Spring has arrived. I’ve got a vase of fresh daffodils on my desk and a bouquet of sweet races to preview for March 23.

Butler’s Best Buddies Easter Egg Dash 5k, Bunny Hop 1-Mile and Kids Easter Egg Hunt at Butler High School’s Art Bernardi Stadium promises fun for all. The event benefits Best Buddies at Butler Senior High School, an international program that pairs intellectually disabled students with non-disabled to promote friendship and inclusion.

Easter Egg Dash 5k is a timed event that loops around campuses of Butler High and Intermediate Schools. Top three male and female finishers as well as top age group competitors earn medals. Walkers are welcome but must finish before the 1-hour cutoff time.

Bunny Hop 1-Mile, designed for runners and walkers, is a gentle single loop on the Senior High School campus. Participants in the 5k are welcome to join in this fun run/walk for free.

Both events begin and end in Art Bernardi Stadium. Dogs and strollers are welcome on the course, but not permitted inside the stadium, however, you may park your stroller outside the gate for the stadium portion of the event.

An Easter Egg Hunt follows the running/walking events at approximately noon. Kids ages 10 and under hunt in age groups for eggs containing candy and prizes.

Online registration for Best Buddies events is open until 6 p.m. on March 22 with discounts for seniors and kids. Kids ages 4-10 who register for the run may hunt eggs for free and kids under 4 race for free, but must pay $5 for the egg hunt. Day-of-event registration opens at 8 a.m. at the stadium and is cash only.

Shamrock Shuffle Half Marathon, 5k and 1-Mile returns to Harmony on March 23. The event to benefit Zelienople Rotary, held for more than 13 years, is staged so that participants can run one or all the distances.

The out-and-back half marathon, which race director Joella Baker calls “one of the toughest in Western PA,” features a 600-meter hill climb near the turnaround with a reward of Jello shots at the top (for runners 21 and older.) The 5k is a gentler tour of Harmony streets while the 1-Mile runs out-and-back. In keeping with the season, runners are encouraged to dress in St. Paddy’s Day-themed costumes. Strollers and dogs on leashes are welcome.

Joella says that registration numbers are up from last year. Pre-registered runners receive long-sleeved t-shirts and goody bags while supplies last. Online registration is open until March 22 noon. There’s packet pick-up that day from 4 to 6 p.m. at Grace Church in Harmony and day-of-event signups beginning at 6:30 a.m. at the church.

There are competitive awards for top overall and age group finishers in all distances. All are welcome for the post-race awards ceremony, food and drinks at Harmony Inn.

County runners can travel a little farther on March 23 for another Shamrock Shuffle, the 8th Annual Shamrock Shuffle 5k Run, 1-Mile Family Fun Walk and Small Town. Loud Voice party in West Leechburg. The events benefit Semper Gratus, a Pittsburgh-based charity which supports pediatric cancer patients and their families.

Race director Ian Cole says the run and walk are not just fitness events, but an opportunity for families to have fun together. Participants and their families enjoy refreshments and snacks and DJ at the West Leechburg Fire Department Social Hall. Kids ages 4 and under participate in the 1-mile event for free and following the walk, can meet Disney princesses and Marvel superheroes, enjoy face painting, a balloon artist and more.

Ian says that this year’s participation is the largest ever with more than 400 signed up as of this Monday. His goal is 500. You may sign up online until March 22 at noon. Raceday registration opens at 9 a.m. at the fire hall.

Small Town, Loud Voice is an over-21 dance party held in conjunction with Semper Gratus Shamrock Shuffle at West Leechburg Fire Hall on March 23, 5 to 10 p.m. Ian suggests signing up online for the party since the 400 tickets sell out each year.

Friday, 5 p.m.- Sunday, 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

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

Saturday, 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, 8 a.m.: Eagleton Trail Race 10k/25k/50k, Lock Haven. Also 25k Ruck. Loop course. ultrasignup.com/register.aspx?did=112661

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

April 6, 10 a.m.: Venango County CASA Superhero 5k Run, Walk and Kids Race, Oil City. Free Kids Mini Fun Run. Held on Samuel Justice Trail. runsignup.com/Race/PA/OilCity/VenangoCountyCASASuperhero5k

April 13, 9 a.m.: Dirty Kiln Half Marathon and 10k, Hollidaysburg. Run on Canoe Creek State Park trails. runsignup.com/Race/PA/Hollidaysburg/DirtyKiln

April 13, 9 a.m.: Dyngus Day Dash 5k Run/Walk, Allison Park. Starts at North Park Boathouse. Post-race polka party. 412-327-6074 or secure.getmeregistered.com/get_information.php?event_id=138563

April 21, 9 a.m.: Run to Breathe Half Marathon & 5k, Portersville. Run on Moraine State Park paved trail. Finisher medals to all half marathoners. runsignup.com/Race/PA/Portersville/RunToBreatheHalfMarathon5K?rsus=100-200-7bd9093b-51c4-4f64-af0d-e4d0f9e46640

New River Gorge Trail Festival Winter Edition 50k, Dec. 2: Heath Gorsham, 1st Overall M, 4:08:21; Rachel Corrigan, 1st Overall W, 4:38:37; Wesley Schools, 3rd 29 & Under M, 6:15:38; Christina Traynor, 2nd 50-59 W, 7:30:36

New River Gorge Trail Festival Winter Edition Half Marathon, Dec. 2: Chase Waldschmidt, 1st Overall M, 1:36:56; Rene Springsteadah, 1st Overall W, 2:14:28; Gary Hayden, 3rd 50-59 M, 2:17:24; Brandon Jenkins, 2:37:56; Laura Augustine, 3:53:56; Sherrie Mazurek, 3:56:57

Gingerbread 5k Dash (2.7 miles, Dec. 17: Harley Thompson, 1st Overall M, 15:01; Raechel Braun, 1st Overall W, 19:00; Kelli Miloser, 25:39; Mary Baker, 25:52

Festivus for the Rest of Us 5k Run, Dec. 17: AJ Kelly, 1st Overall M, 17:06; Amy O’Donnell, 1st Overall W, 19:45; Mitch Radella, 26:53

Festivus for the Rest of Us 5k Walk, Dec. 17: Richard Santella, 1st Overall M, 35:56; Marie Colitti, 1st Overall W, 38:07; Kim Kenetz, 52:21

Festivus for the Rest of Us 5k Ruck, Dec.17: Cooper Cernuska, 1st Overall M, 35:22; Erin Wahl, 1st Overall W, 59:43

The Christmas Eve 5k, Dec. 24: Mackenzie Mettille, 1st Overall M, 15:19; Troy Reinsel, 3rd Overall M, 16:28; Amy O’Donnell, 1st Overall W, 18:16; Andrew Maxwell, 17:09; TJ Stevenson, 17:31; Riley McGee, 17:34; Terry Beacom, 18:34; Ann Cook, 18:39; Eva Kynaston, 19:16; Matthew Sudak, 19:16; Jake Szul, 19:27; Jake Witherell, 19:50; Dillon Kessy, 19:56; Luke Anderson, 20:35; Camden Schaefer, 21:08; Jordan Pettica, 20:59; Matt Kynaston, 21:12; Kyle Dadmore, 21:15; Matthew Schaefer, 21:56; Jake Anderson, 22:26; Shannon Smith, 22:45; David Miller, 23:07; Val Mcgee, 23:09; Mads Horvath, 24:05; David Toole, 24:14; Andrew Schafale, 24:24; Dana Nicklas, 24:41; Carter Mcgee, 24:44; Kai Fox-Greilich, 24:50; Elliette Smith, 25:14; Mitch Radella, 25:17; Carrie Birckbichler-Smith, 25:20; Gaby Feliciani, 25:40; Kevin Walzer, 25:41; C. Rauschenberger, 25:48; Andrew Williams, 25:49; Josh Granaada, 25:54; Tricia Shaefer, 25:55; Gypsy Dreveniak, 26:04; Greg Davis, 26:08; A. Davis, 26:09; Katie Bishop, 26:09; Leanna Anderson, 26:15; Nicholas Ashenden, 26:31; J. Hixon, 26:38; Ryan Stelitano, 26:56; Claire Williams, 27:23; Emily Stevenson, 27:58; Lynne Warth, 28:05; M. Mcgee, 28:12; Lana Trimble, 28:35; John Rusnak, 28:40; Randy Cameron, 28:44; B. Hindman, 28:59; Chris Horvath, 29:05; Rich Anderson, 29:11; Amanda Magill, 29:13; Tanner Bartholow, 29:07; Justin Page, 29:20; L. Trimble, 29:30; Jason Trimble, 29:31; Melissa McCullough, 29:31; Rhonda Maloney, 29:31; Lisa Murslack, 29:35; Kathleen Toole, 30:01; Cameron Smith, 30:10; Patricia Turley, 30:33; Brittany Schneider, 30:45; Schneider, 30:45; Megan Winters, 30:45; L. Trimbler, 30:47; Jamie Meyers, 30:47; Megan Trenz, 30:48; Gerard Danosos, 30:49; G. Mabie, 32:24; Nancy Luttrell, 32:24; Linda Robash, 32:46; Todd Erdlen, 32:59; Julie Cramer, 33:25; Tressa Carrozzi, 33:36; Heather Moser, 33:39; R. Hindman, 33:39; Jennifer Hindman, 33:40; Kathy Bishop, 33:51; Amy Byerly, 34:02; Maria Anderson, 36:01; Sue Corbett, 38:44; Svetlana Tarassov, 38:50; Jordan Poindexter, 39:12; Samantha Poindexter, 39:13; Jeff Warth, 40:40; Michelle Carnicelli, 40:50; G. Carnicelli, 40:53; Michael Carnicelli, 40:54; Jennifer Walzer, 43:45; Gregory Reed, 44:04; Morgan Greilich, 44:10; Lisa Fox, 44:35; L. Hefley, 47:49; Tasha Hall, 48:12; Larry Cunningham, 48:19; Brian Hall, 48:20; Sienna Fox-Greilich, 48:40; Kailey Witherell, 48:43; Linda Witherell, 48:44; Allison Bartholow, 48:44; Kevin Hixon, 49:44; O. Hixon, 49:44; Kim Kenetz, 50:07; Craig Taylor, 50:20; Laura Potoski, 50:22; Brian Potoski, 50:23; Jenna Hefley, 50:23; P. Hefley, 50:23; W. Potoski, 50:24; S. Potoski, 50:26; Abby Witherell, 52:22; Nate Witherell, 52:23; Melissa Espinosa, 54:39

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

Pat Neubert is a running columnist for the Butler Eagle