Pack up the pumpkins. It’s officially turkey season in the running world.

On November’s schedule we’ve got wobbles, gobbles, gallops, even a truthantrub, but this Saturday leads us in with a trot.

The Butler YMCA Turkey Trot returns for what race director Jamie Knauff believes is more than its 50th year. The event has become a tradition for generations of families, both YMCA members and members of the community. Knauff knows of at least one three-generation run/walk group that participates annually.

Butler Turkey Trot, staged from the downtown YMCA on Penn Street, begins with a timed out-and-back 1-mile at 9:45 a.m. It was originally just for kids but is now open to all who wish to participate, including leashed dogs. Knauff said the 1-mile is perfect for strollers and wheelchairs since the 5K course includes a section of brick street that may be challenging for wheels.

The 5K begins at 10 a.m. and includes two loops of scenic Butler Memorial Park before returning to Penn Street. An awards ceremony for both distance events follows the 5K finish with turkey-themed trophies for top three male and female finishers and medals for 5K age groups from 10U through 70-plus. Awards in the 1-mile will be for kids 10 and under.

Post-race refreshments include water. There will also be a coffee truck available for participants and spectators.

Knauff expects more than 200 participants this year, based on early registration numbers. She said the race typically sees a few dozen race day registrations. Online registration ends Thursday but day-of opens at 8:30 a.m. in the YMCA with cash or check only. There will be a race day discount for YMCA members.

Butler YMCA Turkey Trot proceeds benefit local Butler residents through the Y’s Annual Support Campaign. Through this campaign, YMCA program and membership costs are provided free or at a reduced cost to children, families, seniors and veterans who could not otherwise participate. Other fundraisers include Bowl for Kids, Fore the Children Golf Classic and Butler Road Race held annually in June.

For more information or to sign up for Butler YMCA Turkey Trot, visit runsignup.com/Race?raceId=152203.

November isn’t all about the turkeys. At 9 a.m. Sunday, the 21st Annual Operation Troop Appreciation Veterans Day 5K runs through Hampton Community Park to support active service troops and military veterans. Since 2004, Operation Troop Appreciation has provided more than 210,000 troops and veterans with requested items during deployments and as they return to civilian life.

Veterans Day 5K is proof doing good can be a lot of fun.

Participants start under a huge American flag and enjoy music by the Hampton High School pep band along the rolling course. This year’s course includes the newly paved fitness trail through Hampton Park. Strollers and dogs are still welcome but are requested to start in the back for safety.

At the finish, runners are greeted by DJ Rick Wirth and a buffet of hot dogs, apple pie and race director Alice McLaughlin’s homemade baked beans.

Competitive awards include trophies and gift certificates to top three male and female finishers and top masters. First place in age groups from 10U through 65-plus earn apple pies while second and third take home special commemorative medals made by retired Army Chief Warrant Officer 5 Glenn Geary, Hampton Middle School shop teacher and combat veteran. First in the five-person team competition wins Pittsburgh Penguins tickets. All participants have a chance to win one of more than two dozen random drawing prizes.

Sign up for Veterans Day 5K online until Friday at runsignup.com/Race/PA/AllisonPark/OPERATIONTROOPAPPRECIATION5K or on race day at 7 a.m. (cash or check only) in Hampton Park.

Saturday, 10 a.m.: Butler YMCA Turkey Trot 5K & 1-Mile, Butler. runsignup.com/Race?raceId=152203

Saturday, 10 a.m.: Pancreatic Cancer 5K Run and Fun Walk, Indiana. Run on Hoodlebug Trail. 724-479-9325

Saturday, 10 a.m.: WALKer RUN 5K, Conneaut Lake. www.walkerrun5k.com/Race/Info/PA/ConneautLake/WALKerRun5K

Sunday, 8:30 a.m.: EQT 10-Miler & 10K, Pittsburgh. Starts on Pittsburgh’s South Side. p3r.org/races/eqt-10-miler

Sunday, 9 a.m.: Operation Troop Appreciation Veterans Day 5K, Allison Park. Run through Hampton Community Park. runsignup.com/Race/PA/AllisonPark/OPERATIONTROOPAPPRECIATION5K

Nov. 14, 8:30 a.m.: Last Trail Standing 50K, 25K, 8-Miler, 5K, Pittsburgh. Run or hike all the trails in Settlers Cabin Park. runsignup.com/Race/PA/Oakdale/LastTrailStanding

Nov. 14, 10 a.m.: Veterans Salute 5K Run/Walk, Rochester. runsignup.com/Race/PA/Rochester/VeteransSalute

Nov. 21, 9 a.m.: Oil City YMCA Turkey Trot 5K, 10K and Kids ¼-Mile Fun Run, Oil City. Run on Samuel Justis Trail. runsignup.com/Race/PA/OilCity/OCTurkeytrot

Nov. 21, 5 p.m.: Run, Run, Rudolph 2-Miler Run/Walk, Butler. Run through Christmas lights in Alameda Park. runsignup.com/Race/PA/Butler/RunRunRudolph2Miler

Nov. 22, 9 a.m.: Armstrong County Turkey Trot Half Marathon and 5K, Kittanning. Kids 10U run for free. runsignup.com/Race/PA/Kittanning/ArmstrongCountyTurkeyTrot

Nov. 26, 7:30 a.m.: YMCA Turkey Trot 5-Mile, 5K and 1-Mile Family Fun Run, Pittsburgh. p3r.org/races/ymca-turkey-trot

Nov. 26, 9 a.m.: 32nd Annual Gobbler’s Gallop 10K and 5K, Ellwood City. Starts at Riverside High School. runsignup.com/Race/PA/EllwoodCity/GobblersGallop

Nov. 26, 9:30 a.m.: Gobble Wobble 5K, Hermitage. Run at Buhl Park. runsignup.com/Race/PA/Hermitage/GobbleWobbleRace

Nov. 28, 9 a.m.: Truthantrub 5K, Saxonburg. runsignup.com/Race/PA/Saxonburg/SaxonburgTruthahntrab5k

Dec. 5, 10 a.m.: Abundant Lights 5K & 1-Mile, Zelienople. Run at Passavant Community Campus. runsignup.com/Race/PA/Zelienople/AbundantLightsK

East Brady Riverfest 5K, Sept. 19: Quintin Weaver, 1st Overall M, 17:14; Lurena Schrecengost, 1st Overall W, 27:40; Addi Stewart, 1st 20-29 M, 27:21; Harlan Thrower, 2nd 12U M, 27:44; Matt Nocera, 1st 40-49 M, 28:00; Jameson Harmon, 3rd 12U M, 28:10; Jimbo Stewart, 1st 50-65 M, 28:17; Ashley Trott, 1st 30-39 W, 28:41; Alivia Farren, 2nd 13-18 W, 30:18; Michele Cochran, 1st 50-65 W, 30:31; Brittany Grasha, 2nd 30-39 W, 31:01; Carl Oshlick, 1st 30-39 M, 31:41; Dianna Craig, 1st 40-49 W, 32:29; Claudia Farren, 2nd 40-49 W, 32:30; Megan Giammarco, 3rd 40-49 W, 33:08; Sarah Clark, 2nd 50-65 W, 33:28; Emma Houk, 1st 19-29 W, 34:05; Gabe Houk, 3rd 19-29 M, 34:05; Chris Stimac, 3rd 50-65 W, 34:31; Ellen Harmon, 3rd 12U W, 34:33; Mike Stimac, 3rd 40-49 M, 34:34; Richard Stewart, 2nd 50-65 M, 38:01; Mike Oshlick, 3rd 50-65 M, 38:57; Kendall Ritzert, 2nd 20-29 W, 43:40; Sonja Crawford, 1st 66+ W, 1:02:29; Robert Crawford, 1st 66+ M, 1:02:29; Jenna Rupert, 40:06; Justin Thorpe, 40:53; Amanda Booher, 41:37; Jennifer McCurdy, 42:20; Jacob Jones, 43:39; Charlotte Rupert, 48:46; Hudson Rupert, 48:47

Patriot 5K, Sept. 26: Tom Petalino, 1st Overall M, 18:29; Susan Concilio, 1st Overall W, 21:42; Drew Weifenbaugh, 2nd 19U M, 21:20; Michael Krom, 2nd 30-39 M, 22:09; Jake Hannon, 3rd 20-29 M, 23:31; Ellie Hannon, 2nd 20-29 W, 24:13; Erin Hart, 1st 50-59 W, 24:47; Chrissy Kaufman, 1st 40-49 W, 26:50; Judy Shaffer, 2nd 60+ W, 30:50; Robin Trinko, 3rd 60+ W, 34:56; Nathaniel Deglau, 22:38; Paul Whidden, 22:52; Joseph Chrusch, 22:57; Wyatt Wilson, 23:10; Matthew Hammond, 24:12; Makailea Harrer, 26:37; Liam McHair, 26:46; Hailey Steward, 27:04; Kevin Liberi, 27:05; Lisa Scola, 27:15; Zachary Carroll, 27:27; Tim Ha, 27:34; Gavin Merry, 28:05; Dennis Halaszynski, 28:34; Nicole Kobal, 28:51; Ethan Waldschmidt, 29:28; Lori Daniels, 29:34; Paul Haris, 30:03; Richard Holp, 31:26; Christopher Olinger, 31:44; Jake Brown, 32:12; Edward Nichols, 32:51; Michael Bauer, 33:01; Trevor Tannert, 33:49; Hannah Tannert, 33:49; Xavier Kovack, 34:08; Ara Kainz, 34:16; Brenda Colvin, 37:10; Jenna Glass, 37:37; Lachlan Walsh, 37:51; Domenic DePaoli, 38:10; Marissa Nichter, 38:38; Cameron Gronostaj, 38:38; Kerry O'Toole, 38:48; Franny Hernandez, 39:07; Dante DePaoli, 40:59; Nalina Stidham, 43:06; Lilly Conner, 43:36; Erica Leone, 46:00; Colleen Riemer, 46:05; Alexander Abodejos, 47:40; Marc Jacobs, 47:43; Rory Walsh, 47:43; Don Accamando, 48:50; Leticia Howell, 48:50; Chris Pursel, 49:07; Bill Howell, 49:39; Therese Haley, 51:39; Laura Haley, 51:40; George Hannon, 52:00; Katie Davis, 52:01; Laurie Morris, 52:10; Madelynn Hannon, 52:50; Elisia DePaoli, 53:07; Victoria Benko, 53:09; Elesea Rose, 54:23; Hanna Drane, 54:24; Anna Brent, 54:25; Matthew Knabic, 54:25; Brad Zukowski, 55:14; Shauna Zukowski, 55:15; Jillian McCurdy, 56:21; Patrick McCurdy, 56:21; Dana Laskiwski, 56:22; Cameron Laskowski, 56:22; James Laskowski, 56:23; Molly McPeak, 58:10; Libbie Kucel, 1:01:41; Gregory Paris, 1:02:27; Zachary Paris, 1:02:27; Autumn Paris, 1:02:28

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