When you consider parochial schools, Lutheran probably isn’t the first denomination that comes to mind.

But the Lutheran school system is the second largest parochial school system in the United States behind the Roman Catholics. Lutheran schools have been in the Pittsburgh area for more than 100 years. Pittsburgh Area Lutheran Schools (PALS) currently supports one high school, three elementary schools and twelve preschools in the region including St. Luke Lutheran School in Cabot, Butler County.

At 2 p.m. this Saturday, PALS will hold its first 5k run and fun walk to promote Christian education in western Pa.. The run also raises money to benefit students through PALS tuition aid program.

Concordia Lutheran Ministries is a major sponsor for this event and has given PALS permission to run the event on its scenic Saxony Farms property, a site familiar to any who have run September’s Saxonburg Festival 5k. PALS 5k Run/ Walk is unique in that it will be run entirely on the farm property with the start and finish on a horse racing track located on the grounds.

PALS board member Len Bloom says that using Saxony Farms made his job as first-time race director much easier. “We don’t have the traffic concerns we’d have running on public roads,” he says, “and we didn’t have to get permission or permits from local authorities.”

Bloom also thanks Herb Cratty from Smiley Miles Timing for his help in plotting and measuring the race’s unique scenic course which runs the beginning and ending half miles on the horse track with a scenic two miles on farm roads in the middle.

“I’m not a runner,” Bloom admits, “but Herb thinks it will be a fun course.”

PALS 5k offers gift certificates to the first male and female finishers and medals for the first male and female finishers in five age groups from 9 and Under through 50-plus. In addition to the competitive event, there will be a non-competitive 5k fun walk starting at the same time. Len Bloom says that it is dog friendly and the course is gentle enough for jogging strollers.

PALS 5k post-race refreshments include snack bars, fruit and drinks. And since the event begins at 2 p.m., all participants are invited to attend Concordia Lutheran Ministries Oktoberfest beginning at 4 p.m. in nearby Cabot. Concordia Oktoberfest is an annual festival with German food, music, kids activities and a hayride. The evening wraps up with Zambelli fireworks at 7:45 p.m.

Len Bloom says that although he has support from community sponsors and PALS volunteers, his greatest challenge as a rookie race director has been in recruiting participants. Nearly 30 have signed up as of Tuesday evening and Bloom welcomes race day registrations.

Registration for PALS 5k Run and Fun Walk opens at 1 p.m. on Saturday at Saxony Farm. Plan to arrive early if you want a commemorative t-shirt.

For more information, contact Len Bloom at 724-352-1152. And to find out more about Concordia’s Oktoberfest, visit www.concordialm.org

Upcoming eventsOct. 2, 6 p.m.: Elderton 5k, Elderton. rfrailey@windstream.netOct. 3, 8 a.m.: Her Times 5k, Erie. Women’s run followed by kids races. 814-881-0060 or erierunnersclub.orgOct. 3, 8 a.m.: October Half Marathon, 10k Run and 5k Walk,Hollidaysburg. 814-695-3204 or www.hollidaysburgareaymca.org.Oct. 3, 9 a.m.: Harvest 5k, Natrona Heights. 724-295-0607 or steven.thiel@harvestbaptist.infoOct. 3, 9 a.m.: HAEE 5k Race, Allison Park. Run through Hartwood Acres. 412-487-9566 or chris.baker@hamptonalliance.orgOct. 3, 2 p.m.: Pittsburgh Area Lutheran Schools 5k, Saxonburg. Run on scenic Saxony Farms. 412-793-5884 or deer@consolidated.netOct. 4, 8:30 a.m.: St. Kilian Parish School Celtic Way 5k and 1 Mile Family Fun Walk, Cranberry Township. Run in North Boundary Park. lstofko@saintkilian.orgOct. 4, 8:30 a.m.: Pittsburgh Penguins 6.6k Run and Family Walk, Pittsburgh. Mariolemieux.orgOct. 10, 8 a.m.: 2nd Annual Tutu and Tie Trot, Franklin. Dress in tutus and/or ties for this run on Allegheny River Trail. 814-758-0520 or kalythecat@yahoo.comOct. 10, 9 a.m.: Halloween Hustle 5k, Sarver. Run from Monroe Road on Butler/Freeport Trail. 724-448-1951 or freeporthalloweenhustle5k.weebly.comOct. 10, 9 a.m.: Mahoning Shadow Shuffle Half Marathon and 5k, Punxsutawney. amytaday@gmail.comOct. 10, 8 a.m.: Trailapalooza Fall Running Festival, Penn Run. Choice of 3.5, 6 or 10 miles on Yellow Creek State Park trails. doug@americanadventuresports.comOct. 10, 8:30 a.m.: Tyrone Recreation Association Race and Wellness Series Fall 5k/15k @ Reservoir Park, Tyrone. 518-669-4988 or kristenhawley@yahoo.comOct. 11, 8:30 a.m.: Fort Ligonier Days 5k, Ligonier. 724-238-4200 or pamela67@comcast.netOct. 11, 9 a.m.: Mojo’s Quick Chick 5k and 10k, North Park. Women only race starts at North Park Boathouse. 724-772-2808 or mojo.running@gmail.comOct. 11, 3 p.m.: Buffalo Creek 5k, Worthington. Also kids race. 724-543-1120 or mruffaner@mechlingheller.comOct. 17, 9 a.m.: Franken-Run 5k Run/ Walk, Franklin. hubern@students.fasd.k12.pa.usOct. 17, 9 a.m.: Buffalo Creek Half Marathon, Freeport. Downhill run on Butler-Freeport Rail Trail. quaranta@consoliated.netOct. 18, 8 a.m.: Trail to Eagle Trail Run 10k, Beaver Falls. Trail run through Brady’s Run Park. 724-480-9250 or troop423@comcast.netOct. 24, 5 p.m.: Haunted Hay Run 5k, Beaver Falls. Costume contest and postrace party for this haunted course at Brady’s Run Park. kserna@primary-health.netOct. 25, 11 a.m.: 41st Annual Younstown Peace Race 10k, Youngstown, OH. Also 400 meter kids run (ages 10 & under) at 9 A.M. and 2 Mile Run/Walk at 9:30 A.M. www.peacerace.orgOct. 31, 9 a.m.: Zombie Run, Knox. Outrun sliming zombies. 814-229-4136 or frontporchfarms@venustel.comOct. 31, 8 a.m.: Harrison Hills 5k/10k Trail Run, Natrona Heights. Costume and pumpkin carving contests, postrace hot meal. Clarksk7@gmail.comNov. 8, 9 a.m.: Indiana First Bank Veterans Marathon and Half Marathon, Black Lick. Run out and back on Ghost Town Rail Trail. 724-349-3200 or www.indianaroadrunners.com

Race results City of Pittsburgh Great Race 10k, Sept. 27 (first 3000 finishers): Samuel Mueller, 1st Overall M, 31:23; Clara Santucci, 1st Overall W, 33:00; JoeJoe Somora, 1st 12-13 M, 37:32; Mark Courtney, 3rd 55-59 M, 40:20; Leslie Kramer, 3rd 35-39 W, 41:25; Katie Lutz, 1st 17-19 W, 41:38; Bill Schmidt, 1st 60-64 M, 43:49; Sharyl Relic, 2nd 55-59 W, 44:11; Kara Ristey, 2nd 14-16 W, 44:32; Julia Kocsis, 2nd 12-13 W, 45:50; Luke Badaczewski, 33:09; Mark Hunkele, 36:42; Colin Galey, 37:07; Matt Schmidt, 37:22; Nick Gentile, 37:26; Nathan Andrulonis, 38:13; Rick Hinman, 38:28; Mark Golla, 38:32; Matthew Sudak, 38:51; Adam Shoup, 39:40; Patrick Strollo, 40:40; David France, 40:53; Brian Kile, 41:40; Jeffrey Ward, 41:45; Dan Nguyen, 41:54; Alexander Allen, 41:57; Roger Lutz, 42:28; Matt Marshall, 42:44; Charlie Casalnova, 42:50; Michelle Gogolin, 43:12; Ryan Moffett, 43:26; Michael Finikiotis, 43:36; Adam Olsen, 43:51; Mark Casteel, 43:54; Andrew Laux, 43:59; Holly Whoolery, 44:03; Emily Ochman, 44:06; Brian Colonna, 44:26; William Lowry, 44:56; Jeff Geibel, 45:16; Eric Domitrovic, 45:20; Michael Parzuchowski, 45:26; Gary Hayden, 45:30; Jennifer Markey, 45:34; Steve Mote, 45:40; Dustin Eaton, 45:42; Patrick Doyle, 45:43; Bernadette Lewis, 45:45; Randy Rawa, 45:56; Bryan Iams, 45:57; Brian Meyers, 46:01; Charles Warden, 46:03; John Alexande, 46:08; Nathan Stoner, 46:09; Steve Nichols, 46:33; Kevin Mahan, 46:34; Karin Byers, 46:34; Wayne Babcock, 46:34; Jinny Hertweck, 46:36; Val Wolfarth, 46:48; Daniel Kolano, 46:52; Kevin Quinn, 47:01; Kim Spears, 47:06; Scott Poeppel, 47:06; Matt Bagaley, 47:11; Melissa Bolte, 47:32; John Ryan Markey, 47:46; Reuben Pink, 47:50; Johannah Scott, 47:59; Christopher Federowicz, 48:00; Nancy Belz, 48:01; Chad Coblitz, 48:02; Jeffrey Wosniak, 48:17; T.R. Parry, 48:17; Bob Gracie, 48:18; Megan Rippin, 48:20; Josh Kearns, 48:21; Kathy Hensler, 48:25; Thomas Lynch, 48:26; Greg Radick, 48:28; Drew Ellis, 48:33; Sarah Shodi, 48:35; Brock Hanna, 48:39; Dorothy Moxie, 48:41; Blake Kelly, 48:42; Emily Wolfarth, 48:43; Mark Stanek, 48:43; Chad Ellis, 48:50; Jake Worthington, 48:52; Emma Lowry, 48:54; Nancy Immel, 48:59; Christi Novak, 49:02; Maureen Hilovsky, 49:12; Andrew Musko, 49:16; Dan Spears, 49:17; John Fowler, 49:28; Jodi Caro, 49:42; Alana Jensen, 49:47; Rachel Salsbury, 49:50; Brandon Chute, 49:56; Jose Ruiz, 50:03; Michael Pelloni, 50:07; Jeff Maynard, 50:17; Stephen Reed, 50:30; Alan Bandi, 50:33; Rob Vandenburgh, 50:34; Kathleen Bloss, 50:37; Kevin Facciani, 50:37; Paul Gentile, 50:39; Kayleigh Roberts, 50:40; George Karpakis, 50:41; John Ristey, 50:42; Dominic Hillwig, 50:45; Joe Church, 50:45; Anne Hillwig, 50:46; Michelle Perri, 50:51; Michael Jenik, 50:53; Noel Sequite, 50:54; Kristy Tully, 50:55; Brian Lasko, 50:56; Holly Muchenski, 50:58; John Passerelli, 51:03; G. Ronald Ripper, 51:09; Ronald Ackerman, 51:13; Kris Poloyac, 51:16; Patti Connors, 51:16; Terrilyn Tomaszewski, 51:20; Kathleen Filiaggi, 51:22; Brandon Honsaker, 51:23; Garrick Barnett, 51:27; Ryan Miller, 51:30; Robyn Stewart, 51:34; Liz Wildes, 51:40; Michael Cratty, 51:46; Jeffrey Wessel, 51:48; Megan Wessel, 51:48; Marcus Schaefer, 51:51; Robert Todd, 51:53; Erica Dietz, 52:03; Rhonda Merhaut, 52:18; Jason Moore, 52:18; Jason Covert, 52:21; Brian Kravec, 52:22; Abhijit Dixit, 52:22; Will Shuttleworth, 52:32; Andrew Tino, 52:35; Rick Bowers, 52:43; Steven Myers, 52:46; Earlene Allshouse, 52:56; Jeffrey Kopinski, 53:02; Bill Swanik, 53:05; Tyler Steedle, 53:08; Lauren ODonnell, 53:12; Beth Allen-Boyle, 53:12; Wendy Wick, 53:17; Danny Lynch, 53:19; Amy Cegan, 53:29; Amy Rickman, 53:31; John Gust, 53:31; Coutney Harriger, 53:32; John Scungio, 53:32; Kristen Evans, 53:34; Daniel Lynch, 53:36; Lewis Minett, 53:37; Andy Runk, 53:42; Dirk Shakely, 53:46; Jason Spudic, 53:49; Brian Charnock, 53:49; Chritine Sevin, 53:50; Ellie Tourney, 53:54; Dayna Junazski, 53:54; John Verona, 53:55; Chris Walters, 53:56; Chris Flynn, 54:04; Megan Gahring, 54:07; Michael McNamara, 54:08; Jonathan Muscatello, 54:22; Jim Ellis, 54:33; Christina Moody, 54:36; Kris Kramer, 54:40; Mike Zatchey, 54:41; Charlie Winek, 54:41; Gary Boyd, 54:50; Lonnie Birckbichler, 54:52; Blair Christensen, 54:52; Thomas Barry, 54:54; Ashley Catanese, 54:57; Lance Appleman, 54:58; Jason Stobert, 54:58; Richard Lourens, 54:59; Esther Berkey, 55:02; Mark VandeWater, 55:09; Larry Laughlin, 55:11; Sean O’Donnell, 55:16; Sarah Heckman, 55:16; William Curry, 55:16; Vincent Moore, 55:21; Regina Springer, 55:22; Jeff Evans, 55:23; Marie Pelloni, 55:25; John Marty, 55:28; Emily Wilkinson-Baldauf, 55:33; Gerry Johnson, 55:39; Kristan Casteel, 55:40; Kristy Martino, 55:45; Dina Snider, 55:45; Brian Shuttleworth, 55:47; Joseph Hanna, 55:49; Mary Moody, 55:51Send comments and suggestions: Patricia Neubert, 435 Cherry Valley Rd., Saxonburg, PA. 16056. Phone 724-352-4395. Email bigp16@connecttime.netPat Neubert is a running columnist for the Butler Eagle