It’s a full slate of Butler races this weekend with opportunities to feel good and do good for local charities.

At 7 p.m. Friday, Run with the Lions 5k Run/Walk and Kids (14 and under) ½ Mile Race runs through Penn Township neighborhoods to benefit Penn Christian Academy. The school offers an accredited Christian education for kids from Pre-K through Middle School.

Holly Depew, race director, runner and PCA’s Dean of Student Life, says that although the event had taken place in the past, this will be the first running since the COVID-19 shutdown. Depew says that funds raised will be used to replace an aging floor in the school’s multipurpose room. Holly says that they chose Friday evening for the event to accommodate families’ busy weekend schedules. She hopes to see more than 100 finishers from the school and community.

Run with the Lions winds through a quiet and relatively flat neighborhood surrounding the school. There will be water stops on the course and post-run snacks for all.

Awards in the 5k include first three male and female finishers and top three in age groups from 13 and under through 60+. Top three overall and age groups from 5 and under through 12-14 in the 1/2-mile earn awards.

Registration online until 7 p.m. Thursday or on Saturday morning beginning at 6 a.m. at the school.

At 10 a.m. Saturday, Patti J. Nelson Foundation’s Lace Up for the Library 5k and 1-Mile challenges the hills of Evans City. As race director and sister of the late Patti Nelson, Carol English explains, “It’s the same race but with a new, catchy name.”

The 5k course is challenging but runs the route that Patti, a lifelong Evans City resident and community volunteer, walked daily with friends and with her dog Petunia. Carol says that dogs will always be welcome and that Dog Sponsor stops will offer water and dog biscuits for any four-legged runners on the course. There will be one human water stop at the halfway point of the 5k.

The strictly-for-fun 1-mile is relatively flat and beginner and stroller-friendly. All ages may join the fun walk/run and kids ages 12 and younger receive a finisher’s medal for their efforts.

As in previous years, the race awards ceremony is followed by a free lunch with musical entertainment. Spectators may join the lunch and celebration for a $10 fee. All may take a chance on raffle or Chinese auction prizes donated by local businesses.

Online registration is open until 9 a.m. Friday. There will be packet pickup and registration from 4 to 6 p.m.Friday at SecondSole in Cranberry Township and day-of-event registration until the start of the race. A limited number of commemorative shirts are available as are some of this year’s commemorative Mason jar glasses for late sign-ups.

At 9 a.m. on Sunday., Butler’s 2nd Annual Back the Blue 5k completes the county’s weekend running schedule with a fast competitive 5k Run and a 2-Mile Walk starting at the top of the hill in Alameda Park, running down and along the level park road and finishing at the carousel pavilion. The event benefits Butler City Police Department’s K-9 unit.

The race starts with the national anthem by DJ Jeff Dunn. Dunn also provides music for the post-race picnic. All are welcome, including strollers and leashed dogs.

Top three male and female finishers in the run earn gift certificates from SecondSole in Cranberry Township (formerly Mojo Running), and age group winners in 10-year increments also earn awards. There are overall awards, but no age group awards in the 2-Mile Walk.

As of this past Tuesday, 175 have registered. That’s more than all last year’s finishers. It’s too late to receive a commemorative shirt, but there are still coffee cups available. You may register online until Friday at noon or at the carousel pavilion beginning at 7:30 a.m. on race day. Back the Blue 5k also has a virtual option online for the 5k.

Upcoming events

Friday, 7 p.m.: Penn Christian Academy Run with the Lions 5k Run/Walk and Kids ½ Mile Race, Butler. Run in Penn Township neighborhoods. runsignup.com/Race/PA/Butler/PennChristianAcademyRunwiththeLions5k?rsus=100-200-08f8f7d0-8ed5-4f81-9cb7-1dba0562265e

Saturday, 7 a.m.: Oil Creek Stacked Trail Races, Titusville. Choice of 5 Mile starting at 7 a.m., 13 Mile starting at 8:30 a.m. or run both. www.runrace.net/findarace.php?id=22141PA&fbclid=IwAR0J14fEJvxYb2XxPKJbQCt6PBbJG6FNP3JwyrejcNCAMIAn87kZSlvZBGQ

Saturday, 7 a.m.: Mighty Moraine Man Youth Spring Multi-Sport Festival, Portersville. Held at Moraine State Park’s Lakeview Beach. runsignup.com/Race/PA/Portersville/MightyMoraineSpringMultiSportFestival

Saturday, 10 a.m.: Patti J Nelson Foundation Lace Up for the Library 5k and 1 Mile, Evans City. Benefits Evans City Public Library. runsignup.com/Race/PA/EvansCity/PattiJNelsonFoundationMemorialRunWalk

Sunday, 7 a.m.: Mighty Moraine Man Adult Spring Multi-Sport Festival, Portersville. Held at Moraine State Park’s Lakeview Beach. runsignup.com/Race/PA/Portersville/MightyMoraineSpringMultiSportFestival

Sunday, 9 a.m.: Butler’s Back the Blue 5k Run and two Mile Walk, Butler. runsignup.com/Race/PA/Butler/ButlersBacktheBlue5k

May 26, 7 p.m.: Fryburg Mayfest 5k, Fryburg. Challenging course through scenic Fryburg and Marble. runsignup.com/Race/PA/Fryburg/FryburgMayfestFunRun5K

May 27, 10 a.m.: CASA of Venango County Superhero 5k Run/Walk and Kids Mini Fun Run, Oil City. Kids Mini Run is free with all kids earning finisher’s ribbons. runsignup.com/Race/PA/OilCity/VenangoCountyCASASuperhero5k

May 27, 4:30 p.m.: Hoyt Color Run 5k Fun Run, New Castle. Also 1-block run for kids 7 and under. runsignup.com/Race/PA/NewCastle/HOYTColorRunWalk

May 28, 8 a.m.: Old Turnpike Half Marathon, Waterfall. Run through two tunnels on an abandoned portion of PA Turnpike. runsignup.com/Race/PA/Waterfall/OldTurnpikeHalfMarathon10k

May 28, 9 a.m.: Dahoga Dash, Wilcox. 814-512-1374 or randylindberg@hotmail.com

May 28, 10 a.m.: Gabriel Lee Friedline Memorial 5k Run/Walk and Tot Race, Schellsburg. Run on Lake Shore Trail at Shawnee State Park. runsignup.com/Race/PA/Schellsburg/GabrielLeeFriedlineMemorialRun

May 31, 6:30 p.m.: Pine Richland 5000 Meter Classic, Gibsonia. Run in heats at Pine-Richland High School Track. runsignup.com/Race/PA/Gibsonia/PineRichlandTrack5k

June 3, 8 a.m.: God’s Country Marathon, Half Marathon and Relay, Galeton. Scenic point-to-point course. 814-558-5353, amy_eppley@yahoo.com or active.com/coudersport-pa/running/distance-running-races/god-s-country-marathon-2023

June 3, 9 a.m.: Freeport Flash 10k and 5k Run/Walk, Sarver. runsignup.com/Race/PA/Sarver/FreeportFlash5K10K

June 3, 9:30 a.m.: Donut Day 5k Run/Walk and Kids’ ½ Mile, Brackenridge. give.salvationarmy.org/event/use-wpa-allegheny-valley-donut-day-5k/e468734

June 4, 8:30 a.m.: Greenfield Glide, Pittsburgh. Run through Pittsburgh’s Schenley Park. 412-328-0190 or runsignup.com/Race/PA/Pittsburgh/GreenfieldGlide

June 8, 6:30 p.m.: 31st Annual Gateway Mile, Monroeville. Run at Gateway High School Track, no entry fee. 412-372-3212 or don_tammy@msn.com

Race results

MKG Half Marathon, April 8: Mathew McClellan, 1st Overall M, 1:28:22; Jammie Clark, 1st Overall W, 1:48:25; John Armstrong, 3rd 50-59 M, 1:58:47; Ryan Locktosh, 3rd 20-29 M, 2:09:34; John Bielewicz, 3rd 30-39 M, 2:11:00; Brittany Bielewicz, 3rd 30-39 W, 2:11:01; Nichol Zaginaylo, 2nd 40-49 W, 2:23:38; Anthony Sunseri, 2nd 70+ M, 2:41:31; Heidi Struble, 3rd 40-49 W, 2:46:19; Kathy Schnarre, 2nd 50-59 W, 2:55:19

Dirty Kiln Half Marathon, April 8: AJ Kelly, 1st Overall M, 1:42:32; Emily Zuetell, 1st Overall W, 2:24:11; Steven Patterson, 1:53:02; Zach Porter, 2:26:50; Christina Traynor, 2:46:52; Rana Weikel, 2:52:40; Sara Porter, 2:56:46; Lori Fromlak, 3:21:52

Dirty Kiln 10k(ish), April 8: Casey Roeder, 1st Overall M, 46:05; Jane Hallinan, 1st Overall W, 50:53; Shawn Robinson, 1:15:19; Courtney Servello, 1:19:23; Sue Johnson, 2:03:17; Diane Flick, 2:03:17; Adrian Sipes, 2:07:41; Heather Bozovich, 2:07:41

Run Across Guatemala 5k, April 15: Brad Gallagher, 1st Overall M, 20:13; Skyler Wolfgang, 1st Overall W, 26:37; Rachel Roos, 1st 20-29 W, 28:23; Joe Mulqueen, 1st 60+ M, 30:35; Robert Whittington, 2nd 60+ M, 30:58; Kirk Mitchell, 3rd 60+ M, 31:29; Molly Miles, 1st 19 & Under W, 31:42; Gemma Wolfgang, 2nd 19 & Under W, 31:43; Julie Casper, 1st 60+ W, 35:09; Gloria Herrera, 2nd 40-49 W, 36:05; German Villalba, 32:19

Dyngus Day 5k, April 15: Daniel Holland, 1st Overall M, 19:25; Nicole Lemal-Stefanovic, 1st Overall W, 21:19; Jeff Smith, 1st 50-59 M, 22:12; Samantha Strelick, 1st 17 & Under W, 22:29; Teresa Grimm, 2nd 17 & Under W, 22:52; Clarence Wade, 2nd 50-59 M, 23:39; Christina Keck, 1st 40-49 W, 24:57; Adrianna Grimm, 3rd 17 & Under W, 24:59; Mitch Radella, 3rd 50-59 M, 26:32; Megan Koroly, 1st 50-59 W, 27:22; Kristine Sharar, 2nd 50-59 W, 28:15; Phyllis Kapela, 3rd 60-69 W, 45:01; James Kaczynski, 3rd 70+ M, 53:31; Doug Vensel, 27:53; Alex Bauer, 28:09; John Lamb, 28:34; Matthew Mays, 28:59; Sean Riley, 29:15; John Kuhn, 30:30; Sarah Ward, 31:51; Tasha Werner, 32:46; Frederick Florian, 34:10; John Karpacs, 34:58; Sylvia Mays, 35:07; Rachel Mills, 36:39; Owen Evankovich, 37:01; John Evankovich, 37:01; Jordan Johnson, 37:33; Lori Marvill, 37:50; Josh Marvill, 37:51; Beth Ann Skinner, 39:05; Derrick Carlson, 39:40; Jessica Pachuta, 40:26; Beth Sprague, 42:24; Lisa Casher, 43:40; Sara Cole, 43:52; Amy Lehman, 44:39; Herb Brittner, 44:46; Nicole Brittner, 45:02; Jeffrey Kubit, 45:21; Nicole Homa, 45:21; Karen Demmker, 45:47; Marina Rezk, 46:34; Logan Prosser, 47:47; Danielle Wiles, 50:09; Michael Slater, 50:11; Bethany Ruhe, 55:25; Zakkari Peffer, 1:00:29; Jack Kraynik, 1:01:38; Hallie Sciulli, 1:01:38; Sally Kraynik, 1:01:39; Kelly Kennedy, 1:01:39; Stephen Barczynski, 1:02:26; Kristen Barczynski, 1:02:26; Andrew Poluszejko, 1:04:59; Nancy Karolak, 1:08:40; Joanne Strugalski, 1:10:47

Boston Trail Half Marathon, April 15: Jeffrey Smeiles, 1st Overall M, 1:20:13; Jenna Hotchkiss, 1st Overall W, 1:39:15; Jill Molnar, 1:56:18; Mike Soloman, 2:09:39; Megan Giammarco, 2:12:43; Lori Fromlak, 2:19:10

Run to Breathe Half Marathon, April 16: Graham Carr, 1st Overall M, 1:30:52; Adrienne Harmon, 1st Overall W, 1:36:13; Matt Bernardi, 1st 45-49 M, 1:36:48; Travis Ritenour, 1st 30-34 M, 1:41:28; Mario Greco, 2nd 25-29 M, 1:45:04; Robert Dummer, 3rd 35-39 M, 1:49:47; Holly Palmer, 2nd 45-49 W, 1:59:51; Tony Chan, 2nd 60-64 M, 2:00:30; Carrie Birckbichler-Smith, 3rd 40-44 W, 2:01:58; Jenifer Carter, 3rd 35-39 W, 2:06:17; Kanyn Seintz, 3rd 45-49 W, 2:07:15; Sara Hull, 3rd 24 & Under W, 2:08:53; Corinne Savena, 3rd 25-29 W, 2:20:02; Julia Murray, 3rd 55-59 W, 2:43:45; Anthony Sunseri, 1st 70+ M, 2:49:25; Kevin Hixon, 1:49:33; Timothy James, 1:58:20 John Armstrong, 2:05:29; Veronica Prefling; 2:08:54; Jen Beachem, 2:09:25; Josh Shaffer, 2:13:00; Mandy James, 2:16:08; Jennifer Eckenrode, 2:19:07; Andrew Gryskewicz, 2:19:12; Henry Nolan, 2:23:35; Brianna Bailey, 2:28:22; Brian Beals, 2:31:15; David Murray, 2:34:37; Doug Titchen, 2:34:47; Sarah Parish, 2:39:40; Maritza Cable, 2:54:40; Jonathon Price, 2:55:39; Pamela Beck, 3:20:30

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

Pat Neubert is a running columnist for the Butler Eagle