I love menu choices, especially when I get a choice of mild, medium or wild. On this weekend's event menu, runners also have choices with a mild downtown run, medium hilly road race and a wild rugged trail event.

This Saturday's Butler YMCA Turkey Trot 5k has been a staple on the menu for more than 40 years. It's a mild stroll (or fairly flat and fast race) through downtown Butler.

The event is staged from Butler's YMCA and features a new course this year. Runners start on Penn Street, turn right on Miller Avenue before completing two loops of Memorial Park, then finish at the YMCA.

Christina Dreher, Marketing and Development Specialist at the Y, says that runners and walkers won't get lost. Jamie Knauff, creator of the new course and personal trainer at the YMCA, will lead front runners on her bike. There will also be volunteers and signs along the route and with 230 preregistered, plenty of company.

Although preregistration is now closed, day-of-event registration with payment in cash or check only opens at 8:30 a.m. for the 10 a.m. 5k start and the 1-mile kids' race at 9:45 a.m.

Kids of all ages are welcome and first overall girls and boys finishers and top three in age groups 9 & Under and 10-13 will earn award certificates. Parents are welcome to accompany the kids and strollers are welcome. Dogs are not allowed in the kids run or the 5k. Participants are encouraged to bring water as there is no water on the course.

The 16th Annual Operation Troop Appreciation Veteran's Day 5k Race in Hampton Community Park is the weekend's medium menu option. This 5k features a rolling tour of the park and nearby back roads of Hampton Township. Public roads will be closed to traffic during the event.

This year's course has been modified due to construction projects along the route and will include a newly finished ¾-mile packed gravel jogging trail in the park. Race director Alice McLaughlin promises that runners will still challenge “the hill.” Hampton High School pep band will play rousing music while Boy Scout Troop 195 offer's water to encourage runners to reach the top and keep their eyes on the prize.

Veteran's Day 5k offers unique competitive awards. Top three male and female overall and masters finishers earn gift certificates from Mojo Sports in Seven Fields as well as apple pies. First place age group winners also earn pies. Top three in age groups from 10 & Under through 65+ receive unique trophies made in Mr. Geary's Hampton High School shop class.

All participants will enjoy a post-race buffet, entertainment by DJ Rick Worth and a chance to win one of more than two dozen door prizes.

Alice says that due to the generosity of businesses and community volunteers, 100 percent of entry fees will directly benefit Operation Troop Appreciation, a registered charity which provides aid to US service men and women around the world. Funds raised at this race will make it possible to send care packages of requested items and gifts for the holidays.

Since 2004, Operation Troop Appreciation has sent 190,000 care packages from its warehouse in Pittsburgh's South Hills. For more information about Operation Troop Appreciation, to donate or to volunteer, visit operationtroopappreciation.org

Last on our menu is Dirt Monster 5-Mile's run on the wild side. This is the 15th year for the challenging, entirely off-pavement romp over rugged North Park singletrack and gravel park roads.

Due to the rugged nature of the trails, strollers, dogs and headphones are not allowed on the 5-mile race or the out-and-back 1-mile fun run/walk. To eliminate crowding at the start and on trail, Dirt Monster starts in waves at 15-minute intervals.

Competitive awards include cash prizes for top three male and female overall and masters finishers and medals for top three in age groups from 17 & Under through 60+. There's also a hotly contested team competition for co-ed teams of 3 to 5 runners. All participants are rewarded with post-race homemade soup and beer for those 21 and older.

Dirt Monster proceeds benefit OCD PA, providing support services for Western PA individuals and families struggling with obsessive compulsive disorder. It's too late to sign up for this year's event, but volunteers are still needed on race day. Email edavispgh@gmail.com to volunteer.

Saturday 9 a.m.: Dirt Monster 5 Mile Trail Race, Allison Park. Challenging North Park trail run starting at Grant Pavilion benefits Obsessive Compulsive Foundation of Western PA. trailrunner.com/event/dirt-monster-trail-race/Saturday, 10 a.m.: Butler YMCA Turkey Trot 5k and 1 Mile Kids Race, Butler. Kids mile starts at 9:45 A.M. 724-287-4733 or butler.bcfymca.org/Turkey-TrotSunday, 7:30 a.m.: EQT 10 Miler, Pittsburgh. Starts on Pittsburgh's Southside. raceroster.com/events/2021/49129/eqt-pittsburgh-10-miler-2021Sunday, 9 a.m., InFirst Veteran's Marathon and ½ Marathon, Blairsville. Out and back on Ghost Town Rail Trail. 724-599-5929 or register online at runsignup.com/Race/PA/Blairsville/IndianaFirstBankVeteransMarathonHalfMarathonandMarathonRelaySunday, 9 a.m.: Operation Troop Appreciation Veteran's Day 5k Race, Allison Park. Rolling course through Hampton Community Park. runsignup.com/Race/PA/AllisonPark/OPERATIONTROOPAPPRECIATION5Krunsignup.com/Race/PA/Gibsonia/PineRichlandTrack5kNov. 14, 8 a.m.: The ReWarding 5k, Allison Park. Run starting at North Park Boathouse celebrates the life of Adam F. Ward. Participants earn commemorative hoodie and finisher's mug. runsignup.com/Race/PA/AllisonPark/TheReWarding5k?aflt_token=HrZcYWJT57TH3GH4vWg7QL584fEmdOnK&r=YNov. 20, 5 p.m.: Light Up Kittanning 5k and 1 Mile Glow Walk, Kittanning. Part of Kittanning's Light Up Night. Headlamps encouraged but not necessary. runsignup.com/Race/PA/Kittanning/LightUpKittanning5k?aflt_token=HrZcYWJT57TH3GH4vWg7QL584fEmdOnKNov. 25, 8 a.m.: YMCA Turkey Trot, Pittsburgh. Choice of 1 mile, 5k or 5 mile distance. p3r.org/races/ymca-turkey-trotNov. 25, 9a.m.: Seneca Valley Turkey Chase 5k, Cranberry Township. Run through Graham Park. Also virtual option. runsignup.com/Race/PA/CranberryTwp/svccturkeytrotNov. 25, 9 a.m.: 27th Annual Gobbler's Gallop 10k & 5k, Ellwood City. 5k starts at 10:15 A.M. runsignup.com/Race/PA/EllwoodCity/GobblersGallopNov. 25, 9 a.m.: Grateful Gallop 5k, Grove City. Flat and fast un along Hunter Farm bike path benefits Grove City Community Food Pantry. Donations of non-perishable food items accepted. runsignup.com/Race/PA/GroveCity/GratefulGallop5kDec. 4, 3 p.m.: Santa's Spirit Sprint 1 Mile Walk or Run, Barneville, OH. Hand-crafted trophies, food, door prizes. All registered receive Christmas ornament, costumes encouraged. runsignup.com/Race/OH/Barnesville/8thAnnualSantasSpiritSprintDec. 5, 9 a.m.: Run Santa Run 5k Fat Head's Brewery, Middleburg Heights, OH. Flat course, lots of swag. Race ends at Fat Head's Brewery. Dress festive. runsignup.com/Race/OH/MiddleburgHeights/RunSantaRun5KFatHeadsBreweryDec. 5, 11 a.m.: Clint Puller Memorial Toy Run 5k, Meadville. Run on Ernst Rail Trail. Competitive awards and awards for best Christmas costumes. 724-992-9154 or clintpullermemorial@gmail.comDec. 11, 9 a.m.: Run Santa Run 5k, Cranberry Township. Lots of swag in this holiday themed fun run through Graham Park. Dress festive! runsignup.com/Race/PA/CranberryTownship/RunSantaRunCranberryTownship

Erie Marathon at Presque Isle, Sept. 12: Aaron Benka, 1st Overall M, 2:39:13; Angela Taylor, 1st Overall W, 2:54:22; Angie Jenny, 1st Masters W, 3:10:04; Jim Sweeney, 3:48:33; Nathan Sydlik, 3:48:42; Kim Sopears, 3:50:25; Toni Weis, 3:51:56; Matt Rhenish, 4:02:33; Patrick Hughes, 4:42:22; Joe Guilyard, 4:44:26; Emily Funte,4:54:29; Angela Majkut, 5:20:06Rock 'n' the Knob Marathon, Sept. 18: David Endress, 1st Overall M, 4:44:05; Jessica Simao, 1st Overall W, 6:06:57; Jamie Shouse, 1st 20-29 W, 7:46:03Rock 'n' the Knob Half Marathon, Sept. 18: AJ Kelly, 1st Overall M, 2:21:04; Stephanie Daniels, 1st Overall W, 2:46:41; Megan Giammarco, 4:50:37Rock 'n' the Knob 10k, Sept. 18: Steve Templin, 1st Overall M, 1:00:08; Jane Hallinan, 1st Overall W, 1:16:19; Cole Buser, 1:28:54; Laura Potoski, 2:20:02Boston Harvest Half Marathon, Sept. 18: Eli Anish, 1st Overall M, 1:11:46; Jessica Horvath, 1st Overall W, 1:31:39; Michael Halley, 1:51:13; Ron Liscio, 1:53:03; Amy O'Donnell, 1:53:03; Charles Warden, 1:55:11; Jeffrey Ward, 1:56:05; Aarushi Arya, 2:21:06Boston Harvest 10k, Sept. 18: Lenna Birchard, 1st Overall W, 42:17; Giles Zajdel, 1st Overall M, 49:48Boston Harvest 5k, Sept.18: Dean Banko, 1st Overall M, 18:42; Alayna Lafontant, 1st Overall W, 23:43; Vivek Pahwa, 1st 25-29 M, 26:34; Kathleen Baraniak, 1st 35-39 W, 29:13; Ashlyn Brunazzi, 2nd 11-14 W, 40:53Roaring Run Howl at the Moon 5k, Oct. 23: Dante Frescura, 1st Overall M, 17:53; Claudia Henry, 1st Overall W, 23:58; Travis Domhoff, 3rd 20-29 M, 24:23; Kathleen Baraniak, 2nd 30-39 W, 28:29; Jesse Hilko, 24:22St. Greg Great Pumpkin 5k, Oct. 24: Bob Teagarden, 1st Overall M, 18:15; Canaan Sauers, 2nd Overall M, 18:50; Katie Kovacic, 1st Overall W, 22:45; Caroline Hufnagle, 2nd Overall W, 22:47; Diane Speicher, 3rd Overall W, 22:51; Jacob Birchok, 2nd 11-14 M, 21:12; Henry Buchanan, 3rd 11-14 M, 21:27; John Urban, 2nd 30-39 M, 21:35; Kevin May, 3rd 30-39 M, 21:58; Ella Butterfield, 1st 15-19 W, 24:37; Luke Lariviere, 2nd 10 & Under M, 25:09; Lucas Martin, 3rd 10 & Under M, 25:10; Naomi Sauers, 3rd 11-14 W, 25:37; Michael Deem, 3rd 40-49 M, 26:33; Alice Anderson, 1st 10 & Under W, 26:54; Dana Hoover, 2nd 30-39 W, 27:26; Chloe Boosel, 2nd 10 & Under W, 27:44; Judy Wehr, 1st 50-59 W, 27:55; Janet Pudlo, 2nd 50-59 W, 27:59; Katelyn Collins, 3rd 30-39 W, 28:09; Chrystal Zinkham, 1st 40-49 W, 28:59; Barbara Mccandless, 3rd 50-59 W, 29:04; Mark Kujala, 3rd 50-59 M, 29:10; Alexis Birchok, 3rd 10 & Under W, 29:13; Virginia Morlino, 3rd 40-49 W, 31:24; Michelle Baxa, 1st 20-29 W, Mary Ann Thompson, 1st 70+ W, 45:12; Ian Maloney, 22:26; Patrick Horton, 22:30; Lincoln Martin, 22:34; Andrew Deem, 23:00; Zachary Porter, 23:01; John Kovacic,24:10; Cayden Mohler, 25:12; Jerry Porter, 25:27; Annabella Policella, 25:48; Mariah Martin, 25:50; Christian Meyer, 27:10; Luke Kovacic, 27:14; Lucas Porter, 27:15; Corbet Martin, 28:07; Tim Maloney, 28:32; Derek Hicks, 29:20; Sara Porter, 29:24; John Birchok, 29:27; Matthew Brittner, 29:38; Jessica Carpenter, 29:38; Andrew Lariviere, 29:54; Nick Hoover, 30:12; Andrew Moulton,31:33; Krista Price, 31:50; Katelyn Buchanan, 32:27; Emily Birchok, 32:56; Owen Fitzgerald, 33:01; Michael Fitzgerald, 33:04; Sara Palmer, 33:18; Lydia Pierce, 33:18; Herb Brittner, 33:54; Danielle Rich; 34:52; Nicole Brittner, 35:07; Matt Buchwald, 35:43; Michael Anderson, 35:44; Rosie Anderson, 35:45; Charles Hufnagle, 38:09; Amy Buchwald, 40:09; Mike Baxa, 41:52; Eleanor Dietrick, 45:19; Kevin Dietrick, 45:20; Jim Haney, 48:28; Frank Longobardi, 59:59Send comments and suggestions: Patricia Neubert. Phone 724-352-4395. Email lotzak@consolidated.netPat Neubert is a running columnist for the Butler Eagle