Most people have never heard of GLUT1-DS, but Saturday’s Valentine’s Day 5K and 5-Miler in North Park are working to change that.

In 2008, there were fewer than 100 known cases of Glucose Transporter Type 1 Deficiency Syndrome or GLUT1-DS, an incurable genetic brain disease that causes severe mental and physical disabilities. One of these “cases” is a 13-year old Wexford girl, Remi Savioz.

The Remi Savioz Glut1 Foundation was founded in 2009 by Remi’s parents, Leonard and Samra Savioz, to raise awareness and provide research opportunities of GLUT1-DS and other diseases affected by glucose transporters. These include the more common diseases of cancer, diabetes and epilepsy.

The Valentine’s Day 5K and 5-Miler is in its second year. Race director Samra Savioz expects up to 300 participants for the two distances. Both the 5K and new 5-mile event begin at 10 a.m. at the North Park Boathouse and are run on USATF certified courses familiar to local runners.

Participants in both events will enjoy the warmth of the Rose Barn following the run. There will be plenty of post race food and drinks, including chicken noodle soup, hot dogs, bagels, cookies, hot chocolate and coffee courtesy of generous sponsors. Overall and age group winners earn handmade trophies while all participants may win random drawing or raffle prizes.

Race director Samra Savioz advises runners to arrive early on race day as parking at the Rose Barn is limited. Registration and packet pick-up opens at 8 a.m. for the 10 a.m. start. Runners may also register online until Friday at midnight at valentinesday5k.kintera.org. For more information, call 724-272-8797 or e-mail info@remisglut1foundation.com.

At most races, the fastest runners win the biggest prizes. That’s not the case with this Sunday’s ERC Valentine Prediction Run and Walk in Erie.

This annual Erie Runners’ Club event rewards accuracy, not speed. Runners and walkers predict their overall pace for the out-and-back course of four to six miles in length (distance is determined on race day). The finishing time closest to the individual’s prediction is the winner.

Race director Dan Albaugh says that winning times are often within a few seconds of prediction, and sometimes right on the money. And it’s not necessarily a runner who wins. With 10 to 20 percent of the 80 to 100 participants walking, it’s almost as likely that a walker will take top honors.

Winners in the Valentine Prediction Run earn the right to choose from an assortment of locally made chocolate prizes. The largest treat is a two-pound milk chocolate bar, but there are at least 30 more treats to choose from. Winners must be present to collect their prize.

It’s sometimes a long wait from the 10 a.m. start until the last finisher crosses the line. But participants stay warm in front of the fireplace in Presque Isle State Park’s Rotary Pavilion. The Valentine Prediction Run has never been cancelled for inclement weather, though the course may be a little shorter during extreme conditions.

The Valentine Prediction Run is a tradition in Erie. The event has been run for more than 25 years. Dan Albaugh has served as race director for at least the past 12 years. Albaugh also directs other Erie Running Club’s winter events, including the Snowflake Run in December and New Year’s Day Run, both held in Presque Isle State Park.

It’s not too late to sign up for this Sunday’s Valentine Prediction Run. Register online until Friday at midnight at register.bigwhitetrailer.com. You may also register on Sunday at the Rotary Pavilion beginning at 8 a.m. For more information, contact Albaugh at 814-774-3209 or dana@erie-runnersclub.org.

News from the Pittsburgh Marathon: The Dick’s Sporting Goods Pittsburgh Marathon, Half Marathon and Team Relay has changed its course for 2012. The new course begins on Liberty Avenue between Sixth and Seventh Streets (near the 2011 start). It finishes downtown at Stanwix and Commonwealth Place, a change from last year’s North Shore finish.

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, 10 a.m.: Valentine’s Day 5k, North Park. www.valentinesday5k.kintera.org or 724-272-8797

Sunday, 10 a.m.: Valentine’s Day Prediction Race, Erie. Starts at Presque Isle State Park Rotary Pavilion, awards based on closest finishing time to predicted time for 4-6 mile run. 814-774-3209 or dana@erie-runnersclub.org

Feb. 18, 9 a.m.: Freeze Your Lymphs Off 5k for Lymphoma, Sewickley. High school project benefits Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. 412-996-4419 or jbilymphoma5k@gmail.com

Feb. 18, 10 a.m.: Trout Island Tromp, Sharpsville. Run 4.6 miles on newly opened Trout Island Rail Trail. 724-301-6775 or info@mctrails.org

Feb. 25, 10 a.m.: Spring Thaw, North Park. Choice of 10, 15 or 20 miles, post race soup and pizza buffet. 412-1900881 or ksmith@eliterunners.org,

Feb. 25, 10 a.m.: Rotary Club 5k, Kittanning. jbecker@armstrongymca.org

March 4, 8:30 a.m.: Mill Creek Classic Half Marathon and 5k, Youngstown, OH. Run through Mill Creek Metro Park, 5k starts at 8:45 a.m. 330-727-6070

March 4, 8:30 a.m.: Athletic Trainer River Run, Pittsburgh. Run 5k or one mile from UPMC Sports Medicine Center on Southside. 412-432-3770 or sanchioligi@upmc.edu

March 10, 9 a.m.: March Mad Dash 10 Mile and 5 Mile Run, North Park. Starts at Boathouse, post race party. www.marchmaddash.org

March 10, 11 a.m.: Ellport Borough Community 5k, Ellport. Scenic run with lots of food and drinks, indoor restrooms. 724-758-2506 or bonnherb@yahoo.comRace Results

Frigid 5-Miler, January 8: Steven Strelick, 1st Overall M, 27:18; Kylee Witchey Clements, 1st Overall W, 33:50; Brian Forester, 1st 40-44 M, 32:07; Erin Nicotra, 1st 35-39 W, 36:40; Sharyl Relic, 1st 50-54 W, 37:36; Buddy Turner, 2nd 60-64 M, 48:26; Peggy Sibenac, 2nd 55-59 W, 49:11; Dezso Csizmadia, 2nd 70+ M, 52:32; Caroline Chase, 1st 11-14 W, 54:44; Julia Chase, 2nd 11-14 W, 1:04:10; Brian Kile, 34:40; Sean Dolan, 36:35; Ken Elias, 39:32; Kristen Casteel, 41:30; Robert Case, 42:06; Heather Slater, 43:12; David Steigerwald, 43:18; Jim Houser, 43:36; Ron Ripper, 44:21; Zachary Thompson, 44:28; Jinny Hertweck, 44:35; Rob Snyder, 45:19; Jennifer McNabb, 45:29; Bruce Faller, 45:36; Denise Shearer, 45:41; Karen Walzer, 46:07; Lauren Case, 46:30; Elaina Smiley, 46:34; Jamie Shebek, 46:34; Amber Fleming, 46:35; Cindy Waltemire, 46:49; Stacey Bowden, 46:55; Scott Ackerman, 47:30; Dawn Cancilla, 47:39; Alice Wiesner, 47:55; Tom Murray, 49:29; Robyn Stewart, 49:50; Carol English, 51:46; Ramela Carden, 52:29; Mary Morgan, 52:31; Ashley Seft, 53:36; Jaime Philips, 55:58; Vickie Turner, 56:09; Laura Augustine, 57:01; Charles Kirstein, 1:01:32

Autism Frostbite 5K, January 28: Steven Strelick, 1st Overall M, 1Paige Smith, 1st Overall W, 19:51; Mitch Radella, 3rd 46-50, 21:55; Tracey Newman, 1st 31-35 W, 23:31; Colleen McCloskey, 3rd 25-30 W, 24:40; Amber Fleming, 3rd 20-24 W, 26:11; Kathie Blinn, 2nd 51-56 W, 26:50; Amy Butler, 2nd 46-50 W, 31:55; Ryan Long, 23:38; Jeff Yourish, 27:10; Heidi Cain, 28:08; Julie Thimons, 28:27; Dan Smitsky, 28:42; Dana Sabo, 29:01; Jennifer Do, 30:25; Sarah Guthrie-Troyan, 49:35

Penn Shenango 5K, February 4: Peter Boyd, 1st Overall M, 17:25; Jeanette Boyd, 1st Overall W, 20:38; Sherree May, 3rd 46-55 W, 27:33; Carrie Dever, 3rd 46-50 W, Lou Lodovico, 1st 75+ M, 31:01Send comments and suggestions to: 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.