Love is in the air and on the roads this Valentine’s Day as Community Options Cupid’s Chase 5K comes to Butler at 10 a.m. Saturday. This marks the ninth year for the race that shows love to disabled individuals in Butler County.

Disabled people have the same needs and desires for adequate housing and gainful employment as do those without additional challenges. Cupid’s Chase raises money to provide disabled Butler residents housing in safe, attractive neighborhoods and employment with steady income of at least minimum wage.

Tim Hawk, founder and race director of Cupid’s Chase Butler and Executive Director of Community Options said there’s no special purpose identified yet for this year’s fundraising effort. Past efforts have funded home remodeling, purchase of furniture and appliances and special events like summer picnics which enhance the lives of people with disabilities. Importantly, all funds raised benefit Butler County residents, currently 26 with residential housing and 14 with employment services.

Butler’s Cupid’s Chase has been held at Lake Arthur Golf Club for all of its nine-year history. The race starts in front of the clubhouse, continues on a double loop of straight road with one hill, elevation gain of 297 feet, to finish back at the clubhouse. The course is a certified 5K distance.

February weather can be uncertain, but Hawk said temperatures are predicted in the upper 30s for Saturday. Conditions should be safe for runners and walkers as public roads and golf club drives are well maintained in winter.

Hawk expects possibly a record participation for this year’s event. As of Tuesday, more than 100 have preregistered.

Hawk called the race “open to all.” Competitive runners can challenge each other and the course but there’s no pressure. “If you can only walk a mile,” he said, “you’re still welcome.” Strollers, wheelchairs and dogs on leashes are also welcome.

Post-race festivities will take place in the warmth of the clubhouse with refreshments, live music, basket raffle and awards ceremony. Although dogs are accepted on the racecourse, they’re not permitted indoors.

All Cupid’s Chase finishers receive a medal. Competitive awards include trophies for top three overall men and women and medals for first male and female finishers in age groups from 12-and-under through 70-plus.

Online registration for Cupid’s Chase 5K will stay open until the race start Saturday at runsignup.com/Race/PA/Butler/CupidsChase5KButler. There’s also registration and packet pickup Thursday and Friday, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. at Community Options, 407B West Jefferson Street, Butler. All registered will receive commemorative drawstring bags and t-shirts while supplies last.

Community Options is a nationwide charity. Butler is only one of the many Cupid’s Chase runs held annually in twelve states to support the disabled. Participants totaled more than 11,000 runners and walkers in 2025.

Nearby Cupid’s Chase 5K in Pittsburgh, also starting at 10 a.m. Saturday, routinely attracts more than 300 runners and walkers. The race starts in front of PNC Park for an out-and-back run/walk on North Shore Trail. The trail is flat but don’t expect a personal best as you may be frustrated dodging strollers and walkers on the narrow path. Register at runsignup.com/CupidsChase5KPittsburgh.

Although Cupid’s Chase is the main event, Community Options Butler also holds another fun fundraiser in the fall. Pins for a Purpose is a bowling event and kick-off for Cupid’s Chase. Call Community Options Butler, 724-613-8133, for more information.

Saturday, 9 a.m.: 4Ever Yours 4Miler, Allison Park. Individual or 2-person relay starting at North Park Boathouse. runsignup.com/Race/PA/AllisonPark/4EverYours4Miler

Saturday, 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

Saturday, 10 a.m.: Community Options Cupid’s Chase 5K, Pittsburgh. Starts on River Trail near PNC Park. runsignup.com/CupidsChase5KPittsburgh

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

February 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.: PHN Charitable Foundation Shamrock ‘N’ Run 5K, Sharon. 724-301-8075 or www.primary-health.net/blog/shamrock/

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, 9:10 a.m.: Shamrock Run 5K, Allison Park. Run in North Park. runsignup.com/Race/PA/AllisonPark/ShamrockRunNorthPark

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 8, 9 a.m.: South Park Shamrock Run 5K, South Park. runsignup.com/Race/PA/SouthParkTownship/ShamrockRunSouthPark

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 from challenging 13.1 miles to rolling 5K and 1-Mile. Food and beverages following. 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/ShamShuffle

March 28, 8:35 a.m.: Just a Short Run, Allison Park. Run 5K, 8.1-Mile, Half Marathon or 30K in North Park. runsignup.com/Race/Info/PA/AllisonPark/JASR

March 28, 10 a.m.: Butler’s Best Buddies Eggstravaganza 5K, Bunny Hop 1-Mile and Kids Easter Egg Hunt, Butler. Fun for all at Art Bernardi Stadium. runsignup.com/Race/PA/Butler/BestBuddiesEasterEggDash

April 4, 10 a.m.: Fool’s Run 10K and 5K, Blairsville. runsignup.com/Race/PA/Blairsville/FoolsRun10K5K?utm_source=platform_find_a_race&utm_medium=referral or 814-749-8556

April 4, 10 a.m.: Venango County CASA Superhero 5K Run/Walk and Free Superhero Kids Mini Fun Run, Oil City. Run on Samuel Justis Trail. runsignup.com/Race/PA/OilCity/VenangoCountyCASASuperhero5k

Get Fit Families Reindeer Run 5K, Dec. 20: Zachary Sharara, 1st Overall M, 16:40; Riley McGee, 2nd Overall M, 16:54; Tyler Carroll, 3rd Overall M, 17:12; Aria Harcar, 1st Overall W, 20:16; Emily Keir, 2nd Overall W, 22:10; Jamie Harcar, 3rd Overall W, 22:31; Brendan Eicher, 1st 16-19 M, 17:46; Elijah Gretz, 1st 13-15 M, 18:50; Jack Crawford, 2nd 16-19 M, 19:58; Ethan Spirk, 3rd 16-19 M, 20:08; Nick Hamilton, 2nd 30-39 M, 22:12; Kyler Leroy, 2nd 13-15 M, 22:53; Cael Waltemire, 3rd 13-15 M, 22:56; Colin Stevens, 1st 20-29 M, 23:45; John H. Armstrong, 2nd 60-69 M, 24:18; Riley Perry, 1st 16-19 W, 24:50; Dakota Bielewicz, 1st 6 & Under W, 25:41; Brittany Bielewicz, 1st 30-39 W, 25:42; Val McGee, 2nd 40-49 W, 26:23; Catherine Hrach, 1st 50-59 W, 26:32; Ben Hindman, 1st 11-12 M, 26:36; Vanessa Johnson, 2nd 30-39 W, 26:40; Katee Gearhart, 3rd 30-39 W, 27:12; Kaitlyn Crawford, 3rd 20-29 W, 33:46; Cindy Waltemire, 2nd 60-69 W, 35:08; Ann Cheman, 1st 70+ W, 46:35; Josh Gretz, 21:24; Ian Maloney, 23:29; John Bielewicz, 25:37; Dylan Sparacino, 26:14; Zachary Sypien, 27:15; Sebastian Wilson, 27:15; Scott Baker, 29:32; Richard Kalinoski, 29:58; Melissa Dykstra, 30:30; Ruth Hindman, 30:38; Sophia Gearhart, 32:14; Dawn Pasquinelli, 33:43; Jaden Pasquinelli, 33:48; Ruth McLennan, 35:09; Chuck Houser, 36:40; Michelle Burgess, 37:43; Deborah Takacs, 44:08; Kelly Wilson, 44:14; Tiffani Waltemire, 44:39; Sina Reese, 53:01; Steph Reese, 53:02; Marcia Salsbury, 53:02; Dalton Reese, 53:03; Ella Garvin, 53:13; Jennifer Garvin, 53:59

Get Fit Families Reindeer Run 5K, Dec. 20: Tyler Carroll, 1st Overall M, 5:49; Myla McGee, 1st Overall W, 8:05; Catherine Hrach, 2nd Overall W, 8:08; Vanessa Johnson, 3rd Overall W, 8:31; John H. Armstrong, 1st 60-69 M, 7:44; Toby Myers, 1st 11-12 M, 7:51; Sebastian Wilson, 1st 13-15 M, 8:10; Cael Waltemire, 2nd 13-15 M, 8:10; Zachary Sypien, 3rd 13-15 M, 8:22; Adam Myers, 1st 40-49 M, 8:32; Colton Waltemire, 1st 9-10 M, 9:07; Mitch Radella, 3rd 60-69 M, 9:29; Riley Perry, 1st 16-19 W, 14:02; Scott Eicher, 3rd 50-59 M, 15:43; Colleen Eicher, 2nd 40-49 W, 15:45

Get Fit Families Reindeer Half Mile, Dec. 20: Conor Handron, 1st Overall M, 3:49; Cael Waltemire, 3rd Overall M, 4:02; Vanessa Johnson, 1st Overall W, 4:23; Catherine Hrach, 2nd Overall W, 4:26; Riley Perry 3rd Overall W, 4:41; Mitch Radella, 2nd 60-69 M, 5:11; Brandt Speicher, 1st 6 & Under M, 6:26; Dakota Bielewicz, 1st 6 & Under W, 8:53

Christmas Eve 5K, Dec. 24 (finishers under 28:00): Hayden Hunt, 1st Overall M, 15:21; Grace Rowley, 1st Overall W, 17:53; Andrew Maxwell, 3rd 20-29 M, 17:06; Cam Cramer, 2nd 11-14 M, 18:42; E. Henry, 2nd 10 & Under M, 23:22; S. Rushlander, 2nd 10 & Under W, 23:49; Matthew Bellia, 18:13; Evan Lewis, 19:36; Luke Anderson, 20:12; Colin Stevens, 20:30; Dan Spaulding, 20:34; Josh Gretz, 20:48; Miles Spaulding, 21:07; Elijah Gretz, 21:21; Jordan Rushlander, 21:37; L. Spaulding, 21:38; Matthew Shaefer, 22:12; Noah Graeser, 21:49; Nathan Zevola, 22:06; Andrew Wasko, 22:08; Matthew Sydlik, 22:22; Corey Price, 22:39; Cole Behrens, 22:43; Levi Pankratz, 22:55; Mark Kennedy, 23:07; Zeke Fagan, 23:17; Everett Keinath, 23:24; Cole Brooks, 23:39; Caitlin Rushlander, 23:48; CJ Gagnon, 23:50; Maddie Gagnon, 23:50; Michael Keinath, 23:54; C. Rauschenberger, 24:12; Greyson Lewis, 24:13; Paul Fagley, 24:33; Emily Sassaman, 24:36; Mark Sassaman, 24:36; Jason Trimble, 24:39; Zachary Graeser, 24:54; Jamie Meyers, 24:57; Jake Anderson, 25:09; Clarence Wade, 25:36; Tricia Shaefer, 25:56; Jessica Niemeier, 25:57; Jonathan Graeser, 25:58; Meah Groves, 25:58; Dylan Schartel, 26:07; Amber Rizza, 26:22; Austin Keally, 26:26; Brittany Schneider, 26:45; Jack Eriksen, 26:51; Isaiah Gretz, 27:14; Jordan Haggerty, 27:18; Phillip Schneider, 27:24; Annie Woller, 27:30; Megan Marley, 27:31; Catherine Spaulding, 27:45

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