Running and beer seem made for each other. Running produces thirst along with stories to tell – harrowing, heroic or at least humorous, while beer relieves that thirst and provides a venue for repeating said stories.

While many area runners participated in Pittsburgh’s Great Race on Sept. 24, Dave and I indulged our love of running and beer at Dogfish Dash in Milton, Delaware. Held at Dogfish Head Brewing since its first 10k/5k event in 2008, Dogfish Dash has raised $1 million for environmental causes. This year’s 3.8-mile Dash raised over $70,000 for Delaware Center for the Inland Bays.

The Dash seems like a race held in the middle of a party. The morning started with a recycled costume contest. Creativity has no bounds as runners sported creations like an Aquaman suit of plastic can holders and armor made of flattened Dogfish 60 Minute cans. The rules don’t require that the costumes be worn for the run, but some runners did and some regretted that decision.

After the contest, participants self-seeded in the start area in front of the brewery. Dogfish Head co-founder Sam Calagione welcomed runners with opening remarks and served as race starter. The field of more than 1400 runners surged forward across the timing mats and out the back of brewery grounds..

When we first ran Dogfish Dash in 2019, the distance was 8k. This year’s event featured a 3.8-mile tour of the gently rolling streets of the coastal village. Weather was post-Ophelia damp and partly cloudy, apparently perfect for competitive running. Local runner Dylan Smiley finished first by almost 2 minutes with a 19:07 finish. Angelina Spadaccini, also from Delaware, finished first among women in 23:43.

As runners crossed the finish line, we joined the post-race party with music, a boxed brunch and 2 free Dogfish Head beers from a selection of their lighter-alcohol brews. Dave and I checked in with some Delaware friends, enjoyed our beers, then boarded the shuttle to our inn and a nap.

This weekend, you don’t have to travel to Delaware for a beer run. On Saturday at 11 A.M., Pittsburgh Brewing Company holds its first Brewski Blitz 5k and Malt Mile on the grounds of its year-old brewing facility in Creighton. Event coordinator for Pittsburgh Brewing Company and fellow runner Rebecca McCormick says that although plans were already in place for a running event in 2024, space in the schedule allowed for one more outdoor event for a worthy cause.

Proceeds from Brewski Blitz 5k and the Fall Country Jam with music, vendors and food benefits Pittsburgh Warriors Hockey, a sports participation organization of honorably discharged service members with service-related disabilities. Rebecca says that 20 to 30 Pittsburgh Warriors will serve as volunteers on Saturday. Find out more at www.pghwarriorhockey.org.

The Brewski course is level but includes paved, packed gravel and grassy surfaces with 3 loops around the facility’s campus for runners or 1 loop for walkers in the Malt Mile. Pets are not allowed but strollers are welcome.

Malt Mile is strictly a fun run/walk but competitors in the chip-timed Brewski 5k compete for overall male and female prizes and awards for top age group finishers from 19 and Under through 60+ in 10-year increments.

All finishers over 21 earn a free beer brewed on site. All participants gain free admission to the Fall Country Jam. Entry to the Jam is $15 for non-participants. All attendees for the Jam are encouraged to bring a chair. The brewery gift shop will also be open all day.

Find out more or register online for Brewski Blitz 5k or Malt Mile at www.brewskiblitz.com. Day of event registration opens at Pittsburgh Brewing at 10 A.M. for the 11 A.M. race start.

Check out pittsburghbrewing.com for additional events such as Yoga & Brews on October 21. Rebecca McCormick says that there will be a summer concert schedule posted when construction of an on-site amphitheater is completed.

Upcoming Events

Saturday, 10 a.m.: Applefest 5k YMCA Race for Any Place, Franklin. Also Tiny Trot 50-yard dash and Junior Jog 1 mile race held before 5k. 814-432-2138 or rbish@franklinymca.org

Saturday, 11 a.m.: Pittsburgh Brewing Co. Brewski Blitz 5k and Malt Mile, Creighton. Also Fall Country Jam with beer and music. www.brewskiblitz.com

October 14, 8 a.m.: FAAP Race/Walk, Allison Park. Run on North Park Trails with choice of 20k starting at 8 A.M., 10k at 9:30, or 5k at 10:15. faap5krace.yolasite.com

October 14, 8:30 a.m.: Fineview Step Challenge 5 Mile and 2 Mile, Pittsburgh. runsignup.com/Race/PA/Pittsburgh/FineviewStepChallenge

October 14, 9 a.m.: Mahoning Shadow Shuffle Half Marathon, 10k and 5k, Punxsutawney.

runsignup.com/Race/PA/Punxsutawney/PUNXSUTAWNEYMAHONINGSHADOWSHUFFLE

October 15, 8 a.m.: Pittsburgh Penguins 6.6k Run and 3.3k Family Walk, Pittsburgh. Benefits Mario Lemieux Foundation and Pittsburgh Penguins Foundation. runsignup.com/pens66k?_cldee=XCEaAPHpdMQffcnhEm8oC9fFc-Wwphi6eMdXOQHO9wlZrGbwQ7BXMGvFszDSWHs5&recipientid=contact-9e82a227da5de51180c50050568153f8-6eda01f7403c422aa1029ab38152b662&esid=3b8cacc7-0f2b-ee11-bdf4-002248268ac5

October 15, 2 p.m.: Buffalo Creek 5k, Worthington. Kids run immediately following. 724-543-1120 or acampbell@mechlingheller.com

October 21, 7:30 a.m.: Sinnemahone Ultra Trail Run, Emporium. Choice of 12k, 25k or 50k trail runs. runsignup.com/Race/PA/Emporium/SinnemahoneUltraTrailRun

October 21, 9 a.m.: 18th Annual Buffalo Creek Half Marathon, Cabot. Point-to-point on Butler-Freeport Trail. runsignup.com/Race/Info/PA/Cabot/BuffaloCreekHalfMarathon

October 21, 8 a.m.: LECOM Costume Caper 5k Family Fun Run/Walk, Pittsburgh. Held in conjunction with Pittsburgh Monster Pumpkins Festival. runsignup.com/Race/PA/Pittsburgh/PittsburghLECOMCostumeCaper5k

October 22, 9 a.m.: Preston Park 5k, Butler. Run on Preston Park drives and trails. runsignup.com/Race/PA/Butler/PrestonPark5k?rsus=100-200-601f95ac-9bcd-4317-9901-6472ff9f26f1

October 22, 9 a.m.: The Great Pumpkin Race 5k Race and 3k Walk, Monroeville. Run through Monroeville Community Park. runsignup.com/Race/PA/Monroeville/MonroevilleFoundationGreatPumpkinRun

October 28, 9 a.m.: Trick or Trot 5k, Murraysville. Also kis ½ Mile Trot at 10:15 A.M. runsignup.com/Race/PA/Murrysville/TrickorTrot5kPA

October 28, 10 a.m.: Run for your Life 5k, Kittanning. New race, out-and-back on flat and scenic Armstrong Trail. runsignup.com/Race/PA/Kittanning/KittanningRunforyourlife5k

October 28, 6:30 p.m.: 3rd Annual Quarry Shack 5 Miler, Vintonville. Out-and-back on Ghost Town Trail. runsignup.com/Race/PA/Vintondale/QUARRYSHACK5MILER

October 29, 9 a.m.: South Ridge Trail Challenge, Allison Park. Challenging 10k or 5k trail runs in North Park. runsignup.com/Race/PA/AllisonPark/SouthRidgeTrailChallenge?rsus=500-400-02ccde1b-5bff-43a3-acea-3dc811a8345f

October 29, 9 a.m.: Highland Fall Scramble 12 Miler, Cook Forest. Run on remote portions of North Country Trail through Cook Forest State Park. ultrasignup.com/register.aspx?did=104907

November 4, 10 a.m.: Butler YMCA Turkey Trot, Butler. Also 1 Mile Walk at 9:45 A.M. runsignup.com/Race/PA/Butler/ButlerYMCATurkeyTrot

November 5, 7:30 a.m.: EQT 10 Miler and 10k, Pittsburgh. raceroster.com/events/2023/75730/eqt-pittsburgh-10-miler-2023

Race Results

Fredonia 5k, July 26: Jed Christiansen, 1st Overall M, 15:34; Tim Sabella, 4th Overall M, 16:44; Amy Odonnell, 1st Overall W, 19:31; Sarah Sabella, 3rd Overall W, 20:54; Gregory Silvaggio, 1st Masters M, 17:58; Melissa Sabella, 2nd Masers W, 21:52; Chad Pakozdi, 1st 20-24 M, 17:13; Terry Beacom, 1st 45-49 M, 18:26; Seth Jenny, 1st 40-44 M, 18:44; Robert Dummer, 2nd 35-39 M, 19:46; Josh McGinley, 1st 30-34 M, 19:53; Jack Kelley, 3rd 35-39 M, 19:56; S. Mark Courtney, 2nd 65-69 M, 21:41; Melissa Conjack, 3rd 35-39 W, 22:03; Todd Allman, 3rd 55-59 M, 22:11; Jesse Burris, 2nd 30-34 M, 25:00; Jen Beachem, 3rd 40-44 W, 26:15; David Suber, 3rd 65-69 M, 26:17; Bill Swanik, 2nd 60-64 M, 26:55; Debbie Courtney, 2nd 60-64 W, 27:36; Claire Allman, 1st 25-29 W, 27:52; Kelsey Burris, 2nd 25-29 W, 28:36; Lisa Leonhard, 2nd 30-34 W, 28:37; Cindy Suber, 3rd 60-64 W, 29:24; Stephanie McCreary, 3rd 45-49 W, 31:27; James Lakin, 2nd 70+ M, 33:15; Lisa Jamison, 2nd 50-54 W, 34:56; Heidi Fleming, 3rd 50-54 W, 34:56; Valerie Sands, 2nd 70+ W, 39:12; Miles Jenny, 20:09; George Sabella, 20:10; Cole Kodiak, 23:00; Kate Jordan, 24:35; Rachel Beilstein, 25:30; Lacey Blair, 25:43; Emmaleah Riddle, 25:45; Mandy James, 27:10; Christopher Kimrey, 28:35; Tom McMann, 29:27; Erin Kohlmeyer, 29:43; Vicki Brendlinger, 30:55; James Edmonds, 31:38; Tony Sunseri, 35:58; Maria Cosme, 36:13; Debbie Jamison, 37:59; Richard Honsaker, 39:14; Robert Sands, 41:10; Katie Lang, 43:42; Steve Wiencek, 47:25

6th Annual Killian 5k, July 29: Kartik Kannan, 1st Overall M, 16:32; Bella Alampi, 1st Overall W, 19:00; Max Hudak, 1st 20-29 M, 17:28; Ben Rishel, 1st 13-19 M, 19:50; Kevin Berger, 1st 50-59 M, 20:39; Ray Lodovico, 2nd 50-59 M, 23:08; Sean Kelly, 3rd 50-59 M, 24:06; Mark Blasinsky, 1st 60-69 M, 30:02; Kathy Sweney Mattern, 3rd 60-69 W, 34:33; James Hodgson, 2nd 70+ M, 38:39; Chris Virostek, 18:49; Raymond Falcone, 21:02; Meghan Pohl, 25:27; David Rishel, 25:36; Haley Cramer, 25:53; Karsyn Spears, 25:54; Tianna Wikert, 26:11; Amanda Hardt, 26:58; Kristin Kelly, 26:48; Joe Pohl, 28:08; Sara Lutsiv, 34:36; Patty Hodgson, 44:57; Daniel Hodgson, 44:59; Kim Steliotes, 46:09; Robin Rishel, 46:21; Sandy Rosemeyer, 47:33; Paula Bonvenuto, 47:34; Kim Kenetz, 50:22; Julianne Bzorek, 50:34; Dana Stewart, 53:05; Kim Stewart, 53:06; Meghan Briski, 53:30; Carol Dowling, 54:02; Tim Cornetti, 54:08; David Derk, 54:08; Jay Craig, 54:10; Ragini Derk, 54:35; Dana Craig, 54:37; Hannah Derk, 54:53; Ryan Mean, 54:59; Julia Cornetti, 55:01; Sarah Craig, 55:02; Taylor Derk, 55:15; Jackie Kamenicky, 55:21; James Urban, 55:28; Hollis Urban, 55:50; Lynn Wenta, 56:45; Karen Lunz, 56:47; Karianne Bzorek, 57:33; Joe Bzorek, 57:35

Brookline Breeze 5k, August 12: Emery Strotman, 1st Overall M, 18:09; Lauren LRoche, 1st Overall W, 19:45; Julian Varlotta, 1st 16-19 M, 18:27; Heath Piper, 2nd 40-49 M, 19:59; Jason Judy, 22:48; Matt Delraso, 22:49; William St. Hillaire, 24:47; Lynne St. Hillaire, 24:49; Dan Rowlands, 25:06; John Karpacs, 29:20; Cate Gannon, 32:20; Greg Barr, 38:48; Briana Danley, 52:15; Robert Paslowski, 53:56

Firefly 2 Miler, August 23: Devan Evanovich, 1st Overall M, 11:20; Joe Floris, 2nd Overall M, 11:34; Mary Mulin, 1st Overall W, 15:01; Justin Sellinger, 13:55; Jacob Szul, 14:17; Jason Judy, 14:17; Samuel Fetherlin, 15:06; Luke Robbins, 15:17; Titus Fetherlin, 15:30; Easton Floris, 15:41; Adam Sellinger, 15:44; Cooper Rauschenberger, 15:45; Mitch Radella, 16:40; Ashton Floris, 16:48; Gypsy Dreveniak, 17:27; Edward Giorgetti, 17:28; Crinne Savena, 17:55; Mason Kraynik, 18:11; Michael Kraynik, 18:12; Erik Robbins, 19:13; Diane Robbins, 19:34; Shawna Hardy-Emerson, 20:15; Addison Johns, 20:54; Grace Peth, 21:13; Kevin Liberi, 21:42; Trey Dusheck, 21:51; Crystal Kraynik, 22:31; Carter Kraynik, 22:42; Gwen Robbins, 23:26; Nicole Hoover, 23:26; Edie Sawyer, 23:26; Emma LeClaire, 23:32; Michael LeClaire, 23:32; Svetlana Tarassov, 26:20

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

Pat Neubert is a running columnist for the Butler Eagle