Run. Party. Scholarships. That’s the short story of next weekend’s Shamrock Shuffle in Harmony.

The run. March 15 marks the seventh running of the Shamrock Shuffle, showcasing the village of Harmony in what race director Joella Baker calls, “a fun, family event.”

The fun begins at 7:30 a.m. with the start of a half marathon advertised as “one of the toughest half marathons in the tri-state area.” A gentler 5K looping through Harmony starts at 10 a.m., while a one-mile fun run follows at 10:45 a.m.

Many runners are in the midst of marathon training this time of year, so Baker has designed Shamrock Shuffle so that those in training can complete all three distances for a total of 17 miles. Last year, more than 30 completed the trifecta.

Interest in the Shamrock Shuffle continues to build. In 2013, 150 completed the half marathon with nearly double that number for the 5K. This year, preregistrations have already surpassed last year’s numbers. Baker expects a record crowd dependent, of course, on the weather.

“So far, weather hasn’t been an issue,” Baker says. “We’ve only had one year with snow. We’ll pray for good weather.”

The event will go on regardless of conditions, although there may be a slight change in the half marathon course if adverse conditions warrant.

Party. It is St. Patrick’s Day, and Shamrock Shuffle provides the party beginning along its half marathon course. There are five aid stations along the course which runners will pass twice. Following the event, runners vote for their favorite station.

Joella Baker is well known in the area as a passionate triathlete, serious coach and race director, but she laughed when she described the spectator party at the top of Textor Hill.

Following the long, steep slog in the middle of the half marathon, Baker says that runners “earn their right to the top of the hill” and a celebration complete with optional keg stands, Jello shots and beer (optional, of course.)

The Shamrock Shuffle party continues at the finish line. Baker uses her expertise and the generosity of Harmony-Zelienople to provide runners with perks of much larger events.

All finishers in each event earn finisher’s medals. Age group winners in age groups through 70+ earn commemorative beer glasses. All participants are invited to a post-race street party in downtown Harmony featuring food, including hot soup, music and green beer. There will be a tent set up near Harmony Inn and the Harmony Center will be open as well.

The Scholarships. Shamrock Shuffle isn’t just a run with a party. It’s a run and party for a purpose. The event raises awareness of Zelienople-Harmony Chamber of Commerce projects and proceeds from the event fund Zelienople Rotary Club Scholarships.

Last year, the Rotary presented six $1,000 scholarships to students from the Seneca Valley School District, including one vocational-technical scholarship.

If you’d like to be part of Shamrock Shuffle, you may register online at www.active.com until Wednesday. Shamrock Shuffle also welcomes day-of-event registration at Harmony Center, but runners may avoid day-of-event registration lines by picking up packets on March 14, 11 a.m. tgo 1 p.m. or 4 to 6 p.m.

If you’d like to be a part of the fun, Joella Baker welcomes volunteers, both individuals and groups such as youth or scout troops. “If you want to help,” Baker says, “we’ll put you to work.”

Volunteers may contact Joella at 724-452-5232 or email joella@zoominternet.net.

Upcoming events

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

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

Saturday, 9 a.m.: March Mad Dash, Allison Park. Choice of 5K, 5 miles or 10 miles starting at North Park Boathouse. Also post-race party. www.marchmaddash.org

Saturday, 9 a.m.: 3rd Brave American 5K, Sewickley. Benefits Boulder Crest Retreat for Wounded Warriors. 412-741-8987 or rav395@gmail.com

Saturday, 11 a.m.: Ellport Borough Community Winter Wonderland 5K, Ellwood City. Scenic 5K with lots of food and drinks, $100 cash raffle prize. 724-758-2506 or bonnherb@yahoo.com

March 15, 9 a.m.: Spring Break Eight (point five), Fredonia. 724-301-6775 or info@mctrails.org

March 15, 9 a.m.: St. Patrick’s Day Distance Festival, Erie. Choice of 10K or 5K starts at Rotary Pavilion at Presque Isle State Park. 814-474-3282 (6-8 p.m.) or jimlang@bigwhitetrailer.com

March 15, 9 a.m.: Primary Health Network Charitable Foundation Shamrock ‘N’ Run 5K, Sharon. Starts at Quaker Steak & Lube, entry fee includes breakfast. slisks@primary-health.net

March 15, 9 a.m.: Chippewa Township St. Patrick’s Day Race, Beaver Falls. Choice of 5K run, 2 mile walk. 724-847-2705 or wissnerc@comcast.net

March 15, 10 a.m.: Diane Kelly Memorial 5K Run and Fun Walk, Warren. Starts at Warren County YMCA. chris@warrenymca.org

March 15, 7:30 a.m.: Shamrock Shuffle, Harmony. Choice of half marathon, 5K at 10 a.m. or 1 mile at 10:45 a.m. Hot soup and green beer following the run. www.active.com/harmony-pa/running/distance-running-races/shamrock-shuffle-2014

March 22, 7:30 a.m.: Lt. J.C. Stone 50K, North Park. Consecutive loops around North Park Lake, post race pizza and cookout. www.jcstone50k.com

March 22, 8 a.m.: Fight for Air Climb, Pittsburgh. Climb 897 steps in One Oxford Centre building to benefit American Lung Association. 412-321-4029 or pittsburghclimb@lunginfo.org

March 23, 10 a.m.: March for the Military 5K, Cranberry Township. Also 100 meter dash for kids ages 10 and under. 724-591-3261 or ota5k@zoominternet.net

March 22, 10 a.m.: The Slush Run 5K, Erie. Run at Gibson Park in North East. Participants my purchase tickets to North East Uncorked! Wine Walk Adventure held later that day. 814-323-6060 or tjenks33@gmail.com

March 29, 8:30 a.m.: Just a Short Run, North Park. Choice of half marathon, 30K, 8.1 mile or 5K run/walk around North Park Lake. 412-490-1881 or www.eliterunners.com

March 29, 11 a.m.: Cook Forest Half Marathon and 5K, Cooksburg. Flat out-and-back course along Clarion River. 814-393-2081 or dbevevino@clarion.edu

April 5, 9 a.m.: Holy Redeemer 5K, Elwood City. Starts at Holy Redeemer School. 724-752-1091 or willyjammer724@gmail.com

April 5, 9 a.m.: Spring Into Fitness 5K, Grove City. 440-840-3705 or currancj1@gcc.edu

April 5, 9 a.m.: Big Foot Half Marathon, 5K Run/walk, Kittanning. 724-545-9622

April 5, 10 a.m.: Fool’s Run 10K and 3 Mile Fun Walk, Indiana. First race of Indiana County Triple Crown Series. 724-349-0501 or jswauger@comcast.net

April 5, 10 a.m.: Prep for Pittsburgh 13.1 and 5K, Sandy Lake. Run on paved bike path around Lake Wilhelm. 724-301-6775 or outdoors@neo.rr.com

Race results

Trout Island Tromp, Feb. 15: Matt Lipsey, 1st Overall M, 33:36; J.T. Fleming, 3rd Overall M, 37:38; Danielle Cerroni, 1st Overall W, 43:37; Mitch Radella, 47:29; Nathan Sydlik, 48:17

Spring Thaw 20 Mile, Feb. 22: Elijah Shekinah, 1st Overall M, 2:01:11; Anna Shamey, 1st Overall W, 2:25:36; Mark Hunkele, 1st Masters M, 2:18:26; Douglas Basinski, 2nd Masters M, 2:20: Nora Simpson, 1st Masters W, 2:36:04; Dan Monhemius, 2:22:55; Mark Shipley, 2:31:30; Jake Winter, 2:36:53; Heather Hudak, 2:44:59; Jeff Lynn, 2:53:52; Don Polito, 2:58:17; Tim Tannert, 3:17:36; Anthony Wuenschell, 3:23:18

Spring Thaw 15 Mile, Feb. 22: Nancy Belz, 1:32:11; Adam Leskanic, 1:49:32; Sarah Hosack, 1:55:06; Alyssa Wosniak, 1:56:43; Eric Slagle, 2:01:33; William Osche, 2:01:37; Nikki Boyles, 2:02:21; Heather Hudak, 2:02:36; Gregory Reed, 2:04:28; Avery Lawson, 2:06:35; Sharyl Relic, 2:07:03; Kristin Krause, 2:09:25; Steve Swan, 2:10:01; Tony Chan, 2:10:14; Jewli Rotelli, 2:10:17; Michael Corcoran, 2:14:27; Lori McClafferty, 2:14:54; Jeremy Peffer, 2:15:50; Robert Todd, 2:18:12; Christina Traynor, 2:19:11; Heather Slater, 2:27:35; Jason Fawcett, 2:30:22; Kelly Krieg, 2:32:21; Bipin Salunkhe, 2:41:19; Dana Kaltenberger, 2:47:50; Alfred Schnabel, 2:53:58; Becky Johnston, 2:57:23; Kim Weaver, 2:57:24;

Spring Thaw 10 Mile, Feb. 22: James Gordish, 1st Overall M, 58:28; Jennifer Bigham, 1st Overall W, 1:03:11; Matthew Sudak, 2nd 35-39 M, 1:08:08; Dean Rippee, 2nd 55-59 M, 1:11:52; Andrew Williams, 3rd 45-49 M, 1:15:44; Kimberly Hohman, 3rd 35-39 W, 1:15:48; Alyssa Wozniak, 2nd 20-24 W, 1:17:16; Heather Hudak, 3rd 40-44 W, 1:21:03; Nancy Belz, 2nd 50-54 W, 1:22:25; Sharyl Relic, 2nd 55-59 W, 1:22:54; Anthony Wuenschell, 2nd 15-19 M, 1:37:30; Mark Casteel, 1:12:16; Holly Bauer, 1:17:57;; Brad Kennedy, 1:20:39; Mary Deet, 1:21:19; Kristine Poloyac, 1:22:14; William Marsh, 1:22:16; Elizabeth Cromer, 1:22:17; Roger Hyde, 1:22:18; Mark Liti, 1:24:13; Alex Lauer, 1:27:09; Robert Malchano, 1:28:27; Chris Walters, 1:28:27; Michael Bruno, 1:29:57; Chad Edwards, 1:31:36; Bethany Sauers, 1:32:21; Carrie Smith, 1:32:27; Terry Ann Fuller, 1:33:01; Susie Landry, 1:36:33; Kristen Burcham, 1:36:33; Ted Kinney, 1:37:27; Rita Ciccariello, 1:38:14; Mark Hess, 1:38:35; Jill Todd, 1:38:53; Rachel Rutkowski, 1:40:47; Monica Thompson, 1:42:18; Heather Oros, 1:42:21; Summer Fowler, 1:42:22; Robyn Stewart, 1:43:13; Cassandra Smiley, 1:43:24; Stacee Maushart, 1:45:00; Trisha Lawless, 1:46:17; Michael McNamara, 1:47:20; Alice Wiesner, 1:48:26; Liz DeMoss,1:47:36; Lara Hudek, 1:51:18; Angela Rothbauer, 1:51:48; Edd Hudek, 1:52:08; Ann Cannoni, 1:53:03; Karen Walzer, 1:53:36; Stefanie Neff, 1:54:56; Beth Whitehouse, 1:55:59; Michael Haddox, 2:03:24; Tasha Werner, 2:10:04; Christine Walters, 2:12:30; Deb Urban Jackson, 2:40:27; Teri Adomaitis, 2:40:29; Mary Wilcynski, 2:40:34

North Park Autism Frostbite 5K, March 1: Elizabeth Perry, 1st Overall W, 18:17; Douglas Basinski, 1st Overall M, 18:34; Holly Bauer, 2nd 30-39 W, 21:41; Theresa Crispin, 2nd 20-29 W, 23:51; Kris Poloyac, 2nd 40-49 W, 24:44; Jeff Elm, 3rd 50-59 M, 25:19; Richard Jacobson, 1st 60+ M, 26:06; Roger Hyde, 23:03; Tim Campbell, 25:07; Ruth Elm, 25:26; Blair D. Christensen, 26:25; Scott Barlett, 26:32; Leia Mortimer, 27:26; Tessa Klepfer, 28:54; Carissa Smolen, 28:55; Jennifer Stout, 30:14; James Stout, 30:14; Priscilla Green, 31:21; Dana Sabo, 32:06; Rachel Gloor, 32:26; Gina Broderick, 34:03; Lisa Brooks, 36:49; Mathew Yurocko, 40:17; Teagan Yurocko, 40:46; Rich Yurocko, 40:47; Kera Recce, 41:36; Amy Yurocko, 41:52

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 an outdoors columnist for the Butler Eagle