Zelienople is the place to race this summer.

Joella Baker, race director of Firecracker 5K on July 4, correctly predicted a record-breaking 250 finishers in the 5K/1K loops of Zelie neighborhoods. And this Saturday, the popular Hot to Trot 5K and Family Fun Run celebrates its 10th running in conjunction with the town’s Horse Trading Days festival.

This is the 61st year for Horse Trading Days, which began with an actual horse show in 1963. The event has grown to three days of fun beginning with a horse parade 7 p.m. Thursday and continuing through 7 p.m. Saturday with entertainment and activities for all ages. Visit www.horsetradingdays.com for more information and a complete schedule of events.

The Hot to Trot 5K kicks off Saturday’s events with an 8 a.m. start at Glade Run Adventures. The scenic course winds past stables and horse pastures of Glade Run and through Passavant Senior Community on roads, parking lots and sidewalks.

The 1-Mile Family Fun Run starts at 9 a.m. with the same scenery. And tiny tots can join the fun with a 100-meter Tot Trot at 9:30.

Top three overall finishers and age group winners from 19-and-under through 70-plus earn unique horseshoe medals. Post-race refreshments include beer from local ShuBrew brewery for those over 21.

Don’t linger too long, or you’ll miss Horse Trading Days’ Dog Show at 10 a.m. followed by the Hot Dog Eating Contest at noon. Both events are on the Main Stage at 149 S. Main St. in Zelie.

Rose E. Schneider YMCA has sponsored Hot to Trot 5K for the past three years. Membership director Nick Sasala said staff and members participate as runners, walkers or volunteers. The sponsorship also reflects the YMCA’s commitment to health and wellness in the community.

Online signup for the Hot to Trot 5K and 1-Mile Family Fun Run is available at runsignup.com/Race/PA/Zelienople/ZelienopleHorseTradingDaysHottoTrot5k1Mile until midnight Friday. Day of event registration begins at 7 a.m. at Glade Run. Commemorative T-shirts are not guaranteed for late registrations.

On the following weekend, runners head to nearby Prospect for the 24th Annual Rube’s Run 5K Run and Kids’ Race. The event on July 26 is named for baseball Hall of Famer George “Rube” Waddell, a talented but eccentric pitcher, who grew up in Prospect.

Although he played for the Pittsburgh Pirates for a few years, he sealed his place in baseball history by leading the major leagues in strikeouts for six consecutive seasons with the Philadelphia A’s.

Rube’s Run 5K starts and ends at the Presbyterian Church of Prospect, 115 Church St. The rolling course loops through the streets of Prospect and past the location of Waddell’s boyhood home. The actual building was condemned and torn down this past year.

Rube’s Run welcomes runners, walkers and baby strollers. Pets are discouraged due to liability issues.

There will also be a kids’ fun run on a short loop course at 9:15 a.m. Entry in the kids’ race is free, and there are no awards. Kids’ T-shirts are $5 and must be pre-ordered by July 19.

Competitive awards for the 5K include top three male and female finishers, top masters and age groups from 12-and-under through 70-and-over. All participants can enjoy hot dogs and drinks catered by Fairgrounds Market while awards are being tabulated.

Online registration is open until July 25 at runsignup.com/Race/PA/Prospect/RUBESRUN, but the deadline to receive a commemorative T-shirt is July 19. There will be day-of-event signup beginning at 7 a.m. for the 8:30 race start.

Proceeds from Rube’s Run benefit Prospect Area Preservation Society, a nonprofit dedicated to collecting and preserving Prospect’s rich history. There is a museum displaying this heritage on Main Street in Prospect.

Saturday, 8 a.m.: Horse Trading Days Hot to Trot 5K, Zelienople. Also 1-Mile Family Fun Run and 100-meter Tot Trot at Glade Run and Passavant Senior Community campuses. runsignup.com/Race/PA/Zelienople/ZelienopleHorseTradingDaysHottoTrot5k1Mile

Wednesday, 7 p.m.: Fredonia 5k (QUAD III), Fredonia. Also kids’ race. 724-866-1374 or secure.getmeregistered.com/get_information.php?event_id=141333

July 25, 7 p.m.: All Saints Parish Twilight 5k and 1-Mile Fun Run, Butler. Run at St. Conrad Church campus. 724-355-4038 or chris.singleton06@gmail.com

July 26, 8 a.m.: Conquer the Canyon Marathon Race Festival, Wellsboro. Choice of marathon, half marathon, 5K or 10K in Colton Point State Park through scenic Grand Canyon of Pennsylvania. runsignup.com/Race/PA/Wellsboro/ConquertheCanyonMarathonRaceFestivalMarathonHalfMarathon10Kand5K or email Mark.Hughes@EliteFeats.com

July 26, 8:30 a.m.: 24th Annual Rube’s Run 5K Run/Walk and Kids’ Race, Prospect. Baseball-themed race with post-race hotdogs. runsignup.com/Race/PA/Prospect/RUBESRUN

July 26, 9 a.m.: John Cossy Costantino Memorial 5K and 10K, Freeport. Starts at Freeport Junior High School, finishes on James Swartz Memorial Field. runsignup.com/Race/PA/Freeport/JohnCossyConstantinoMemorial5K

July 26, 9 a.m.: 8th Annual Killian 5k, Allison Park. Out and back from North Park Boathouse. Post-race DJ and beer. www.killian5k.com

July 27, 8 a.m.: Run with the Deer Flies. Challenging trail race with 8K, 15K or 25K distance. 724-422-5323 or runsignup.com/Race/PA/PennRun/RunWithTheDeerFlies25K15K

Aug. 2, 7:30 a.m.: Two Face 10K, Wexford. Run 10K road, trail or both on North Park trails. runsignup.com/Race/PA/Wexford/TwoFace10K

Aug. 2, 8 a.m.: Canoe Creek Triathlon, Duathlon, 5K Run or 2 Mile Walk, Hollidaysburg. runsignup.com/Race/PA/Hollidaysburg/CanoeCreekTriathlonRaces

Aug. 2, 9 a.m.: St. Barnabas Free Care 5K, Gibsonia. Post-race lawn party. 724-625-3770 or stbarnabashealthsystem.com/charities/annual-events/stbarnabas5k/

Aug. 2, 8:30 p.m.: Howl at the Moon 5K Night Run and Walk, Beaver. Stars at Beaver High School Track. runsignup.com/Race/PA/Beaver/HowlattheMoon5K

Aug. 3, 8:30 a.m.: Regatta 5K, Portersville. Run at Moraine State Park. runsignup.com/Race/PA/Portersville/MoraineRegatta5k

Aug. 8, 6 p.m.: Passavant Hospital Foundation 8K/4K, Allison Park. Run at North Park Pool area. 412-748-6640 or runsignup.com/Race/PA/AllisonPark/9thAnnualPassavantHospitalFoundationRunWalk

Aug. 9, 8:30 a.m.: Slickville 5K Coal Mine Climb and 2 Mile Fun Walk, Slickville. Challenging backcountry route with “coal mine climb.” Post-race pancake breakfast. runsignup.com/Race/PA/Slickville/Slickville5kCoalMineClimb2MIleFunWalk

Aug. 9, 9 a.m.: Brookline Breeze 5K and 1 Mile Run/Dog Walk, Pittsburgh. runsignup.com/Race/PA/Pittsburgh/BrooklineBreeze5K

Aug. 9, 9 a.m.: Prospect Boys and Girls Club Breakaway 5k, Butler. Also kids’ race for ages 10 and under. runsignup.com/Race/PA/Butler/ProspectBoysGirlsClubBreakaway5k

Aug. 10, 8 a.m.: Solar 5K and 15K, Boston. Formerly Polar Vortex, run on Yough River Trail. runsignup.com/Race/PA/Boston/PolarVortex

Aug. 13, 7 p.m.: Ice Cream Race5k (QUAD IV), Grove City. Post-race ice cream feast. 724-866-1374 or secure.getmeregistered.com/get_information.php?event_id=141337

Freeport Flash 10K, May 31: Benjamin Perka, 1st Overall M, 37:12; Josh McGinley, 2nd Overall M, 40:12; Rebecca Pennington, 1st Overall W, 43:09; Melissa Conjack, 2nd Overall W, 45:21; Joshua McCoy, 1st 19-29 M, 43:01; Brandon Bodily, 1st 40-49 M, 43:23; Jacob Szul, 1st 15-18 M, 46:27; Mark Lamison, 2nd 50+ M, 47:52; Evan Michelini, 2nd 19-29 M, 50:26; Carrie Birckbichler-Smith, 2nd 40-49 W, 52:50; Matthew Canzoneri, 1st 11-14 M, 54:20; Chuck Sarver, 3rd 50+ M, 54:23; Nash Matson, 3rd 19-29 M, 54:31; Lucas Bowser, 2nd 15-18 M, 57:07; Dillon Perry, 3rd 15-18 M, 59:37; Courtney Callas, 3rd 30-39 W, 1:00:29; Julia Hixon, 1st 11-14 W, 1:01:54; Kimberly Miller, 1st 50+ W, 1:09:51; Nick Radio, 46:54; Jack Kelley, 47:32; Terry Beacom, 47:36; Alexander Kennedy, 56:00; Elizabeth Perry, 59:41; Karen Springmeyer, 1:00:28; Kevin Hixon, 1:01:53; Tabitha Bowser, 1:05:57; Rose Cardamone, 1:13:55

Beaver Volunteer Fire Dept. 5K, May 31: Ed Bachdol, 1st Overall M, 16:32; Julie Saibena, 1st Overall W, 20:30; Nick Phillips, 2nd 30-34 M, 20:58; Michael Bryner, 1st 35-39 M, 22:55; Brent Collins, 2nd 60-64 M, 23:43; Jazmyn Phillips, 3rd 25-29 W, 29:20; Dila Izamora, 2nd 50-54 W, 33:24; Lori Perini, 2nd 60-64 W, 33:25; Kaitlyn Byers, 32:06; Sydney Barr, 45:19; Kristine Barr, 45:20; Rodger Weiss, 56:32

Run to Breathe Half Marathon, June 1: Brett Smithco, 1:24:05; 1st Overall M, Beatrice Kolesar, 1st Overall W, 1:29:22; Jeremy Jarrell, 1st 45-49 M, 1:38:35; Kevin May, 2nd 40-44 M, 1:46:55; Lorena Lopez, 1st 19 & Under W, 1:50:27; Erick Hortert, 2nd 55-59 M, 1:51:33; John Armstrong, 3rd 55-59 M, 1:53:54; Jeromee Geibel, 2nd 30-34 M, 1:54:18; Shannon Wishart, 2nd 40-44 W, 1:55:07; Kiersten Zajac, 2nd 35-39 W, 1:55:41; James Kolesar, 3rd 19 & Under M, 1:58:10; Mary White, 1st 65-69 W, 1:59:40; Jason Kerchersky, 3rd 35-39 M, 2:03:15; Shane McIntire, 3rd 20-24 M, 2:10:03; Heather Alter, 3rd 50-54 W, 2:16:14; Mark Gardner, 2nd 70+ M, 2:28:26; Tammy Kuniak-Sarver, 1st 60-64 W, 3:42:00; John Hansbury, 1:48:30; Holly Markel, 1:54:19; Vasilii Surov, 1:54:56; Margaret Kolesar, 1:58:19; Kyle Roth, 1:58:34; Trevor Miller, 2:00:13; Katie Braun, 2:00:18; Patrick Kelly, 2:01:16; Kaitlyn Sybert, 2:02:39; Andrew Chwalik, 2:03:38; Ryan Karlheim, 2:05:23; Sara Young, 2:06:53; Jacqueline Shields, 2:07:53; Noah Zajac, 2:08:13; Kasey Powlison, 2:09:40; Anna Johnson, 2:11:44; Elizabeth Linton, 2:11:53; Brian Mathieson, 2:14:26; Andrew Slywczuk, 2:16:51; Gypsy Dreveniak, 2:18:59; Carrie Kolesar, 2:21:02; Maggie Mezerski, 2:23:58; Ed Stoughton, 2:28:43; Anthony Sunseri, 2:41:01; Shawna Hardy-Emerson, 2:49:59; Heidi Struble, 2:50:08; Pamela Beck, 3:04:47; Keith Colussy, 4:16:25

Run to Breathe 5K, June 1: Jacob Feigel, 1st Overall M, 20:57; Nicolette Devincentis, 1st Overall W, 23:11; Justin Fleo, 1st 30-34 M, 23:10; Amanda Lewis, 1st 20-24 W, 24:56; Zach Spangler, 2nd 25-29 M, 26:06; Bernadette Lewis, 1st 50-54 W, 26:19; Mallory Geibel, 1st 25-29 W, 26:30; David Suber, 1st 65-69 M, 27:22; Emilie Keith, 1st 35-39 W, 27:30; Layssa Silva, 3rd 20-24 W, 29:31; Lethyssia Santos, 2nd 30-34 W, 29:44; Cindy Suber, 1st 65-69 W, 30:10; Laila Santos, 3rd 35-39 W, 30:32; Carlee Vargo, 2nd 50-54 W, 31:00; Kim Feigel, 2nd 40-44 W, 31:29; Laura Augustine, 2nd 55-59 W, 32:07; Joe Kolesar, 3rd 45-49 M, 32:08; Vicki Brendlinger, 2nd 65-69 W, 32:45; Daniel Tarr, 1st 50-54 M, 32:48; Beth Marino, 3rd 40-44 W, 32:52; Lincoln Beals, 2nd 14 & Under M, 33:21; Robin Trinko, 1st 60-64 W, 33:22; Brian Beals, 1st 40-44 M, 36:11; Jennifer McCurdy, 2nd 60-64 W, 37:16; Rick Orlowski, 3rd 65-69 M, 39:13; Carol English, 3rd 65-69 W, 40:29; Dorothy Tatrn, 2nd 70+ W, 48:12; Chamberlain Allman, 3rd 20-24 M, 48:59; Jenna Hutsko, 29:56; Sara McGee, 31:13; Vanessa Dias, 31:19; Gisela Hirai-Tanaka, 32:21; Marinete Andrade, 33:01; Ana Paula Cirqueira, 37:51; Edilene Santos, 40:18; Bianca Leite, 41:05; Anashaianne Sá, 43:21; Karina Taets, 45:19; Elisa Oliveira, 45:21; Brittney Allman, 49:00; Angela Nuss, 53:30; Kim Kenetz, 55:45

Pat Neubert is a running columnist for the Butler Eagle. Send comments and suggestions: Patricia Neubert, phone 724-352-4395, email lotzak@consolidated.net