Spring has finally arrived and with it, the promise of warmer weather. One area race next weekend helps runners at least “think spring” by offering New Balance shorts as a commemorative.

Just a Short Run, March 29 at 8:30 a.m., has been runners’ passage to spring for 14 years. Originally a half marathon and 5K with a combined 800 finishers, the event has grown to include a 30K and a mid-distance 8.1 mile race. With so many options, the event routinely sell out its 2,500 spots.

Although the half marathon and 30K are good training runs and fitness tests for the upcoming Dick’s Sporting Goods Pittsburgh Marathon in May, the 8.1 mile event is leading pre-race registrations this year.

Race director Kevin Smith says, “Cold weather has taken a toll on runners’ training,” with runners unable to post long training runs throughout winter’s freezing temperatures.

Smith is still hopeful that the event will sell out and urges runners not to wait to sign up. As incentive to early registration, all runners who register before midnight Tuesday will be entered in a special drawing for a runner’s clothing package valued at $200.

Runners may sign up online through www.eliterunners.com or at the Elite Runners and Walkers store in Robinson Township. There will be packet pick-up at this location Wednesday through Friday. Smith reminds runners that there will be no race day registration if the event sells out.

Just a Short Run’s North Park course is familiar to most area runners and racers. Those running the 30K start at 8:30, then funnel into the main pack which starts at the Boathouse at 8:40. The course circles the Ice Rink and while 5K runners head back to the finish at the Boathouse, the rest of the field circles the lake to complete the longer races.

It sounds confusing, but chip timing guarantees that runners’ times will be accurately recorded. Each of the distances in Just a Short Run offers competitive overall and age group awards through age 80+, but there is incentive to completing one of the longer distances. All those who complete the half marathon or 30K earn a JASR finisher’s medal.

Just a Short Run provides the standard runners’ fare for post-race refreshments: fruit, bagels, etc. There will be bag drop so that runners can pack clothing for after the event. Runners are urged to arrive early, to carpool and to take the provided shuttles from various designated parking lots.

Just a Short Run is a quality event for the running community that also gives to the wider community. As a Leukemia & Lymphoma Society Team in Training event, Just a Short Run donates $5,000-$10,000 annually to this organization which fights blood cancers.

If you’d like to be a part of Just a Short Run without actually running, organizers are accepting volunteers. Kevin Smith needs four or five volunteers to help with set up on race day from 4-7 a.m. and to help with registration and packet pick up at the North Park Rose Barn on race day.

Volunteers may email info@eliterunners.com or phone 412-490-0881. For more information or to register for this year’s Just a Short Run, visit www.eliterunners.com.

Butler Road Race update — If spring is here, summer can’t be far behind. This year’s event promises to be more family and spectator friendly, adding additional food vendors and kids’ activities at the starting area in Diamond Park.

Registration for theButler Road Race 5 Mile and 2K, set for 9 a.m. June 28, is now open. Visit www.butlerroadrace.org to register online or download a paper application.

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, 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

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

Saturday, 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

Sunday, 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 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

March 30, 1 p.m.: Ken Brumbaugh Memorial 5 Mile and 2 Mile Run/ Walk, Altoona. 814-695-4467 or hollidaysburgareaymca.org

April 2, 6 p.m.: Ladies Night Out with Rivertowne Brewing, Monroeville. Run 3 to 4 miles followed by half-hour yoga, food and drink at Elite Runners and Walkers store. 724-457-0474 or eliterunners.com

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, 9 a.m.: Dirty Kiln Trail Races, Hollidaysburg. Half marathon and five mile trail runs at Canoe Creek State Park. Alleghenytrailrunners.com

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

April 5, 11 a.m.: Gary Blum Memorial Foundation 5K Run/ Walk and 1 Mile Fun Walk, Beaver Falls. 724-601-1599 or laurenblum14@gmail.com

April 12, 9 a.m.: Mars Area Public Library 5K & 1 Mile Fun Walk, Gibsonia. Run through Treesdale Golf and Country Club. 724-612-9818 or anthonyv9@zoominternet.net

April 19, 8 a.m.: Pirates Charities 5K Home Run, Pittsburgh. Starts at PNC Park. 412-325-4781 or pirates.com

Race results

March Mad Dash 10 Mile, March 8: Mike Williams, 1st Overall M, 57:33; Ben Hoffman, 3rd Overall M, 59:03; Tammy Slusser, 1st Overall W, 1:07:05; Robert DiLoreto II, 3rd 30-39 M, 1:04:54; J.T. Fleming, 3rd 20-29 M, 1:05:02; Michael Smocer, 3rd 40-49 M, 1:06:50; Nicole Boyles, 1st 20-29 W, 1:14:04; Sharyl Relic, 3rd 50-59 W, 1:19:56; Kate Hrach, 2nd 40-49 W, 1:20:10; Anne Duessel, 1st 19 & Under W, 1:28:37; John Armstrong, 1:11:36; Nathan Sydlik, 1:15:00; Antoinette Direnzo, 1:19:45; David Osborne, 1:21:41; Michael Corcoran, 1:22:51; Danielle Rosswog, 1:24:06; Tony Chan, 1:24:16; Kimberly Barker, 1:27:38; Rachael Salsbury, 1:31:32; Heidi Wiegand, 1:32:28; Brian Droz, 1:33:22; Allison Williams, 1:35:25; Becky Johnston, 1:40:35; Joan Avolio, 1:41:06; Tess Osborne, 1:44:21; Lisa Heid, 1:44:21; Bethany Roefs, 1:50:38

March Mad Dash 5 Mile, March 8: Dan Holland, 1st Overall M, 29:48; Domminic Wyzomirski, 2nd Overall M, 29:54; Michelle Corkum, 1st Overall W, 31:36; Tim Spang, 3rd 40-49 M, 37:08; John Cadamore, 2nd 19 & UnderM, 40:55; Laura Will, 1st 19 & Under W, 41:20; Rhonda Merhaut, 1st 40-49 W, 41:42; Ellie Tourney, 3rd 40-49 W, 41:57; Kurt Beitler, 2nd 60+ M, 49:43; Brendan Lowe, 3rd 19 & Under M, 52:00; Roger Hyde, 38:54; Tim Campbell, 42:56; Chad Hodgson, 44:28; Andrew Weisner, 46:14; Jennifer Cadamore, 47:08; Madison Merhaut, 47:46; Joan Schilling, 48:00; Dusty Nolan, 48:13; Kelly Watson, 48:30; Dawn Cox, 48:34; Jamie Pillar, 48:37; Allison Buddie, 48:52; Elinore Kneidinger, 49:03; Tom Culley, 49:12; January Scheidlmeier,50:09; Leanne Finney, 50:13; Heidi Yeager, 51:20; Ryan Scott, 51:48; Johannah Scott, 51:48; Jessica Irwin, 51:51; Jill Conley, 52:58; Jodi Zema, 54:27; Robert Lowe, 55:25; Christina Miller, 1:-7:20; Brenda Murray, 1:09:54; Michelle Cook, 1:14:24

March Mad Dash 5K, March 8: Ivan Ruchkin, 1st Overall M, 17:13;Makara Smocer, 1st Overall W, 21:49; Maria Dysert, 2nd Overall W, 25:31; Marin Smocer, 1st 19 & Under W, 25:45; Maggie Ewing, 1st 30-39 W, 26:11; Kiara Khemani, 2nd 19 & Under W, 26:24; Jack Patterson, 3rd 19 & Under M, 26:25; Donna Beitler, 2nd 60+ W, 47:43; Samuel Ewing, 30:23; Janet Grant, 31:58; Lisa Arthur, 32:56; Jordan Arthur, 32:58; Selby Majewski, 34:01; Crystal Waits, 40:11; Sherry Marsico, 51:14; Alyssa Marsico, 51:14; Diane Grajcar, 1:03:31

Shamrock Shuffle Half Marathon, March 16: Steel Flynn, 1st Overall M, 1:18:22; Diane Zalenski, 1st Overall W, 1:39:48; Susan Moury, 3rd Overall W, 1:42:52; William Huber, 1st 25-29 M, 1:29:05; Laine Seely, 2nd 40-44 M, 1:37:50; Wayne McCracken, Jr., 1st 30-34 M, 1:38:27; Michael Yankel, 3rd 40-44 M, 1:41:07; John Armstrong, 3rd 45-49 M, 1:43:41; Bonnie Smerk, 1st 25-29 W, 1:44:24; John Alexander, 1st 55-59 M, 1:45:53; Dylan Fabish, 2nd 19-24 M, 1:47:59; Karen Lyle, 1st 35-39 W, 1:49:17; Tess Crispin, 1st 19-24 W, 1:50:14; Sharyl Relic, 1st 55-59 W, 1:51:44; Tracy Newman, 1st 30-34 W, 1:53:59; Mike Bredl, 3rd 50-54 M, 1:57:06; Renae Gaus, 1st 40-44 W, 1:58:31; Robert Todd, 2nd 60-64 M, 2:09:46; Suzanne Leonberg, 2nd 55-59 W, 2:22:50; Richard Colonello, 1:40:19; Kristen Oschenhirt, 3rd 35-39 W, 2:02:48; Catherine Hrach, 2nd 40-44 W, 2:03:14; Phillip Lope, 3rd 60-64 M, 2:30:07; Carol English, 3rd 55-59 W, 2:31:04; Ann Cannoni, 3rd 50-54 W, 2:34:29; Russell Oschenhirt, 1:47:01; Stephen Mick, 1:48:23; Brad Kennedy, 1:49:08; Jeremy Peffer, 1:57:02; Tom Minnock, 1:57:17; Leigh Anne Shubert, 1:57:47; Steve Salvatore, 1:57:52; Kelly Stenger, 1:59:11; Christian Muthler, 2:00:23; Kelli Hartman, 2:01:08; Bradley Scott, 2:02:22; Sean Martin, 2:03:17; Sara McGee, 2:05:24; Kenny McGee, 2:05:24; Suzanne Holcombe, 2:06:08; Tonia Godown, 2:06:41; Holly Matsko, 2:07:08; Kelly Walburn, 2:07:25; Bethany Sauers, 2:08:03; Kelley Morrone, 2:08:55; Timothy Drouin, 2:09:00; Cheryl Fox, 2:09:00; Heather McQuillan, 2:09:27; Julia Murray, 2:09:44; Jennifer Chill, 2:22:31; Lara Zelch, 2:22:32; Jessica Davis, 2:24:54; John Davis, 2:24:55; Nicole Khoury, 2:28:02; Chelsea Giardina, 2:28:21; Joseph Pisciotta, 2:29:16; Dusty Nolan, 2:30:16; Heidi Cain, 2:32:35; Angela Hall, 2:35:17; Gene Bradshaw, 2:42:44; Linda Moore, 2:46:46; Joseph Mielecki, 2:56:18; David Murray, 3:02:03

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