Last Sunday marked the first Sunday Run Day in nearby Springdale. Stefanie Lipke’s goal was to share a Sunday afternoon of fun and exercise followed by a good beer. As an avid runner and co-owner of Leaning Cask Brewing in Springdale, she was able to accomplish both.

Stefanie has been running for more than 20 years and is now training as part of a team for this year’s Pittsburgh Marathon Relay. Leaning Cask Brewing has been open in downtown Springdale since June of 2017, serving English style brews and cider in a casual, family and dog-friendly atmosphere.

“Everyone’s excited for spring,” she says, “but I had no idea how many runners would show up,” she said. “It was a spur-of-the-moment decision.”

Stefanie enlisted the help of manager and fellow runner Rachel Goldbach to lay out and mark one-mile and 5k loops through the streets of Springdale, help with registration and pour free post-run beers for thirsty runners. With only a social media post and word-of-mouth advertising, 36 runners and walkers plus several kids in jogging strollers turned out for what Stefanie hopes will be a monthly event at the brewery.

At 2 p.m., after signing in and receiving wrist bands, the crowd dispersed to the sidewalk in front of the brewery, then headed off singly or in groups to follow arrows on utility poles marking the course. Traffic was light on this Sunday afternoon, but runners were safer to stay on the sidewalk for the first few blocks on Pittsburgh Street. I threaded my way through walkers on the sidewalk and passed several women extolling the virtues of Galloway training.

Once the course turned onto the side streets, runners relaxed and found their individual strides. A snake of runners stretched out ahead for blocks on the level pavement, everyone talking and laughing, enjoying the sunny spring day.

As I glanced around to take in the sights of lower Springdale, I was passed by a family team of parents with young daughters in jogging strollers. Jorge Lara-Gutierrez, a local runner training for his first marathon, zoomed by with four year-old daughter Alexa. His wife Melissa Lara-Sakmar followed with their two year-old.

Melissa, admittedly more of a cyclist than runner, says that she loved the flat course, so different from slogging up hills in their neighborhood. And Jorge appreciated the easy run after Saturday’s long distance training. They both enjoyed the opportunity to run as a family.

The group quickly finished the loop and headed back to Leaning Cask for post run beers and conversation. No one seemed in a hurry to leave, especially with food available from a food truck outside and the Penguins game on TV at the bar.

Stefanie Lipke pronounced the event a success, but promised that she and Rachel would change the course slightly for the April 29 event since this version was slightly under the advertised 5k distance. She was pleased with the diverse age and skill level of the group but surprised that no dogs participated, since Leaning Cask is a dog friendly establishment.

Although Sunday Run Day happens once a month, Springdale is always open for runners. Choose a level route along the Allegheny River or a hill climb on the inland side of Pittsburgh Street. Trail runners are only a few blocks from the midpoint of the rugged 37-mile Rachel Carson Trail at the environmentalist’s homestead.

For more information about Leaning Cask Brewing’s Sunday Run Day event, visit leaningcaskbrewing.com or The Leaning Cask Brewing Company on Facebook.

Upcoming events

Thursdays, 6:30 p.m.: Shoes ‘n’ Brews, Valencia. Fun run or walk followed by social BYOB at Up’N’Running store. 724-898-2505

Saturdays, 8 a.m.: Up’N’Running Group Run, Valencia. Any level of runner or walker welcome, also spring marathon and half marathon training groups. 724-898-2525 or www.runpa.com

Saturday, 8:30 a.m.: Just a Short Run 30k, 5k, 8.1 mile and Half Marathon, North Park. Starts at Rose Barn. Register online at www.athlinks.com/event/22464 or day of event at 6:30 a.m.

Saturday, 11 a.m.: Cook Forest Half Marathon and 5k, Cooksburg. 814-393-2081 or bbeverino@clarion.edu

April 7, 9 A.M.: H.I. 5k, Allison Park. Benefit for Hosanna Industries starts at Harmar Pavilion in North Park. 724-770-0262 or

April 7, 9 A.M.: Dirty Kiln Races at Canoe State Park, Hollidaysburg. Trail races of 5 miles or half marathon. www.alleghenytrailrunners.com/dirty-kiln-trail-race/

April 7, 10 A.M.: PREP4PITT-3, Sandy Lake. Run 13.1 or 5k. 724-301-6775 or races@mctrails.net

April 7, 10 A.M.: Fool’s Run 10k and 5k, Indiana. 724-349-0501 or jswauger@comcast.net

April 7, 11 A.M.: Share the Love 5k and 10k, Brookville. tinahouseholder@gmail.com

April 8, 9 A.M.: Run to Breathe Half Marathon and 5k, Portersville. Out and back on paved bike trail at Moraine State Park. 724-841-6528 or bonnherb@yahoo.com

April 8, 10 A.M.: The Pathfinder Trail Run, South Park. Choice of 3 or 6 mile trail runs sponsored by Greater Pittsburgh Road Runners. 724-348-6012 or bmcglothlin@hotmail.com

April 14, 9 A.M.: Run Across Guatemala, Allison Park. Run at North Park Pool area. runacrossguatemala.wixsite.com/guatemala5k

April 14, 9 A.M.: Penn State PTA Hustle for Muscle 5k, Sharon. Run at Penn State Shenango campus with $50 gift card for first overall man and woman. 724-983-2836 or shenango.psu.edu/pta5k

April 14, 9 A.M.: Tortoise and Hare 5k, Foxburg. 724-659-3116 or foxburgfreelibrary@gmail.com

April 14, 9 A.M.: Magee Hospital 5k, New Castle. 724-651-0328 or finleytttsfundraiser@gmail.com

April 21, 9 A.M.: Phenomenal Hope 5k, Pittsburgh. Run at Riverfront Park on North Shore. Phenomenalhope5k@gmail.com

April 21, 9 A.M.: Flying Pigs 5k, Grove City. Run through Memorial Park. 724-458-9667 or esax2002@yahoo.com

April 21, 10 A.M.: Patti J Nelson 5k and 1 Mile, Evans City. 724-272-7564 or cenglish@co.butler.pa.us

April 22, 9:15 A.M.: Montour Trail National Tunnel 5k and 10k, Cecil. 10k starts at 10 a.m.

April 22, 1 P.M.: Union All Sports Booster Club 5k, 10k Trail Run and 2 Mile Walk, Sligo. All students register for $5. Shicky68@hotmail.com

April 25, 7 P.M.: Sunset Sprint 5k, Grove City. Morrisonkl1@gcc.edu

April 28, 9 A.M.: Superhero 5k and 1k Fun Walk, Allison Park. Starts at North Park Pool, costume contest, family activities. 412-760-0483 or www.superherorun.org

April 28, 10 A.M.: Hero Dash and Splash 5k Trail Run and Walk, Franklin. Walk starts at 10:30. dbaker@sugarcreekborough.us

May 5, 8 A.M.: UPMC Health Plan/ UPMC Sports Medicine 5k, Pittsburgh. Kickoff race for Pittsburgh Marathon weekend from North Shore to downtown. www.thepittsburghmarathon.com/5k

May 5, 9:30 A.M.: Toyota Pittsburgh Kids Marathon 1 Mile, Pittsburgh. Run from North Shore to downtown. www.thepittsburghmarathon.com/kidsmarathon

May 6, 7 A.M.: Dick’s Sporting Goods Pittsburgh Marathon, Half Marathon and Relay, Pittsburgh. www.thepittsburghmarathon.com/marathon

Race results

Cupid’s Chase 5k, February 10: Michael Fagan, 1st Overall M, 20:32; Mitch Radella, 3rd Overall M, 24:00; Lexie Nieri, 1st Overall W, 24:31; Maria Barron, 2nd Overall W, 26:44; John McKivigan, 1st 60-64 M, 25:02; Justin Strobel, 2nd 16-19 M, 28:27; Shannon Gallagher, 1st 25-29 W, 29:21; Alex Oakes, 1st 13-15 M, 31:58; Anthony Fleming, 2nd 35-39 M, 32:20; Daniel Voelker, 1st 45-49 M, 35:56; Kathee Gallagher, 1st 55-59 W, 36:27; Tasha Werner, 1st 45-49 W, 37:26; Chloe Blue Fleming, 1st 16-29 W, 40:16; Johnny Patrus, 1st 70+ M, 40:49; Justin Kampian, 1st 20-24 M, 41:12; Danielle Wiles, 2nd 40-44 W, 45:58; Rylee Werner, 1st 12 & Under W, 51:29; Emily Meyer, 1st 13-15 W, 51:29; Tracey Fisher, 1st 50-54 W, 54:47; Haley Sheaffer, 1st 20-24 W, 58:04; Michele Sheaffer, 2nd 55-59 W, 58:25; Jacob Schaffner, 2nd 25-29 M, 1:06:27; Donna Schaffner, 3rd 50-54 W, 1:06:46; David Wheeler, 2nd 50-54 M, 1:06:50; Lisa Collins, 42:56; Markie Wheeler, 44:28; Elizabeth Fleming, 57:47; Hannah Hawk, 58:24; Rose Blake, 1:03:18; Jamie Grossbauer, 1:03:19; Heather Adamo, 1:06:50

Pi Day 5k, March 10: Matt Beveridge, 1st Overall M, 17:10; Quintin Weaver, 2nd Overall M, 20:11; Kalynne Ziegler, 1st Overall W, 20:45; Johnny Patrus, 2nd 60+ M, 37:58; Mitchell McCleary, 24:20

Ellport Borough Community 5k, March 10: Nick Edinger, 1st Overall M, 15:20; Gwendolyn Musser, 1st Overall W, 20:06; Leslie Kramer, 2nd Overall W, 20:31;

Kip Sudak, 1st 35-39 M, 18:48; Brian Buchan, 19:26; Mitch Radella, 1st 40-44 M, 22:03; Jim Gallagher, 2nd 50-54 M, 22:49; Tim Kramer, 1st 30-34 M, 22:51; David Suber, 1st 60-64 M, 23:02; Cindy Suber, 1st 55-59 W, 27:13; Sonja Crawford, 2nd 65-69 W, 36:19; Debra Kuminkoski, 2nd 55-59 W, 36:59; Robert Crawford, 30:17; Dezso Csizmadia, 41:29

Team Cassie Spring Fling 10 Miler, March 11: Eric Shafer, 1st Overall M, 59:37; Megan McNear, 1st Overall W, 1:11:10

Team Cassie 5k, March 11: Bethany Bowman, 1st Overall W, 19:06; Michael Downs, 1st Overall M, 19:22; Mitch Radella, 1st 50-54 M, 22:33; Trevor Stiffler, 1st 25-29 M, 31:49; Troy Stiffler, 3rd 55-59 M, 34:43

Judith’s Jig 5k, March 17: Matthew Puleio, 1st Overall M, 17:02; Erica Puleio, 1st Overall W, 20:41; Mark Courtney, 1st 60-64 M, 21:34; Debbie Courtney, 1st 50-54 W, 26:39; Andy Nichols, 3rd 25-29 M, 28:02; Michele Carson, 34:09

Kiski Area Shamrock 5k, March 17: Samuel Cunkelman, 1st Overall M, 18:32; Sara Zambotti, 1st Overall W, 19:12; Blair Beck, 3rd Overall M, 21:16; James Beck, 2nd 50+ M, 25:40; Patrick Reitz, 3rd 50+ M, 25:46; Jamie Palumbo, 53:26

St. Patrick’s Day Distance Festival 10k + 5k, March 17: Shawn Wiler, 1st Overall M, 50:41; Rosie Cooper, 1st Overall W, 1:08:41

St. Patrick’s Day Distance Festival 10k, March 17: Shawn Wiler, 1st Overall M, 34:08; Kelli Proctor, 1st Overall W, 42:48; Rebecca Klobuchar, 49:58; Jessica Lampman, 1:04:10

St. Patrick’s Day Distance Festival 5k, March 17: Michael Williamson, 1st Overall M, 16:23; Rosie Cooper, 1st Overall W, 20:23; Michael Hughes, 1:02:06

Send comments and suggestions: Patricia Neubert. Phone 724-352-4395. Email lotzak@consolidated.net

,em>Pat Neubert is a running columnist for the Butler Eagle