Last week, March roared in like a lion while one small town race celebrated the last gasp of winter.

Race director, runner and owner of Miles of Smiles Timing Herb Cratty scoffed when I asked if the Ellport Winter Wonderland 5k would ever be cancelled for weather conditions.

“It would have to be something really serious,” he said. “Maybe a tornado?”

Ellport Winter Wonderland 5k ran from the Community Center building of Cratty’s hometown of Ellport outside of Ellwood City. The event has used the same flat and fast course for the past 12 years and offered runners a friendly event that honors performance and participation.

Ellport Winter Wonderland encourages performance by offering a $150 prize for setting a new course record. Bethany Walker set the women’s record of 18:40.6 in 2010 while Nick Edinger set the new men’s record in 2017. Both records were safe for at least this year with men’s winner John Boyken of Cross Plains, Indiana, currently competing for West Virginia University, finishing in 17:08 and Serra Catholic High School runner Ava Dzurenda finishing first among women with a time of 20:25.

For the first time, John and Ava earned a cash prize of $50 for finishing first. Also new for this year, the race awarded special trophies to age group winners who set a course record in age groups from 14 and Under through 70+. Lori Masters of New Wilmington earned an award for her 23:14 finishing time in the 50-54 age group.

All participants received Miles of Smiles running gloves. Participants also enjoyed the traditional post-race pizza party by Pizza Joe’s in the warmth of the Community Center.

For the fourth year, the race presented the Lou Lodovico Memorial Award to honor Ellport running champion, the late Lou Lodovico. Lou raced well into his 90s and held several national age records.

The award is voted on by Cratty and his timing crew and presented to an older, experienced runner, one who exhibits a positive attitude and acts as a role model for the running community. This year’s recipient was longtime competitor Kathy Shoaf. Kathy is also age group winner Lori Masters’ mom.

Herb says that weather conditions were good on Saturday with dry roads, no wind and relatively mild temperatures for the field of 92 participants. He reports that weather is not usually a factor in registration numbers, but 5k participation has been down generally due to the glut of 5ks on the schedule and the rise in popularity of the half marathon distance.

Herb has directed Ellport Winter Wonderland 5k since the mayor of Ellport suggested the event as a showcase for the friendly village. He also directs about six other races throughout the year, including April’s Run to Breathe Half Marathon and 5k at Moraine State Park,which benefits Cystic Fibrosis of Pa.

Herb has a special fondness for this charitable event because his great-nephew suffers from the disease.

Herb has been an avid runner since high school, when he responded to a newspaper advertisement for the Butler Road Race. He says that the half marathon is currently his favorite race distance since he’s learned to pace himself over the length instead of sprinting the whole way as is necessary in a 5k.

Herb, with assistance from his wife Bonnie — who not only times races on weekends, but handles administrative and financial duties for Miles of Smiles Timing Service —expects to time 250 races this year. That’s down from last year’s 324 events in 2018.

If you plan to attend this Run to Breathe Half Marathon or any of the Miles of Smiles timed events, visit www.smileymiles.com. You may also email Herb or Bonnie at bonnherb@yahoo.com or call 724-841-6528.

Upcoming events

Saturdays, 8 a.m.: Up-N-Running Group Run, Valencia. Training for distances up to marathon, starts at All Fit parking area. 724-898-2525 or shoes@runpa.com

March 9, 9 a.m.: Primary Health Network Charitable Foundation Shamrock ‘N’ Run 5k and 10k, Sharpsville. 724-981-2875 or www.phnfoundation.net/shamrock

March 9, 9 a.m.: March Mad Dash, Allison Park. Choice of 5k, 5 miles, 10 miles with post-race party. 412-490-0881 or register.chronotrack.com/r/44782

March 16, 7:30 a.m.: Shamrock Shuffle Half Marathon, Harmony. Challenging, hilly course. joella@zoominternet.net

March 16, 9 a.m.: St. Patrick’s Distance Festival, Erie. Choice of 5k or 10k starts at Presque Isle State Park’s Rotary Pavilion. Also competitive racewalk awards. 814-460-9930 or erierunners.club/

March 16, 10 a.m.: Shamrock Shuffle 5k Run/Walk and 1 Mile Run/Walk, Harmony. Rolling course. 1 Mile starts at 11 a.m. joella@zoominternet.net

March 16, 10 a.m.: Kiski Area Shamrock Run 5k, Apollo. 724-224-7999

March 16, 10 a.m.: Judith’s Jig 5k Memorial Run/Walk, Meadville. Starts at Diamond Park Square. 814-282-1-69 or judithsjig@gmail.com

March 17, Noon: The Saint Patrick’s Day Which Way 5k, Franklin. Choice of two directions to run on Samuel Justice Trail. 814-437-7653 or josh@shawgorealestate.com

March 23, 9:30 a.m.: Mammoth Beer Mile and 5k, Greensburg. Beer mile starts at 11 a.m. Run either event or both at Westmoreland County Fairgrounds. mammothbeermile.com/registration/ or info@flattire.co

March 23, 10 a.m.: Larry Winschel St. Paddy’s Day Run, South Park. Choice of 1 mile, 2.25 miles, 4 miles sponsored by Greater Pittsburgh Road Runners. 412-561-0768

March 24, 8:45 a.m.: Mill Creek Distance Classic Half Marathon and 5 Mile, Youngstown, OH. Ytownrunners.org or 330-727-6070

March 30, 9 a.m.: Super Hero 5k Ben Banks Memorial run, Beaver Falls. 724-462-5356 or jlkrigar@gmail.com

March 31, 8:30 a.m.: 18th Annual Just a Short Run, Allison Park. Choice of 5k, 8.1 miles, half marathon and 30k starting at North Park Boathouse. www.justashortrun.com/registration or 412-490-0881

April 6, 9 a.m.: Maple Festival 5k Run & Walk & 5 Mile Run, Meyersdale. 814-634-8717 or gmiller1958@yahoo.com

April 6, 10 a.m.: PREP4PITT-3, Sandy Lake. Choice of half marathon or 5k on paved bike path around Lake Wilhelm. 724-301-6775 or www.mctrails.org/events

April 6, 10 a.m.: Fool’s Run 10k & 5k, Indiana. 724-349-0501 or www.indianaroadrunners.com

April 6, 9 a.m.: Dirty Kiln Trail Races at Canoe Creek State Park, Hollidaysburg. Choice of 5 miles or half marathon on rugged trails. bmazur@intelmarx.com or www.alleghenytrailrunners.com/dirty-kiln-trail-race/

April 7, 11 a.m.: Cook Forest Half Marathon and 5k, Cooksburg. Run along Clarion River. www.cookforest.com or 814-393-2081

April 7, 3 p.m.: Choice of 2 or 5 miles to benefit Camp Friendship and Arc or Jefferson and Clearfield counties. 814-952-0490 or creativegardencc@gmail.com

Race results

Cupid’s Chase Pittsburgh, Feb. 9: Andrew Wirfel, 1st Overall M, 17:54; Shelly C., 1st Overall W, 21:31; Cathryn Polito, 1st 50-54 W, 25:47; Tiffany Haddad, 2nd 30-34 W, 27:49; Johnny Patrus, 1st 70+ M, 39:44

Spring Thaw 10 Mile, Feb. 22: Kevin Wanichko, 1st Overall M, 54:35; Jennifer Bigham, 1st Overall W, 1:01:41; Robert DiLoreto, 3rd 40-44 M, 1:06:36; Kylee Witchey Clements, 3rd 30-34 W, 1:17:13; Dan Monhemius, 3rd 40-44 M, 2:15:53; Mary Morgan, 2nd 60-64 W, 1:33:55; Matthew Sudak, 1:08:31; Timothy Souders, 1:10:17; Phil Jones, 1:16:25; Robert Waltrip, 1:17:54; Caitlyn Snyder, 1:18:42; Amanda Temple, 1:21:21; Steve Smith, 1:22:20; Andrew Williams, 1:22:31; Michael Curren, 1:23:12; Joseph Hudeck, 1:23:36; Orryn Sledge, 1:26:50; Alan Boburczak, 1:28:52; Carrie Birckbichler-Smith, 1:29:16; January Scheidlmeier, 1:29:17; Leanne Finney, 1:30:44; Thomas Lynch, 1:31:36; John Kulbacki, 1:33:07; Suzette Cappola, 1:33:17; Michael Eisen, 1:35:55; Robert Walker, 1:35:18; Molly Long, 1:39:48; Ashley Vallely, 1:39:51; Robert Hull, 1:40:37; Amanda Hardt, 1:45:11; Robert Whittington, 1:45:49; Heather Kulbacki, 1:45:57; Frank Piedimonte, 1:49:57; Alfred Schnabel, 1:57:00; Phillip Sonson, 2:00:44: Suzanne Freeze, 2:07:40;

Spring Thaw 15 Mile, Feb. 22: Kevin Wanichko, 1st Overall M, 1:21:33; Jennifer Bigham, 1st Overall W, 1:34:20; Josh Flanhofer, 1:47:38; Robert Porco, 2:15:04; Craig Hunt, 2:17:02; Alan Boburczak, 2:17:43; Regiane Morgueta, 2:21:35; William Woods, 2:37:29; Michael Zucatti, 2:42:00; James Caruso, 2:43:08; Janelle Fumerola, 3:21:57

Spring Thaw 20 Mile, Feb. 22: Kenny Goodfellow, 1st Overall M, 1:51:38; Kate Kokal, 1st Overall W, 2:16:48; Dan Monhemius, 2:15:53; Rob DiLoreto, 2:18:14; Rick Colonello, 2:24:46; Kylee Witchey-Clements, 2:36:50; John Armstrong, 2:40:21; Lori Fromlak, 2:57:48; Mary Morgan, 3:17:48; Tina Benedict-Grimm, 3:20:12; William Woods, 3:22:14; Rita Ciccariello, 3:25:49; Katherine Colton, 3:44:48

Ellport Winter Wonderland 5k, March 2: John Boyken, 1st Overall M, 17:08; Doug Petrik, 2nd Overall M, 17:24; Ava Dzurenda, 1st Overall W, 20:25; Herb Cratty, 1st 55-59 M, 20:17; Mike Meyer, 3rd 35-39 M, 21:00; Jim Gallagher, 1st 50-54 M, 21:36; Bonnie Smerk, 1st 30-34 W, 22:08; Mitch Radella, 2nd 50-54 M, 22:51; David Suber, 1st 60-64 M, 22:59; Mitchell McCleary, 2nd 15-19 M, 25:02; Donia Fox, 1st 40-44 W, 27:37; Michael Poff, 1st 70+ M, 28:10; Christine Patton, 1st 45-49 W, 28:15; Hattie Brasseur, 1st 15-19 W, 28:16; Chloe Fox, 2nd 15-19 W, 28:31; Cody Lang, 1st 25-29, 30:38; Kim DeLoia, 2nd 50-54 W, 31:24; Sherree May, 2nd 60-64 W, 31:26; Christian Felitsky, 3rd 20-24 W, 31:28; Ava Weisz, 1st 14 & Under W, 34:14; Anna Dimer, 2nd 45-49 W, 36:09; Debra Kuminkoski, 2nd 55-59 W, 37:02; Kim Kenetz, 3rd 50-54 W, 38:36; Robert Kinney, 30:00; John Mccabe, 31:00; Lenny Yensull, 31:27; Ed Brown, 32:14; Troy Stiffler, 36:09; Amber Pieri, 36:39; Deanna Weisz, 37:04; Johnny Patrus, 37:51; Dezso Csizmadia, 39:39

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

Pat Neubert is a running columnist for the Butler Eagle