After this bout of extremely heavy snowfall followed by extremely frigid temperatures, I’m ready for spring.

But I’ll have to wait until Monday for our famous weather prognosticating rodent to declare if I’ll get my wish or winter sticks around for another six weeks. Western Pennsylvania celebrates Groundhog Day on Feb. 2, but runners can get in on the fun with two Groundhog-themed races on consecutive Saturdays.

This Saturday at 9 a.m., runners can defy winter’s (hopefully) last blast at Groundhog 5K and 1-Mile Fun Run/Walk starting at North Park Boathouse. The course runs through the level tennis court area and onto gently rolling Lake Shore Drive. There’s also a 50-yard kids dash for ages 10 and under starting at 8:45 a.m.

Strollers are welcome at Groundhog 5K, but dogs are not. Service dogs are permitted, but race management requests you notify them prior to the event so accommodations can be made. CGXC also has a headphone policy for safety: no noise-canceling headphones or speakers. Bone-conduction or single-ear headphones are permitted.

Groundhog 5K has increased attendance in each of its previous three events with last year’s registrations at 260. Hopefully Saturday’s prediction of temperatures in the teens doesn’t dampen spirits for this race. Director Matt Imhof said there are already 275 signed up.

Imhof said he’s been working with the park to ensure roads will be safe and clear Saturday. He’s never canceled an event because of cold, citing the coldest race he’s directed — a frigid 5-miler at minus-9 degrees with more than 400 runners attending. He advises dressing in layers, wearing a buff or scarf to cover exposed skin and carrying Hot Hands or other hand warmers.

This is an event that shows Pennsylvania pride in our quirky weather tradition.

All participants receive a groundhog T-shirt. Finishers earn a festive groundhog medal. And everyone can enjoy post-race snacks at the awards ceremony. Groundhog 5K offers competitive awards for first three male and female finishers, first masters and top three in age groups from 12-and-under through 70-plus.

There’s no parking at North Park Boathouse, but there is a lot nearby on Pierce Mill Road. Check-in on race day and post-race refreshments will be held indoors at the Boathouse.

Online registration is open at runsignup.com/Race/Events/PA/AllisonPark/GroundhogDay5kPGH with early packet pickup and registration available on Thursday, 5-7 p.m. at Pro Bike+Run in North Park. For a registration discount, sign up for 2026 GCXC Winter Bundle of Fun which includes three winter/early spring events – Groundhog Day 5K, 4Ever Yours 4Miler and Shamrock Run 5K. Race day registration is possible but not encouraged.

Then at 10 a.m. Feb. 7, Groundhog Jog 4-Miler runs to the source with a race from the Punxsutawney fire hall through neighborhoods to Gobbler’s Knob and back. There’s also a 4-mile virtual event and a kids race for ages 11-and-under.

Groundhog Jog had originally been scheduled for this Saturday. Based on predictions of extreme cold, organizers have decided postponing for a week is the right choice for volunteer and participant safety.

Groundhog Jog offers medals for first three male and female finishers. First three in age groups from 14-and-under through 70-plus also earn awards. Finishers at all events receive a commemorative collector coin.

Online registration ends Feb. 6, 5 p.m. at runsignup.com/Race/PA/Punxsutawney/GroundhogJog4MileRunWalk. For more information, call race director Doug Craft, 814-939-9770.

Sunday, 9 a.m.: Groundhog Day 5K, Allison Park. Also 1-Mile Fun Run/Walk and Kids Dash starting at North Park Boathouse. runsignup.com/Race/PA/AllisonPark/GroundhogDay5kPGH

Feb. 7, 8 a.m.: Cancer Bridges Community Run/walk, Pittsburgh. Run or walk 1-16 miles and post-run breakfast. Supports free programs and services for those impacted by cancer. Pittsburgh.runsignup.com/Race/PA/Pittsburgh/GCXCCancerBridgesCommunityRun

Feb. 7, 10 a.m.: Groundhog Jog 4-Miler, Punxsutawney. Race to Gobbler’s Knob and back, also Kids race (ages 11 and under.) runsignup.com/Race/PA/Punxsutawney/GroundhogJog4MileRunWalk?aflt_token=vkmwDmweQ4iCYn8otSOOnKQ3vCO8buOw

Feb. 14, 9 a.m.: 4Ever Yours 4Miler, Allison Park. Individual or two-person relay starting at North Park Boathouse. runsignup.com/Race/PA/AllisonPark/4EverYours4Miler

Feb. 14, 10 a.m.: Community Options Cupid’s Chase 5K, Butler. Run at Lake Arthur Golf Club. 724-613-8133 or runsignup.com/Race/PA/Butler/CupidsChase5KButler

Feb. 14, 10 a.m.: Community Options Cupid’s Chase 5K, Pittsburgh. Starts on River Trail near Heinz Field. runsignup.com/CupidsChase5KPittsburgh

Feb. 21: Big One Run, New Castle. Run or walk 1 mile, 5K or both at Cascade Park. runsignup.com/Race/PA/NewCastle/BIGONERUN

Feb. 28, 10 a.m.: 50th Spring Thaw, Allison Park. Choice of 5, 10, 15 or 20 miles in loops of North Park Lake. runsignup.com/Race/Events/PA/AllisonPark/TheSpringThaw

March 1, 10 a.m.: Withrow 5K, Oakdale. Held at Helicon Brewery. Also 1 Mile Fun Run/Walk. runsignup.com/Race/PA/Oakdale/SweatBarFitnessWithrowMemorialKAndMileFamilyFunWalk

March 7, 9 a.m.: Shamrock Run 5K, 1-Mile Fun Run and Kids Dash, Cranberry Township. Run in Graham Park. runsignup.com/Race/PA/CranberryTownship/ShamrockRunCranberry

March 7, 9 a.m.: The South Park Half Marathon, South Park. Hurry, only 46 spots left! runsignup.com/Race/Events/PA/SouthParkTownship/SouthParkHalfMarathon#event-1061155

March 7, 11 a.m.: Ellport Boro Community 5K, Ellwood City. Cash prizes to Overall and 70+ runners in 6 age groups. Also Pizza Joes Pizza! runsignup.com/Race/PA/ELLWOODCITY/ELLPORTBOROWINTERWONDERLAND5K

March 14, 10 a.m.: Kiski Area Shamrock Run 5K, Apollo. runsignup.com/Race/PA/Apollo/KiskiAreaShamrockRun5K

March 21, 7:30 a.m.: Shamrock Shuffle 13.1 Mile, 5K & 1-Mile, Harmony. Run one or all 3 distances. runsignup.com/Race/PA/Harmony/ShamrockShuffleZeienopleRotary

March 21, 10 a.m.: Shamrock Shuffle 5K and Fun Walk, Leechburg. Kids 4 & under free. Supports Semper Gratus. runsignup.com/Race/PA/Leechburg/ShamShuffl

Abundant Lights 5K, Dec. 6: Eagon Molnar, 1st Overall M, 18:58; Brielle Emler, 1st Overall W, 21:20; Ada Eubanks, 3rd Overall W, 21:28; Matthew Johnston, 3rd 20-24 M, 23:45; Hannah Grubbs, 1st 30-39 W, 31:43 Mitch Radella, 3rd 60-69 M, 32:49; Gabriela Wallace, 1st 10-14 W, 34:01; Anthony Sunseri, 2nd 70-79 M, 34:09; Debbie Grubbs, 1st 60-69 W, 34:33; Tammi Bitzer, 2nd 50-59 W, 39:47; Franklin Bame, 3rd 70-79 M, 41:28; Zoe Faller, 3rd 10-14 W, 44:14; Cynthia Rosequist, 2nd 70-79 W, 49:03; MaryAnn Thompson, 1st 80-89 W, 51:02; Sherry Kratsas, 3rd 40-49 W, 53:33; Aaron Moyer, 1st 30-39 M, 56:36; Chris Owens, 3rd 30-39 M, 1:06:15; Michael Orr, 26:29; Gage Bitzer, 32:25; Jennifer McCurdy, 37:20; John Grenci, 38:55; Carol English, 40:14; Maddie Beichner, 44:15; Tricia Corrado, 50:46; Tom Thompson, 51:04; Chrystal Zinkham, 53:33; Katie Kovacic, 53:33; Kim Swendsen, 53:38; Jane Graham, 1:02:05; Frank Longobardi, 1:06:13; Krista Price, 53:39

Abundant Lights 1-Mile, Dec. 6: Brian Mathieson, 8:11; Rhonda Androlia, 15:08; Tim Pecora, 17:25; Terrie Pecora, 17:26; Robert Miller, 17:48; Wendy Wahlquist, 18:18; Larry Wahlquist, 18:19; Eileen Bonomo, 18:42; Betty DeCicco, 19:12; Gregory Fiinn,20:45; Carol Flinn, 20:46; Bonnie Mirth;24:31; Christine Osman’ 26:02; Rachel Hughes, 26:03; Cindy Pirrera, 31:11; Elizabeth Garrett, 31:24; Ruth Mears, 36:37, 1st 36:37; Joel Pretz, 47:48

Nittany Valley Half Marathon, Dec. 7: Matthias Ngo, 1st Overall M, 1:13:48; Kara Phelps, 1st Overall W, 1:25:01; John Armstrong, 2nd 60-69 M, 1:48:33; Amy Falk, 3rd 50-59 W, 1:52:16; Ben Rishel, 1:24:10; Jack Breisinger, 1:43:53; Ashli Moore, 1:48:05; S Mark Courtney, 1:53:32; Joshua Freshly, 1:57:34; Anthony Savona, 1:58:30; Megan Boland, 2:04:21; Vanessa Snyder, 2:06:01; Elizabeth Kaplan, 2:13:50; Emily Cinker, 2:22:08; Bobbi Betush, 2:26:07; Julie Skal, 2:28:38; Terri Lukens Gable, 2:39:33

Beaver County YMCA Santa Run 10K, Dec. 7: Meghan McNabb, 1st Overall W, 41:37; Jason Judy, 1st Overall M, 41:37; Gerald Rooney, 1st 30-49 M, 45:56; Ronald Sparks, 2nd 30-49 M, 47:42; Myron Braggs, 3rd 50+ M, 53:15; Dawn Desiderio, 1st 50+ W, 1:03:38; Jean Cumberledge, 3rd 29 & Under W, 1:14:11; Joshua Eisenhower, 58:36; Jessica Hagy, 1:02:46; Brinley Raymer, 1:04:51; Andre Green, 1:12:02

Beaver County YMCA Santa Run 5K, Dec. 7: Nicholas Balzer, 1st Overall M, 21:25; Selena Ohler, 1st Overall W, 23:13; Jessica Niemeier, 2nd 40-49 W, 25:02; Mary Getz, 3rd 30-39 W, 29:35; Renee Dambrosio, 2nd 60+ W, 33:53; Anthony Sunseri, 2nd 60+ M, 33:57; Arlene Dudeck, 2nd 50-59 W, 37:13; Paul Dudeck, 37:13

Pat Neubert is a running columnist for the Butler Eagle. Send comments and suggestions: Patricia Neubert, phone 724-822-1577, email lotzak@consolidated.net