Pittsburgh expects more than 50,000 participants for the annual running rite of spring — Pittsburgh Marathon on the first weekend in May.

While there’s nothing like the thrill of a big-city or destination race, there’s also nothing like the expense and the stress of travel, lodging and logistics of attending that event.

In contrast, two of Sunday’s local events celebrate community, challenge and the simple pleasure of running your best.

FoxWall Run For The Hill Of It, 9 a.m. Sunday, is a mile in distance but runs up one of the steepest hills in Pittsburgh — Center Avenue in the heart of Aspinwall with an average 11.2% grade. The event supports FoxWall EMS, a non-profit advanced life support ambulance service in Fox Chapel, Aspinwall and Northern Allegheny County, and raises approximately $10,000 each year for special projects.

The first Run For The Hill Of It, founded by former FoxWall board president Rob Tenenini, saw 75 finishers reach the top of the hill. Current race director and EMS Chief Ben Shopland said the plan is to gradually increase participation, and he expects 375 participants this year.

Shopland said competition is strong for the custom t-shirts awarded to first male, first female and first child under 12 to reach the finish. There are also slower runners, walkers and kids, some in strollers. Kids under age 2 do not need to register, and there’s a family discount for three or more registered.

All finishers are rewarded with a family-friendly party in Fireman’s Memorial Park. And those who don’t wish to challenge the hill can sign up for Meet You In The Park with access to all post-race activities including complementary food trucks, music, inflatable obstacle course and slide, balloon artist, face painting and more. A FoxWall ambulance will be on site with Touch a Truck for kids.

If you’d like to challenge the hill, sign up online at runsignup.com or on race day at Aspinwall Borough Building.

If you’d rather run a longer but flatter course, try the 18th MKG Half Marathon, 10 a.m. Sunday at Maurice K. Goddard State Park in Sandy Lake. This Mercer County Trails Association event formerly known as Prep for Pittsburgh offers a scenic course, finisher medals and great post-race snacks for a bargain price of $30.

“We are hoping to host all of those who want a good challenge at a fair price without getting to downtown Pittsburgh,” race director Kyle Garner said.

Garner, an experienced runner and professional race timer, said MKG Half, run on the rolling asphalt John C. Oliver Trail encircling Lake Wilhelm, offers runners accurate timing to “run fast on a course where they’re not tripping over people.”

MKG isn’t just for speedsters looking for personal bests. Garner encourages runners of all paces to enjoy a simple, quality event. Runners with a predicted finish of two hours or more have the option of an early start (before 9:15 a.m.) in order to condense the race finish. Please email kyle@runhigh.com prior to the event to be listed in the early start.

The course has permanent mile markers installed from an Eagle Scout project several years ago. And runners will appreciate the four water stops courtesy of Commodore Perry High School Cross Country Boosters, coach Dan Snyder and volunteers from the team.

Post-race snacks include special recipe peanut butter Krispies, homemade cookies and fresh fruit. Runners can also purchase MCTA functional apparel such as hats and technical shirts following the race.

Online registration is open until 10 p.m. Friday at www.mctrails.org. Day-of event registration begins 8:30 a.m. Sunday at Marina Pavilion in Maurice K. Goddard State Park. For more information, visit www.mctrails.org/events-1 or call 724-301-6775.

Saturday, 8 a.m.: Tapped for Sap 25K, Beaver Falls. Run or hike scenic Brady’s Run Park trails. runsignup.com/Race/PA/BeaverFalls/TappedForSapKTrailRace

Saturday, 7:30 a.m.: Picksburgh Draft Day 5K, Pittsburgh. p3r.org/races/picksburgh-draft-day-5k

Saturday, 8 a.m.: On the Dam Trail 10K, 30K, 50K and 4-Person Relay, Hooversville. ultrasignup.com/register.aspx?did=133026

Sunday, 9 a.m.: FoxWall Run for the Hill of It 1-Mile Run/Walk, Aspinwall. Run or walk one of the steepest hills in Pittsburgh. Party at the top. runsignup.com/Race/PA/Aspinwall/RunForTheHillOfItChallenge

Sunday, 10 a.m.: 18th MKG Half Marathon, Sandy Lake. Loop course around Lake Wilhelm. www.mctrails.org/race-registrations/2026-mkg-hm

May 2-3: Pittsburgh Marathon Weekend, Pittsburgh. p3r.org/races/dick-s-sporting-goods-pittsburgh-marathon

May 2, 7 a.m.: Grove City YMCA Sprint Triathlon, Grove City. Starts at Grove City YMCA with pool run outdoor bike and run. 724-458-9781 or dphipps@grovecityymca.org

May 2, 10 a.m.: Friends of the Cheat 5K, Kingwood, WV. Run on paved Cheat River Rail Trail, part of Cheat River Festival. runsignup.com/Race/WV/Kingwood/CheatFest5K

May 6, 6:45 p.m.: Muskie 5K Mini Marathon and 2-Mile Walk, Jamestown. Run at Pymatuning State Park. runsignup.com/Race/PA/Jamestown/Muskie5kand2MileWalk

May 9, 6 a.m.: Glacier Ridge Trail Ultra, Portersville. Choice of 50 miles, 50K or 20 miles on Moraine State Park trails. www.glacierridgetrailultra.com

May 9, 8 a.m.: Hollidaysburg Diamond Dash, Hollidaysburg. Choice of 10K or 6K Runs or 5K Walk. runsignup.com/Race/PA/Hollidaysburg/HollidaysburgDiamondDash

May 9, 9 a.m.: Thrifty 5K, Allison Park. Run Pie Traynor Loop in North Park. Low-cost event with vintage race shirts, finisher medals and custom awards from past races runsignup.com/Race/PA/AllisonPark/Thrifty5KPittsburgh

May 9, 11 a.m.: Run for a Purpose 5K Color Run or 1-Mile Color Run/Walk. 814-503-0865 or runsignup.com/Race/Register?raceId=200547

May 10, 9 a.m.: Run Like a Mother 5K Run/Walk and 1-Mile Walk, Portersville. Starts at Moraine State Park’s Lakeview Beach. runsignup.com/Race/PA/Portersville/RunLikeaMother5kMoraineStatePark

May 15, 7 p.m.: Elderton Plumcreek Recreation Park 38th Annual 5K Run & Walk, Elderton. USATF certified rolling course through downtown Elderton. runsignup.com/Race/PA/Elderton/Elderton5KRunWalk

May 16, 7 a.m.: Oil Creek 5 & 13 Stacked Trail Races, Titusville. Choice of 5 or 13 miles on Gerard Hiking Trail in Oil Creek State Park. runsignup.com/Race/PA/Titusville/OilCreekStackedTrailRaces

May 16, 8:30 a.m.: Rails-to-Trails Run/Walk/K9 Walk and Tunnel Fun Run, Barnesville. Handmade trophies, door prizes, post-race smorgasboard starting at Barnsboro Train Depot. runsignup.com/Race/OH/Barnesville/BarnesvilleRailsToTrails5k

May 17, 9 a.m.: Butler’s Back the Blue 5K Run and 2-Mile Walk, Butler. Fast course starting at Alameda Park’s carousel pavilion benefits Butler Police K9 unit. Free post-race picnic, cash prizes, age group awards through 80-plus. runsignup.com/Race/PA/Butler/ButlersBacktheBlue5k

May 22, 7 p.m.: Rally for Rescues 2K/%K, Worthington. Starts at Worthington Fire Hall. runsignup.com/Race/PA/Worthington/RallyForRescues2K5K

Shamrock Shuffle Half Marathon, March 21: Adam Petrovich, 1st Overall M, 1:26:27; Justin Kelsey, 2nd Overall M, 1:27:10; Arianna Flauto, 1st Overall W, 1:43:27; Brittany Bielewicz, 2nd Overall W, 1:47:29; Thomas Gramc, 2nd 35-39 M, 1:32:54; Jacob Bischak, 2nd 20-29 M, 1:44:34; Jon McMillan, 3rd 35-39 M, 1:47:29; John Bielewicz, 1st 40-44 M, 1:47:57; Colton Winslow, 3rd 20-29 M, 1:48:21; Kevin May, 3rd 40-44 M, 1:52:47; Mark Casteel, 1st 55-59 M, 1:52:52; John H. Armstrong, 2nd 60-64 M, 1:56:40; Alyssa Da Silva, 2nd 30-34 W, 1:56:57; Roberto Da Silva, 1st 30-34 M, 1:56:57; Kendall Begg, 3rd 30-34 W, 1:59:58; Catherine Hrach, 1st 55-59 W, 2:07:07; Austyn Randolph, 3rd 30-34 M, 2:16:48; Gina Springer, 1st 45-49 W, 2:20:25; Nellie Zuba, 2nd 50-54 W, 2:18:19; Noah Karns, 3rd 19U M, 2:32:46; Susan Altemus, 1st 65-69 W, 3:21:57; Morgan Stull, 1:55:31; Nicholas Hamilton, 2:01:22; Heidi Smith, 2:03:04; Alison Annett, 2:03:50 Michelle Dlugas, 2:07:00; Nick Hettinger, 2:09:44; Abigail Benninger, 2:11:47; Zachary Baker, 2:20:59; Gypsy Dreveniak, 2:29:36; Michael Zucatti, 2:31:35; David Murray, 2:31:52; Erika Campbell; 2:36:27; Andrew Karns, 2:38:03; Mekenzie Wolfe, 2:59:51

Shamrock Shuffle 1-Mile, March 21: Drew Edmiston, 1st Overall M, 5:19; Toby Myers, 3rd Overall M, 5:25; Danielle Myers, 1st Overall W, 6:27; Bryson Schoppe, 1st 11-12 M, 5:36; Maddox Vandeusen, 1st 9-10 W, 5:58; Kevin May, 1st 40-49 M, 6:04; John H. Armstrong, 1st 60-69 M, 6:16; Benny Myers, 2nd 9-10 M, 6:26; Max Peck, 2nd 11-12 M, 6:26; Jonathan Mueller, 1st 1-6 M, 6:32; Abraham Miller, 2nd 7-8 M, 6:38; Maverick MacIoce, 3rd 7-8 M, 6:38; Jack MacIoce, 2nd 30-39 M, 6:45; Tyler Wright, 1st 13-15 M, 6:47; Cara Stoy, 1st 9-10 W, 7:16; Paige Roth, 2nd 9-10 W, 7:23; Connor Stanley, 2nd 1-6 M, 7:23; Kara Valecko, 1st 30-39 W, 7:24; Scott Baker, 1st 50-59 M, 7:53; Christian Wright, 3rd 9-10 M, 7:56; Nellie Zuba, 1st 50-59 W, 8:08; Riley Perry, 2nd 16-19 W, 8:12; John Grenci, 2nd 60-69 M, 8:16; David Murray, 3rd 60-69 M, 8:46; Danielle Stanley, 3rd 30-39 W, 9:16; Thomas Savage, 3rd 1-6 M, 9:48; Maddine Peck, 1st 11-12 W, 9:58; Lidia Stoy, 1st 7-8 W, 11:03; Carley Stoy, 1st 40-49 W, 11:03; Amber Hart, 2nd 20-29 W, 15:41; Sally Krznaric, 1st 70+ W, 16:18; Kacey Burge, 3rd 40-49 W, 16:20; Eli Roth, 6:52; Waylon Schoppe, 10:00; Lisa Hart, 15:40; Jeff Hart, 15:40

Butler’s Best Buddies 5K, March 28: Brad Patsy, 1st Overall M, 19:43; Gracie Szul, 1st Overall W, 23:04; Nick Santucci, 1st 20-39 M, 22:19; Andrew Wasko, 2nd 20-39 M, 22:42; John Mauthe, 2nd 40-59 M, 24:15; Andrew Chwalik, 3rd 20-39 M, 24:25; Lovelle Haynes, 3rd 40-59 M, 24:47; Amber Wagner, 1st 20-39 W, 25:36; Mason Hunt, 2nd 14U M, 26:29; Kanye Edwards, 1st 15-19 M, 26:36; Jessica Hamilton, 2nd 20-39 W, 27:46; Katelin Parenti, 3rd 20-39 W, 27:49; Aidan Fox, 2nd 15-19 M, 28:16; Sophia Fleeger, 1st 15-19 W, 28:17; Susan Landgraf, 3rd 40-59 W, 30:11; Henry Nolan, 1st 60+ M, 30:39; Alex Eppinger, 3rd 15-19 M, 33:29; Anthony Sunseri, 2nd 60+ M, 33:58; Paul Johnson, 3rd 60+ M, 34:25; Charlotte Weyandt, 2nd 15-19 W, 34:48; Jennifer McCurdy, 2nd 60+ W, 36:31; Jacob Hitchan, 25:35; Natalie Weyandt, 26:54; Jonathan Hamilton, 27:50; Cecilia Livengood, 28:33; Courtney Uhl, 30:24; Ashley Sheppard, 31:28; Bart Cavaliero, 31:30; Judson Smith, 31:46; Travis Shingleton, 32:13; Madelyn Weyandt, 32:24; Sarah Mowry, 32:38; Liam Cosme, 32:56; Reed Weber, 34:34; Shannon Weber, 34:34; Robyn Fox, 34:38; Aurora Gumpp, 34:47; Melina Burgess, 35:15; Stephanie Weyandt, 35:23; Kimberly Elser, 35:47; Ashley Teuteberg, 36:19; Walt Tutak, 36:38; Danielle Peffer, 36:39; Chris Hansen, 37:00; Elin Hansen, 37:01; Ireland Horsman, 37:13; Blaine Farnworth, 37:48; Rhylee Farnworth, 37:54; Pamela Farnworth, 37:54; Mathew Farnworth, 37:54; Leah Mraz, 38:00; Stacey Glenn, 38:53; Kim Miller, 39:17; Rachel Horner, 39:27; Ashley Gapinski, 39:39; Olivia Liston, 40:44; Jolene Cavaliero, 41:52; Maria Cosme, 41:54; Allie Short, 43:57

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