Spring Thaw celebrates a milestone at 50 years.

The event in North Park, which will be held 10 a.m. Saturday, is the longest continuously run event in Western Pennsylvania.

Spring Thaw was created in the first running boom of the ’70s to offer local distance runners an opportunity to qualify for the Boston Marathon. Local marathoners Tom Abbot and Harry Kucherer created the 1st Annual Boston Qualifier Marathon, which had 24 finishers. By 2000, participation swelled to more than 200.

The event evolved into Spring Thaw and is no longer a full 26.2-mile marathon, but it offers plenty of choices with 5, 10, 15 or 20 miles in consecutive loops of North Park Lake. The 5-mile distance was added in 2023 and has become the second most popular choice behind the 10-mile which routinely sees more than 200 finishers.

In 50 years, Spring Thaw has only had three race directors: Mark Courtney, Kevin Smith, and since 2020, Matt Imhoff.

At its peak in the mid-2000s, Spring Thaw saw participation numbers over 1,000. Imhof expects registration may reach its capacity of 600 by Saturday. All registrations are online at runsignup.com/Race/Events/PA/AllisonPark/TheSpringThaw until race day. There’s also registration and packet pickup 4-7 p.m. Thursday at Pro Bike+Run in North Park.

Spring Thaw runners in all distances receive a finishers’ medal and long-sleeved T-shirt. Those who complete 10, 15 or 20 miles also earn socks. All finishers can also enjoy coffee and the event’s traditional post-race hot soup in the Rose Barn.

To commemorate 50 years, the top three overall men and women in all distances and first masters in the 10-mile earn specially designed acrylic plaques based on the original race flyer. Top three in age groups from 19-and-under through 70-plus in all distances also earn awards.

All runners start together at North Park Boathouse and follow a counterclockwise loop around the lake. Marathon Pacing will offer race pacing from eight-minutes-per-mile through 12-minutes-per-mile. There is a cutoff of four hours for all participants.

There are three aid stations on each loop with Gatorade and water. The aid station at the start area will also stock GU energy gels for 15- and 20-mile participants. As with other GCXC managed events, headphone use is regulated. Strollers are welcome to participate but dogs are not. (Contact the race to make accommodations for service dogs.)

Imhoff advises runners and spectators to carpool on race day as parking near the start is limited to 250 spots near the Rose Barn and small lots along Pearce Mill Road. Shuttles will run from the North Park Swimming Pool area.

Spring Thaw has supported various charities in its history.

This year, participants and others are encouraged to donate to 412 Food Rescue. This Pittsburgh-based charity was founded in 2015 to prevent food waste by connecting extra food with people who need it. It’s grown into the country’s largest food rescue organization with more than 23,000 volunteers.

Find out more at 412foodrescue.org or donate to Spring Thaw’s goal of raising $1,500 at runsignup.com/Race/Donate/PA/AllisonPark/TheSpringThaw.

Not everyone is ready to challenge the distances of Spring Thaw, especially as we emerge from a punishing winter. Imhof invites runners and walkers of all ages and abilities to his next North Park event, Shamrock Run at 9 a.m. March 7.

Shamrock Run is lighter on mileage, heavy on fun with a 5K Run, 1-Mile Run/Walk and Kids Dash (less than 100-yards,) all staged from North Park Boathouse.

Wear your seasonal green and your festive face. Take home a Shamrock finishers’ medal and custom Shamrock socks. runsignup.com/Race/PA/AllisonPark/ShamrockRunNorthPark

Saturday, 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

Sunday, 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, Allison Park. Run location is now North 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-plus runners in six 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

April 11, 9 a.m.: Miles for Micah 5K, 1-Mile and Kid’s Dash, Harmony. Raise money for child battling cancer. runsignup.com/Race/PA/Coraopolis/MilesForMicah5kMileKidsDash

April 11, 9 a.m.: Dirty Kiln Trail Races at Canoe Creek State Park, Hollidaysburg. Scenic and challenging trail run. runsignup.com/Race/PA/Hollidaysburg/DirtyKiln

April 12, 10 a.m.: Helicon Brewing Food Truck 5K, Oakdale. Run out and back on Panhandle Rail Trail. runsignup.com/Race/PA/Oakdale/HeliconBrewingFoodTruck5K

Harmony Silvester 5K, Dec. 31: Riley McGee, 1st Overall M, 17:03; Kate Kokal, 1st Overall W, 19:58; Emily Keir, 2nd Overall W, 21:42; Brooke Molde, 3rd Overall W, 23:32; Joshua McGinley, 1st 30-34 M, 19:21; Justin Sellinger, 1st 15-19 M, 20:19; Andrew Drozynski, 1st 20-24 M, 20:20; Adam Sellinger, 1st 11-14 M, 21:04; Jim Haughey, 1st 50-54 M, 21:20; Marc Brenner, 1st 35-39 M, 21:50; Josh Gretz, 3rd 40-44 M, 22:07; Matthew Schaeffer, 2nd 45-49 M, 22:43; Zachary Ashead, 2nd 11-14 M, 22:57; Sean Schachner, 2nd 35-39 M, 23:05; James Dankovich, 1st 55-59 M, 23:07; Matthew Johnston, 2nd 25-29 M, 23:27;John Armstrong, 1st 60-64 M, 23:42; Jack Lewis, 2nd 15-19 M, 23:59; Bernadette Lewis, 1st 50-54 W, 24:01; Mark Sassaman, 3rd 45-49 M, 24:06; Brian Gengler, 3rd 35-39 W, 24:23; Elizabeth Buechele, 1st 30-34 W, 24:27; Tabitha Bemis, 2nd 30-34 W, 24:33; Lauren Ottaviani, 1st 25-29 W, 24:38; Shannon Mick, 1st 35-39 W, 25:22; Anna Wishart, 1st 11-14 W, 25:23; Lindsay Monahan, 2nd 45-49 W, 26:15; Amanda Presto, 3rd 35-39 W, 26:32; F. DiSilvio, 2nd 11-14 W, 26:47; Hannah Powell, 3rd 30-34 W, 26:51; Donald Yost, 3rd 60-64 M, 27:14; James Gascoine, 2nd 65-69 M, 27:53; Jill Takach, 1st 55-59 W, 27:55; E. Luciow, 3rd 10 & Under M, 28:39; Nellie Zuba, 3rd 50-54 W, 28:44; Cheryl Zangaro, 3rd 60-64 W, 30:17; Mary Morgan, 1st 65-69 W, 31:06; Jaden Davinsizer, 1st 20-24 W, 31:37; Courtney Lisman, 2nd 20-24 W, 31:38; Margaret Carlson, 1st 70-74 W, 32:38; Mia Snyder, 3rd 20-24 W, 33:11; Paul Johnson, 2nd 75-79 M, 34:36; Ainsley Adams, 1st 15-19 W, 36:42; Franklin Bame, 1st 70-74 M, 36:44; Peggy Sibenac, 2nd 70-74 W, 38:19; J. Wahlstrom, 2nd 10 & Under W, 39:40; Madelynn Spencer, 3rd 15-219 W, 43:06; Faith Nicholson, 3rd 70-74 W, 44:17; Terry Melis, 3rd 70-74 M, 44:22; Rachel King, 2nd 25-29 W, 46:20; L. Zucatti, 3rd 10 & Under W, 48:34; Judy Lyle, 1st 75-79 W, 56:15; Elijah Gretz, 23:25; Cael Waltemire, 23:31; John Radcliffe, 23:49; Val McGee, 25:11; Caleb Rauscher, 23:53; Andrew Gengler, 24:10; C. Rauscher, 24:35; Brett Nesbitt, 24:49; Tyler Sienkiewicz, 25:07; William Farholly, 25:45; Annie Bernacki, 25:47; Kory Kipper, 25:56; B. Menz, 26:00; Matt Marshall, 26:29; Jacob Ponteous, 26:52; Shannon Wishart, 26:56; Zac Boda, 26:59; Dustin Wehler, 27:01; Luke Sloan, 27:32; Andrew Menchyk, 27:41; Maria Barron, 28:03; Abigail Benninger, 28:26; Vanessa Johnson, 28:31; David Uram, 28:37; Korey Luciow, 28:38; Isaiah Gretz, 28:48; C. Davis, 28:48; Tasha Ponteous, 28:58; Kaelen Duffy, 29:18; K. Duffy, 29:18; Eric Hilfiger, 29:19; Michael Botyrius, 29:24; Amber Wagner, 29:27; Christopher Fagley, 29:53; Paul Fagley, 29:54; Eric Wahlstrom, 29:57; Joy Rostan, 29:58; Jinny Hertweck, 30:02; G. Bernacki, 30:02; H. Bernacki, IV, 30:06; Rick Bowers, 30:10; Phillip DiSilvio, 30:19; Edwin Ancheia, 30:20; Evan Ramsey, 30:20; Lydia Chiapusio, 30:27; Sean Menz, 30:28; Kelly Ramsey, 31:07; David King, 31:26; A. Sisto, 32:21; Jenna Luek, 32:22; Kendra Hatipoglu, 32:38; Jackson Murray, 32:44; Brett Boyle, 32:49; Stefanie DiSilvio, 32:53; Lori Boyle, 33:00; Dylan Sparacino, 33:05; Chuck Houser, 33:20; P. Schley, 34:00; Katie Bruns, 34:12; Liam Dankle, 34:29; Frank Walowen, 34:31; J. Schley, 34:39; Michelle Burgess, 34:44; Michelle Zucatti, 35:05; Erin Sellinger, 35:09; Justin Schell, 35:21; Cindy Waltemire, 35:24; Dave Shaffer, 35:27; Robin Trinko, 36:34; Jennifer Sassaman, 36:54; Eric Huffman, 36:55; Ronelle Myers, 36:55; Scott Wahlstrom, 36:55; Jeff Byko, 37:00; Jenna Davis, 37:15; Laura Augustine, 37:46; Carol English, 38:52; Amy Marcinkiewicz, 39:10; M. Schley, 39:25; Virginia Morlino, 39:26; Kelly Hillwig, 39:31; Janelle Wahlstrom, 39:48; Jennifer Grooms, 40:07; Beth Ann Skinner, 41:16; D. Chiapusio, 42:49; Deborah Takacs, 44:40; Peyton Ponteous, 44:56; George King, 46:20; Tom Vrabely, 46:26; Elizabeth Haughey, 47:58; Lori Haughey, 48:01; Julie Fagley, 48:20; Alyssa Fagley, 48:20; Michael Zucatti, 48:34

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