Runners are accustomed to arriving early for events. There’s the packet pick-up line, the warm up, the going back to the car to get whatever it is we can’t run without.

But arriving six hours early sounds extreme even for runners.

The Silvester Celebration in Harmony rings in the New Year a full six hours early. The countdown, ball drop and fireworks take place at 6 p.m. on Dec. 31. Although early by our clock, it will be midnight in Germany at that time.

Harmony was founded in 1804 by German immigrants. Harmony’s Silvester celebration, named for a pope who died on Dec. 31 more than 1,600 years ago, honors the town’s German heritage with historic tours, German food and music, shopping and traditions such as Bleigiessen, predicting the future in melted lead shapes.

A more recent tradition is the inclusion of Harmony Silvester 5K and 1 Mile Fun Run. Harmony Silvester 5K, now in its seventh year, continues to gain in popularity. Of course, participation varies according to weather, but last year’s event hosted more than 500 runners. Race director Susan Altemus expects more than 650 participants this year.

The 5K event starts at 3 p.m. with the one mile fun run for ages 11 and under following at 3:45. All kids who finish the one mile run receive a medal. Cost for the fun run is $10, but parents are welcome to run with their kids for free.

There will be plenty of free parking available at Grace Church Youth Center on Main Street for the race and other Silvester events. The run is staged inside the Youth Center, so runners will stay warm before and after the race. There are also changing facilities indoors for those who wish to freshen up before the New Year’s celebration.

Susan encourages all participants to stay for the entire Silvester celebration.

“It’s a special event for the whole family,” she says.

Harmony Silvester 5K follows an out-and-back route through historic Harmony and along Connoquenessing Creek. With one large hill, it isn’t an easy course, but it is scenic. Although not a race that typically yields PRs, the 5K is chip timed for accuracy even if you start at the back of the pack. It’s probably not necessary in the cold winter temperatures, but water will be available midway through the 5K.

The awards ceremony for the 5K will take place inside the Grace Church Youth Center. Competitive honors include awards for top three male and female overall finishers and top three in age groups from 10 and under through 70+ in five-year increments. There will also be a drawing for door prizes supplied by local businesses.

Proceeds from Harmony Silvester 5K benefit Harmony Parks Hiking Trail and Canoe Launch in Harmony. Last year, the event raised more than $9,000 for the cause.

Printable registration forms are available through www.smileymiles.com. You may register online through active.com until Dec. 30. There will also be registration and packet pick-up at Mojo Running and Multisport in Cranberry Township on Dec. 30, 11 a.m.-1 p.m. and 3 p.m.- 7 p.m.

If you plan to come to the celebration but don’t want to run, the event is accepting volunteers. All volunteers receive a technical fabric shirt.

Contact race director Susan Altemus, 724-452-3149 or 724-816-2996 or saltemus@zoominternet.net to volunteer or for more information about Harmony Silvester 5K. For more information about the entire Silvester celebration, check out website at www.harmony-pa.us.

Upcoming events

Wednesdays, 6:30 p.m.: Mojo Sports Group Run, Cranberry Township. 724-772-2808 or www.mojorunningpittsburgh.com

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

Saturday, 10 a.m.: Snowflake 5k, Erie. Starts at Presque Isle State Park Rotary Pavilion. 814-774-3209 or dana@erie-runnersclub.org

Saturday, 11 a.m.: Old Fashioned Christmas in Volant 5K and Kids Fun Run, Volant. bonnherb@yahoo.com

Dec. 31, 3 p.m.: Harmony Silvester 5K, Harmony. Also 1 mile fun run at 3:45 p.m. Part of New Year’s Eve Celebration. 724-452-3149 or saltemus@zoominternet.net

Dec. 31, 6:30 p.m.: Resolution Run 5K, State College. 814-355-1589 or dhe1@psu.edu

Jan. 1, 10 A.M.: ERC 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. 1, noon: Mojo’s Hair of the Dog Run, Mars. No prizes, choice of distance. 724-772-2808 or mojorunning@gmail.com

Jan. 4, 8:45 a.m.: Steel City Road Runners Pittsburgh Marathon Kick-Off Training Run, Pittsburgh. Free event with choice of distances. Pittsburghmarathon.com/kickoff

Jan. 5, 2 P.M.: Run to Read Half Marathon, Fairmont, WV. Out and back course on two rail trails. 304-366-6055 or run2read@yahoo.com. Online registration at runsignup.com.

Jan. 12, 9 a.m.: Frigid 5 Miler, North Park. Starts at North Park Lodge, commemorative neck gaiters. 412-490-0881 or www.eliterunners.com

Jan. 19, 11 a.m.: Chilly Cheeks Challenge 10 Miler or 5 Miler, Hermitage. Run through Buhl Farms Park. Post run coffee and hot food. 724-758-2506 or bonnherb@yahoo.com

Feb. 15, 7:30 a.m.: Valentine’s Day 5K, 10K & 15K Race, North Park. Starts at North Park Boathouse. 724-272-8797 or info@remisglut1foundation.com

Race results

Treesdale 5K, Nov. 30: Tom Reinhart, 1st Overall M, 17:21; Andy Kingan, 2nd Overall M, 19:12; John Reed, 3rd Overall M, 19:19; Kate Hrach, 1st Overall W, 23:30; Hannah Kernper, 2nd Overall W, 23:40; Nathan Mrdjenovich, 1st 14-16 M, 20:12; Mark Courtney, 1st 55-59 M, 20:33; Sean Farrell, 2nd 14-16 M, 22:13; Gregory Reed, 1st 50-54 M, 22:25; Joe Farrell, 2nd 50-54 M, 22:47; Timothy Heim, 3rd 50-54 M, 23:25; Benjamin Kingan, 1st 17-19 M, 23:25; Mark Breedlove, 2nd 55-59 M, 23:29; Luke Norton, 1st 12-13 M, 24:36; Bruce Barnes, 3rd 55-59 M, 25:04; Gerard Macioce, 1st 45-49 M, 26:24; Todd Oravitz, 3rd 45-49 M, 26:07; Barbara Lane, 1st 65-69 W, 28:45; Brooke Barnes, 1st 20-24 W, 28:51; Suzanne Leonberg, 1st 55-59 W, 28:54; Kelley Gugini, 1st 45-49 W, 30:28; Dan Borchert, 2nd 30-34 M, 31:17; Barbara Barnes, 2nd 55-59 W, 33:25; Carol Scanga, 2nd 45-49 W, 34:34; John Patrus, 2nd 65-69 M, 35:23; Katherine Macioce, 2nd 11 & Under W, 37:28; Christine Sheehy, 3rd 45-49 W, 38:23; Jack Vrtar, 29:31; Phil Norton, 29:34; Gabrielle Norton, 30:07; Brian Erdahl, 31:34

Clint Puller Memorial Toy Run, December 8: Morgan Schenberg, 1st Overall M, 17:25; Heather Patton, 1st Overall W, 21:43; Caleb Rauscher, 2nd 30-34 M, 23:09; Mark Perrine, 2nd 55-59 M, 26:34; Jaclyn Rauscher, 36:38

Old Fashioned Christmas in Volant 5K, Dec. 14: Matt Lipsey, 1st Overall M, 17:26; Stacie Stevenson, 1st Overall W, 22:00; Doug Petrik, 1st 30-34 M, 19:19; Holly Bauer, 1st 35-39 W, 22:55; Jinny Hertweck, 2nd 40-44 W, 24:54; Danielle Rosswog, 2nd 20-29 W, 26:23; Nicole Murray, 3rd 35-39 W, 27:42; Cindy Suber, 2nd 50-54 W, 28:19; Camile Taylor, 3rd 20-29 W, 29:28; Robyn Stewart, 1st 30-34 W, 30:53; Dezso Csizmadia, 1st 70+ M, 33:29; Susan Edwards, 2nd 55-59 W, 41:46; Tara Kennedy, 3rd 30-34 W, 46:59; Carly Casteel, 1st 14 & Under W, 49:14; Colton Casteel, 2nd 14 & Under M, 51:11; Dave Suber, 26:12; Michelle Brochetti, 32:23; Debra Kuminkoski, 33:18; Tessa Klepfer, 33:38; Carissa Smolen, 33:39; Shelly Bell, 34:37; Autumn Heinz, 46:58; Bridget Casteel, 51:15

Riverside Jingle Dash 5K, Dec. 14: Andrew Razanauskas, 1st Overall M, 18:37; Bill Melfi, 3rd Overall M, 19:50; Melanie Emler, 1st Overall W, 23:55; Aubrey Brewer, 2nd Overall W, 26:31; Rachel Emler, 3rd Overall W, 26:35; Christian Covert, 1st 15-24 M, 20:54; Joey Cortez, 1st 14 & Under M, 22:42; Joey Eyerman, 3rd 14 & Under M, 23:59; Tori Eyerman, 1st 14 & Under W, 29:27; Renee Melfi, 3rd 45-54 W, 30:50; Cam-Rahn Cortez, 27:05; Bob Dawson, 30:50

Get Fit Kids Christmas Relays 1 Mile Relay, Dec. 15: Julia Redilla, 5:49; Sophia Colonello, 6:37

Get Fit Kids 1 Mile, Dec. 15: C.J. Gagnon, 6:16; Justin Redilla, 6:25; Julia Redilla, 6:38; Maddie Gagnon, 7:15; Ben Keefer, 7:19; Jackson Seely, 8:09; Christopher Smith, 8:34; Zachary Baker, 9:38; Chance Lawson, 9:56; Ella Butterfield, 10:02; Sophie Wiesner, 10:24; Lizzy Wiesner, 10:25

Get Fit Kids Christmas Relays 1/2 Mile, Dec. 15: Julia Zalenski, 3:29; Sophia Colonello, 3:34; Zachary Baker, 3:34; Vinny Colonello, 4:35; Sophie Wiesner, 4:35; Lizzy Wiesner, 4:55; Jackson Brandt, 5:10; Sammy Keefer, 5:11; Lola Schwendemann, 6:07

Get Fit Kids Christmas Relays 1/4 Mile, Dec. 15: Sophia Colonello, 1:20; Zachary Baker, 1:21; C.J. Gagnon, 1:22; Maddie Gagnon, 1:23; Julia Gagnon, 1:25; Julia Zalenski, 1:34; Vinny Colonello, 1:38; Sopie Wiesner, 1:39; Lizzy Wiesner, 1:47; Jackson Seely, 3:20; Olivia Seely, 3:20; Gavin Sibenac, 3:40; Carly Monhemius, 3:48; Cael Waltemire, 4:04

Get Fit Kids Christmas Relays Toddler Race, Dec. 15: Gavin Sibenac, :39; Olivia Seely, :40; Cael Waltemire, :46; Natalia Colonello, :47; Lily McCracken, :50; Maddie Do, 2:14

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