Practically every week of the year, runners have a choice of local races. While we love these friendly hometown gatherings, occasionally it’s fun to experience running on a grander scale.

Two Pittsburgh events on consecutive weekends offer local runners the experience of participating in a major event.

This weekend, Pittsburgh hosts the Dick’s Sporting Goods Pittsburgh Marathon, UPMC Half Marathon and FedEx Ground Relay. More than 25,000 runners and walkers of all ages and abilities will take to the streets of Pittsburgh on Saturday and Sunday for a tour of Pittsburgh’s neighborhoods and bridges.

Pittsburgh can’t compete with other city marathons in world class competition or prize money, though the race has increased its top prize to $8,000 for first place in the marathon and $5,000 to the first man and woman to cross the finish line in the half marathon.

Instead, marathon organizers have chosen to showcase regional talent while offering all participants an enjoyable marathon experience. The event boasts a scenic course with river crossings, cheering spectators and more than 50 musical groups to entertain participants and spectators.

Even if you’re not running, don’t pass up the chance to watch the marathon wind its way through Pittsburgh’s unique neighborhoods. Just be sure to arrive early and plan to stay late. And check the schedule for rolling road closures at www.pittsburghmarathon.com.

The Pittsburgh Marathon prides itself on its contribution to charity. Its more than 40 international and local charities raised more than $1.2 million last year.

Although Sunday’s marathon and half marathon have been sold out for months, Saturday’s 5K at 8 a.m. and the Kids Marathon held at 10 a.m. give participants a taste of the large scale happening. Those two events are still open. Participants may sign up on Saturday at the marathon expo at the David Lawrence Convention Center.

The marathon expo isn’t just a destination for participants. Entry to the expo is free and it’s fun to shop for bargains and check out the latest in fitness equipment and apparel.

For more information about the Pittsburgh Marathon, visit www.pittsburghmarathon.com.

While the Pittsburgh Marathon takes over the city for a day, the following Sunday’s Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure is confined to the city’s Schenley Park and surrounding neighborhoods. Now in its 20th year, Komen Pittsburgh prides itself on being the largest participatory event in our area with more than 36,000 runners and walkers expected for this 20th anniversary.

The competitive Komen 5K begins at 8:35 a.m. for a challenging circuit through Squirrel Hill and Schenley Park, ending near Phipps Conservatory. The competitive runners represent a small portion of the entire number of participants. Last year, 2,235 finished the chip timed event.

Although the morning’s activities include a kids’ dash and an emotional survivors’ walk, the most popular events by far are the untimed 5K walk/ run and the one-mile fun walk.

Whichever event you choose, arrive early to the starting area. There is on-street parking scattered throughout the Oakland area. Free parking and shuttle is available as well as bus transportation from several locations for a charge of $5. Information on parking and shuttle service is available at www.komenpittsburgh.org.

The Susan G. Komen Foundation is the largest nonprofit organization in the world dedicated to fighting breast cancer. The Komen Foundation has invested more than $2 billion in breast cancer education, screening, treatment and research.

Learn more about Komen Race for the Cure and the Susan G. Komen Foundation at www.komenpittsburgh.org.

Upcoming events

Saturday, 8 a.m.: Up-N-Running Group Run, Valencia. Your choice of mileage, post run coffee and snacks. 724-898-2525 or shoes@runpa.com

Saturday, 8 a.m.: 5K in May, Meadville. 814-673-2938 or caycc5kinmay@gmail.com

Saturday, 8 a.m.: Dick’s Sporting Goods Pittsburgh Marathon 5k, Pittsburgh. Register online at www.pittsburghmarathon.com

Saturday, 8:30 a.m.: Art and Sole 5K Run/ Walk, Erie. Award winners earn children’s artwork. 814-455-5508 or www.neighborhoodarthouse.org

Saturday, 10 a.m.: Dick’s Sporting Goods Pittsburgh Marathon Kids Marathon, Pittsburgh. Fun run for kids in grades K-6. No race day registration. www.pittsburghmarathon.com

Sunday, 7:30 a.m.: Dick’s Sporting Goods Pittsburgh Marathon, Half Marathon and Team Relay, Pittsburgh. Come out to support the runners and walkers. www.pittsburghmarathon.com

May 9, 6:30 p.m.: Muskie 5K Mini Marathon, Jamestown. Run at Pymatuning State Park. Heather_harmon@jamestown.k12.pa.us

May 12, 9 a.m.: ACMH 5K Wellness Run/ Walk, Kittanning. Run at ACMH Hospital. 724-543-8850 or beersj@acmh.org

May 13, 8:35 a.m.: Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure 5K, Pittsburgh. Provides funding for breast cancer education, research and services. 412-342-0500 or www.komenpittsburgh.org

May 18, 6:45 p.m.: Vision for Veterans 5K, Columbiana, OH. Also 100 meter toddler trot and ¼ mile kids fun run. www.visionforveterans.org

May 19, 9 a.m.: Mars Band on the Run 5K, Mars. Benefits Mars Area Band Boosters. www.marsband5k.com

May 19, 9 a.m.: Spartansburg Elementary PTA 5K, Spartansburg. Run on East Branch Rail Trail. 814-663-0662 or kepayer@gmail.com

May 20: Rite Aid Cleveland Marathon, Half Marathon, 10K, 5K and Kids Run, Cleveland, OH. Running and walking events on a flat, fast course. www.clevelandmarathon.com

May 22, 7 p.m.: Quality Life Services 5K, Grove City. First in five-race series. 724-431-0770, ext. 2139 or tkupec@qualitylifeservices.com

May 26, 9:30 a.m.: New Castle Arts Festival 5K, New Castle. Tj.burke176@gmail.com

May 27, 9 a.m.: Dahoga Dash 5K, Wilcox. 814-965-5482 or randylindberg@hotmail.com

May 28, 8 a.m.: Boalsburg Memorial Day Run, Boalsburg. Run 3.8 miles through downtown. 814-238-8162

May 28, 8:50 a.m.: Mercer 5K Freedom Fun Run, Mercer. Military personnel past and present run for free. 724-699-4589 or pizzajoes@hotmail.com

June 2, 9 a.m.: A Dam Good Race 5K, Shenango Dam, Hermitage. 724-730-1437 or fpm.colucci@gmail.com

June 2, Freeport Flash 5K, Sarver. Same course as 2011. 724-353-1945

June 3, 8:30 a.m.: Greenfield Glide 5K, Schenley Park, Pittsburgh. 412-422-6546 or jon.coyne@pittsburghpa.gov

June 9, 10 a.m.: Friends of Buhl Park 5K Run/ 2 Mile Walk, Hermitage. 724-456-2373

June 23, 9 a.m.: 37th Annual Butler Road Race 5 Mile Run/ 2K Run & Health Walk, Butler. Butlerroadrace.org

Race results

Cook Forest Half Marathon, March 31: Ben Hoffman, 1st Overall M, 1:14:03; Anna Balouris, 1st Overall W, 1:22:23; Bill Hoffman, 1st 40-49 M, 1:29:11; Jeff Lynn, 3rd 40-49 M, 1:29:33; Monica Ferraro, 2nd 40-49 W, 1:51:00; Olivia Lowe, 1st 13 & Under W, 2:05:47; Suzanne Leonberg, 2nd 50-59 W, 2:07:08; Luanne Wee, 3rd 50-59 W, 2:08:11; Adam Lowe, 1:29:42; Michael Stitt, 1:36:18; Erik Kins, 1:39:00; Jesse McKinnis, 1:39:05; Justin Lytle, 1:40:21; Eric Fritch, 1:42:26; Neal Franchock, 1:42:38; Randy Kruger, 1:45:54; Clint Hartle, 1:48:28; Adam Mong, 1:50:18; Avery Lawson, 1:50:35; Steven Mix, 1:50:41; Lana Stockdill, 1:51:59; Jinny Hertweck, 1:55:56; Erica Hilliard, 1:56:50; Jim Csonka, 1:57:30; Mike Kuzar, 1:59:27; Leigh Ann Goughler, 2:02:09; Joseph French, 2:03:38; Steven Drew, 2:06:06; Karen Carmichael, 2:09:31; Beverly Lowe, 2:10:25; Melissa Passafiume, 2:10:27; Bethany Farmer, 2:12:36; Becky Johnston, 2:13:49; Kim Weaver, 2:13:49; Kurt Martin, 2:14:51; Ken Tack, 2:17:17; Amber Binner, 2:17:22; Erin Hartle, 2:18:42; Stacy Matz, 2:18:42; Janet Stewart, 2:22:25; Sarah Bordick, 2:26:17; Debi Kruger, 3:15:12; Karly Kruger, 3:16:30; Joel Yudt, 3:21:48

Cook Forest 5K, March 31: Kevin Gregg, 1st Overall M, 16:11; Rebecca Reichbaum, 1st Overall W, 20:33; Bryce Lowe, 3rd 14 & Under M, 22:52; Jonna Schaper, 3rd 15-19 W, 23:11; Martin Whitaker, 1st 60-69 M, 23:54; Marcus Kilwein, 3rd 40-49 M, 24:27; Christine Stimac, 1st 40-49 W, 26:37; Jordan Krear, 23:11; Robert Crawford, 26:46; Nathalie Kuffer, 27:09; Alayna Lowe, 29:32; Evan Lowe, 29:33; Danielle Peirce, 29:42; Michelle Beaumont, 29:48; Jessica Kilpatrick, 30:10; Scott Grooms, 31:47; Marissa Beaumont, 31:48; Kimberly Magill, 33:53; Jo Ann Kalantzis, 34:05; Nancy Carmichael, 34:28; Michele Stitt, 35:01; Billie Buday, 36:37; Brenda Murray, 38:17; Lark Palm, 38:27; Danielle Curry, 38:33; Scott Patterson, 39:13; Angela Berasi, 39:39; Tisha Frederick, 42:03; Cathy Hertweck, 42:21; Kristen Chodkowski, 42:27; Craig Chodkowski, 42:29; Hemi Curry, 45:02; Kassie Toy, 45:03; Abby Shirey, 48:53; April Zanot, 48:53; Karl Binner, 56:41

Big Foot Half Marathon, April 21: Andrew Brosius, 1st Overall M, 1:23:30; Jeff Lynn, 2nd Overall M, 1:33:05; Melissa Schaeffer, 1st Overall W, 1:36:52; Nick Kijowski, 3rd 40-49 M, 1:40:27; Michael Frere, 2nd 30-39 M, 1:43:40; Tom Parenti, 3rd 30-39 M, 1:49:27; Tracy Newman, 1ns 30-39 W, 1:49:37; Bill Wintersw, 3rd 50-59 M, 1:51:25; Carrie Smith, 2nd 30-39 W, 1:53:49; Robert Crawford, 3rd 60+ M, 2:14:16; Lisa Myers, 2nd 40-49 W, 2:17:59

Big Foot 5K, April 21: Ean King, 1st Overall M, 17:18; Rhylie Rearick-Ochs, 1st Overall W, 23:04; Breanna McGaughey, 3rd 10-14 W, 33:16; Scott Andreassi, 3rd 50-59 M, 40:29; John Stroup, 29:14; Tim Vantine, 36:42; Chelby Brocious, 48:08; Ginienia Brocious, 48:08; Mindy Knappenberger, 48:30; Greg Brocious, 49:27

Grove City Sunset Sprint 5K, April 25: Joshua Boggs, 1st Overall M, 16:18; Ben Hoffman, 2nd Overall M, 16:28; Ryan Budnik, 3rd Overall M, 17:32; Caryn Gehrke, 1st Overall W, 21:27; Elizabeth Funk, 2nd Overall W, 22:38; Aaron Benka, 1st 15-19 M, 17:35; Joseph Hoffman, 2nd 15-19 M, 18:56; David Johnson, 1st 20-29 M, 19:36; Samuel Archibald, 3rd 15-19 M, 19:43; Christopher Block, 1st 50-59 M, 19:56; Mitch Radella, 2nd 40-49 M, 22:14; Clint Hartle, 1st 30-39 M, 23:40; Holly Bauer, 1st 30-39 W, 24:10; Megan Gebrosky, 1st 20-29 W, 24:12; Leah Gibson, 2nd 20-29 W, 24:13; Sarah Lapp, 2nd 15-19 W, 24:16; John Antinossi, 3rd 60+ M, 24:33; Holly Depew, 1st 40-49 W, 24:34; Ethan Depew, 1st 14 & Under M, 24:46; Jennifer Cygan, 3rd 30-39 W, 29:19; Deb Perry, 1st 50-59 W, 43:35; Barbara Mars, 3rd 50-59 W, 51:07; Noreen Fischer, 2nd 60+ W, 53:21; Andy Lundeen, 20:34; Bob Mars, 20:52; Doug Cygan, 22:31; Josh Martin, 22:38; Laura Mamo, 24:24; Noah Horn, 24:47; Aly Miller, 24:47; Corinne Gressang, 25:15; Mackenzie Clyde, 25:23; Justin Curry, 25:34; Sarah Hauver, 25:36; Julie Apple, 25:37; Ansley DeGraaf, 27:49; Erin Hartle, 28:30; Dez Csizmadia, 29:04; Erica Gmuer, 29:17; Grace Murtoff, 29:21; Elsa Klingensmith, 29:39; Lauren Wright, 29:54; Kristen Lightner, 30:42; Erin Kauffman, 31:21; Hilary Prescott, 31:30; Becca Genet, 31:35; Amanda Naylor, 31:46; Holly Boyce, 31:58; Timothy Leavitt, 32:11; Krista Creekpaum, 53:48

Send comments and suggestions: Patricia Neubert, 435 Cherry Valley Rd., Saxonburg, Pa. 16056. Phone 724-352-4395. Email lotzak@consolidated.net

Pat Neubert is a running columnist for the Butler Eagle