Labor Day used to mark the beginning of school and the end of summer. Nowadays, back-to-school happens in August and the Labor Day holiday eases us into fall. Two regional races have celebrated this seasonal transition holiday for decades.

Steelers 5K Run and Walk, Sept. 7 at 8 a.m., has celebrated running and football fandom for 38 years. The event was first held in 1988 to honor beloved Steelers owner and legend, Art Rooney, who had recently passed away. All race proceeds funded the Art Rooney Scholarship Fund, awarding $10,000 scholarships to graduating seniors from Pittsburgh’s Northside high schools. To date, 90 students have earned scholarships from the fund.

Through the years, Steelers 5K has expanded its generosity to include the Chuck Knoll Foundation for Brain Injury Research. This foundation funds research and education in sports-related brain injuries, including concussions.

Steelers 5K celebrates Pittsburgh’s football fandom. This year’s Hall of Honor inductee, J.T. Thomas, will start the race and greet finishers with a high-five at the finish line. The nearly flat course starts near the stadium on the River Trail and ends in Acrisure Stadium. Spectators in the stands can cheer and watch runners finish on the stadium’s Jumbotron.

Each 5K participant receives a commemorative T-shirt, finisher medal and a goodie bag. Top three overall and first age group finishers from 9U through 80+ earn Steelers game tickets. And participants can win raffle prizes of various autographed Steelers items.

More than 2000 are expected for this year’s 5K event. There’s also a Kids Fun Run of 160 feet starting at 9:15 a.m. And if you can’t make it in person, the virtual event reaches running Steelers fans worldwide. Register online at p3r.org/races/steelersrunandwalk.

Because this is such a popular event, strollers and dogs are not permitted. For safety, runners and walkers should self-seed in the starting area according to anticipated pace.

Runners may pick up race packets at Acrisure Stadium on Friday, September 4, noon to 6 p.m. or arrive early on race day, September 7. Packet pickup opens at 6 a.m. and roads close by 7:30.

Labor Day has been celebrated as Buhl Day for more than 100 years in Hermitage. It originated as a tribute to philanthropists and prominent Sharon residents Frank H. and Julia Buhl.

The Buhls’ 270-acre farm is now a community green space with recreation areas, lake, trails and golf course. And on Buhl Day, the space hosts a celebration with music, food, car cruise, kids’ activities, vendors and more.

Crowds line State Street for the annual parade from downtown Hermitage to Buhl Farm Park. But before the parade begins, more than 100 people charge down the parade route in the annual Buhl Day 5k.

Buhl Day 5k, starting at 9 A.M. on Labor Day Monday, has run the parade route for more than 20 years. It’s hosted by The Buhl Club, a community center in Sharon first opened in 1903.

Buhl Day 5k is a flat, fast, point-to-point course. Participants may park qt Hermitage Plaza near the start. A shuttle is provided for the return from Buhl Farm Park. Participants from runners and walkers to kids in strollers and dogs on leashes are welcome.

The 5k offers awards for top three male and female finishers and top three in age groups from 9U through 70+. Online registration is open until September 6, 7 p.m. at runsignup.com/Race/PA/Hermitage/HERMITAGEBUHLDAY5K. There’s also day-of-event sign-up beginning at 7 a.m. at the race starting area.

Sunday, 8 a.m.: Fox Chapel 5K and 1 Mile Fun Run, Pittsburgh. runsignup.com/Race/PA/Pittsburgh/Foxtrot5k1Mile

Sunday, 8 a.m.: Dormont Dash 5K and 1-Mile Walk, Pittsburgh. Challenging course through Dormont neighborhood. runsignup.com/Race/PA/Pittsburgh/DormontDash

Sunday, 9 a.m.: Oil City 5K, Oil City. runsignup.com/Race/PA/OilCity/OilCitySRunForAReason5k

September 5, 8 a.m.: Sidewinder Half Marathon, 20-Mile and 50K, Coraopolis. This event is sold out. runsignup.com/Race/PA/Coraopolis/Sidewinder

September 6, 9:30 a.m.: John’s Journey 5K and 1 Mile, Allison Park. Starts at North Park Boathouse. runsignup.com/Race/PA/AllisonPark/JohnSJourney1MileWalk5K

September 7, 8 a.m.: Steelers 5K Run and Walk, Pittsburgh. Also Kids Fun Run for ages 9U. Starts at Acrisure Stadium. p3r.org/races/steelersrunandwalk

September 7, 9:15 a.m.: Buhl Day 5K, Hermitage. Flat and fast, finish in Buhl Park. runsignup.com/Race/PA/Hermitage/HERMITAGEBUHLDAY5K

September 10, 6:30 p.m.: St. Aidan Harvest Home Twilight 5K/1 Mile Run, Allison Park. Starts at North Park’s Harmar Pavilion. runsignup.com/Race/PA/AllisonPark/SAINTALPHONSUSTWILIGHT5K1MILE

September 12, 9 a.m.: Lee Foster Memorial 5 Mile, St. Marys. runsignup.com/Race/PA/SaintMarys/LeeFosterMemorial5Mile

September 12, 10 a.m.: Pioneer Pursuit 5K Race and 1 Mile Walk, Butler. Also Kids’ 100-Meter Dash. runsignup.com/Race/PA/Butler/PioneerPursuit

September 12, 8 a.m.: Youngstown Ultra Trail Classic 25K and 50K, Youngstown. Trail runs in Mill Creek Park. runsignup.com/Race/OH/Youngstown/YoungstownUltraTrailClassic

September 13, 7 a.m.: Erie Marathon, Erie. Run at Presque Isle State Park. runsignup.com/Race/PA/Erie/ErieMarathon

September 19, 9 a.m.: Pittsburgh 9/11 Heroes Run, Youngwood. Run 5K or 1-Mile to commemorate the 25 th anniversary of 9/11. runsignup.com/Race/PA/Youngwood/911HeroesRunPittsburgh?_gl=1*1mmnyiv*_ga*MjYzMDE3OTM3LjE3ODQyMDc1Mjg.*_ga_QKEVS8BTWC*czE3ODc0MjM4MzgkbzIkZzEkdDE3ODc0MjM4NjUkajMzJGwwJGgw

September 13, 4:30 p.m.: Hoodlebug 5K Run and Fun Walk, Homer City. Run on Hoodlebug Trail. runsignup.com/Race/PA/HomerCity/hoodlebug5k

September 19, 8:30 a.m.: Distant Area Volunteer Fire Dept. Peanut Butter Festival Half Marathon and 5K Race/Fun Walk, Distant. runsignup.com/Race/PA/NewBethlehem/DistantAreaVolFireDeptPBFestival5KRaceFunWalkandHalfMarathon?_gl=1*1w9yo0i*_ga*MjYzMDE3OTM3LjE3ODQyMDc1Mjg.*_ga_QKEVS8BTWC*czE3ODc0MjM4MzgkbzIkZzEkdDE3ODc0MjQwMDMkajYwJGwwJGgw

September 19, 10 a.m.: FlyBy 5K and 2-Mile Run, Moon Township. Run on taxiways of Pittsburgh International Airport. p3r.org/races/flyby-5k-and-2-mile-fun-run-walk

September 26, 9:30 a.m.: Dollar Bank Junior Great Race, Pittsburgh. 1-Mile Run, Diaper Dash and Tot Trot. www.rungreatrace.com/junior_great_race

September 27, 8 a.m.: Great Race 5K Run & Walk, Pittsburgh. Run from Oakland to Downtown. www.rungreatrace.com/5k

September 27, 9:30 a.m.: Richard s. Caliguiri City of Pittsburgh Great Race 10K, Pittsburgh. Run from Frick Park to Downtown. www.rungreatrace.com/10k

Ford City 5K, July 4: Michael Braun, 1st Overall M, 15:40; Carter French, 2nd Overall M, 16:30; Kara Shirley, 1st Overall W, 19:20; Tessa Szymanski, 2nd Overall W, 20:40; Owen French, 1st 15-19 M, 19:27; Brad Patsy, 1st 40-49 M, 19:34; Lucas Bowser, 3rd 15-19 M, 20:25; Vern Morrow, 1st 60-69 M, 21:51; Hudson Kidder, 2nd 10-14 M, 21:57; Ava Kidder, 1st 20-29 W, 22:02; Timothy Wyant, 2nd 50-59 M, 22:03; Melissa Conjack, 1st 30-39 W, 22:06; Rod Groomes, 1st 70+ M, 24:02; Libby Wesolosky, 3rd 15-19 W, 24:03; Charlee McMurtrie, 2nd 10-14 M, 24:30; Jack Giancola, 3rd 60-69 M, 35:52; Patricia Wyant, 1st 70+ W, 36:10; Janette Clark, 2nd 70+ W, 42:51; Tyler Hileman, 21:09; TJ Clark, 21:10; Travis Domhoff, 21:46; Luke Logsdon, 23:38; Jameson Micelli, 23:38; Elijah Drane, 23:42; Connor Evans, 23:45; Cody Hileman, 24:24; Matthew Mitchell, 24:41; Braedan Drane, 25:00; Owen Danka, 25:06; Brooke Griffith, 25:18; Owen Whorf, 25:41; Jensyn Bolon, 25:48; Jason Green, 26:19; Thomas Gregori, 26:44; Grant Noroski, 26:49; Conor Rumbaugh, 26:55; Kayla Tvaroha, 26:59; Sebastian Alden, 27:03; Kerrie Danka, 27:17; Ruth Hindman, 27:28; Isaac Angert, 27:29; Joshua Charles, 27:39; Bruce Soule, 27:52; David Drane, 27:55; Emily Flick, 27:59; Addison Johns, 28:01; Rogan Weleski, 28:21; Marlee Reitler, 28:25; Breanna Drane, 28:36; Alexis Schrecongost, 28:42; Damon Andring, 30:03; Michael LeClaire, 30:19; Anthony Baronio, 30:44; Marcus Borino, 31:30; Danielle Boback, 32:27; Benny Hindman, 32:29; Jordan Eckman, 32:55; Brett Bowser, 32:58; Fallon Good, 32:58; Finnley Kidder, 33:01; Adam Olsen, 33:03; Dianna Craig, 33:22; Tyler Kalnik, 33:44; Myla Hileman, 33:46; Clayton Flick, 33:56; Traci Morris-Soule, 34:16; Lawrence Hammel, 34:21; Emerson Hill, 34:27; Alexander Dirsmith, 34:42; Charleigh Weleski, 34:55; Drew Weleski, 34:56; Heather Davis, 35:38; Daniel French, 35:43; Bill Swanik, 36:02; Gannon Bolon, 36:17; Rick Domhoff, 36:51; Kimberly Hileman, 36:55; Jamie McMurtrie, 36:57; Leah Hartman, 37:10; Logan Stewart, 37:15; Tanner Crawford, 38:16; Jameson Weleski, 38:34; Jessica Bowser, 38:46; Autumn Weleski, 38:50; Michael Atkinson, 39:19; Kaitlyn Reeseman, 39:46; Caitlyn Andring, 39:50; Julie Sarver, 40:08; Anna Charles, 40:49; Ruby LeClaire, 41:08; Ashley LeClaire, 41:17; Tabitha Bowser, 41:34; Randy Bowser, 41:36; Samantha Cacurak, 41:37; Becca Bowser, 41:49; Tracy Bowser, 41:52; Julie Eckman, 42:26; Camryn Bowser, 42:38; Khloe Hollinger, 42:46; Sarah Drane, 42:55; Roger Walker, 45:53; Rick Mendenhall, 45:53; Maria Cosme, 45:57; Dennis Shay, 46:12; Tristin Shay, 46:13; Jackie Fahlor, 46:36; Jenn Tompkins, 46:44; Ed Stoughton, 47:00; Faith Stoughton, 47:30; Wendy Mendenhall, 48:31; Harley McCormick, 48:31; Kylie Longdon, 48:32; Paige Williams, 48:38; Kayla Rock, 48:38; Tom Fahlor, 50:04; Mario Borino, 53:36; Emma LeClaire, 57:34; Sonia Carson, 58:26; Elvira Grenci,1:01:18; John Grenci, 1:01:19

Ford City .5 Mile Kids Run, July 4: Lena Shumski, 1st Overall W, 3:11; John Shumski, 1st Overall M, 3:13; Ariana Feagin, 3:39; Everly Olsen, 3:48; Leah Olsen, 4:08; Meadow Charles, 4:16; Lillian Andring, 4:27; Eva Good, 4:29; Natalie Good, 4:30; Scarlett Wark, 4:39; Willow Danka, 4:41; Maggie Catlos, 4:52; Marissa Bowser, 4:53; Aria Olsen, 4:59; Bella French, 5:07; Nate French, 5:07; Kolson Gutherie, 5:38; Cole Eckman, 5:55; Ella Tvaroha, 8:49

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