Some things are invaluable and irreplaceable. The Boston Marathon is one of those.

Boston is more than a race. To elite and common runners, it’s a Holy Grail, the pinnacle. To nonrunners, Boston is not only a symbol of endurance in running, but a thread that weaves through our history as a nation.

When the 2020 Boston Marathon was first postponed due to COVID-19, it was a gut punch for all those who had trained for months (or years) for the honor of lining up on the starting line in Hopkinton on Patriots’ Day.

The announcement last week that the September postponement race had also been canceled delivered a knock-out blow. This would mark the first time in its 124-year history that the Boston Marathon would not be held.

As a runner and Boston Marathon finisher, I feel the pain, disappointment and loss that my friends and other Boston qualifying runners are experiencing. The unthinkable has suddenly become reality.

But the Boston Marathon is already scheduled for Patriot’s Day 2021. How could it not be? And runners will train to qualify, train to compete, train to win, hoping to reach for that Holy Grail once again, hoping that the unthinkable couldn’t happen again.

I understand runners’ feelings when major events like the Boston Marathon or this September’s City of Pittsburgh’s Great Race are canceled. I understand because runners are my tribe. I speak the language.

I’ve been there for many years of many miles. When my friends celebrate victory, I cheer. When they suffer defeat, I cry, too. Injury? I’ve been there, done that, know how it feels to watch (sometimes enviously) from the sidelines.

I understand runners and I have no difficulty filling a page with writing about runners and running. But it’s easy, when writing about running, to forget that sport is a metaphor for life, not life itself. In light of recent events, writing about running sometimes seems a trivial pursuit and for many, a false narrative.

In the past few months, I’ve written about race cancellations as unemployment soared and neighbors faced job losses. I’ve recommended virtual events as people struggled to stay in touch with family and friends while avoiding catching or spreading a killer virus. And I lamented a lack of motivation to get out to run while families juggled home schooling, childcare and worked from home or tried to keep food in the pantry.

While I have no problem explaining what to wear for running in any weather, I have neglected to at least acknowledge that some runners can’t wear what they want or run where or when they want, simply because of who they are.

And there are those too worn down by life stresses to expend energy in the simple child’s play of running.

In my running-centric world, I forget that these are members of my wider tribe, the human race. They may not run with me on Saturday mornings or pass me on a muddy trail. They may not look like me, live in my neighborhood or agree with me, but they are my brothers and sisters.

I plan to keep writing about running. It still is a joyous diversion and sometimes elevates to a “metaphor for life.” But I think, at least for now, I’ll look for a few races, virtual or real, that give to the greater good. And I’ll adjust my training plan to follow the advice quoted from Mary T. Lathrap’s 1895 poem, “Before you judge a man, walk a mile in his shoes.”

I’ll dedicate my first mile of each run this summer to someone not like me, someone invaluable and irreplaceable.

Upcoming events

Now through June 14: Most Dope Virtual 5k, 10k and 10 Miles. runsignup.com/Race/Info/PA/Pittsburgh/AlleghenyCityBrewingVirtualRaces

Now through June 30: Freeport Flash 10k & 5k Run/Walk, Sarver. Virtual race this year. First race in Freeport Triple Crown. Register and run now through June 30. runsignup.com/Race/PA/Sarver/FreeportFlash5K10K

June 1: Rocksylvania Remix, Pennsylvania. Rocksylvania Trail Series is virtual this year. Run 175 or 350 total miles on any Pennsylvania trails between June 1 and August 31. runsignup.com/Race/PA/Rocksylvania/RocksylvaniaVirtualChallenge

Saturday: God’s Country Marathon. Half and Team Relay, Galeton. Canceled for this year.

Saturday, 8 a.m.: Boston Trail ½ Marathon and 5k, Elizabeth Township. Canceled for this year.

Saturday, 9 a.m.: Yuengling Gold Rush 5k, Pittsburgh. Virtual race this year. 765-729-0691 or www.yuenglinggoldrush.com

Sunday: Greenfield Glide 5k, Pittsburgh. Canceled for this year.

Sunday, 10 a.m.: Get Lost 5k Run/Walk, Erie. Benefits K-9 Search and Rescue. amym@nwpak9sar.org or runsignup.com/Race/PA/Harborcreek/SearchandRescueGetLost5k

June 12, 7 p.m.: Riverview Park 5k Run & Fitness Walk, Pittsburgh. 412-255-2493 or runsignup.com/Race/PA/Pittsburgh/RiverviewPark5K

June 17: Summer Solstice 5k and 1 Mile Run/Walk, Portersville. This race at Moraine State Park has been canceled.

June 20: Clarksburg 10k, Clarksburg, WV. Virtual race this year. 304-672-3637 or runwithhat@yahoo.com

June 20: Butler Road Race 5 Mile and 2k, Butler. Virtual race this year. 724-287-4733 or cdreher@bcfymca.org

June 20: Beartown Rocks Trail Race, Sigel. This race has been canceled.

June 20: Butch’s Bucket Brigade, Worthington. This race has been canceled.

June 21: ERC Father’s Day Race, Erie. Canceled for this year. runsignup.com/Race/PA/Harborcreek/SearchandRescueGetLost5k

June 27, 9 a.m.: Monaca Mad Dash 5k, Monaca. Run at John A. Antoline Memorial Park. www.monacamaddash.com

June 28, 8 a.m.: The Dam Tri XII, Meadville. Sprint and Olympic distance triathlon at Woodcock Lake with $1,200 in prize money. 814-336-2196 or www.thedamtri.com

June 28, 9 a.m.: Laurel Hill Adventure Race, Somerset. 2 mile kayak, 9 mile mountain bike, 5k trail run at scenic Laurel Hill State Park. 724-987-3597 or www.facebook.com/LaurelHillAdventureRace/

July 3: Ellwood City Ledger 10k, Elwood City. This race has been canceled.

July 3, 7 p.m.: Firecracker 5 Mile Run and 2 Mile Walk, Latrobe. New course for this year. 724-537-4331 or craig@latroberecreation.org

July 4, Zelienople Firecracker 5k and 1 Mile, Zelienople. This race has been canceled.

Whiskey Rebellion 5k, Canonsburg. This race has been canceled.

July 10, 7 a.m.: Presque Isle Half Marathon, Erie. Registration has been paused until state parks reopen in June. runsignup.com/Race/PA/Erie/PresqueIsleHalfMarathon

July 10, 7 p.m.: Emlenton Summer Festival 5k, Emlenton. This race has been canceled.

July 12, 8 a.m.: Hermitage Arts Festival 5k and 12 Mile, Hermitage. This race has been canceled.

July 19, 7 a.m.: Presque Isle Half Marathon, Erie. This race has been canceled. Offering deferrals or refunds to those already registered.

Sept. 27: City of Pittsburgh Great Race, Pittsburgh. All Great Race events are now virtual. Register now, submit results anytime in September. www.rungreatrace.com

Race results

Kilimajaro Water Run Virtual 5k, May 25: James Rutherford, 1st Overall M, 29:57; Cheyenne Rutherford, 1st Overall W, 31:05; Ronan Rutherford, 1st 6-10 M, 40:15; Sloane Rutherford, 2nd 6-10 M, 40:15

Kilimajaro Water Run Virtual 10k, May 25: Harry Kennedy, 1st Overall M, 51:25; Sally Kennedy, 1st Overall W, 53:34

Kilimajaro Water Run Virtual COVID 19k, May 25: Philip Taylor, 1st Overall M, 2:42:50; Briana Valentine, 1st Overall W, 3:29:59

Kilimajaro Water Run Virtual Marathon, May 25: Matthew Diven, 1st Overall M, 3:43:38

Miles of Smiles You May Run Virtual 5k, May 1-May 31: Stella Balzli, 1st Overall W, 19:11; Carter Williams, 1st Overall M, 19:15; Gregory Banyay, 1st 30-39 M, 20:00; Connor Lamison, 2nd 19 & Under M, 20:21; Herb Cratty, 1st 50-59 M, 21:05; Mark Lamison, 3rd 50-59 M, 22:11; John McGivigan, 2nd 60-69 M, 22:44; Tessa Szymanski, 3rd 19 & Under W, 26:56; Michael Poff, 1st 70+ M, 28:43; John Patrus, 2nd 70+ M, 31:28; Erin Kohlmayer, 24:59; Joella Baker, 27:25; Abbey Jewart, 27:34; Patricia Neubert, 30:16; Heidi Fleming, 43:04; Kim Kenetz, 46:57

Miles of Smiles You May Run Virtual Half Marathon, May 1-May 31: Stella Balzli, 1st Overall W, 1:27:47; David Convery, 1st Overall Wheelchair, 1:28:58; Jake Winter, 1st Overall M, 1:29:59; Gregory Banyay, 1st 30-39 M, 1:33:25; Herb Cratty, 1st 50-59 M, 1:39:01; John McGivigan, 2nd 60-69 M, 1:55:48; John Patrus, 1st 70+ M, 2:10:01; Erin Kohlmayer, 2:24:19; Patricia Neubert, 2:32:40

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

Pat Neubert is a running columnist for the Butler Eagle.