This Saturday at 11 a.m. marks the ninth running of the Ellport Borough Community 5k, a scenic tour of the small village just outside of Ellwood City.

Nine years is a milestone in longevity, especially with today’s glut of races, but with that race, one of Ellport’s citizens marks a milestone of his own.

Upon completion of Ellport’s third mile, race director and timer Herb Cratty will have run 100,000 miles in his long running career. Cratty began running in 1982 as a high school senior in Ellwood City. He credits his mom with beginning his record keeping. “I was very lucky that my mom bought me a log book when I started,” he says. “I got in the habit early.”

He also credits longtime runners and road racers like Bob Crawford and Malcolm East for encouraging and improving his running log entries. He says they taught him to review his log books to evaluate training techniques, keep track of shoe wear and analyze injuries and performance.

In the late ‘80s and early ‘90s, Herb’s logged miles began to add up as he trained harder and raced faster. Although at his peak he ran more than 3,900 miles in a year and nearly 100 miles in one week, Herb says that he never considered himself a “high mileage” runner. “I’ve always run at a higher intensity,” he says.

His high intensity training brought him to a personal best of 16:03 for the 5k distance, though an injury prevented him from breaking the 16-minute barrier. And although at age 52, he runs at a slightly slower pace and requires more recovery time, Herb still includes track workouts, hill training and pacing and progression runs in his weekly training along with one long run.

Over the years and the miles, Herb has seen changes in his personal running as well as the running scene in general. While he used to thrive on the intensity of 5k and 10k competitions, he now considers the half marathon his favorite race distance. And while he’s seen a surge in running participation, he says that in the ‘80s, runners were more competitive.

“Runners were very competitive about racing, even mid-pack runners,” he says. “Most runners today don’t have that ‘killer instinct.’” Herb says that more runners today participate in events for health, fun and to raise money for charity.

Herb also says that though races are raising more money than ever for charities, races are in direct competition for participants. His Smiley Miles Timing Service sometimes times as many as seven races in a weekend.

“If a race has a new idea, a good course, food and prizes, it should succeed. If not, it probably won’t survive,” he says.

That could be the secret to Ellport Borough Community 5k’s success. The course is a mostly flat, scenic loop through the small town. All participants receive commemorative running gloves and postrace refreshments include Pizza Joe’s pizza. The race awards trophies for top three male and female finishers and awards range in age groups from 14 and Under through 70+. There’s a cash bonus for breaking the course records of 16:15 for men and 18:40 for women, and a $100 cash random drawing prize.

For the first time, the race will also present the most inspiring runner (as judged by race timers) the Lou Award, named in honor of running legend Lou Lodovico who passed away in 2015.

Ellport 5k is entirely funded by race entry fees and a donation by the borough. There’s great community support for the event by local government, including mayor Joe Cisco who rides in the pace car.

Day of event sign-ups are welcome. There’s plenty of parking at the Community Center.

Upcoming events

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

Thursdays, 9:30 a.m.: Mojo Trail Nuts Group Runs, North Park. Run on North Park trails. 724-772-2808 or info@mojorunningpittsburgh.com

Saturday, 11 a.m.: Sixth Annual Ellport Borough Community Winter Wonderland 5k, Ellwood City. 724-758-2506 or bonnherb@yahoo.com

Sunday, 8:30 a.m.: Mill Creek Distance Classic Half Marathon and 5k, Youngstown, OH. 330-727-6070 or ytownrunners.org

March 12, 6 a.m.: Blair Candy Company 5 Mile Run, 2 Mile Run and 2 Mile Walk, Altoona. 814-695-3204 or hollidaysburgareaymca.org

March 12, 9 a.m.: Primary Health Network Charitable Foundation Shamrock ‘N’ Run 5k, Sharon. Includes breakfast and postrace party. sliska@primary-health.net

March 12, 9 a.m.: St. Patrick’s Day Distance Festival 5k, 2 Mile and 10k, Erie. Starts at Presque Isle State Park Rotary Pavilion. 814-474-3282 or erierunners.club

March 12, 9 a.m.: March Mad Dash 5k, 5 Mile and 10 Mile, North Park. Starts at North Park Boat House. 412-486-7006 or tweisner@stpaulsumc.com

March 19, 7:30 a.m.: Shamrock Shuffle Half Marathon, 5k Run/Walk and 1 Mile Run/Walk, Harmony. Challenging course, 10 A.M. start for 5k, 11:15 A.M. start for 1 mile. 724-321-4265 or joella@zoominternet.net

March 19, 7:30 a.m.: Fight for Air Climb, Pittsburgh. Climb 45 floors to the top of Oxford Centre for American Lung Association. 412-321-4029, ext. 226 or rmazur@lunginfo.org

March 19, 8:30 a.m.: Irish Heritage 5k/ 10k, Tyrone. Also 50 yard kids dash at 10 A.M. 814-684-2032 or joshuahouse.com/races

March 19, 9 a.m.: Mammoth Beer Mile and 5k, Greensburg. Beer mile starts at 11 A.M. www.mammothbeermile.com or info@flattire.com

March 19, 10 a.m.: Larry Winschel St. Paddy’s Day Run, South Park. Choice of 1 Mile, 2.25 Mile or 4 Mile runs with Greater Pittsburgh Road Runners starts at South Park Children’s Playground. 412-561-0768

March 19, 10 a.m.: Diane Kelly Memorial 5k Run and Fun Walk, Warren. jody@warrenymca.org

March 26, 8:30 a.m.: Just a Short Run, North Park. Choice of 5k, 8.1 Mile, Half Marathon or 30k to benefit Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. 412-490-0881 or Eliterunnersracing.com

April 2, 9 a.m.: Butler Area Library First Annual April Fools’ 5k Run/Walk, Butler. Starts at Alameda Park Jaycees Shelter. cdreher@bcfls.org

April 2, 9 a.m.: Friends of the Manor 5k and 10k, Pymatuning State Park. 724-932-3186 or muskie5k@yahoo.com

April 2, 11 a.m.: Cook Forest Half Marathon and 5k, Cooksburg. Scenic run along Clarion River. 814-393-2081 or cookforest.com/marathon

April 2, 10 a.m.: Prep4Pitt-3 Half Marathon and 5k, Sandy Lake. Run on paved bike path around Lake Wilhelm. 724-301-6775 or mctrails.org

April 3, 9 a.m.: Not Another Polar Votex 5k and 15k, Boston. Run on Yough River Rail Trail, also kids run at 8:30 A.M. 412-760-5302 or teambrunazzi@gmail.com

April 3, 3 a.m.: Run or Walk for Someone Special 2 Mile or 5 Mile, Sykesville. 814-952-0490 or jcarc.org

Race results

Frigid 5 Miler, Jan. 10: Lars Johnson, 1st Overall M, 30:03; Jenna Gigliotti, 1st Overall W, 31:14; Mark Casteel, 3rd 45-49 M, 36:55; Dean Rowland, 1st 65-69 M, 37:02; Cloey Wallace, 3rd 15-19 W, 41:17; Bob Walker, 1st 70+ M, 43:57; Mary Morgan, 1st 55-59 W, 49:13; Nathan Todd, 2nd 11-14 M, 50:30; Elijah Shekinah, 37:40; Donald Wallace, 37:54; John Evankovich, 38:03; Mike Salamon, 39:42; Mitch Radella, 39:44; Hannah Kemper, 41:46; Roger Hyde, 42:46; Tony Chan, 43:58; Phil Jones, 44:04; Roger Hyde, 42:36; Timothy Pace, 44:51; Kristan Casteel, 46:00; Heather Slater, 46:52; Sha Zhao, 46:59; Jason Shoaf, 48:06; Scott Ackerman, 48:57; Dan Huerbin, 49:02; Katherine Colton, 49:11; Carl Good, 49:17; Mary Siegel,49:17; Holly Matsko, 49:18; Nellie Zuba, 49:20; Tim Tannert, 50:09; Michael McNamara, 51:06; Frank Todd, 52:06; Kathryn Bardol, 52:25; Marcie Good, 52:35; Heidi Steele Yeager, 52:41; Denise Shearer, 53:59; Sally Sherman, 54:00; Laurie Searles, 54:00; Jim Crist, 54:22; Jennifer Wimer, 54:32; Alfred Scnabel, 55:26; Amy Kinney, 55:58; Jim Trivoli, 56:10; Kurt Beitler, 56:19; Anne Beitler, 56:20; Ted Kinney, 56:28; Franchesca LaScola, 59:53; Beth Whitehouse, 1:00:33; Joe Mascari, 1:01:01; Angelina Boggs, 1:01:17; Jodi Zema, 1:01:26; Carey Wallace, 1:06:06; Heather Stiner, 1:13:32

Spring Thaw 10 Mile, Feb. 27: Daniel Spaulding, 1st Overall M, 55:43; Kylee Witchey Clemens, 1st Overall W, 1:09:40; Chuck Adams, 2nd 15-19 M, 1:05:54; Brian Buchan, 3rd 40-44 M, 1:09:31; Carrie Whisel, 3rd 20-24 W, 1:18:49; Sharyl Relic, 1st 55-59 W, 1:19:35; Kate Hrach, 2nd 45-49 W, 1:24:24; Gillian Scott, 3rd 40-44 W, 1:25:15; Hannah Kemper, 3rd 15-19 W, 1:26:19; Jennifer McNabb, 2nd 50-54 W, 1:28:43; Tim Wu, 1:02:02; Dan Monhemius, 1:10:07; Jeff Lynn, 1:14:28; Leslie Kramer, 1:14:43; Mike Yankel, 1:15:18; Donald Wallace, 1:17:15; John Armstrong, 1:17:32; Jeffrey Ward, 1:17:38; Chris Romito, 1:20:54; Jim Csonka, 1:22:22; William Osche, 1:23:03; Lori Fromlak, 1:23:04; Stephen Arendosh, 1:23:20; Joseph Beilstein, 1:24:50; Don Polito, 1:25:16; Kelli Hartman, 1:25:44; Christine Beaver, 1:26:26; Meghan Breedlove Morris, 1:26:44; Paul Zane, 1:26:59; Tony Chan, 1:30:13; Colleen Whalen, 1:30:22; Bob Todd, 1:30:28; Amanda Fleming, 1:30:53; Laura Seitz, 1:31:06; Josh Seitz, 1:32:35; Ron Trout, 1:33:57; Rita Ciccariello, 1:34:16; Jen Meneely, 1:35:30; Renee Simons, 1:36:25; Katie Bardol, 1:36:50; Amanda Hardt, 1:38:27; Carrie Birckbichler-Smith, 1:38:32; Jill Todd, 1:38:33; William Curry, 1:39:03; Sara McGee, 1:39:09; Maritza Eloff, 1:39:21; Leanne Finney, 1:41:54; Frank Piedimonte, 1:43:03; Mary Morgan, 1:43:06; Joy Gates, 1:43:42; Katherine Colton, 1:44:47; Mary Siegel, 1:46:18; Holly Matsko, 1:46:18; Barbara Ford, 1:48:14; Edward Reidy, 1:48:24; Ann Cannoni, 1:48:28; Jaime Schmitt, 1:49:12; Susan Tirch, 1:49:13; Alfred Schnabel, 1:52:44; Lauren Hopkins, 1:53:15; Beth Whitehouse, 1:53:22; Michael McNamara, 1:54:27; Robin Trinko, 1:58:13; Vicki Turner, 1:58:17; Tasha Werner, 1:58:24; Kate Anderson, 1:58:33; John Ropelewski, 2:01:32; Julie Macha, 2:11:26; Joni Tierney, 2:11:27

Spring Thaw 20 Mile, February 27: James Hommes, 1st Overall M, 1:58:50; Anna Smialek, 1st Overall W, 2:25:17; Kate Hrach, 1st Masters W, 2:48:31; Mike Yankel, 2:31:53; John Armstrong, 2:41:38; Don Polito, 2:42:11; William Osche, 2:49:54; Gillian Scott, 2:51:29; Joseph Beilstein, 3:03:44; Ron Trout, 3:08:37; Renee Simons, 3:20:48; Katherine Colton, 3:50:56; Mary Siegel, 3:50:58; Holly Matsko, 3:50:58

Pat Neubert is a running columnist for the Butler Eagle.