This time of year, many runners are looking to pack away the racing shoes and start planning for next year. But more than 450 runners and walkers are expected to extend the season at least one more week.

Western Pennsylvania's Jingle Bell Run-Walk for Arthritis, which takes place at 10 a.m. Saturday in North Park, is one of more than 100 Jingle Bell events taking place in cities across the country to raise money for and awareness of one of our most disabling diseases. In 2007, the 118 runs included 85,000 participants and raised more than $4.5 million for the Arthritis Foundation.

Our area's Jingle Bell Run-Walk starts at North Park Lodge and follows a gently rolling out-and-back 5K course through the scenic park. A 1-mile fun run and walk begins after the 5K start at 10:15.

Emily Cope, development and public relations representative for the Arthritis Association, calls the event "festive and fun."

Many tie jingle bells to their shoelaces. Others dress in holiday costumes to vie for contest prizes in several individual and team categories. Judging for the costume contest takes place at 9:15.

Cope calls the Jingle Bell Run "a great way for runners to give back to the community during this holiday season."

Although the race includes competitive awards in seven age groups, all participants are encouraged to raise funds for the Arthritis Foundation's fight against disease.

The Western Pennsylvania event raises more than $50,000 each year for research and services. The event also raises awareness of the disease and its treatment.

Each Jingle Bell event honors a young arthritis sufferer to draw attention to the widespread nature of the disease. This year's honoree is 12-year- old Mackenzie Martin of Pine-Richland Middle School. Mackenzie was diagnosed with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis two years ago.

Jingle Bell Run-Walk for Arthritis is a great way for even the casual exerciser to be involved in helping a good cause.

For the more serious runner, the Arthritis Foundation conducts Joints in Motion. This program features 18 to 20 weeks of training, including group runs, schedules and support leading to a marathon or half marathon in exchange for fundraising for the organization.

Joints in Motion is a great way to begin marathon running as more than 80 percent of Joints in Motion athletes are first time marathon runners.

For information about Saturday's Jingle Bell Run-Walk, call 412-566-1645, Ext. 1103 or email dmartin@arthritis.org. For information about Joints in Motion and the Arthritis Foundation's mission to provide education and improve the quality of life for those with arthritis, visit www.arthritis.org/chapters/western-pennsylvania

Saturday, 8 a.m. : Up-N-Running Group Run, Valencia. Ed's got the coffee on. 724-898-2525 or www.runpa.comSaturday, 9:30 a.m.: Holiday 5K Walk-Run, New Brighton. 724-495-9417 or jhilfinger@co.beaver.pa.usSunday, 9 a.m.: Trot for Tots 5K, Oakdale. A 10K starts at 9:40. Please bring a new unwrapped toy for Toys for Tots. 412-490-0881 or www.eliterunners.comSunday, 10 a.m.: Deerslayer Challenge, South Park. Choice of challenging 8 miles or 4 miles on XC trails. 724-348-6012 or bmcglothlin@hotmail.comDec. 13, 11 a.m.: Jingle Bell 5K Run-Walk, State College. Also, 1-mile fun run-walk. 800-776-0746 or ralbright@arthritis.orgDec. 31, 2 p.m.: Harmony Silvester 5K Run-Walk, Harmony. Kicks off German heritage festivities, including food, drinks, German music, fireworks. 724-452-6780 or www.harmony-pa.us

<B>Monster Stomp 5K, Oct. 18: </B>Jim Pitts, 1st Overall M, 18:48; Mitch Radella, 2nd Overall M, 19:09; Lizzie Manickas, 1st Overall W, 21:59; Cindy Grimm, 3rd Overall W, 22:20; Curt Grimm, 1st 55-59 M, 20:54; John Antinossi, 1st 60-64 M, 23:07; Cindy Suber, 1st 45-49 W, 26:23; Ada Rumburg, 3rd 55-59 W, 36:33; Donald Cescon, 3rd 70 and over M, 36:36; David Suber, 23:39; Jack Codispot, 28:31; Julie Codispot, 28:33; Alicia Lane, 32:40; Buddy Turner, 32:43; Vickie Stewart-Turner, 36:34; Cindy Magdinec, 44:37; Connie Hofer, 47:35; Casey Magdinec, 50:33<B>Kittanning YMCA 5K, Nov. 8: </B>Herb Cratty, 1st Overall M, 17:31; Cory Steinhagen, 2nd Overall M, 17:42; Alisha Lacerda, 1st Overall W, 20:40; Joanna Tunnicliffe, 2nd Overall W, 21:45; Tim Wyant, 1st 30-39 M, 19:23; Jon McCullough, 1st 50-54 M, 19:31Matt Drohan, 2nd 30-39 M, 20:53; Roger Murray, 1st 45-49 M, 21:40; Steve Russell, 2nd 50-54 M, 21:53; Levi Grafton, 3rd 15-19 M, 21:56; Rich Makin, 3rd 50-54 M, 22:04; Tim Vantine, 3rd 30-39 M, 22:56; Lorraine Vantine, 1st 40-44 W, 27:06; Kim Zappi, 2nd 40-44 W, 27:26; Barb Spreng Volek, 1st 45-49 W, 27:27; Jack Codispot, 2nd 9 and under M, 28:04; Debra Kuminkoski, 3rd 45-49 W, 29:17; William Kean, 3rd 9 and under M, 31:47; Pat Wyant, 1st 60-64 M, 33:06; Vicki Turner, 1st 55-59 W, 33:40; Rosemarie Gaiser, 2nd 60-64 W, 36:47; Craig Hartle, 3rd 20-29 M, 59:23Matthew Grafton, 24:58; Parkers Knepshield, 26:22; Seth Grafton, 26:40; Julie Codispot, 28:05; Kris Snyder, 28:55; Janet Kean, 28:55; Taylor Codispot, 29:06; Oliver Drohan, 29:15; Jodi Hogan, 29:27; William Romesburg, 30:06; John Kean, 31:48; Daniel Kean, 32:28; Ruth Cochran, 32:32; Sarah Grafton, 32:41; Shayne Zappi, 32:46; Emily Zappi, 32:46; Dalton Sullivan, 33:44; Andrew Venafra, 34:08; Brandon Zappi, 35:10; Doug Zappi, 35:10; Ian Fleeger, 36:58; Christopher Radaker, 36:59; Erika Hogan, 41:59; Alesha Kirkwood, 44:47; Brittany Jordan, 45:02; Isabella Johns, 45:32; Alex Kunkle, 45:40; Kelly Hogan Livermore, 46:01; Morgan McFadden, 53:49; Robert McFadden, 53:50<B>Kittanning YMCA 10K, Nov. 18:</B> Nicholas Higgins, 1st Overall M, 35:41; Brian Forester, 2nd Overall M, 36:26; Tim Monfre, 3rd Overall M, 37:06; Jeannie Bujdos, 1st Overall W, 40:04; Dorothy Moxie, 3rd Overall W, 46:38; Leslie Perry, 1st 50-54 M, 37:33; Mitch Radella, 1st 40-44 M, 40:16; Michael Glew, 3rd 40-44 M, 47:36; Monica Walter, 1st 40-44 W, 47:43; Jerry Donahue, 1st 30-39 M, 48:10; Carrie Smith, 1st 30-39 W, 49:25; Clint Hartle, 2nd 30-39 M, 49:33; Dez Csizmadia, 2nd 65 and over M, 51:48; Amanda Cagno, 1st 20-29 W, 53:45; Holly Bauer, 3rd 30-39 W, 52:30; Becky DeSantis, 1st 60-64 W, 56:47; Janis Hackett, 1st 50-54 W, 1:03:00; Randy Cousins, 3rd 20-29 M, 103:38; Ron Hartle, 47:35; Dana Hogue, 1:04:54; Buddy Turner, 52:11; Goldie Johns, 1:03:21Send comments and suggestions to 435 Cherry Valley Road, Saxonburg PA 16056. Phone: 724-352-4395. E-mail: bigp16@connecttime.netPat Neubert is the running columnist for the Butler Eagle.