It’s a good time of year to run (or walk) in Butler County.

We’ve got three great events from wild to mild over the next two weekends. On Saturday, go wild with Glacier Ridge Ultra starting at Moraine State Park’s McDanel’s Boat Launch. The event offers distances of 20 miles, 50 kilometers, 50 miles individually or a 50-mile relay for teams of up to five members, run mostly on scenic, challenging single-track trails.

The name, Glacier Ridge, refers to the ridge marking the southernmost reach of Ice Age glaciers more than 1 million years ago. This natural area is preserved in 17,000 acres of Moraine State Park and Jennings Environmental Education Center and in the trails that run through them. Proceeds from the Glacier Ridge Ultra have provided more than $140,000 to benefit those parks and nearby McConnells Mill State Park over its 13 years.

Running or hiking a trail ultra can be daunting, but Glacier Ridge volunteers offer aid and encouragement at various points on the course. There’s a 14-hour cutoff time to finish the 50-mile distance, so that can make for a long and exhausting day for both participants and volunteers.

In the ultra, the real win is in finishing the event, but first male and female finishers in each distance and each member of the winning relay team at Glacier Ridge earn iceberg trophies. Everyone can share post-race food and drinks at the finish area throughout the day.

Online registration is open until Thursday at midnight. If you’re not running, volunteers are still needed for a few hours or all day. Visit www.glacierridgetrailultra.com for details.

At 9 a.m. Sunday, the third annual Run Like a Mother 5K Run/Walk and 1-Mile Walk visits a milder part of Moraine State Park. The event begins with race day sign up at 7 a.m. at Pavilion 4 by Lakeview Beach followed by warm-ups by Burn Boot Camp of Butler. The 5K and 1-mile course runs out and back on the park’s gently rolling, paved bike trail.

Run Like a Mother 5K, sponsored by KW Steel City, offers cash prizes for top three overall male and female finishers and awards in age groups from 11U through 60-plus. There are no awards for the 1-mile, but the rewards of running or walking for a good cause. The event benefits the Butler chapter of Isaiah 117 House, providing a safe and welcoming home for foster children on removal day and easing the transition for foster families.

Online registration for Run Like a Mother 5K is open until 6 p.m. Saturday and again on race day beginning at 7 a.m.

At 9 a.m. May 17, running returns to Butler with the Butler’s Back the Blue 5K Run and 2-Mile Walk. This marks the fifth running of the event to benefit Butler Police K-9 Unit and its two police dogs.

Back the Blue 5K is staged from the Carousel Pavilion in Alameda Park. The out-and-back course is flat and fast, a great route to try for a personal best time. If you’re not looking to run a speed record, the 2-mile walk is an opportunity to stretch those walking legs or take a stroll in the park. Dogs on leashes are welcome.

First overall finishers in the 5K earn $50 cash prizes and police dog trophies. Top three in age groups from 14U through 80-plus earn police-themed medals. There are also awards for top three overall walkers in the 2-Mile.

There’s also a post-race party at the carousel with music by DJ Jeff Dunn, random drawings and free food — hot dogs, BBQ sandwiches, pierogies, pasta salad and more.

If available, the Butler Police dogs will be on hand to do a demonstration of their work. Because police departments receive no government funding to support the K-9 squad and police officers pay out of pocket to care for their dogs, 100 percent of race proceeds will help offset those costs.

Register online for Back the Blue 5K until May 16, 8 p.m. Day of event signups open May 17, 7:30 a.m. for the 9 a.m. start.

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

Saturday, 8 a.m.: Hollidaysburg Diamond Dash, Hollidaysburg. Choice of 10K or 6K runs or 5K walk. runsignup.com/Race/PA/Hollidaysburg/HollidaysburgDiamondDash

Saturday, 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

Saturday, 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

Sunday, 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. USA Track and Field 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/K-9 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 K-9 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/5K, Worthington. Starts at Worthington Fire Hall. runsignup.com/Race/PA/Worthington/RallyForRescues2K5K

May 23, 6 a.m.: Sweatbar Fitness Last Trail Standing — Rise Up Hero, Pittsburgh. Run 100K, 25K, 15K, 10K or 5K on Settler’s Park trails. runsignup.com/Race/PA/Pittsburgh/LastTrailStandingRiseUpHero

May 23, 9 a.m.: Memorial Day Remembrance Run 5K, 10K and 1-Mile Walk, Allison Park. Starts at North Park Boathouse. runsignup.com/Race/PA/AllisonPark/MemorialDayRemembranceRun

May 30, 9 a.m.: Freeport Flash 10K and 5K Run/Walk, Sarver. Out and back on Butler-Freeport Trail starting at Monroe Road. runsignup.com/Race/PA/Sarver/FreeportFlash5K10K

May 31, 7:30 a.m.: South Ridge Trail Challenge, Allison Park. Choice of 50K, 50K Relay, 5K, 20K or 10K on North Park trails beginning at the pool area. runsignup.com/Race/PA/AllisonPark/SouthRidgeTrailChallenge

June 5, 6:30 p.m.: 33rd Annual Gateway Track Mile, Monroeville. Run in heats at Gateway Middle School Track. 412-372-3212 or email don_tammy@msn.com

June 6, 7 a.m.: God’s Country Marathon, Half Marathon and Relay, Galeton. Traverse the Eastern Continental Divide on this point-to-point course. 814-558-5353 or email amy_eppley@yahoo.com

June 7, 8:30 a.m.: Greenfield Glide 5K, Pittsburgh. Hilly and scenic course on Pittsburgh’s Schenley Park trails. runsignup.com/Race/PA/Pittsburgh/GreenfieldGlide of

June 7, 9 a.m.: Run to Breathe Half Marathon and 5K, Portersville. Starts at McDanel’s Boat Launch in Moraine State Park. runsignup.com/Race/PA/Portersville/RunToBreatheHalfMarathon5K

Just a Short Run 5K, March 28: Keegan Spezialetti, 1st Overall M, 19:39; Kate Sabolcik, 1st Overall W, 21:42; Morgan Stull, 1st 40-49 M, 23:42; Jeff Wolfe, 3rd 40-49 M, 26:30; Dylan Schartel, 2nd 30-39 M, 27:07; Mark Pekich, 1st 60-69 M, 29:52; Nancy Belz, 3rd 60-69 W, 31:33; Meredith Taylor, 30:31; Aubrie Norris, 33:30; Charlotte Stamper, 35:00; Susan Klabnik, 36:50; Valentina Mangoni, 39:24; Gabi Solorzano, 39:25; Christine Evans, 41:30; Carol Nesti, 46:08; Michelle Pekich, 47:57; Ashley Singh, 48:45; Tara Stamper, 48:46; Kim Kenetz, 1:07:21

Just a Short Run 8.1 Mile, March 28: Adam White, 1st Overall M, 50:52; Jill Leadbetter, 1st Overall W, 53:58; Michael Eisen, 3rd 60-69 M, 1:13:29; Stacy Juchno, 2nd 50-59 W, 1:15:23; Patricia Neubert, 1st 70+ W, 1:40:16; Corinne Petrus, 1:03:23; Jessica Niemeier, 1:09:26; David Lamb, 1:13:53; Brenna Burry, 1:14:32; Gabrielle Hock, 1:15:03; Alaine Generelli, 1:18:44; Robin James, 1:22:02; Kara Valecko, 1:22:51; Kaitlyn Crawford, 1:23:32; Elizabeth Delaney, 1:25:19; Susan Tirch, 1:25:53; Morgan Keip, 1:25:53; Alyssa O’brien, 1:31:15; Christen Dummer, 1:32:02; Dena Miller, 1:36:21; Michel Miller, 1:36:21; Katie Gretz, 1:52:24; Maggie Baynes, 1:53:04; Mariza Cable, 2:24:38

Just a Short Run Half Marathon, March 28: Connor Pivirotto, 1st Overall M, 1:09:14; Christina Thompson, 1st Overall W, 1:24:27; Alyssa Rubis, 3rd 30-39 W, 1:43:01; Madison Monahan, 2nd 19U W, 1:50:22; Morgan Swann, 3rd 19U W, 1:57:36; Lindsey Monahan, 1:55:58; Timothy James, 1:59:11; Peter Schweers, 2:00:57; Thomas Schweers, 2:00:58; Janel Edwards, 2:02:28; James Gascoine, 2:02:31; Megan Boland, 2:07:26; Vanessa Johnson, 2:09:39; Madison Hunt, 2:16:27; Bobbi Betush, 2:22:12; Brittaney Lucas, 2:35:34; Courtney Parise, 2:54:28; Alfred Schnabel, 2:57:14; Andy Young, 3:15:18; Gypsy Dreveniak, 3:20:26; Svetlana Tarassov, 3:20:31; Tricia Corrado, 3:31:00

Just a Short Run 30K, March 28: Jeff Rixe, 1st Overall M, 1:43:49; Allyson Rust, 1st Overall W, 2:12:29; Brett Smithco, 1st 20-29 M, 1:52:52; Caitlin Rushlander, 2nd 30-39 W, 2:20:25; Adam Leskanic, 2nd 50-59 M, 2:30:21; Karen Lyle, 2nd 40-49 W, 2:40:12; Josh Gretz, 2:21:29; Cameron Lawson, 2:43:03; Brian Apel, 2:47:36; Krista Geagan, 2:54:19; Ashley Barbish, 3:04:49; Regiane Morgueta, 3:07:17; Wendy Wick, 3:16:40; Chad Coblitz, 3:16:51; Nellie Zuba, 3:19:37; Joseph Vivirito, 3:27:14; Chelsea Davis, 3:59:21

Phenomenal Hope 5K, March 28: Grayson Barner, 18:18; Erika Suhy, 20:16; Landon Davis, 26:20; Tasha Werner, 28:41; Max Garraux, 29:41; Christina Swartz, 31:04; Erin Kalmar, 31:05; Felicity Mummert, 36:43; Jeffrey Rapp, 38:08; Holly Fox, 1:00:35; Harry Callithen, 1:01:54

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