It began eight years ago with an intention to do good and barely 100 finishers.

This Sunday’s Run to Breathe Half Marathon and 5K in Moraine State Park at 8:30 a.m. builds on that foundation in what will be the largest field ever, possibly reaching the park’s mandated cutoff of 350 participants.

Run to Breathe was created by Herb and Bonnie Cratty of Miles of Smiles Timing Service to help Bonnie’s nephew and other children with cystic fibrosis. Proceeds from the event benefit Pennsylvania’s Cystic Fibrosis Inc.’s research and support for those who suffer from CF, a fatal genetic disease that impacts children and young adults.

Run to Breathe is staged from McDanels Boat Launch area at the newly renovated Pavilion No. 7. Both half marathon and 5K courses run out and back, first on a non-paved trail for the first quarter-mile, then on the park’s paved bike trail for the middle miles.

Herb Cratty said although the unpaved portion can be challenging for strollers, it is doable. For the first time, a wheelchair athlete has registered for the half marathon. He assured Cratty he is up for the challenge.

Unlike many half marathons, Run to Breathe has no cut-off time. Walkers are welcome, and there are quite a few since this is a unique opportunity to walk the 13.1 miles of race. Cratty does request that walkers, strollers and dog owners start in the back of the pack.

Since there are timing mats at the start line, all finishing times are recorded as net times. Water is provided at three stops on the course, but runners must supply their own electrolyte drinks and gels if needed.

Run to Breathe Half Marathon awards $50 cash to first male and female finishers, trophies to the top three runners in age groups of 5-year increments from 19U through 70-plus and finisher medals to all who complete the 13.1 miles.

In the 5K race, first overall male and female and top three in age groups 14U through 70-plus earn medals. All registered runners/walkers earn an item of Miles of Smiles swag including shirts, hats or socks.

Cratty believes it’s important for runners to not only enjoy the run/walk but to also share in the camaraderie of the event. There’s a post-race picnic with barbecue, hot dogs, pasta, fruit salad and, a runner favorite, Tim Wu’s shaved ice.

For more information or to register, visit smileymiles.com/ or call 724-841-6528.

There’s another opportunity to join runners in support of community 9 a.m. Sunday as Lace Up for the Library returns to the rolling hills outside Evans City. The challenging and competitive 5K and not-so-challenging, noncompetitive 1-Mile are presented by the Patti J. Nelson Foundation.

The foundation honors Patti J. Nelson’s dedication to community service, especially to the Evans City Library where she was a weekly volunteer for many years.

Her daughter and race director Cassie Nelson said her mom was known as a “professional volunteer.” Proceeds from Lace Up 5K ensure the library remains a year-round community hub offering meeting space, events and workshops, access to high-speed internet and more.

While the Lace Up 1-Mile Run/Walk offers a gentle and scenic out-and-back, the 5K is a hilly, challenging loop. This is the route Patti Nelson took while walking her beloved dogs over many years.

First overall finishers in the 5K are rewarded by having their names engraved on the Patti J. Nelson trophy and will receive gift cards for local establishments. Age group winners will earn smaller prizes. All participants have a chance to win 30-40 raffle baskets or a 50-50 drawing held at the post-race picnic.

Register online or at packet pickup at Evans City Library, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday. Day-of event registration opens at 8 a.m. for the 10 a.m. start.

Sunday, 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

Sunday, 8:30 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

Sunday, 10 a.m.: Lace Up for the Library 5K and 1-Mile Run/Walk Presented by the Patti Nelson Foundation, Evans City. Rolling course, post-race picnic. runsignup.com/Race/PA/EvansCity/PattiJNelsonFoundationMemorialRunWalk

June 13, 9 a.m.: Pittsburgh Melanoma Foundation 5K Run/Walk, South Park. runsignup.com/Race/PA/SouthPark/PittsburghMelanomaFoundation5kRunWalk

June 13, 9 p.m.: SHS XC Glow the Distance 5K Run or Walk and Kids Fun Run, New Castle. runsignup.com/Race/PA/NewCastle/SHSXCGlowTheDistance

June 14, 9 a.m.: Big Foot Festival 5K Run and Walk, Marienville. Flat and fast course with possible Bigfoot sightings. runsignup.com/Race/PA/Marienville/ForestCountyBigfootFestival5k

June 14, 9 a.m.: Laurel Fest 5K & 1-Mile Walk, Brookville. Also 10-Mile Bike Race. runsignup.com/Race/PA/Brookville/LaurelFest5kHostedByPCK9SU

June 19, 7 p.m. – June 20, 8 a.m.: New River Gorge 5K, Half Marathon and 50K, Fayetteville, WV. Challenging trail run, part of New River Gorge Trail Festival. runsignup.com/Race/NewRiverGorgeHalfMarathon/Page/Race-Info-1

June 20, 8 a.m.: EV Ethnic Days 5K and 1-Mile Fun Walk, East Vandergrift. runsignup.com/Race/Events/PA/EastVandergrift/EthnicDays5kRunAnd1mileFunWalk#event-1139073

June 20, 8 a.m.: 2016 Schoolyard Run and Walk 5K and 1-Mile, Mars. runsignup.com/Race/PA/Mars/SchoolyardRunWalk

June 20, 9 a.m.: Butch’s Bucket Brigade 5K, Worthington. Also Kids Bike Race at 11 a.m. runsignup.com/Race/PA/Worthington/ButchsBucketBrigade

June 21, 9 a.m.: Run Like an Animal 5K Run and 1-Mile Walk, Hermitage. Out-and-back from Linden Pointe, awards for canines and humans. Proceeds benefit local animal shelter. runsignup.com/Race/PA/Hermitage/RunLikeanAnimal5kand1milewalk

June 21, 9 a.m.: Summer Solstice 5K, Ligonier. runsignup.com/Race/PA/Ligonier/SetYourYearOnFire5k2023

June 24, 7 p.m.: Strawberry Days 5K, Grove City. First event in Mercer QUAD. raceroster.com/events/2026/125546/twilight-quad-strawberry-days-5k

June 27, 8:30 a.m.: Cecil Jarvis Greater Clarksburg 10K and 5K, Clarksburg, W.Va. runsignup.com/Race/WV/Clarksburg/CecilJarvisGreaterClarksburg10K

June 27, 9 a.m.: 51st Butler County Road Race 5-Mile and 2K, Butler. Run the “longest continuously held road race in Western Pennsylvania.” runsignup.com/Race/PA/Butler/ButlerRoadRace

June 28, 9 a.m.: Elk County Striders BZ Classic 5k, Ridgeway. runsignup.com/Race/PA/Ridgway/BZClassic5K

July 3, 7 p.m.: Groundhog Festival 5K, Punxsutawney. runsignup.com/Race/PA/Punxsutawney/GroundhogFestival5k

July 4, 7:30 a.m.: 42nd Whiskey Rebellion 5k Run & Walk, Canonsburg. Run before 4th of July Parade. runsignup.com/Race/PA/Canonsburg/WhiskeyRebellion5KRunWalk

July 4, 8 a.m.: Get Fit Families Firecracker 5K and 1-Mile, Zelienople. runsignup.com/Race/PA/Zelienople/Getfitfamiliesfirecracker

MTG Half Marathon, April 26: Dan Dygert, 1st Overall M, 1:27:15; Catherine Hrach, 1st Overall W, 1:55:05; John Armstrong, 1st 60+ M, 1:50:41; David Snyder, 1st 40-49 M, 1:55:46; John Bielewicz, 3rd 40-49 M, 2:08:33; Britney Bielewicz, 1st 30-39 W, 2:08:33; Ruby Patterson, 1st 19U W, 2:08:35; Evonne Patterson, 1st 40-49 W, 2:08:49

Tapped for Sap 25+ Trail Race, April 25: Tyler Hanks, 1st Overall M, 2:01:01; Adrienne Harmon, 1st Overall W, 2:27:13; Joshua Hayes, 2:20:13; Matt Bernardi, 2:23:16; Morgan Endress, 2:49:37; Alex Prizzi, 2:54:07; Andrew Wasko, 3:06:40; Eric Barnes, 3:08:19; Andrew Hickmann, 3:09:25; Maureen Walsh, 3:14:40; Timothy Wyant, 3:20:07; Samson Wyant, 3:22:02; Jessica Hengler, 3:24:16; Keith Smetak, 3:26:37; Tracey Weaver, 3:31:34; Thiago Vilas-Boas, 3:41:35; Michael Wallace, 3:46:01; Paulo Herculano, 4:10:48; Holly Wolfe, 4:49:54; Elizabeth Cassisi, 4:49:56; Sue Johnson, 5:08:25; Maddie Mullins, 5:16:31; Heather Moser, 5:31:01; Megan Burns, 6:03:59

Thrifty 5K, May 9: Wil Bailey, 1st Overall M, 17:29; Sydney Detky, 1st Overall W, 20:57; Lincoln Kennedy, 3rd 30-39 M, 22:30; Morgan Stull, 2nd 20-29 M, 23:22; Jessica Niemeier, 1st 40-49 W, 24:00; Chelsea Custer, 1st 30-39 W, 24:00; Adrianna Grimm, 3rd 20-29 W, 24:00; Kanye Edwards, 3rd 16-19 M, 26:33; Silvia Grimm, 1st 13-15 W, 29:04; Marco Grimm, 3rd 11U M, 29:21; Mark Brimmeier, 23:56; Ryan Brady,26:40; Courtney Uhl, 29:34; Christian Leclaire, 29:41; Kaitlyn Mecannic, 30:13; Mike Holinda, 30:50; Tina Benedek-Grimm, 31:03; Erin Kohlmeyer, 31:09; Teresa Grimm, 31:19; Yauheni, 31:53; Gypsy Dreveniak, 32:01; Rebecca Rawlings, 32:01; Sean Grimm, 32:12; Garth Kohlmeyer, 32:29; James Urban, 32:49; Aubrie Norris, 32:53; Oleg Sukhodolskii, 33:03; Siarhei Labachou, 33:36; Daniel Waruszewski, 34:29; Laura Potoski, 34:57; Hollis Urban, 35:21; Kaylin Mazzetti, 35:56; Svetlana Tarassov, 36:48; Joni Clemente, 37:40; Ashley Teuteberg, 37:43; Hope Digioia, 38:32; Gregory Oliver, 38:32; Evgeniia Sukhodolskaia, 40:27; Danielle Peffer, 40:46; Jaden Faille, 44:39; Kim Kenetz, 1:05:19

Cherry Blossom 5K, April 11: Clark Otte, 1st Overall M, 15:04; Jiane Petrie, 1st Overall W, 18:57; Timothy Simons, 23:56; Jill Terwilliger, 25:34; Maria Kim, 27:01; Chrissy Dummer, 34:45; David Neal, 36:22; Sue Neal, 36:23

Cherry Blossom 10-Mile, April 12: Mohammed El Youssfi, 1st Overall M, 46:17; Asayech Ayichew, 1st Overall W, 50:37; David Rice, 1:05:38; Adelle Snider, 1:10:39; Brian McGowan, 1:12:37; Sarah McGowan, 1:13:04; Natalie Rice, 1:16:28; Ryan Barrett, 1:16:59; Morgan Endress, 1:18:17; Chrissy Lawlor, 1:23:09; Nicole Hogue, 1:27:21; Daniel Hogue, 1:27:21; Jill Terwilliger, 1:27:55; Peggy McGowan, 1:34:43; Joanna Sutton, 1:37:05; Timothy Simons, 1:37:26; Maria Kim, 1:37:27; Daniela Gielarowski, 1:41:12; Aaron Sutton, 1:51:08; Rachel Rutkowski, 1:51:36; Chrissy Dummer, 1:55:56; Maria Walkowiak, 1:58:20; Patricia Neubert, 2:01:52

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