We’ve suffered through more than 2 dozen 90-degree days in Western Pa. this summer with more to come as we enter August. With that heat, as much as we enjoy running, it’s not all fun and games.

Last Saturday one of my experienced trail-running friends encountered heat related symptoms at a local race. Fortunately, symptoms were mild with dizziness, fatigue and thirst and occurred toward the end of his run. He quickly recovered with the help of friends and post-race aid.

The lesson in this is that experience doesn’t impart immunity. No one is safe from heat illness. And mild symptoms can quickly escalate to major, possibly fatal problems. In a race between you and heat, heat always wins.

That said, we have a lot of races ahead in August. Hydrate and listen to your body. That’s the best way to have safe summer running fun.

This Saturday, St. Barnabas Free Care 5K celebrates its 34th year of charity, competition and camaraderie in nearby Gibsonia.

Shelli Sommariva, Director of Development for St. Barnabas Charities, is excited to welcome more than 600 runners, walkers, wheelchair and stroller participants this year. That’s the largest participation since the pandemic forced a virtual race in 2020.

Sommariva has been involved with the race for 20 years. She says her favorite part of directing the event is “seeing the community come together for the love of running and having fun in support of St. Barnabas residents.”

That community includes participants and volunteers, but also the many sponsors and donors who support the event. Sommariva thanks presenting sponsor CIBC and others for their generosity. More than $115,000 will be raised for St. Barnabas Free Care Fund from the 5K this year.

St. Barnabas Free Care 5K has something for everyone. There’s plenty of individual competition. The race awards cash prizes totaling $1000 for top 3 men and women. Masters, Grand Masters, top 3 in age groups from 9 & Under through 80+, wheelchairs and teams earn medals.

In its 34 years, St. Barnabas’ rolling, out and back course has produced fast times. Records on the USATF certified course were set in 2013 by Josh Simpson, 14:36, and in 2014 by Aubrey Moskal, 16:26. If you’re looking to run a personal best or at least a consistent pace, the event offers pacing groups from 7 to 13 minutes per mile.

St. Barnabas 5K isn’t just about racing. There are plenty of participants running or walking for exercise, a good cause and a good post-race party. All participants enjoy the standard post-race refreshments of water and Gatorade but those over 21 can also have a beer. In addition to traditional fruit and snacks, food trucks serve pizza, donuts, coffee, ice cream and hot dogs.

While runners recline on the lawn, Jay Kline of WLER radio will act as DJ and MC of the awards ceremony and post-race raffle. Raffle prizes include gift baskets, certificates from local restaurants, theme park passes, and a fan favorite – 2 cases of beer (must be over 21.)

Online signup for St. Barnabas 5K is open at stbarnabashealthsystem.com/charities/annual-events/stbarnabas5k/ until Friday. There’s also in-person registration and packet pickup today, Thursday, from 3-7 p.m. at Washington Place at St. Barnabas, 5847 Meridian Rd., Gibsonia. Day of event registration opens at 7 a.m. for the 9 a.m. start.

There’s plenty of parking on race day but Meridian Rd., part of the race course, closes at 8:30 a.m. Arrive early or walk farther to the start.

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

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

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

Saturday, 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

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

August 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

August 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

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

August 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

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

August 10, 9 a.m.: Kinzua Bridge Challenge, Mt. Jewett. Choice of 5K, 10K, 1 Mile or 2 Mile Walk on Kinzua Bridge Rail Trail. runsignup.com/Race/PA/MountJewett/KinzuaBridgeChallenge

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

August 14, 6 p.m.: Run for the Trail 7K Run and 2 Mile Fun Run/Walk, Dilltown. Run on Ghost Town Trail. 724-840-5961 or runsignup.com/Race/PA/Dilltown/RunForTheTrail7KRunand2MileFunRunWalk

August 16, 6:30 a.m.: Mighty Moraine Fall Multi-Sport Festival, Portersville. Olympic Distance Triathlon, Relay and Aquabike at Moraine State Park. runsignup.com/Race/PA/Portersville/MightyMoraineFallMultiSportFestival

August 16, 8 a.m.: Historic Hill 5K Run, Walk and Ride, Pittsburgh. Run at Freedom Corner in Pittsburgh’s Hill District. runsignup.com/Race/PA/Pittsburgh/HistoricHill

August 17, 10 a.m.: Mighty Moraine Fall Multi-Sport Festival, Portersville. Sprint Distance Triathlon, Aquabike, Duathlon, Adventure Race at Moraine State Park. runsignup.com/Race/PA/Portersville/MightyMoraineFallMultiSportFestival

August 23, 9 a.m.: 43rd Annual Run Around the Square 5K, Pittsburgh. Run through Regent Square neighborhood and Frick Park. 724-331-9635 or runaroundthesquare.com

August 23, 9 a.m.: Banana Run 5K, Latrobe. Family friendly run/walk through Latrobe finishes at Memorial Stadium. Part of Banana Split Celebration. 724-537-4331 or latroberecreation.org/races/

August 31, 9 a.m.: Brady’s Run Happy 5K and 10K, Beaver Falls. Also 5K Walk and Kids Race. runsignup.com/Race/PA/BeaverFalls/BradysRunHappy

Race results:

Greenfield Glide 5K, June 1: Joey Hawley, 1st Overall M, 16:57; Nicole Feng, 1st Overall W, 19:53; Sol Mouse, 1st 35-39 W, 24:21; Ken Hornfeck, 20:24; Joe Mullen, 23:45; Rudy Molero, 26:08

33rd Annual Gateway Mile, June 5: Steve Kirkland, 1st Overall M, 4:31.04; Megan Puleio, 1st Overall W, 5:03.33; Andrew Mascio, 4:37.30; Dan Spaulding, 5:28.86; Mark Hunkele, 5:30.42; Wayne Hot, 5:43.55; Brandon Wise, 5:44.53; Jacob Taciuch, 5:51.16; Laura Ellie Spaulding, 5:59.03; Miles Spaulding, 6:00.71; Lucas Slear, 7:44.42; Catherine Spaulding, 7:54.49; Mitch Radella, 8:46.67; Tom Abbott, 9:43.44

God’s Country Marathon, June 7: A.J. Kelly, 1st Overall M, 2:48:28; Leahanne Weaver, 1st Overall W, 3:09:12; William Huber, 1st 40-49 M, 3:22:34; Arlan Dienner, 3rd 16-19 M, 4:16:18; Maximillian Wolfe, 4:16:26

God’s Country Half marathon, June 7: Kirk Gregory, 1st Overall M, 1:25:48; Kelsey Hanna, 1st Overall W, 1:36:06; Niko Moore, 2nd 16-19 M, 1:38:10; Dalton Wenner, 3rd 16-19 M, 1:40:23; Ellaina Martin, 1st 15 & Under W, 1:48:24; Dustin Wenner, 3rd 50-59 M, 1:56:44; Lial Sheddon, 1st 15 & Under M, 2:18:54; Alex Avilez, 2nd 15 & Under M, 2:19:32; Dalton Wenner, 1:42:48; Kameron Martin, 1:42:48; Gabrial Taylor, 2:18:46; Parker Wilson, 2:21:45; Willis Umble, 2:41:48

Run Like an Animal 5K, June 15: Justin Reno, 1st Overall M, 18:41; Nicolette Devincentis, 1st Overall W, 22:45; Katja Kulp, 3rd 40-49 W, 28:59; Lynn Legrand, 1st 30-39 W, 32:28; Brittany Pope, 3rd 30-39 W, 39:02; Thomas Spruell, 3rd 19-29 M, 40:45; Danielle Williams, 31:01; Anthony Sunseri, 32:59; Lyla Legrand, 43:40; Lucas Legrand, 43:43; Kim Kenetz, 53:26

Summer Solstice 5K, June 18: Brian Canny, 1st Overall M, 20:05; Clayton Francis, 2nd Overall M, 20:22; Jordan Eckenrode, 3rd Overall M, 20:44; Sophia Gearhart, 1st Overall W, 21:44; Lydia Springirth, 2nd Overall W, 21:58; Tessa Szymanski, 3rd Overall W, 23:06; Lucas Drake, 1st 13-17 M, 22:31; Robin Springirth, 1st 40-49 W, 23:17; Brady Bellis, 2nd 13-17 M, 23:39; Josh Tustin, 2nd 18-29 M, 23:40; J. Porter, 1st 12 & Under M, 23:46; Ben Shuty, 3rd 13-17 M, 24:25; L. Porter, 2nd 12 & Under M, 24:38; M. Verba, 1st 12 & Under W, 24:46; Raely FaJohn, 1st 18-29 W, 24:52; J. Boosel, 3rd 12 & Under M, 24:57; Bekah Pardoe, 1st 13-17 W, 25:45; Emily Mitchell, 3rd 40-49 W, 26:21; Vanessa Johnson, 1st 30-39 W, 26:27; Rebecca Springirth, 2nd 13-17 W, 26:40; Michael Wallace, 1st 40-49 M, 26:49; C. Boosel, 2nd 12 & Under W, 27:11; T. Mikes, 3rd 12 & Under W, 28:00; Keith Mikes, 2nd 40-49 M, 28:06; Eddie Schreiber, 2nd 30-39 M, 28:52; Katee Gearhart, 2nd 30-39 W, 29:21; Rylan Zupko, 2nd 18-29 W, 29:34; Natalie Wilson, 3rd 13-17 W, 29:39; Emma Zorn, 3rd 18-29 W, 29:56; Suzanne Schaefers, 1st 50-59 W, 34:09; Shawna Hardy-Emerson, 3rd 30-39 W, 34:18; JoAnn Fairhead, 1st 70-79 W, 35:57; Kimberley Miller, 2nd 50-59 W, 36:13; Jennifer McCurdy, 1st 60-69 W, 38:26; Travis Bellis, 24:29; Casen Osborne, 24:30; Liam Robare, 25:19; Jack Mitchell, 25:44; Gavin Stewart, 26:15; Jennifer Eckenrode, 27:24; F. Osborne, 28:18; Cole Armstrong, 28:29; Erin Bellis, 29:25; Nico Savannah, 29:40; Samantha Preciado, 29:48; Abby Smith, 29:48; Dana Zupko, 29:57; Joe Robare, 29:58; M. Rozic, 30:04; Bailie Knight, 30:25; Riley Ziegler, 31:08; Katie Shuty, 31:18; Harley Pflugh, 32:00; Tricia Miller, 32:01; A. Lewis, 33:15; Jaden Lang, 34:24; Alex Tustin, 34:43; Preston Wilson, 34:46; R. Porter, 35:29; Brynn Miller, 35:33; Addison Mikes, 35:34; Ava Pollock, 36:46; Gabby Schwartz, 36:47; Leala Trettel; Kelly Osborne, 41:15

Summer Solstice 1 Mile, June 18: C. Armstrong, 1st Overall M, 7:03; A. Koehler, 1st Overall W, 7:57; M. Osborne, 8:06; C. Armstrong, 8:23; H. Hines, 9:09; C. Pardoe, 9:09; O. Osborne, 9:22; T. Smith, 9:43; M. Zorn, 10:16; A. Schmidhamer, 10:16; B. Brown, 10:30; E. Cole, 10:46; D. Crawford, 11:18; E. Porter, 12:19; C. Dillon, 12:52; A. Noel, 12:54

Send comments and suggestions: Patricia Neubert, phone 724-822-1577, Email lotzak@consolidated.net

Pat Neubert is a running columnist for the Butler Eagle