Jayce Smith, 8, from McCandless, Pa., is all smiles as he waits at the starting line in his first 5K run and walk as he takes part in the fifth annual Shamrock Run 5K at Graham Park on March 4, 2023. Butler Eagle File Photo
This Saturday, we leave snowy February behind for the green of March, if only in our shamrocks, beer and, of course, running events.
Shamrock Run in Cranberry Township’s Graham Park marks the opening of St. Patrick’s Day-themed race season. “Wearin’ o’ the green” is encouraged for participants of all ages for the 5K Run, 1 Mile Fun Run/Walk and Kids 100-yard Dash for those ages 10 and under.
This will be at least the fifth year for the 5K, which starts at the back of Graham Park and completes a gentle loop on paved park roads and paths with an elevation gain of 57 feet. The 1 Mile runs out and back on Graham Park Drive with an elevation gain of 11 feet.
The course should produce fast times for competitive runners. Top 3 men and women in the 5K receive Pro Bike+Run gift cards while top-three finishers in each age group earn awards. All participants in the 5K and 1 Mile earn commemorative green T-shirts and custom St. Patrick’s Day-themed finisher’s medal, while kids in the dash receive a shamrock plushie.
Race director Matt Imhof said, based on registrations so far, he expects 350 runners and walkers. He encouraged runners to register online but said day-of-event registration will be open with packet pickup beginning at 7:30 a.m. at the back of Graham Park. He also said volunteers are still needed and may sign up online.
Imhof stressed all participants need to be in the park before 8:45 a.m. when the racecourse will close to vehicular traffic. And while strollers are welcome in the events, dogs are not. If you will be accompanied by a service animal, please contact him prior to race day.
At 11 a.m. March 8, Ellport Boro Community 5K offers a different kind of celebration. After 18 years of running through the small town of Ellport, many participants say it feels like a family reunion.
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. Cisco no longer runs, but he’s still mayor and he rides the police pace car on the same course he used to run.
Race director and timer Herb Cratty called the event family, beginner and spectator friendly. It’s dog and stroller-friendly, too, especially since a 5K walk was added last year. Attendance is usually about 150 participants, but Cratty said this may be the biggest field in the event’s history based on preregistrations.
Online registration is available until March 7. Race day registration opens at 9:30 a.m. at the Community Center.
Cratty says they’ve experienced weather from ice and snow to sunny and 70 degrees in the event’s 17 years. With the race staged from Ellport’s Community Center, runners will be comfortable both pre- and post-race, but bad weather could limit spectators along the course.
Ellport 5K entry fees are affordable with registration fees returned to participants in food, awards and swag. The awards ceremony and pizza party are held in the warmth of the Community Center with nearby Pizza Joe’s providing 50 pizzas for the feast. Runners can choose their race swag from T-shirt, running gloves, socks or coffee mug. And all have a chance to win one of more than a dozen random drawing prizes.
There are trophies for the top three male and female finishers as well as the top three finishers in age group.
The race awards $150 cash for breaking an overall course record, but that isn’t likely to happen soon. Nick Edinger set the men’s record of 15:20 in 2018 while Leanne Weaver set the women’s record of 17:43 in 2023.
Ellport 5K serves as a seniors’ championship of sorts. To honor local legend and national record holder, the late Lou Lodovico, the race awards cash prizes to top male and female finishers in age groups from 70-74 through 80-plus. Cratty said 18 runners over 70 have preregistered so far. The amount of the prize is dependent upon donations, with more than $500 awarded in 2024’s race. Donations are accepted online.
Upcoming events
Saturday, 7:30 a.m.: Olde Girdled Grit Marathon and Half Marathon, Concord Twp., Ohio. Half marathon starts at 9 a.m. www.gcxcrunningseries.com/oldegirdledgrit
Saturday, 9 a.m.: Shamrock Run, Cranberry Township. Flat and fast course through Graham Park. 5K Run, 1-Mile Fun Run/Walk and Kids Dash. runsignup.com/Race/PA/CranberryTownship/ShamrockRunCranberry
March 8, 9 a.m.: Shamrock Run, South Park. Flat and fast course through South Park. 5K Run, 1-Mile Fun Run/Walk and Kids Dash. runsignup.com/Race/PA/SouthParkTownship/ShamrockRunSouthPark
March 8, 11 a.m.: Ellport Boro Community 5K, Ellwood City. Cash prizes for 70+ runners and course records. Pizza for all. 724-841-6528 or runsignup.com/Race/PA/ELLWOODCITY/ELLPORTBOROWINTERWONDERLAND5K
March 14-16: Visit Beaver County Rabid Racoon 100, Beaver Falls. Challenging half marathon, 100K or 100-mile trail runs in Brady’s Run Park. www.rabidraccoon100.com
March 15, 7:30 a.m.: Shamrock Shuffle Half Marathon, 5K run/walk and 1 Mile run/walk. Hilly course. 5K starts at 10 a.m., 1 Mile at 11 a.m. runsignup.com/Race/PA/Harmony/ShamrockShuffleZelienopleRotary
March 15, 8:30 a.m.: Pittsburgh Parade Day 5K and 1-Mile Family Fun Run/Walk, Pittsburgh. Run downtown before St. Patrick’s Day Parade. p3r.org/races/pittsburgh-parade-day-dash
March 15, 9 a.m.: March Mad Dash 5K, Allison Park. Run in North Park supports Youth Reach Inc. runsignup.com/Race/PA/AllisonPark/MarchMadDash
March 15, 10 a.m.: Primary Health Network Charitable Foundation Shamrock ‘N’ Run 5K, Sharon. phncharitablefoundation.salsalabs.org/2025ShamrockNRun5KRunWalkEvent/index.html
March 15, 1 p.m.: Shamrock Run 5K and 1-Mile, Canfield, Ohio. Run at Canfield Fairgrounds. runsignup.com/Race/OH/Canfield/ShamrockRunCanfieldFairgrounds
March 22, 10 a.m.: 9th Annual Semper Gratus Shamrock Shuffle 5K and 1-Mile Family Fun Walk, Leechburg. St. Patrick’s Day themed run for charities. runsignup.com/Race/PA/Leechburg/ShamShuffle
March 22, 10 a.m.: Kiski Area Shamrock Run 5K, Apollo. Certified course on country roads. runsignup.com/Race/PA/Apollo/KiskiAreaShamrockRun5K
March 22, 10 a.m.: Trout Island Tromp 4.6 Miles. Race No. 2 in MCTA Marathon Series. 724-301-6775 or www.mctrails.org/events-1
March 22, 10 a.m.: Larry Winschel St. Paddy’s Day Run, South Park. Greater Pittsburgh Road Runners Club event with 1 Mile, 2.25 Mile and 4 Mile options. 412-561-0768 or jwinschel@verizon.net
March 23, 1 p.m.: Stepping Into Spring 5K, Moundsville, W.Va. runsignup.com/Race/WV/Moundsville/SteppingIntoSpring5k?rsus=100-200-9a3203d2-bddb-45d0-b2bb-0d7734cd2721
March 29, 8:30 a.m.: Just a Short Run, Allison Park. Choice of 5K, 8.1 Mile, Half Marathon or 30K starting at North Park Boathouse. runsignup.com/Race/Info/PA/AllisonPark/JASR
March 29, 9:15 a.m.: Barnesville Park/Rotary Lake Trail 5K Walk/Run and Fun Run, Barnesville, Ohio. Half road, half trail with hand-crafted trophies, hooded sweatshirts, free fun run. 740-310-2117 or runsignup.com/Race/OH/Barnesville/BarnesvilleParkRotaryLake5kTrailWalkRunKidsFunRun
March 30, 10:30 a.m.: Sweat Bar Fitness Withrow Memorial 5K and 1 Mile Family Fun Walk, Oakdale. Out-and-back run on Panhandle Trail starting at Helicon Brewing. runsignup.com/Race/PA/Oakdale/SweatBarFitnessWithrowMemorialKAndMileFamilyFunWalk
Race results
Truthahntrab 5K, Nov. 30: Mike Formica, 1st Overall M, 16:28; Ethan Wymer, 2nd Overall M, 16:58; Daniel Deal, Jr., 3rd Overall M, 17:02; Camryn Bruno, 1st Overall W, 21:09; Ava Santora, 2nd Overall W, 22:31; Allison Sasala, 3rd Overall W, 23:26; Carter French, 2nd 15-19 M, 17:21; Riley Mcgee, 3rd 15-19 M, 17:58; Joe Floris, 1st 40-49 M, 18:28; Ian Moore, 1st 20-29 M, 19:29; Jacob Montag, 2nd 30-39 M, 19:33; Jacob Szul, 1st 10-14 M, 19:58; Camden Schaefer, 2nd 10-14 M, 20:22; Chris Boltz, 3rd 40-49 M, 20:52; Travis Domhoff, 2nd 20-29 M, 21:28; Tom Karenbauer, 1st 50-59 M, 21:55; Mark Lamison, 2nd 50-59 M, 22:49; Kevin Hixon, 3rd 50-59 M, 23:23; Natalie Zolinas, 1st 15-19 W, 23:45; Gia Vresko, 2nd 10-14 W, 24:11; Carrie Birckbichler-Smith, 1st 40-49 W, 24:41; Val Mcgee, 2nd 40-49 W, 25:01; Krista Geagan, 1st 30-39 W, 25:06; Claire Tully, 3rd 10-14 W, 25:09; Mitch Andrews, 3rd 30-39 M, 25:21; Gracie Szul, 1st 9 & Under W, 25:53; Laurel Hull, 2nd 15-19 W, 26:37; Myla Mcgee, 2nd 9 & Under W, 26:38; Jinny Hertweck, 1st 50-59 W, 27:17; Micci Hutterer, 1st 60-69 W, 27:34; Elijah Drane, 1st 9 & Under M, 27:46; Nellie Zuba, 2nd 50-59 W, 27:47; Tricia Schaefer, 3rd 40-49 W, 28:03; Gary Rupert, 1st 70+ M, 28:11; Hattie Mcgraw, 3rd 15-19 W, 29:56; Angelina Bowman, 3rd 30-39 W, 32:13; Patricia Neubert, 1st 70+ W, 33:48; Kristie Yenick, 3rd 20-29 W, 34:34; Nancy Luttrell, 2nd 70+ W, 35:04; Dennis Minarik, 2nd 70+ M, 35:58; Rosemarie Luntz, 2nd 60-69 W, 39:27; Mason Michaelis, 3rd 9 & Under M, 39:57; Molly McPeak, 3rd 60-69 W, 43:12; Grady Robb, 21:13; Jack Kelley, 21:45; Justin Sellinger, 22:26; Elijah Ruediger, 22:31; Matthew Schaefer, 22:47; Quinn McCool, 23:43; Tim Heusey, 23:56; Owen French, 24:00; Philip Coachman, 24:37; Carter Mcgee, 24:54; Asher Graham, 25:15; Cooper Rauschenberger, 26:20; Julia Hixon, 26:26; Noah Coachman, 26:36; Anderson Blakley 26:40; David Miller, 26:51; Mitch Radella, 26:54; Libby Wesolosky, 27:13; Austin Blakley, 27:15; Aiden Froedtert, 27:24; Aspen Thompson, 28:08; Will Gramlich, 29:00; Braedan Drane, 29:02; Chris Robinson, 29:09; Allie Cristallino, 29:43; Alan Wright, 29:52; Adelynn Thompson, 30:23; Jackie Karenbauer, 30:37; Elizabeth Delaney, 31:07; Rose Cardamone, 31:46; Cailin Christie, 31:56; Avery Betts, 31:57; Melissa Kimmell, 32:42; Kai Tripp, 32:48; Rick Domhoff, 33:23; Erica Nebel, 34:45; Chad Filges, 34:56; Pamela McCarrier, 35:45; Zoey McCarrier, 35:45; Destiny Huff, 36:01; Breanna Drane, 36:13; Skyler Thompson, 36:57; Jill Terwilliger, 36:58; Emily Lutz, 37:01; Charlene Doerr, 37:31; Cameron Bennick, 37:34; Ashlee Phelps, 37:36; Kimberly Sasse, 39:09; Michelle Michaelis, 39:57; Alexis Snyder, 40:45; Sarah Drane, 40:49; Alyshia Murray, 40:58; Kory Murdie, 41:18; Rochelle Bowen, 42:10; Danica McLay, 42:15; Bill McLay, 42:16; Kaylee Bachman, 42:39; Madison Bachman, 42:40; Evan Toth, 42:54; Claire Toth, 42:54; Logan McPeak, 43:12; Gretchen Foehringer, 43:53; Laura Santora, 43:54; Emily Cress, 44:29; Sue Corbett, 44:34; Sydney Pastorek, 46:45; Jacob Bash, 52:30; Abigail Bash, 52:31; Heather Thompson, 53:45; Tabatha Johnston, 53:47; Curtis Holben, 54:01; Michael Norris, 54:01; Jessi Norris, 54:07; Kim Cullian, 54:09
Truthahntrab 1K Fun Run, Nov. 30: Seth Byerly, 5:59; Melissa Byerly, 6:19; Teddy Spaeder, 6:49; Cooper Pearson, 6:57; Chris McGee, 6:58; Logan Graham, 7:02; Dylan Graham, 7:06; Mackenna Spaeder, 7:10; Matthew McCarrier, 7:14; Thea McCarrier, 7:16; Alexander Pass, 7:27; Ariana Feagin, 7:38; Patrick Hoyt, 7:40; Patrick Odonnell, 7:49; Ken Klabnik, 10:08; Nate French, 10:12; Bella French, 10:17; Susan Klabnik, 10:18; Jace Mazur, 11:23
Pat Neubert is a running columnist for the Butler Eagle. Send comments and suggestions: Patricia Neubert, phone 724-352-4395, email lotzak@consolidated.net
