It’s an old-fashioned race in an old-fashioned town. And that means a good old time for runners.

This Saturday at 11 a.m. marks the 17th year for Ellport Boro’s Community 5k. The town of 1,000 residents sits between Ellwood City to the west and Portersville to the east, hence the name Ellport.

In 2008, runner and mayor Joe Cisco thought a 5k race would be a great way to showcase the scenic beauty and friendliness of the small town along Connoquenessing Creek. Mayor Cisco no longer runs, but he’s still mayor and he rides the police pace car on the same course that he used to run.

The Ellport 5k course hasn’t changed in 17 years. It winds through the small town, through Robert E. Rodgers Memorial Park with baseball fields, through the residential area and along Conny Creek, finishing at the Community Center. There’s 128 feet of elevation on the course, mostly in two short hills known as “the bumps” during the second mile of the race.

Race director and timer Herb Cratty says the event has the feel of an old-time road race and that is good for the sport. He says they’ve only had one year of bad weather, so residents set up lawn chairs or cheer from porches for friends, family and strangers fast and slow.

Herb says you don’t have to be fit or fast to enjoy Ellport 5k. It’s a family, beginner and spectator-friendly event. It is dog and stroller-friendly too. And the entry fees are kept low with registration fees returned to participants in food, awards and swag.

Participants may choose a t-shirt, socks, coffee mug or gloves to commemorate the event. All participants will share in 32 large pizzas from Pizza Joe’s and music by Youngstown DJ, Jeff Dunn following the race at the Community Center. Jeff also serves as DJ for Butler’s Back the Blue 5k in Alameda Park on May 18. This year, an Erie participant has offered to video the entire race which will be available for viewing on YouTube.

Ellport 5k isn’t just a fun run. There’s plenty of competition for place and time on the flat and fast course. Top three overall men and women in the 5k run and 5k walk earn awards. Top three in age groups from 14 & Under through 80+ receive medals.

The event also offers $150 cash prize to anyone who sets a new course record. The current male record was set by Nick Edinger with a time of 15:20.1 in 2018 and female record by Leah Anne Weaver at 17:43.3 in 2023.

The “race within a race” is the senior competition. To honor the late Lou Lodovico, a national record-holding masters runner who competed into his 80s with annual participation at Ellport, the race offers cash prizes to runners in age groups 70-74, 75-79, and 80+.

Herb expects at least 120 runners and walkers for this year’s event. He says the race is not only popular with locals but with regional runners from West Virginia, Ohio, Erie and Altoona.

It’s not too late to register for Ellport Boro 5k. Register online until Friday at 6 p.m. at runsignup.com/Race/PA/ELLWOODCITY/ELLPORTBOROWINTERWONDERLAND5K or in person on race day at the Community Center beginning at 9:30 a.m. for the 11 a.m. start.

Parking at the Community Center lot fills early, but there will be parking attendants directing cars to alternate parking on side streets.

If you can’t make it to this Saturday’s race, Herb recommends other upcoming Miles of Smiles events. Run to Breathe Half Marathon and 5k is a scenic out-and-back on the bike trail at Moraine State Park on April 21 to benefit Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. Butler’s Back the Blue 5k in Alameda Park on May 19 has food, music and cash prizes for a flat and fast 5k which benefits Butler Police Dept. K9 Unit. Check out these events and more at http://smileymiles.com/.

Upcoming Events

Saturday, 9 a.m.: Shamrock Run 5k, Cranberry Township. Run in Graham Park. Also 1 Mile Fun Run/Walk and Kids’ Dash. runsignup.com/Race/PA/CranberryTownship/ShamrockRunCranberry

Saturday, 9 a.m.: South Park Half Marathon, South Park Township. runsignup.com/Race/PA/SouthParkTownship/SouthParkHalfMarathon

Saturday, 11 a.m.: Ellport Borough Community 5k, Ellwood City. Scenic 5k with cash prizes for overall and 70+. 724-841-6528 or runsignup.com/Race/PA/ELLWOODCITY/ELLPORTBOROWINTERWONDERLAND5K

March 9, 9 a.m.: March Mad Dash, Allison Park. Run 5k, 5 miles or 10 miles at North Park Lake. runsignup.com/Race/PA/AllisonPark/MarchMadDash

March 9, 10 a.m.: Trout Island Tromp 4.6 Miles, Sharpsville. Race #2 in MCTA 26.2 Series, run on Trout Island Trail. 724-301-6775 or www.mctrails.org/events-1

March 9, 10 a.m.: PHN Charitable Foundation’s Shamrock ‘N’ Run 5k Run/Walk, Sharon. Post-race celebration with breakfast buffet, Irish dance and bagpipe performances. runsignup.com/Race/PA/Sharon/ShamrockNRun5krunwalk

March 15, 5 p.m.-March 17, 4 p.m.: Rabid Racoon 100, Beaver Falls. Run 5k, half marathon, 100k or 100 miles in Brady’s Run Park. runsignup.com/Race/PA/BeaverFalls/RabidRaccoon100

March 16, 8 a.m.: Gold Rush 5k and 10k, Tyrone. Also untimed kids run. runsignup.com/Race/PA/Tyrone/GoldRushRace5K10K

March 16, 1 p.m.: Shamrock Run 5k and 1-Mile, Canfield, OH. Run at Canfield Fairgrounds. runsignup.com/Race/OH/Canfield/ShamrockRunCanfieldFairgrounds

March 23, 7:30 a.m.: Shamrock Shuffle Half Marathon, 5k Run/Walk and 1 Mile Run/Walk, Harmony. Challenging half marathon, rolling 5k and 1-mile events. Post-race food and drinks. runsignup.com/Race/PA/Harmony/ShamrockShuffleZeienopleRotary

March 23, 8:30 a.m.: Just A Short Run, Allison Park. Choice of 5k, 8.1 miles, half marathon or 30k starting at North Park Boathouse. runsignup.com/Race/Info/PA/AllisonPark/JASR

March 23, 9 a.m.: Fight for Air Climb Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh. Run up 42 floors of One Oxford Centre building. 412-430-3061 or action.lung.org/site/TR?fr_id=25488&pg=entry

March 23, 10 a.m.: Butler’s Best Buddies Easter Egg Dash 5k, Bunny Hop 1 Mile and Kids Easter Egg Hunt, Butler. Held at Butler High School’s Art Bernardi Stadium. runsignup.com/Race/PA/Butler/BestBuddiesEasterEggDash

March 23, 10 a.m.: Semper Gratus Shamrock Shuffle 5k and Fun Walk, Leechburg. runsignup.com/Race/PA/Leechburg/ShamShuffle

March 23, 10 a.m.: 7th Annual Kiski Area Shamrock Run 5k, Apollo. runsignup.com/Race/PA/Apollo/KiskiAreaShamrockRun5K

March 30, 9 a.m.: Martha’s Run 10k or 1 Mile Run/Walk & Kids Easter Egg Hunt, Mt. Lebanon. Easter Egg Hunt for ages 10 and under beginning at 11 A.M. runsignup.com/Race/Info/PA/Pittsburgh/MarthasRun

March 30, 9:15 a.m.: Rotary Lake 5k Trail Walk/Run & Kids Fun Run, Barnesville, OH. Part paved, part not. Hoodies to first 100 registered. Free kids fun run at 10:45 A.M. runsignup.com/Race/OH/Barnesville/BarnesvilleParkRotaryLake5kTrailWalkRunKidsFunRun

March 30, 10 a.m.: MKG Half Marathon, Sandy Lake. Run on paved trail around Lake Wilhelm in Maurice K. Goddard State Park. Race 3 in MCTA 26.2 Series. 724-301-6775

April 6, 10 a.m.: 45th Annual Fool’s Run 10k and 5k, Black Lick. Run on Ghost Town Rail Trail starts at Saylor Park. 814-749-8556 or runsignup.com/Race/PA/Blairsville/FoolsRun10K5K

Race results

Jingle for the Jaycees 5k, Dec. 9: Tyler Bliss, 1st Overall M, 17:37; Meghan Holl, 1st Overall W, 26:41; Robert Dummer, 1st 35-49 M, 21:00; Christen Dummer, 2nd 20-34 W, 31:16; Anthony Sunseri, 32:50; Traci McHenry, 34:34; Henry McHenry, 35:28; Louise Brown, 49:41; Marian Tisch, 1:00:00; Melissa Guzetti, 1:00:00

Get Fit Families Reindeer 5k, Dec. 16: Sam West, 1st Overall M, 16:31; Jacob Bonnar, 2nd Overall M, 16:36; Owen Dressler, 3rd Overall M, 17:24; Meghan McNabb, 1st Overall W, 21:15; Teagan Yurocko, 3rd Overall W, 22:20; Riley McGee, 1st 12-15 M, 18:12; Joseph Harmanos, 2nd 16-19 M, 20:24; Gavin Gardner, 3rd 16-19 M, 20:34; Rich Yurocko, 2nd 50-59 M, 21:06; Carl Pietrzyk, 1st 20-29 M, 22:14; Reese Anderson, 2nd 9-11 W, 24:27; Macie McLister, 3rd 12-15 W, 24:29; Jamie Harcar, 1st 20-29 W, 24:29; Seth Baker, 2nd 30-39 M, 25:15; Brittany Bielewicz, 1st 30-39 W, 25:27; Jace Roth, 1st 9-11 M, 25:38; Brad Roth, 3rd 30-39 M, 25:38; Aria Harcar, 3rd 9-11 W, 25:55; Melissa Dykstra, 3rd 40-49 W, 27:26; Jill Richard, 1st 50-59 W, 27:37; Liam Baldauf, 2nd 9-11 M, 28:11; Kathleen Bruno, 3rd 30-39 W, 30:04; Karen Bernardi, 3rd 50-59 W, 30:06; Paul Johnson, 2nd 70+ M, 31:15; Cindy Waltemire, 1st 60-69 W, 31:36; Susan Kushnereit, 2nd 60-69 W, 32:20; Anthony Sunseri, 3rd 70+ M, 32:39; Graham Fleming, 1st 8 & Under M, 32:40; Deb Calmbacher, 3rd 60-69 W, 37:18; Matt Bernardi, 20:38; Justin Koszarek, 20:54; Justin Sellinger, 22:14; Seth Ordy, 22:51; Jacoby McKinney, 22:53; Ian Maloney, 23:25; Brent Baldauf, 23:56; Henry Evans, 24:04; Jason Judy, 24:15; Michael Wallace, 24:27; John Armstrong, 24:33; Annelise Dykstra, 24:39; Cael Waltemire, 24:47; Bill Schessler, 25:20; John Bielewicz, 25:26; Kurt Fowler, 25:58; Tom Evans, 25:59; Arthur Boring, 26:12; Mitch Radella, 26:15; Matt Bogan, 26:36; Ryan Orsborn, 26:55; Riley Perry, 27:04; Kendall Stewart, 27:05; Anthony Stoops, 27:38; Melissa Arcuri, 27:43; Scott Baker, 27:56; Michael Leclaire, 29:23; Nick Chastain, 29:29; Tyler Monic, 29:34; Grant Ordy, 29:37; Susan Landgraf, 31:54; Dianna Craig, 32:07; Geoff Fleming, 32:40; Angela Maloney, 33:20; Pat Calmbacher, 33:26; Ashley Leclaire, 33:58; John Karpacs, 34:12; Tessa Chastain, 37:13; Deborah Takacs, 39:20; Brian Molcan, 42:36; Gabriella Scarnato, 45:54; Andrew Bortmas, 45:55; Diane Grimm, 48:45; Leigh Riemer, 49:13; Danielle Myers, 53:58

Get Fit Families Reindeer 1 Mile, Dec. 16: Riley McGee, 1st Overall M, 6:03; Austin Young, 2nd Overall M, 6:12; Ella Butterfield, 1st Overall W, 7:19; Quentin Kelly, 1st, 13-15 M, 6:40; Gabe Kukonen, 1st 11-12 M, 7:21; Lucas Baldauf, 2nd 11-12 M, 7:32; Benjamin Opdyke, 1st 9-10 M, 7:36; Adam Mason, 2nd 9-10 M, 7:36; Jacoby McKinney, 2nd 13-15 M, 7:47; Carter McGee, 3rd 13-15 M, 7:47; Toby Myers, 3rd 9-10 M, 7:52; Adam Myers, 1st 40-49 M, 7:58; Sam Bacco, 1st 7-8 M, 7:59; Addison Eicher, 1st 13-15 W, 8:08; Mitch Radella, 2nd 50-59 M, 8:15; Mark Bacco, 2nd 40-49 M, 8:24; Jill Richard, 1st 50-59 W, 8:27; Myla McGee, 1st 7-8 W, 8:31; Ben Mason, 2nd 7-8 M, 8:31; Colin Ray, 3rd 7-8 M, 8:47; Danielle Myers, 1st 30-39 W, 10:06; Adalee Froilan, 1st 11-12 W, 12:39; Nicole Baldauf, 1st 40-49 W, 12:48; Megan Eicher, 2nd 13-15 W, 16:31; Michelle Froilan, 2nd 40-49 W, 17:11; Scott Eicher, 3rd 40-49 M, 17:27; Colleen Eicher, 3rd 40-49 W, 17:27; 8:47; Isaac Smith, 8:03; Scott Baker, 9:54; Bennett Myers, 10:06; Nathan Opdyke, 10:42; Oliver Chastain, 14:17; Jimmy Kelly, 16:50; Brendan Eicher, 17:28

Get Fit Families Reindeer 1/2 Mile, Dec. 16: Drew Young, 1st Overall M, 4:14; Bailey McKinney, 1st Overall W, 4:32; Jill Richard, 2nd Overall W, 4:36; Colton Waltemire, 3rd Overall M, 5:01; Paige Roth, 5:14; Rubenz Chris, 5:16; Riley Grayhart, 5:18; Sidney McKinney, 5:34; Jacoby McKinney, 5:35; Ian Maloney, 6:33; John Bielewicz, 10:24; Brittany Bielewicz, 10:24; Dakota Bielewicz, 10:26

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

Pat Neubert is a running columnist for the Butler Eagle