Ohio — It’s in our neighborhood. Let’s go!

Youngstown is a direct one-hour drive from downtown Butler and host of this Sunday’s Millcreek Distance Classic. Now in its 28th year, “Classic” is more than just a name.

The Millcreek Distance Classic features a challenging half marathon course over 17 hills in Millcreek MetroPark. That’s down two hills from the original course which was changed three years ago. Race director and veteran half marathoner Rick Hart calls it “tougher than average” and doesn’t recommend it for first time half marathoners.

While Butler distance runner and triathlete Bob Todd has been competing for decades, 2016 marked his first Millcreek Distance Classic completion. He agrees that the course is challenging, but says that most of the hills are short and gentle.

“The ones I remember,” he recounts, “are one significant climb at about 10 miles into the race and another half-mile hill near the end when you’re more than ready to be done.”

For beginners and short-distance runners and walkers, Millcreek Classic offers a gentler but still scenic 5k. Originally, the shorter event was two miles, but was lengthened 15 years ago.

Both events begin 15 minutes apart near the park’s nature center at Wick Recreation Area and are run on paved park roads, many of which are closed to auto traffic during the winter months. The course winds past two lakes, Lanterman’s Mill, a waterfall and cascade and Mill Creek.

Rick Hart promises that volunteers will be on hand to direct runners at course intersections. “Runners shouldn’t have a problem with getting lost,” he says, “but you never know.”

Bob Todd agrees. “I’m not a front-runner so I had no trouble.” Todd says the race was well organized with plenty of aid stations along the route and a warm place to hang out before and after the run.

It shouldn’t be difficult to follow the pack as Hart anticipates 500 to 600 participants for both events, depending on the weather. More than one-third of participants are from the tri-county area. Although the event’s highest participation has reached 650, more than 600 taxes the park’s facilities, including the starting area parking lots.

All Mill Creek Classic participants receive a commemorative technical T-shirt. All half marathon finishers earn medals.

Upcoming events

Wednesdays, 6:30 p.m.: Mojo Run Group, Cranberry Township. All paces, distances and ages welcome. 724-772-2808 or info@mojorunningpittsburgh.com

Saturdays, 8 a.m.: Up-N-Running Group Run, Valencia. All paces, distances and ages welcome. 724-898-2525 or shoes@runpa.com

Saturdays: Butler Babes group trail runs, various locations. Run various distances on trails in area parks. tamsuemcg@embarqmail.com

Saturday, 9 a.m.: PREP4PITT-2: Spring Break 8 (0.5), Fredonia. Starts at Fredonia Presbyterian Church with 8.5 mile rolling course, post race music. 724-301-6775 or info@mctrails.org

Saturday, 11 a.m.: Sixth Annual Ellport Borough Community Winter Wonderland 5k, Ellwood City. Scenic 5k with lots of postrace food and drink. 724-758-2506 or bonnherb@yahoo.com

Sunday, 8:45 a.m.: Mill Creek Distance Classic, Youngstown, OH. Choice of half marathon or 5k in scenic Mill Creek Metro Park. 5k starts at 9 A.M. rhart829@gmail.com or ytownrunners.org

March 11, 9 a.m.: Primary Health Network Charitable Foundation Shamrock ‘N’ Run 5k, Sharon. Starts at Quaker Steak & Lube, includes breakfast. Kserna@primary-health.net

March 11, 9 a.m.: March Mad Dash, North Park. Choice of 5k, 5 mile or 10 mile distances. Starts at Boathouse. 412-490-0881 or register.chronotrack.com/r/26147

March 11, 9 a.m.: Erie Runners Club St. Patrick’s Day Distance Festival, Erie. Run 5k, 10k or both. Erierunners.club

March 11, 9:30 a.m.: 3rd Annual Pi Day Pi K, Oil City. Run 3.14 miles. Walkers start at 9 A.M. 814-758-0848 or kharriett@mail.ocasd.org

March 12, 2 p.m.: Autism Frostbite 5k & Snowball Party, North Park. Starts at North Park Lodge. 412-980-0085 or tz@positivemovementz.com

March 12, 2 p.m.: Autism Frostbite 5k & Snowball Party, North Park. Starts at North Park Lodge. 412-980-0085 or tz@positivemovementz.com

March 18, 10 a.m.: Larry Winschel St. Paddy’s Day Run, South Park. Sponsored by Greater Pittsburgh Road Runners with 1 mile, 2.25 mile and 4 mile distances starting at South Park Children’s Playground. 412-561-0768

March 18, 7:30 a.m.: Shamrock Shuffle Half Marathon, 5k Run/Walk and 1 Mile Run/Walk, Harmony. 5k starts at 10 A.M. & 1 Mile at 11 A.M. joella@zoominternet.net

March 18, 9 a.m.: Mammoth Beer Mile and 5k, Greensburg. Starts at Westmoreland County Fairgrounds with 5k at 9 a.m., beer mile at 11 A.M.

March 18, 10 a.m.: Warren YMCA Cabin Fever Lucky 4 Miler and Fun Walk, Warren. chris@warrenymca.org

March 18, 10 a.m.: Judith’s Jig 6th Annual Memorial 5k Run/Walk, Meadville. www.judithsjig.org

March 25, 8 a.m.: Race of Champions 5k Run, 2 Mile Run and 2 Mile Walk, Altoona. Starts at Blair Candy Company. 814-695-4467 or hollidaysburgareaymca.org

Race results

Frigid Five Miler, Jan. 8: Lars Johnson, 1st Overall M, 30:14; Kylee Witchey Clemens, 1st Overall W, 34:52; Mitch Radella, 1st 50-54 M, 39:44; Abby Boyle, 1st 15-19 W, 41:32; Kevin Basel, 3rd 15-19 M, 46:40; Cloey Wallace, 2nd 15-19 W, 47:00; Mary Morgan, 1st 55-59 W, 50:08; Peggy Sibenac, 1st 60-64 W, 54:50; Cindy Waltemire, 3rd 55-59 W, 56:31; Beth Boyle, 2nd 50-54 W, 1:06:10; Mark Casteel, 40:40; Kristy Marchinko, 48:29; Tim Tannert, 50:15; Heidi Steele Yeager, 53:13; Rachel Wagner, 55:56; John Ropelewski, 59:15; Rachel Gallagher, 1:00:56; Priscilla Green, 1:05:21; Carey Wallace, 1:06:46

Allegheny 9 North Park, Feb. 4: Chris Knapp, 1st Overall M, 39:32; Kelly Collier, 1st Overall W, 43:28; Nicolette Milligan, 3rd Overall W, 48:34; Andy Gengler, 2nd 20-24 M, 46:05; Brian Gengler, 2nd 25-29 M, 48:32; Mitch Radella, 2nd 50-54 M, 48:51; Alexis Ropelewski, 1st 10-14 W, 1:14:13; David Findlay, 52:45; Bryan Thiompson, 53:46; Michael Gannon, 1:03:56; Ashley Gengler, 1:08:22; Michael Bauer, 1:12:13; John Ropelewski, 1:14:21; Cherlyn Foster, 1:18:50; Priscilla Green, 1:20:17; Chuck Green, 1:20:17; Julia Meyer, 1:28:56

Trout Island Tromp, Feb. 4: Dale Johnston, 1st Overall M, 30:01; Amy Javens, 1st Overall W, 30:53; S Mark Courtney, 2nd Overall M, 31:00; John Armstrong, 4th Overall M, 31:49; William Woods, 44:18; Janelle Fumerola, 58:24

Cupid’s Chase 5k, Feb. 11: Steve Kirkland, 1st Overall M, 16:29; Lexi Ambrogi, 1st Overall W, 19:30; Mitch Radella, 2nd 50-54 M, 22:07; Dean Rippee, 1st 60-69 M, 23:00; Kristin Boehm, 3rd 45-49 W, 35:21; Pam Rippee, 3rd 50-54 W, 46:43; Tyler Protivnak, 23:03; Ken Sharp, 36:34; Angela Chapman, 40:12;

Spring Thaw 10 Miles, Feb. 25: James Gordish, 1st Overall M, 59:26; Katie Purcell, 1st Overall W, 1:06:06; John Reed, 1st 19 & Under M, 1:02:02; Camden Sarver, 2nd 19 & Under M, 1:03:20; Brian Buchan, 1st 40-44 M, 1:07:30; Chris Rotelli, 2nd 40-44 M, 1:08:17; Andrew Medure, 3rd 19 & Under M, 1:09:18; Jason Sittler, 3rd 35-39 M, 1:09:21; Dan Monhemius, 3rd 40-44 M, 1:09:29; Dianne Zalenski, 2nd 40-44 W, 1:25:36; Christie Beaver, 3rd 40-44 W, 1:26:16; Rita Ciccariello, 3rd 50-54 W, 1:31:15; Vickie Turner, 3rd 60-64 W, 2:04:19; Adam Shoup, 1:11:28; Tim Souders, 1:14:39; Rick Colonello, 1:15:18; Michael Yankel, 1:15:18; Mitch Radella, 1:17:55; William Marsh, 1:18:48; Brian Mejia, 1:18:53; David Swisher, 1:18:56; Dean Rippee, 1:19:12; Jim Csonka, 1:19:12; Joe Beilstein, 1:20:41; Craig Hunt, 1:21:38; Phil Jones, 1:22:01; Nicolette Milligan, 1:23:20; Jack Kelley, 1:23:46; Chris Romito, 1:24:51; Karen Lyle, 1:25:11; Michael Corcoran, 1:25:47; Anthony Beilstein, 1:26:56; Bryan Thompson, 1:27:29; Lori Fromlak, 1:28:24; William Curry, 1:29:26; Gillian Scott, 1:29:36; Gregory Reed, 1:29:37; Tony Chan, 1:32:52; Holly Matsko, 1:33:11; Heather Slater, 1:38:04; Ted Kinney, 1:38:09; Mark Hess, 1:39:42; Heidi Yeager, 1:41:16; Lisa Lee, 1:43:17; Ann Cannoni, 1:44:47; Mike Bauer, 1:47:49; Steven McDonald, 1:56:40; Sarah Jones, 2:02:34; Robin Trinko, 2:04:19; Katherine Anne, 2:38:58; Mary Siegel, 2:38:58

Spring Thaw 15 Miles, Feb. 25: Tim Souders, 1:50:17; Jim Csonka, 1:59:44; Phil Jones, 2:02:36; Nicolette Milligan, 2:04:52; Lori Fromlak, 2:13:45; Gillian Scott, 2:14:46; Ann Cannoni, 2:45:59;

Spring Thaw 20 Miles, Feb. 25: Steelton Flynn, 1st Overall M, 2:02:45; Brian Buchan, 3rd Overall M, 2:18:58; Anna Smialek, 1st Overall W, 2:29:05; Dan Monhemius, 1st Masters M, 2:23:09; Jason Sittler, 2:19:34; Michael Yankel, 2:30:56; Rick Colonello, 2:34:04; Jack Kelley, 2:43:26; Joe Beilstein, 2:51:55; Karen Lyle, 2:52:55; Anthony Beilstein, 2:55:49; Diane Zalenski, 2:56:04; Christie Beaver, 2:59:12

Pat Neubert is a running columnist for the Butler Eagle.