I ran a 10-mile event, my first-ever race, more than 30 years ago. The event was part of the Pittsburgh Marathon, which ran consecutive loops around North Park Lake.

My running has changed over the years, and I’ve probably run hundreds of loops around that lake in all kinds of weather in training and in races. I still look back fondly to those first gently rolling loops and the finish line at the Boat House.

This Saturday’s Spring Thaw, starting at 10 a.m., has a direct connection back to the days of the first Pittsburgh Marathon. Now in its 38th year, this event is one of the oldest races in the region.

Spring Thaw no longer holds a marathon length race, but instead offers runners three choices of long distance running --- 10, 15 or 20 miles in five-mile loops of the lake. That makes the event perfect for those training for late spring races from half to full marathon.

All distances in Spring Thaw use a common start. Runners may stop after two loops or continue for one or two more. The 10-mile event is a competitive race with overall and age group awards in five year increments. All participants earn commemorative shirts.

As an incentive to keep going, finishers of three loops, 15 miles, earn running gloves. The gloves are also a consolation prize for those who had planned to go the full 20 miles, but are forced to cut their run short.

Runners who complete the entire four-loop course are rewarded with commemorative Spring Thaw neck gaiters. Spring Thaw’s 20-mile event also rewards overall and masters men and women, but no age group winners. Runners at all distances will appreciate the post-race soup, pizza and hot chocolate in the Rose Barn.

Runners may register at the Rose Barn on Saturday beginning at 8:30 a.m. To avoid the crowds at this popular event, register at Elite Runners & Walkers in Robinson Township Thursday until 8 p.m. or Friday, 10 a.m.-7 p.m. to be registered to win a pair of running shoes. For more information about the 38th Annual Spring Thaw, visit www.eliterunners.com.

As one of my running friends says, “I would rather stick a needle in my eye than run one more loop of North Park Lake.” If you’re one of those runners with contempt for familiarity, check out Saturday’s Kittanning Rotary Club Winter Fest 5K Race, also held at 10 a.m. this Saturday at the YMCA on Water Street in Kittanning.

The Rotary Club 5K, now in its third year, is a smaller, family-friendly event. Participants my register on Saturday beginning at 8:30 a.m. and families can register for one price of $30.

YMCA’s Beth Riggle says that the family rate is popular. “The course is easy for kids,” she says. “We get families with strollers and people who just walk for exercise along with serious runners.”

The course is not only beginner-friendly, but great for competition. After a start on Water Street, it’s flat and fast, out-and-back along the Armstrong Rail Trail in Kittanning. There’s no guarantee that the course will be completely cleared of snow, but trail volunteers have been doing their best to keep up with our unusual snowfall. Riggle’s best advice is, “Be prepared for the elements.”

Awards are held in the YMCA garage following the event and offer post-race refreshments for all. Competitive awards in the 5K include top three overall men and women and top three age group finishers in 10-year increments.

Riggle says the Rotary 5K is a good warm up for the YMCA’s Big Foot Half Marathon and 5K Run/Walk held April 5 this year on the same course.

For more information about Kittanning Rotary Club Winter Fest 5K or Big Foot Half Marathon and 5K, visit www.smileymiles.com or call 724-545-9622.

Upcoming events

Saturdays, 8 a.m.: Up-N-Running Group Run, Valencia. 724-898-2525 or shoes@runpa.com

Wednesdays, 6:30 p.m.: Mojo Sports Group Run, Cranberry Township. 724-772-2808 or www.mojorunningpittsburgh.com

Saturday, 10 a.m: Rotary Club 5K, Kittanning. Starts at Armstrong County YMCA. 724-545-9622 or briggle@rgsymca.org

Saturday, 10 a.m.: The Spring Thaw, Allison Park. Choice of 10, 15 or 20 miles; starts at North Park Boathouse. 412-490-0881 or sandy_mcknight@hotmail.com

March 1, 10 a.m.: Autism Frostbite 5K, Allison Park. Starts at North Park Boathouse. 412-980-0085 or www.positivemovementz.com/frostbite5k

March 2, 8:30 a.m.: Mill Creek Distance Classic Half Marathon and 5K, Youngstown, OH. 330-727-6070 or http://ytownrunners.org

March 2, 9 a.m.: March Against Crime 5K, Erie. Starts at Rotary Pavilion. 814-455-9414 or martine@cverie.org

March 8, 9 a.m.: March Mad Dash, Allison Park. Choice of 5K, 5 miles or 10 miles starting at North Park Boathouse. Also post-race party. www.marchmaddash.org

March 8, 9 a.m.: 3rd Brave American 5K, Sewickley. Benefits Boulder Crest Retreat for Wounded Warriors. 412-741-8987 or rav395@gmail.com

March 8, 11 a.m.: Ellport Borough Community Winter Wonderland 5K, Ellwood City. Scenic 5K with lots of food and drinks. 724-758-2506 or bonnherb@yahoo.com

March 13, 6:30 p.m.: Mizuno Pub Run, Robinson Township. Meet at Brothers Grimm Restaurant, run 3 or 5 miles, share snacks and beverages after. www.eliterunners.com

March 15, 9 a.m.: Spring Break Eight (point five), Fredonia. 724-301-6775 or info@mctrails.org

March 15, 9 a.m.: St. Patrick’s Day Distance Festival, Erie. Choice of 10K or 5K starts at Rotary Pavilion at Presque Isle State Park. 814-474-3282 (6-8 p.m.) or jimlang@bigwhitetrailer.com

March 15, 9 a.m.: Primary Health Network Charitable Foundation Shamrock ‘N’ Run 5K, Sharon. Starts at Quaker Steak & Lube, entry fee includes breakfast. slisks@primary-health.net

March 15, 9 a.m.: Chippewa Township St. Patrick’s Day Race, Beaver Falls. Choice of 5K run, 2 mile walk. 724-847-2705 or wissnerc@comcast.net

March 15, 10 a.m.: Diane Kelly Memorial 5K Run and Fun Walk, Warren. Starts at Warren County YMCA. chris@warrenymca.org

March 15, 7:30 a.m.: Shamrock Shuffle, Harmony. Choice of half marathon, 5K at 10 a.m. or 1 mile at 10:45 a.m. Hot soup and green beer following the run. www.active.com/harmony-pa/running/distance-running-races/shamrock-shuffle-2014

March 22, 7:30 a.m.: Lt. J.C. Stone 50K, North Park. Consecutive loops around North Park Lake, post race pizza and cookout. www.jcstone50k.com

March 22, 8 a.m.: Fight for Air Climb, Pittsburgh. Climb 897 steps in One Oxford Centre building to benefit American Lung Association. 412-321-4029 or pittsburghclimb@lunginfo.org

March 23, 10 a.m.: March for the Military 5K, Cranberry Township. Also 100 meter dash for kids ages 10 and under. 724-591-3261 or ota5k@zoominternet.net

March 22, 10 a.m.: The Slush Run 5K, Erie. Run at Gibson Park in North East. Participants my purchase tickets to North East Uncorked! Wine Walk Adventure held later that day. 814-323-6060 or tjenks33@gmail.com

Race results

Runnin’ Outta Our Mine 5K, February 8: Greg Byrnes, 1st Overall M, 17:19; Benjamin English, 2nd Overall M, 17:25; Beth Shutt, 1st Overall W, 18:18; Mark Casteel, 2nd 40-49 M, 20:32; Frank Monteleone, 2nd 60+ M, 23:22; Patricia Neubert, 1st 60+ W, 27:08; Cindy Suber, 3rd 50-59 W, 27:49; Mitch Radella, 21:14; Cody Campbell, 23:41; David Suber, 23:43; Jeff Hartzell, 27:00; Jamie Knauff, 29:57; Bill Kress, 30:49; Greg Bauer, 30:52; David Wolf, 31:25; Robyn Stewart, 31:53; David Lockerman, 31:57; Rob Sudano, 32:02; Tasha Werner, 32:27; Amy Hornyak, 32:29; Robert Crawford, 32:55; Laurie Degraaf, 41:17; Susan Edwards, 47:47

Valentine’s Day 5K, February 15: Jacob Greco, 1st Overall M, 19:39; Cheyenne Noble, 1st Overall W, 22:51; Adam Shoup, 2nd 30-39 M, 22:06; Kate Hrach, 1st 40-49 W, 23:57; Makara Smocer, 1st 18 & Under W, 26:11; Amanda Geist, 3rd 30-39 W, 30:25; Lisa Myers, 2nd 50-59 W, 31:00; Marin Smocer, 2nd 18 & Under W, 35:00; Tim Campbell, 26:41; Matthew Schenle, 27:57; Scott Dorn, 28:35; David Denk, 30:17; Maureen Hedglin, 31:06; Dana Schenle, 31:42; Tessa Klepfer, 31:42; Carissa Smolen, 32:30; Jessica Christie, 32:57; Karen Gliebe, 33:09; Daniel Hofius, 33:07; Christina Kenny, 33:32; Katie Smolter, 34:11; Kiley Seasoltz, 34:16; Deborah Bukowski, 34:55; Sandra Zugell, 34:58; David Sarver, 36:22; Beth Sarver, 36:22; Amy Bauer, 40:40; Erin Homer, 40:40; Jaclyn Rauscher, 44:36; Michelle Tucker, 44:03

Valentine’s Day 10K, February 15: Bob Dummer, 1st Overall M, 41:50; Abby Merhaut, 1st Overall W, 47:42; Caleb Rauscher, 3rd 30-39 M, 47:31; Amanda Sargent, 1st 30-39 W, 50:04; Darryl Brandon, 1st 50-59 M, 54:59; Amy Augustine, 3rd 30-39 W, 58:20; Gary Tipton, 1st 60-69 M, 1:02:04; Barbara Ford, 2nd 50-59 W, 1:03:56; Duane Flowers, 2nd 40-49 M, 1:04:28; Robert Muhl, 3rd 40-49 M, 1:13:49; Tom Murray, 1st 70+ M, 1:15:59; Adam Bouse, 49:43; Michele Lannis, 1:02:09; Angela Delune, 1:02:58; Bobbi Flowers, 1:04:27; Carrie Denk, 1:04:20; Dawn Cox, 1:05:21; Kelly Watson, 1:06:10; Heidi Yeager, 1:07:52; Christina Farmer, 1:10:29; Michael Dreher, 1:10:29; Jodi Zema, 1:10:47; Lori Kosarko, 1:13:50

Valentine’s Day 15K, February 15: Jonathan Kurtz, 1st Overall M, 59:32; Melissa Kemp,1st Overall W, 1:05:11; John Armstrong, 2nd 40-49 M, 1:07:35; Tyler Smyth, 2nd 30-39 M, 1:08:16; Jason Sittler, 3rd 30-39 M, 1:08:45; John Way, 3rd 40-49 M, 1:09:44; Linsey Westerman, 1st 30-39 W, 1:11:02; Lori McClafferty, 1st 40-49 W, 1:18:16; Kate Hrach, 2nd 40-49 W, 1:18:23; Kathleen Lovett, 3rd 40-49 W, 1:20:41; Robert Walker, 1st 60-69 M, 1:21:21; Micci Hutterer, 3rd 50-59 W, 1:21:50; Holly Matsko, 3rd 30-39 W, 1:24:36; Tony Chan, 1:16:48; David Lovett, 1:17:02; Ramesh Subramaniam, 1:22:34; Debbie Courtney, 1:25:26; Elena Schaller, 1:30:32; Jen Gottron, 1:38:13; Mandy Rusnock, 1:39:08; Taelor Vetica, 1:39:08

Send comments and suggestions: Patricia Neubert, 435 Cherry Valley Rd., Saxonburg, PA. 16056. Phone or fax 724-352-4395. Email bigp16@connecttime.net

Pat Neubert is a running columnist for the Butler Eagle