It’s time to pack away the pumpkins and Halloween masks and move on to November’s big holidays, Veterans’ Day and Thanksgiving.

This Saturday, the Butler YMCA Turkey Trot runs from Butler Family YMCA for two scenic loops of Memorial Park. The event has been a November tradition for more than 40 years and remains popular with runners and walkers of all ages.

Last year’s 5k saw 220 finishers in the 5k race with an additional 19 in the kids’ mile. You don’t have to be a YMCA member to run, but more than one-quarter of last year’s field were Y members. Walkers and kids in strollers are welcome, but dogs are not.

The event kicks off with the kids’ 1-mile run at 9:45 a.m. The 5k starts at 10 a.m. and will follow the same course as last year’s run. Runners start on Penn Street, turn right on Miller Avenue before completing two loops of Memorial Park, then finish at the YMCA.

There will be an awards presentation following the runs. In the 5k, the first three male and female finishers and top three in age groups from 9 & under through 70+ earn awards. In the Kids’ 1-mile, first overall girls and boys finishers and top three in age groups 9 & under and 10-13 will earn award certificates.

It's too late to preregister, but day-of-event registration opens at 8:30 a.m. on Saturday at the YMCA. Payment in cash or checks only will be accepted for registration. If you’re already signed up, you may pick up your race packet at the Butler YMCA on Friday from 4 to 6 p.m.

Proceeds from the Butler Turkey Trot benefit our community through the YMCA Annual Support Campaign. This campaign funds services for children, families and seniors in Butler County and ensures that everyone, regardless of age, income and background, has access to these services and programs.

On Sunday, the 17th Annual Operation Troop Appreciation Veterans Day 5k runs through Hampton Community Park and adjacent roads to help send Holiday Care Packages to active troops serving around the world. Since 2004, Operation Troop Appreciation has supported over 200,000 troops and thousands of veteran’s families by providing requested items during their deployments and as they return to normal life.

Race director Alice McLaughlin says that because of the generosity of business and community volunteers, 100 percent of race registration dollars will benefit troops and veterans.

Alice expects at least 200 participants for the event, many of them veterans who run to share the experience with fellow vets each year. She also credits a “loyal cadre of volunteers” with making this a great event for 17 years.

The Veterans Day 5k is proof that doing good can be a lot of fun. Participants start and finish by running under a huge American flag. Runners and walkers enjoy music by Hampton High School Pep Band along the scenic rolling course and by DJ Rick Worth in Hampton Park. Strollers and dogs on leashes are welcome, but requested to start in the back of the pack for safety.

This year’s event will use the same course as 2021’s race. Top three male and female overall finishers and top masters earn gift certificates to Second Sole running store. Top finishers in 13 age groups earn apple pies while second and third place receive medals. All participants will enjoy a post-race buffet of hot dogs, apple pie and Alice McLaughlin’s homemade baked beans and have a chance to win one of more than two dozen random drawing prizes.

Through a grant from P3R to encourage activity and exercise, the fastest 5-person team (based on cross country scoring) will win Penguins tickets to an upcoming game. Register five members for the Team Challenge online until Friday at midnight.

It's not too late to sign up for Sunday’s Veterans Day 5k. Register online individually or as a team until Friday at midnight or sign up individually on race day beginning at 7 a.m.

Upcoming events

Saturday, 9:30 a.m.: Dirt Monster 5 Mile, McCandless Twp.: Trail race and 1-mile trail walk in North Park. Individual and team awards. www.trailracesnearpittsburgh.org/dirt-monster

Saturday, 10 a.m.: Butler YMCA Turkey Trot 5k and Kids 1 Mile, Butler. Run begins and ends at YMCA with two loops of Butler Memorial Park. 724-287-4733 or butler.bcfymca.org/Post-Events/Turkey-Trot

Saturday, 10 a.m.: Pancreatic Cancer 5k Run and Fun Walk, Indiana. Run on Hoodlebug Trail. 724-479-2963

Sunday, 7:30 a.m.: EQT 10-Mile, Pittsburgh. Also 10k beginning at 8:15 A.M. p3r.org/races/eqt-10-miler

Sunday, 9 a.m.: Operation Troop Appreciation Veterans’ Day 5k, Allison Park. Rolling course through Hampton Community Park. runsignup.com/Race/PA/AllisonPark/OPERATIONTROOPAPPRECIATION5K

Sunday, 9 a.m.: InFirst Bank Veterans’ Marathon and ½ Marathon. Run out-and-back on Ghost Town Trail. Flat, fast, certified Boston qualifier, 814-244-2270 or stephdaniels72@gmail.com

Nov. 13, 9 a.m.: Lorain/Stonycreek Hiking Trails Fall 5k, Johnstown. Medals for overall male and female in both running and hiking divisions. 814-915-4392 or www.eventbrite.com/e/lorainstonycreek-hiking-trails-fall-5k-tickets-418939839337

Nov. 13, 8 a.m.: The ReWarding 5k, Allison Park. Starts and finishes at North Park Boathouse. runsignup.com/Race/PA/AllisonPark/TheReWarding5k

Nov. 13, 9 a.m.: Lorain/Stonycreek Hiking Trails Fall 5k, Johnstown. Awards in running and hiking divisions. 814-915-4392 or www.eventbrite.com/e/lorainstonycreek-hiking-trails-fall-5k-tickets-418939839337

Nov. 19, 9 a.m.: Oil City YMCA Turkey Trot 5k, Oil City. Run or walk on Justus Recreation Trail. runsignup.com/Race/PA/OilCity/OCTurkeytrot

Nov.19, 11 a.m.: Foxburg Turkey Trot 5k, Foxburg. Out-and-back on bike trail along the Allegheny River. 814-659-4661 or secure.getmeregistered.com/get_information.php?event_id=13765

Nov. 24, 8 a.m.: YMCA Turkey Trot, Pittsburgh. Choice of 1-mile, 5k or 5-mile distances along North Shore to support YMCA food pantry and Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank. 412-586-7785 or p3r.org/races/ymca-turkey-trot

Nov.24, 8:30 a.m.: Kiski Valley Turkey Trot 5k, Apollo. Wave starts at 8:30 and 9:30, also 1 Mile Fun Walk. Prizes for best Thanksgiving costumes. runsignup.com/Race/PA/Apollo/kvturkeytrot

Nov. 24, 9 a.m.: 27th Annual Gobbler’s Gallop 10k and 5k, Ellwood City. Start time for 5k is 10:15 A.M. 724-758-6227 or runsignup.com/Race/PA/EllwoodCity/GobblersGallop

Nov.24, 9 a.m.: 7th Annual Grateful Gallop 5k, Grove City. Run on Hunter Farm bike path to benefit Grove City Community Food Bank. Donations of non-perishable food items accepted. runsignup.com/Race/PA/GroveCity/GratefulGallop5k?aflt_token=HrZcYWJT57TH3GH4vWg7QL584fEmdOnK

Nov. 26, 10 a.m.: WALKer Run 5k, Conneaut Lake. Overall awards in running and walking divisions. 814-573-8734 or www.walkerrun5k.com

Dec. 3, 9 a.m.: Oil City’s Christmas Past Jingle Bell 5k, Oil City. runsignup.com/Race/PA/OilCity/OCJingleBellRun5k

Dec. 4, 9 a.m.: Run Santa Run 5k, Plum. Run at Boyce Park Four Seasons Ski Lodge. www.runsanta5k.com/pennsylvania

Dec. 4, 10 a.m.: Nittany Valley Half Marathon, University Park. 412-779-7749 or www.runreg.com/nittany-valley-half-marathon

Dec. 10, 9 a.m.: Run Santa Run 5k, Cranberry Township. Run in Graham Park. www.runsanta5k.com/pennsylvania

Race results

Rockin’ the Knob Trail Challenge Marathon, Sept. 17: Dean Banko, 1st Overall M, 4:53:04; Stephanie Daniels, 1st Overall W, 6:29:11; Jamie Harcar, 1st 20-29 W, 7:33:31; Christina Traynor, 1st 50-59 W, 8:32:02; Todd Foulk, 7:02:33; Sean Harcar, 8:59:59

Rockin’ the Knob Trail Challenge Half Marathon, Sept. 17: Brandon Emmett, 1st Overall M, 2:51:01; Larie Hall, 1st Overall W, 3:13:49; Abi Eason, 3rd 40-49 W, 4:27:46; Phoebe Eason, 1st 19 & Under W, 4:29:31; Martin Shrubb, 3:56:43; Nathan Ford, 3:59:36; Jordan Pass, 4:36:24

Rockin’ the Knob Trail Challenge 10k, Sept. 17: Lee Strappello, 1st Overall M, 58:53; Jane Hallinan, 1st Overall W, 1:13:14; Thomas Patterson, 1st 50-59 M, 1:18:09

Buffalo Creek 5k, Sept. 25: Lucas Bowser, 1st Overall M, 23:50; Andrew Cypher, 2nd Overall M, 25:13; Shawn Beranty, 3rd Overall M, 26:32; Debbie Courtney, 1st Overall W, 28:06; Hannah Risch, 2nd Overall W, 28:59; Tabitha Bowser, 3rd Overall W, 30:45; George Spencer, 1st 70+ M, 27:26; Tom McMann, 1st 40-49 M, 31:22; Robert Shick, 1st 50-59 M, 31:33; Randy Bowser, 2nd 40-49 M, 32:26; Brody Beranty, 1st 19 & Under M, 32:39; Brittanny Barnett, 1st 30-39 W, 33:14; Ernie McMann, 2nd 70+ M, 34:06; D.J. Spencer, 1st 50-59 W, 39:05; Camryn Bowser, 1st 19 & Under W, 44:19; Susan Montgomery, 2nd 50-59 W, 59:51

Buffalo Creek Kids Race, Sept. 25: Audrey Mann, 4:23; Brayden Barnett, 5:09; Connor Barnett, 5:16; Adeline Bowser, 7:16; Gavin Bowser, 7:25

FlyBy 5k, Oct. 1: Ryan Sippel, 1st Overall M, 16:39; Nicole Feng, 1st Overall W, 18:29; Jacob Birchok, 1st 10-14 M, 20:36; John Rhee, 3rd 15-19 M, 21:02; Grayson Edwards, 3rd 5 & Under M, 27:06; Gypsy Dreveniak, 3rd 50-54 W, 27:46; Brian Bradley, 3rd 60-64 M, 28:27; Mike Grabowski, 3rd 70-74 M, 47:45; Sally Krznaric, 3rd 65-69 W, 57:42; Drew Sherba, 20:13; Evan Olszak, 20:39; Vasilii Surov, 24:03; Kristian Feterik, 25:19; Nash Doman, 26:10; Corinne Savena, 26:29; Shane Stauffer, 26:58; David Findlay, 26:58; Janel Edwards, 27:06; Josh Prosser, 27:09; Derek Howell, 28:15; Sara Frankenstein, 28:37; Jenna Frankenstein, 28:37; Luke Dye, 29:03; Maura Dye, 29:20; Megan Mercer, 29:26; Jonathan Birchok, 29:26; Jennifer Landau, 30:07; Katie Bunge, 30:38; Curtis Corson, 33:47; Elaine Wissolik, 34:34; Daniel Sagath, 35:19; Andrea Slavin, 35:53; Ryan Connelly, 37:40; Rachel Singer, 39:50; Michael Singer, 40:04; Karen Murphy, 40:17; Kaylin Mazzetti, 40:48; Svetlana Tarassov, 40:49; Hayley Stein, 41:49; Shelby Sagath, 41:52; Gabby Egler, 44:34; Eric Slovak, 45:56; Alex Slovak, 45:57; Joe Rafail, 50:30; Jason Fulton, 51:42; Zoey Lanus, 51:52; Faiza Khan, 54:37; Zamaar Khan, 54:38; Zoya Khan, 55:42; Atif Khan, 55:43

Pine Richland Ram Run 5k, Oct. 2: Richard Yurocko, 1st Overall M, 18:52; Jason Jerome, 2nd Overall M, 18:55; Kimberly Lucia, 1st Overall W, 22:49; Kelli McKissick, 2nd Overall W, 23:49; Brian Vernon, 3rd Masters M, 23:26; Stephanie Weibley, 3rd Masters W, 31:12; Collin McKissick, 1st 12-15 M, 21:56; Eric Stauffer, 1st 20-29 M, 23:08; Peter Lyons, 1st 50-59 M, 24:09; John Caskey, 2nd 40-49 M, 24:41; Gauthier Robe, 3rd 40-49 M, 25:10; Juliana Hunkele, 1st 9-11 W, 25:32; Mitch Radella, 2nd 50-59 M, 25:40; Drew Van Tromp, 2nd 9-11 M, 26:29; Janell Baden, 2nd 30-39 W, 27:47; Richie Redlinger, 1st 8 & Under M, 28:14; Ziggy Kaminski, 3rd 8 & Under M, 29:03; Mathew Yurocko, 1st 16-19 M, 29:50; Buddy Segal, 3rd 50-59 M, 31:45; Mia Kampmeyer, 1st 8 & Under W, 32:20; Kristin Helfrich, 3rd 30-39 W, 33:09; Lorelei Vernon, 3rd 9-11 W, 34:00; Brian Conner, 1st 30-39 M, 35:00 Holden Novotny, 37:46; Amelia Lam, 40:36; Melanie Lam, 40:36; Justin Van Tromp, 26:35; Hudson Novotny, 27:31; Chris Kaminski, 29:03 Silas Conner, 30:53; Danijel Brener, 30:59 Rich Redlinger, 33:37; Manaen Conner, 34:58

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

Pat Neubert is a running columnist for the Butler Eagle