offer.

As the course left the parking lot to duck under I-81, I noticed a directional sign lying face down on the path. I had studied the course map and knew that the 5K and 2-mile events should split at this point. I yelled to one woman several yards ahead who had taken a wrong turn. She thanked me as she passed me once again.

We were both surprised to discover at the turnaround point that both the front running man and woman had taken the 2-mile turn. I surged once more to put myself in position for an overall third place finish, then used my last speed to stay ahead of my competition as the balloon arch appeared.

We munched on the usual fruit, granola bars and cookies as we waited for the competitive awards. After at least ten minutes of Chinese Auction drawings, I stepped to the podium to accept my age 45+ ribbon, finding that Turn Up the Volume 5K doesn’t award overall finishers. And though the 2-mile event was advertised as an un-timed walk, the two runners who had short-cutted the 5K course were also awarded ribbons.

I’m glad I ran the Turn Up the Volume 5K and I’m sure it doesn’t represent the entire running culture of Harrisburg.

It was a good speed workout for me; I don’t get to run up front very often anymore and I’m happy to support a worthy cause. I’m also glad that in our area, race organizers take racing and competition seriously.

Upcoming events

Saturday, 7 a.m.: Mighty Moraine Man Triathlon, Moraine State Park. Half Ironman or Olympic distances. 724-321-4265 or joella@getfitfamilies.com

Sept. 21, 8:30 a.m.: Peanut Butter Festival 5K, New Bethlehem. www.newbethlehemarea.com

Saturday, 9 a.m.: Pineapple Classic 5K Obstacle Race, Hartwood Acres. Hawaiian themed obstacle course 5K for individuals or teams of up to four people benefits Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. 412-395-2883 or www.pineappleclassic5k.org/wpa

Saturday, 9 a.m.: Sixth Annual Patrick J. Madden Memorial 5K, Slippery Rock. Run through Slippery Rock Park benefits American Cancer Society. 724-504-6338 or www.patmadden5k.org

Saturday, 9 a.m.: United Way of Clarion 5K/10K, Clarion. Run through downtown with cash prizes. 814-226-8760 or uwclarionco.org

Saturday, 9 a.m.: Les Haas Memorial Trail Challenge 7K and 14K, Ridgway. Also 2 mile fun walk on Laurel Mill Trail in Allegheny National Forest. 814-776-5373 or sputt@countyofelkpa.com

Saturday, noon: Dollar Bank Junior Great Race, Pittsburgh. One Mile Fun Run for kids ages 5 through 12; 50-yard Tot Trot for ages 4 and under; Diaper Dash for toddlers. All kids receive a commemorative medallion. www.rungreatrace.com

Sunday, 9 a.m.: 8th Annual Elorapalooza Memorial 5K, 1 Mile Run, Walk or Lollygag, North Park. Starts at Boathouse, post race picnic. 412-608-2134 or www.elorashope.com

Sunday, 9:30 a.m.: Saint Killian Parish School Celtic Way 5K and 1 Mile Family Fun Walk, Cranberry Township. Starts at North Boundary Park. Zatchmd3@yahoo.com

Sept. 28, 9 a.m.: Pumpkin Fest 5K Run/ Walk, Rural Valley. 724-954-6326 or a.lasslo@setonhill.edu

Sept. 28, 9 a.m.: SRU President’s Scholarship 5K, Slippery Rock. 724-738-2823 or jeff.lynn@sru.edu Saturday

Sept. 29, 8 a.m.: Richard Caliguiri/ City of Pittsburgh Great Race 5K, Pittsburgh. Run from Oakland to Downtown. Note: 10K is sold out. www.rungreatrace.com

Sept. 29, 9 a.m.: Butler Lions Scoot and Toot 5K, Butler. Held in conjunction with Blind Association Chile Festival. 724-287-4059 or jbindernagel@theblindassociation.org

Oct. 4, 6 p.m.: Elderton 5K Run/ Walk, Elderton. 724-354-3779 or rfrailey@windstream.net

Oct. 5, 9 a.m.: Small and Mighty 5K, Portersville. Starts at Maraine State Park Lakeview Beach area Pavilion 5. daniellekelly@trulyunique.com

Oct. 5, 9 a.m.: Applefest Race a Race for Any Pace 5K, Franklin. 814-432-2138 or www.franklinymca.org

Oct. 12, 9 a.m.: Race for Pace 5K Run/ Walk, 1 Mile Dog Walk, 1 Mile Fun Walk, Churchill. Awards for humans and dogs. 412-244-1900 or www.paceschool.org

Oct. 12, 9 a.m.: Mahoning Shadow Half Marathon and 5K, Punxsutawney. Starts at Little League field. amytaladay@gmail.com

Oct. 19, 9 a.m.: Buffalo Creek Half Marathon, Freeport. Register now before this race sells out. quaranta@consolidated.net

Oct. 20, 8:30 a.m.: Harvest Moon 10 Mile/ 5K, Moon Township. www.race360.com/14346

Race results

Drake Well Marathon, Aug. 18: Eric Flaman, 1st Overall M, 2:54:15; Kim Bowler, 1st Overall W, 3:07:04; William Huber, 3:30:51; John Armstrong, 3:38:56; Alex Canathan, 3:47:47; Jeff Simons, 4:11:29;

Drake Well Half Marathon, Aug. 18: Ben English, 1st Overall M, 1:18:50; Kara Sheesley, 1st Overall W, 1:29:54; Leslie Kramer, 1st 35-39 W, 1:30:16; Mark Courtney, 1st 55-59 M, 1:30:59; Shannon Rumbarger, 2:12:22

Grandparents Race 10 Mile, Sept. 14: Jim Carr, 1st Overall M, 1:05:34; Rob Gaus, 2nd Overall M, 1:05:37; Laura Cherchuck, 1st Overall W, 1:10:00; Avery Lawson, 2nd Overall W, 1:13:56; Amy Grossman, 3rd Overall W, 1:18:08; Brad Kennedy, 1st 30-34 M, 1:09:03; Greg Gaghan, 1st 40-44 M, 1:10:46; William Marsh, 1st 45-49 M, 1:13:54; Greg Marburger, 2nd 45-49 M, 1:14:09; Karen Lyle, 1st 35-39 W, 1:18:47; Kristen Kelosky, 2nd 45-49 W, 1:22:47; Jillian Lavelle, 2nd 30-34 W, 1:24:32; Veronica Tucker, 3rd 35-39 M, 1:24:59; John Antinossi, 1st 65-69 M, 1:28:52; Suzanne Leonberg, 1st 55-59 W, 1:35:25; Kathie Blinn, 1st 50-54 W, 1:35:29; Mike Bauer, 1st 25-29 M, 1:37:10; Erin Price, 3rd 30-34 M, 1:37:17; Michael Gannon, 1:30:50; Tara Kennedy, 1:33:24

Grandparents Race 5K, Sept. 14: Brian Demaska, 1st Overall M, 17:29; Christian Resch, 3rd Overall M, 20:24; Avery Lawson, 1st Overall W, 21:55; Amy Grossman, 2nd Overall W, 23:47; Rob Gaus, 1st 45-49 M, 20:24; Brad Kennedy, 1st 30-34 M, 20:44; Chad Ifft, 1st 25-29 M, 21:34; Greg Gaghan, 1st 40-44 M, 22:28; William Marsh, 2nd 45-49 M, 22:56; Jeff Platt, 2nd 35-39 M, 23:05; Zac Baker, 1st 10 and Under M, 24:33; Justin Redilla, 2nd 10 and Under M, 25:10; Maddie Gagnon, 1st 10 and Under W, 25:12; Mike Redilla, 2nd 40-44 M, 26:05; Jillian Lavelle, 1st 30-34 W, 26:14; Barbara Lane, 1st 65-69 W, 27:20; Joseph Harmanos, 3rd 10 and Under M, 27:28; Mark Harmanos, 3rd 35-39 M, 27:29; Kathie Blinn, 1st 50-54 W, 28:53; Carol English, 1st 55-59 W, 29:10; Sharon Barlow, 2nd 50-54 W, 29:17; Jeff Inman, 3rd 60-64 M, 29:36; Diane Inman, 2nd 55-59 W, 29:37; Dawn Dixon, 1st 45-49 W, 30:13; Lauren Cherchuck, 2nd 25-29 W, 30:59; Michael Cherchuck, 2nd 55-59 M, 30:59; Sue Ann Jones, 3rd 55-59 W, 31:24; Mike Bauer, 3rd 25-29 M, 32:00; Lou Lodovico, 2nd 70+ M, 32:08; Abby Tucker, 2nd 10 and Under W, 33:29; Alexandra Cribbs, 3rd 10 and Under W, 33:53; Somphone Thenthongkham, 2nd 65-69 W, 35:11; Nancy Thenthongkham, 2nd 45-49 W, 35:18; Tim Thenthongkham, 3rd 70+ M, 35:18; Scott Baker, 28:49; Jack Harding, 31:41; Aaron Tucker, 33:30; Mike Grabowski, 33:32; Angela Marchiori, 33:59; Gloria Marchiori, 34:06; Ann Nutter, 36:07; Luke Tucker, 36:22; Angela Hall, 45:09; Lido Taseo, 58:26

Grandparents Race 1 Mile, Sept. 14: Tom McNear, 1st Overall M, 5:34; Mitch Radella, 2nd Overall M, 5:49; Rob Gaus,3rd Overall M, 6:00; Lauren Cherchuck, 1st Overall W, 6:19; Avery Lawson, 2nd Overall W, 7:15; Brad Kennedy, 1st 30-34 M, 6:00; Justin Redilla, 1st 10 & 11 M, 6:46; Zac Baker, 3rd 10 & 11 M, 7:13; William Marsh, 1st 45-49 M, 7:20; Ian Gazdacko, 2nd 12-13 M, 7:37; Jillian Lavelle, 1st 30-34 W, 7:41; Mike Redilla, 1st 40-44 M, 7:44; Melea Barlow, 1st 14-18 W, 8:18; Kathie Blinn, 1st 50-54 W, 9:02; Mike Bauer, 1st 25-29 M, 9:05; Allison Alexander, 1st 8-9 W, 9:26; John Alexander, 1st 50-54 M, 9:26; Brandon Grossman, 2nd 6-7 M, 10:06; Ayla Alexander, 1st 6-7 W, 10:12; Bobi Jean Alexander, 1st 40-44 W, 10:12; Mike Grabowski, 2nd 60-64 M, 10:30; Emily Trapp, 2nd 10-11 W, 10:45; Madison Grossman, 1st 4-5 W, 13:46; Buffy Menosky, 1st 45-49 W, 18:06; Jake Menosky, 3rd 8-9 M, 18:08; Mary Pat Sherman, 1st 60-64 W, 18:24; Claudia Gafdacko, 2nd 45-49 W, 18:24; Kathy Lohr, 1st 55-59 W, 18:25; Susan Keener, 2nd 55-59 W, 18:26; Elizabeth Garrett, 3rd 55-59 W, 19:!9; Emma McIntosh, 1st 70+ W, 19:19; Molly Menosky, 2nd 6-7 W, 20:51; Charlene Bittner, 2nd 60-64 W, 20:58; Ryan Trapp, 2nd 40-44 W, 22:17; Graham Platt, 2nd 4-5 M, 29:23; Jeff Platt, 2nd 35-39 M, 29:25; James Stewart, 1st 70+ M, 31:56; Dan Brown, 2nd 70+ M, 31:56; Ray Dewald, 38:08, 3rd 70+ M, 38:08; Kobe McGill, 8:20; Jacob Trapp, 12:17; Amy Grossman, 12:32; Angela Hall, 29:27;

Send comments and suggestions: Patricia Neubert, 435 Cherry Valley Rd., Saxonburg, PA. 16056. Phone or fax 724-352-4395. Email bigp16@connecttime.net

Pat Neubert is a running columnist for the Butler Eagle