Alcohol and athletics usual don’t mix, but beer and fun sometimes run together.

Some of us enjoy a refreshing beer after a run. It’s a good way to cool down and unwind with friends, whether meeting for a post-run pint at a local establishment or bringing BYOB to share in the parking lot or running store after a workout.

And then, there are those who take it one step further by drinking on the run. Attend a Hash House Harriers event and your fun run will be interrupted one or more times by a beer stop, sometimes in a pub, often in a backyard or secluded area.

The hashers also staff a beer stop at the Pittsburgh Marathon and Half Marathon. At the 2017 Pittsburgh Half, runners of legal age consumed more than ten gallons of beer portioned in two-ounce servings.

That two-ounce serving is what I imagined the portion to be at an advertised beer stop on last Friday’s 4th annual Sprague Farm Brew Run. Instead, I found myself jogging through a hayfield while balancing a full solo cup of sloshing liquid.

The Brew Run is an annual fundraising and fun-raising event for Greater Erie YMCA. Proceeds benefit the YMCA’s We Build People program which funds children’s summer camps, swim lessons and other activities.

Participants in the Brew Run, which typically hosts more than 100 runners and walkers, must be over 21 years of age. Although there are the usual trappings of a race — bibs, start and finish line and timing clock — the event is more fun run than race.

Sprague Brew Run awards first place male and female finishers only. Everyone else is eligible to win random drawing awards and to drink beer and listen to live music at the brewery after the run.

Sprague Brew Run is held on a 60-acre farm along French Creek outside of the small town of Venango. Sprague Farm Brewery, owned by lifelong Venango residents Brian and Minnie Sprague, is located on the front of the property. The remaining acres include hayfields, hops vines, woods and a disc golf course.

Sprague Brew Run begins at the brewery and follows a farm road, mowed path and meadow around the perimeter of the farm. The approximately 1.5 miles of trail is marked in painted arrows and caution tape.

At the far side of a switch grass hayfield approximately halfway through the run, Minnie sets up a keg of lager for passing runners.

A few of us decided to do a second round of both run and beer. We crossed the finish line, then ran the course back to the beer stop to keep Minnie and a few late-comers company while enjoying another brew in the cool evening.

If you’d rather run, then beer, check out this Saturday’s 26th Annual St. Barnabas Free Care 5k in Gibsonia. Race day registration opens at 7 a.m. at St. Barnabas for the 9 a.m. start. You may also pick up your race packet Thursday, 4 to 7 p.m. at St. Barnabas or Friday, noon to 3 p.m. at Mars Area High School.

Free Care 5k offers a rolling out-and-back course plus a great post-race party with awards, raffles, random drawings and free food and beverages (including that post-race beer.)

Upcoming events

Saturday, 8 a.m.: Cranberry CUP 5k Run & Walk, Cranberry Township. Starts at Dick’s Sporting Goods Complex in Graham Park. 724-504-5110 or inko@zoominternet.net

Saturday, 8 a.m.: Armstrong Habitat for Humanity Raise the Roof 5k, Kittanning. Run in conjunction with Armstrong Folk Festival. elizabeth@armstronghabitat.org

Saturday, 8 p.m.: Howl at the Moon 5k Night Run & Walk, Beaver. Starts at Beaver High School Track. 724-622-7637 or stevegoldcamp@yahoo.com

Saturday, 9 a.m.: St. Barnabas Free Care 5k, Gibsonia. Come for the run, stay for the party. 724-625-3770 or online registration at www.freecare5k.com

Sunday, 7 a.m.: Drake Well Marathon and Half Marathon, Titusville. Starts near Drake Well Museum. 814-827-2799 or rd_dwm@yahoo.com

Aug. 12, 8 a.m.: 17th Annual Roebling’s Run 5k Run/Walk, Saxonburg. Out and back from Knoch High School. 412-603-1999 or ap2426@zoominternet.net

Aug. 12, 8:30 a.m.: Centennial Challenge 5k and 2 Mile Fun Run, Slickville. jklueber@windstream.net

Aug. 12, 9 a.m.: Brookline Breeze 5k Race and Fitness Walk, Pittsburgh. Challenging course starts at Brookline Rec Center. Also 1 mile fun run and dog walk. 412-523-3547 or brooklinebreeze@gmail.com

Aug. 12, 9 a.m.: Rimersburg Cookie Daze 5k, Rimersburg. 814-473-6427

Aug. 12, 6 p.m.: Run for the Trail 7k, Dilltown. Run on back roads and Ghost Town Rail Trail.412-613-1167 or tmprrcih@yahoo.com

Aug. 13, 7:30 a.m.: Two Face 10k Races, North Park. Road race starts at 7:30 a.m., trail race starts at 9 a.m. Run either or both. Day of event registration at Boathouse, starts at North Park Skating Rink. 412-490-0881 or events@lightspeed-racing.com

Aug. 16, 7 p.m.: Courtney’s Ice Cream Run 5k, Grove City. Run, then eat ice cream. Also ½ mile kids’ race for ages 11 & Under. 724-866- 1374 or runhigh.com

Aug. 18, 7 p.m.: 8k Scrub Run/Walk, North Park. Run 2 loops (or 1 loop for 4k) around North Park Pool area. Strollers and pets welcome. 412-748-6648 or steinsdoerferj@ph.upmc.edu

Aug. 19, 9 a.m.: Growling Beaver 5k Challenge Run, DuBois. Starts at Wasson Elementary School, runs the Dubois Area Cross Country course. 814-591-8188 or dasdxbooster@gmail.com

Aug. 20, 8 a.m.: Butler County Habitat for Humanity Youth Triathlon, Cranberry Township. Held at North Boundary Park. 724-321-4265 or joella@zoominternet.net

Aug. 26, 8 a.m.: 6th Annual Heart and Sole 5k and Bike Duathlon, Ford City. 724-763-3974 or fcrcpcares@gmail.com

Aug. 26, 8 a.m.: Punxsutawney Trail Half Marathon and 5k, Punxsutawney. Also 5k and 1 mile. Run on Mahoning Shadow Trail and Punxsutawney Rail Trail. 908-872-9565

Sept. 2, 6 p.m.: Elderton 5k, Elderton. Held in conjunction with Fireman’s Festival. 724-354-3779 or rfrailey@windstream.com

Sept. 4, 7 a.m.: Buhl Day Half Marathon & 5k, Hermitage. Run from Buhl Farm Park. 5k starts at 9 A.M. 724-981-3700 or info@buhlrun.org

Race results

Summer Solstice 5k, June 21: Justin Reno, 1st Overall M, 18:17; Caleb Bickel, 2nd Overall M, 18:21; Timmy Holz, 3rd Overall M, 19:19; Marie Bickel, 1st Overall W, 22:39; Donna Mcclymonds, 2nd Overall W, 23:05; Charlee Caldwell, 3rd Overall W, 23:52; Timothy Wyant, 1st 40-49 M, 19:32; Jeff Lynn, 2nd 40-49 M, 19:45; Kenneth Bickel, 2nd 13-17 M, 21:13; David Voland, 3rd 40-49 M, 21:56; Kristian Sosa, 3rd 13-17 M, 22:16; Mitch Radella, 1st 50-59 M, 22:59; David Suber, 1st 60-69 M, 23:23; Sarah Miller, 1st 18-29 W, 25:07; Andrew Musko, 2nd 18-29 M, 25:13; Hattie Brasseur, 1st 13-17 W, 25:57; Samantha Frazier, 2nd 13-17 W, 26:14; Alana Colvin, 3rd 13-17 W, 26:21; Cindy Suber, 1st 50-59 W, 26:36; Edie Sawyer, 2nd 40-49 W, 26:40; Jen Bickel, 3rd 40-49 W, 26:41; Mary Eschenfelder, 2nd 18-29 W, 27:54; Rubie Franklin, 1st 30-39 W, 27:59; Dave Voland, 3rd 18-29 M, 28:08; Jacob Jefferis, 2nd 30-39 M, 28:38; Marisa Sprowles, 3rd 30-39 W, 30:50; Danette Dimarco, 3rd 50-59 W, 31:19; Alexis Reeher, 3rd 18-29 W, 32:56; Hannah Plunkard, 1st 12 & Under W, 36:09; Larry Galcik, 3rd 50-59 M, 38:52; Liza Jefferis, 2nd 12 & Under W, 40:10; Elise Jefferis, 1st 60-69 W, 40:41; Susan Bowser, 3rd 60-69 W, 52:04; Clark Schwarz, 22:21; Elijah Mcclymonds, 22:25; Shawn Beranty, 22:35; Harold Domville, 23:14; Garrett Galcik, 23:49; Elijah Sawyer, 24:41; Gianna Bedel, 26:41; Taylor Plunkard, 29:00; Ethan Schwarz, 29:59; Jonathan Sosa, 31:39; Melissa Bedel, 32:15; Debra Kuminkoski, 33:29; Mitchell Mccleary, 36:44; Jessica Schroeffel, 37:49; Christie Galcik, 38:52; Emily Peffer, 40:30; Debbi Gabler, 40:48; Amelia Schwarz, 40:58; Nicholle Smith, 41:00; Laura Smith, 41:01; Brenda Schwarz, 41:13; Beth Brasseur, 42:11; John Jefferis, 44:55; Jamie Palumbo. 45:18; Hannah Burtner, 48:54; Desiree Burtner, 48:54; Hillary Burtner, 48:55; Beth Miller, 53:12; Janice Pakozdi-Luffy, 54:03; Michele Lagnese, 54:22; Robert Lagnese, 54:23; Marty Luffy, 54:28

Ellwood City Ledger 10k, July 1: Doug Petrik, 1st Overall M, 36:07; Mariann Tullius, 1st Overall W, 43:38; John Armstrong, 2nd 51-55 M, 45:24; David Voland, 2nd 41-45 M, 48:42; Bob Gracie, 1st 65-69 M, 49:05; David Adams, 2nd 65-69 M, 53:03; Katelyn Conn, 3rd 20-26 W, 54:43; David Guo, 3rd 65-69 M, 55:55; Edie Sawyer, 2nd 41-45 W, 57:19; Christine Murray, 3rd 61+ W, 1:04:22; Cody McElwain, 52:17; Devin Walsh, 56:23; Carrie Smith, 58:20; Christina McNamara, 1:00:20; Michael McNamara, 1:02:39; Jade Bower, 1:14:45; Goldieann McElwain, 1:14:55

Firecracker 5k, July 4: Zach Leachman, 1st Overall M, 17:19; Hana Casalnova, 1st Overall W, 18:47; Seth Creasy, 2nd Overall M, 18:48; Zac Baker, 3rd Overall M, 19:21; Maddie Gagnon, 3rd Overall W, 21:44; Owen Schessler, 2nd 11-12 M, 20:34; Matteo Rotelli, 1st 9-10 M, 20:38; Charles Casalnova, 1st 55-59 M, 20:52; Sam West, 3rd 11-12 M, 21:32; Daniel Pollock, 1st 60-64 M, 21:38; Bill Schessler, 1st 45-49 M, 21:49; Julia Zalenski, 1st 11-12 W, 22:22; Karen Lyle, 1st 40-44 W, 22:24; Leigh Huttmann, 1st 35-39 W, 22:26; Mitch Radella, 1st 50-54 M, 22:42; Abby Kreber, 3rd 11-12 W, 23:01; Enzo Rotelli, 1st 7-8 M, 23:07; Tim Weil, 2nd 55-59 M, 23:11; Chris Doyle, 1st 40-44 M, 23:21; Emma MacDonald, 3rd 13-14 W, 23:36; Lowell MacDonald, 2nd 50-54 M, 23:36; Sam Steigerwald, 2nd 9-10 M, 23:44; Jeremy Jarrell, 2nd 35-39 M, 23:45; Bill Kircher, 2nd 60-64 M, 24:09; Shay Houser, 2nd 35-39 W, 24:13; Connor Schmidt, 3rd 13-14 M, 24:29; Rick Cococello, 3rd 40-44 M, 24:42; Brian Croop, 3rd 45-49 M, 24:43; Jennifer Phillips, 2nd 40-44 W, 24:50; Alex Carrick, 3rd 15-17 M, 25:24; Brendan Scott, 2nd 18-24 M, 25:51; Claire Casalnova, 2nd 18-24 W, 26:04; James Gascoine, 3rd 60-64 M, 26:08; Jacqueline Hoover, 3rd 40-44 W, 26:48; Michael Bauer, 2nd 30-34 M, 26:54; Anthony Schluep, 1st 25-29 M, 27:10; Madelline Doyle, 3rd 18-24 W, 28:21; Keelin Schessler, 1st 9-10 W, 28:26; Joann Carrasquillo, 2nd 60-64 F, 28:43; Donna Statzer, 1st 55-59 W, 28:59; Kim Paulson, 1st 45-49 W, 30:30; Bethany Sauers, 2nd 30-34 W, 30:31; Ally Cowel, 1st 15-17 W, 30:50; Taylor Tomasik, 2nd 15-17 W, 30:51; Barbara Lane, 1st 70+ W, 31:01; Dena Petrella, 2nd 45-49 W, 31:25; Douglas Mahony, 3rd 55-59 M, 31:29; Gayle Shubert, 3rd 60-64 W, 33:16; Jay Lansberry, 2nd 70+ M, 36:51; Nadine Morgan, 1st 65-69 W, 36:58; Kim Kenetz, 2nd 50-54 W, 39:08; Ava Sparacino, 2nd 5-6 W, 45:18; Gaye Lansberry, 2nd 65-69 W, 46:47; Isaac Boring, 21:47; Ryan Steigerwald, 23:48; Eva Carney, 23:53; Alexandra Gongas, 24:25; Ethan Barnett, 24:32; Sohia Coconello, 24:42; Garrick Barnett, 24:51; Kristen Burcham, 25:00; Bryn Carney, 25:01; Bodey Balfour, 25:01; Ryan Karpinsky, 25:14; Jim Hrabosky, 25:19; Teagan Leaghty, 25:55; Julie Cordon, 26:41; Freya Davis, 26:51; Ben Capozzi, 26:56; Canaan Sauers, 27:01; Luke Shoemaker, 27:02; Lou Carrick, 27:14; Lisa Perry, 27:32; Liam Carney, 27:58; Robert Schmidt, 28:08; Anna Gongas, 28:08; Rachel Steigerwald, 28:14; Joy Gates, 28:16; Jim Sutterfield, 28:27; Jennifer Anderson, 28:27; Sean Hutchins, 28:54; Shana Hutchins, 28:55; Melissa Morrison, 28:57; Grant Hoover, 29:35; Laurel Sutterfield, 29:48; Daniel Shoemaker, 29:52; Nick Paulson, 30:03; Melissa Dykstra, 30:36; Emily Andrulonis, 30:57; Dawn Cox, 31:15; Danielle Waters, 31:22; Matt Stottle, 32:35; Riley Perry, 33:57; Cecilia Ottenweller, 34:43; Mitch Dykstra, 36:45; Anna Cantella, 37:18; Brielle Profitt, 37:23; Daniel Lunger, 38:16; Bryan Branby, 38:21; Dane Schmidt, 38:42; Ezra Fisher, 43:25; Wade Fisher, 43:26; Miranda Sparacino, 45:18; Elena Gail, 49:22; Sophie Gail, 49:31; Amanda Dietrich, 54:05; Danielle Schmidt, 55:49; Cheri Eaton, 1:01:59

Send comments and suggestions: Patricia Neubert, 435 Cherry Valley Rd., Saxonburg, PA. 16056. Phone 724-352-4395. Email lotzak@consolidated.net

Pat Neubert is a running columnist for the Butler Eagle