The Fourth of July weekend is just ahead and there are plenty of races on the calendar. This is America — you're free to run any or all of these events.

FridayThe weekend begins with Latrobe's Fourth of July 5-Mile Run and 2-Mile Walk at 7 p.m. This chip-timed race begins and ends at Memorial Stadium and loops through almost level Latrobe. The race is part of the town's holiday festival in nearby Legion Keener Park.Race-day registration opens at 5 p.m. at the stadium. Bring a change of clothes, shower at the Memorial Stadium facilities following the awards ceremony and random prize drawing, then head to the festival.Call 724-537-8417 or visit www.latrobe4th ofjuly.com for more information.

SaturdayRunners can find choices on all points of the compass on this day.• Head south of Pittsburgh for the Brentwood Firecracker 5K at 9 a.m. This race attracts 1,000 to 1,500 participants annually for good reason: The race offers prize money for top finishers and plenty of goodies for everyone. Call 412-882-5694 for information.• To the north, Heritage Day 5K in Greenville at 9 a.m. also offers plenty of post-race refreshments and door prizes for participants. The event tours downtown, beginning in Greenville Riverside Park, site of a holiday weekend festival. If you're going to the Heritage 5K, parking is plentiful at Packard Park baseball field on Alan Avenue or Memorial Pool across from Thiel College. Call 724-588-3000, ext. 3 or e-mail Jed Christiansen at kenyanbushman@yahoo.com for information.• To the west, another Heritage Day 5K celebrates its 22nd running in Ford City at 9 a.m. This pancake-flat course is USATF certified and fast. It's also walker friendly with as many non-competitive walkers as competitive runners participating. For information, call 724-763-3986 or jsolak@iup.edu.• Another holiday event that has attracted runners for 30 years is the Ellwood City Ledger 10K, which starts at 9 a.m. The event is part of the annual festival of arts, crafts, food and entertainment. For information, call Ed Leymarie at 724-752-1583.

SundayHere's a chance to run for a good cause. Race for Virginia and Friends 5K, named for Virginia Clark who died from cancer in 2002 at age 9, raises money for Children's Hospital. The race begins at 8:30 a.m. in Cranberry Community Park. All participants in receive $10 gift cards, lots of refreshments and are eligible for random drawing prizes and Chinese auction items. For information, call 724-772-7429 or e-mail bmarkovich@zoominternet.net.

Record runCongratulation to Ellwood City's Lou Lodovico who set a national single age record at Saturday's Butler Road Race 5-mile event. Lodovico's time of 50 minutes, 49 seconds marks the best time ever for an 86-year-old man.Upcoming eventsSaturday, 8 a.m.: Up-N-Running Group Run, Valencia. Your choice of distance and pace. 724-898-2525 or shoes@runpa.comSaturday, 8 a.m.: Whiskey Rebellion 5K, Canonsburg. 724-249-2647 or mrgcoach3@comcast.netJuly 7, 7 p.m.: Fredonia Firemen's 5K, Fredonia. Also kids half-mile run at 7:45. Second race in Mercer County Twilight QUAD. 724-866-1374 or register.runhigh.comJuly 10, 8 a.m.: Sandy Lake Fun Days 5K, Sandy Lake. 724-866-1374 or smc@runhigh.com.July 10, 8:15 a.m.: Chamber Chase 5K, Cranberry Township. Run through Cranberry Community Park benefits scholarships for high school students. 724-776-5344 or www.thechamberinc.comJuly 10, 8:30 a.m.: Cross Country Crusade 5K, Saxonburg. Run on Knoch High cross country course. First race in Saxonburg Distance Series. 724-898-2525.July 10, 9 a.m.: Elk Country Classic 5K, Johnsonburg. 814-776-2413July 10, 9 a.m.: Reece's Roundup East Coast 5K Run, 1-Mile Walk and Roll, Beaver. Strollers and pets welcome. 724-630-9653 or reeceround.upeastcoast@gmail.comJuly 10, 9 a.m.: Emlenton Festival Duathlon, Emlenton. 5K run, 10.5-mile bike ride. 724-867-6881 or smorrison@central.coop.July 11: Hoodlebug 5K Run and Fun Walk, Homer City. Second race in Indiana County Runners series. 724-541-0013 or jswauger@comcast.netJuly 13, 7 p.m.: Quality Life Cup Series 5K, Chicora. Starts at Chicora Medical Center. 724-431-0770, Ext. 2104 or MikeL@QualityLifeServices.comJuly 17, 8 A.M.: North Boroughs YMCA 5K Run-Fun Walk, Bellvue. 412-761-1227 or bberringer@ymcapgh.orgJuly 17, 8:30 a.m.: Raider Maze 5k Run-Walk and 1 Mile Fun Run, Harmony. Benefits Seneca Valley cross country. 724-772-3371 or e-mail raidermaze5k@yahoo.com.July 24, 8:30 a.m.: Rube's Run 5K Road Race and Walk, Prospect. Old-fashioned baseball breakfast following the race. 724-865-9582 or jtgallagher@zoominternet.net

Race ResultsStrawberry Days 5K, June 9: Jed Christiansen, 1st Overall M, 15:40; Jacob Kildoo, 2nd Overall M, 15:52; Daniel Jaskowak, 5th Overall M, 17:20; Morgan Richards, 1st Overall W, 18:52; Leslie Kramer, 2nd Overall W, 18:54; Holly Bauer, 5th Overall W, 20:47; Ben Hoffman, 1st 16-19 M, 17:36; Jeff Lynn, 3rd 40-44 M, 19:09; Bill Hoffman, 1st 45-49 M, 19:12; Mark Courtney, 2nd 50-54 M, 19:20; John Ciafre, 2nd 55-59 M, 21:21; Mitch Radella, 2nd 45-49 M, 21:23Evyn Selden, 1st 16-19 W, 21:45; Robin Springirth, 3rd 25-29 W, 21:45; Mariah Treiber, 1st 12-15 W, 21:50; Bob Gracie, 1st 60-64 M, 21:51; Emily Unverzagt, 3rd 30-34 W, 22:24; John Antinossi, 1st 65-69 M, 23:09; Pamela Macmurdo, 2nd 40-44 W, 23:55; Sebastian Anastasi, 2nd 10-11, 25:12; Dezso Csizmadia, 1st 70 and over M, 25:36; Joan Schilling, 3rd 35-39 W, 25:44; Olivia Lowe, 1st 10-11 W, 25:48; Debbie Courtney, 3rd 45-49 W, 25:55Bryce Lowe, 1st 8-9 M, 26:57; Troy Loughry, 2nd 8-9 M, 27:22; Penney Sferra, 2nd 50-54 W, 27:42; Austin Baptiste, 3rd 8-9 M, 27:44; Brendyn Baptiste, 3rd 10-11 M, 27:44; Patti Doyle, 3rd 50-54 W, 30:38 Sandra McConnell, 1st 65-69 W, 38:15; Naomi Burris, 3rd 60-64 W, 44:03; Otha Montgomery, 2nd 70 and over W, 52:46Caleb Thrasher, 18:20; Alex Knaby, 18:55; Brandon Wise, 19:40; Ian Brown, 19:43; Noah Kildoo, 20:10; Dean Rippee, 20:17; Jim Gallagher, 20:18; Josh Depew, 20:53; John Armstrong, 20:57; Adam Lowe, 20:58; Philip Springirth, 21:00; Lucas Zenobi, 21:32; Aaron Depew, 21:48; Thomas Whittaker, 22:18; Casey Unverzagt, 22:24; Robert Macmurdo, 22:26; Johnscott Somora, 22:33; Jeff Shaffer, 22:38Ethan Kellett, 23:19; Travis Beatty, 23:20; Jenna Micsky, 23:21; Clint Hartle, 23:21; Tawney Murray, 23:22; Matthew Thrasher, 23:31; Ron Hartle, 23:39; Lydia Culp, 23:42; Isabella Chiodo, 23:49; Seth Black, 23:54; Bruce Soule, 24:01; Kate Yeager, 24:02; Tanner McKnight, 24:43; Tessee Treiber, 24:43; Tim Repp, 24:58; Kim Keeley, 24:59; Elizabeth Depew, 25:00; Leighann Goughler, 25:08; Rick Black, 25:10; Doug Cygan, 25:22; Mike Hostetler, 25:33; Jen Beachem, 25:45; Eliza Lowe, 25:48; Alexis Reeher, 25:51; Carla Jack, 25:53Rachael Richter, 25:53; Laura Stenger, 25:55; John Snyder, 26:21; Bill Hallenbeck, 26:36; Molly Hallenbeck, 26:37; Dawnielle Minch, 26:39; Steve Maddalena, 26:40; Lee Ann Kriebel, 26:51; Tara Michaels, 26:57; Evan Lowe, 26:58; Tony Sunseri, 26:59; Kristie Kenniston, 27:17; Kim Kennedy, 27:25; Stacy Birmingham, 27:39; Amanda Cagno, 27:58; Margy Somora, 27:58; Bev Lowe, 28:02; Kristi Allen, 28:12; William Birmingham, 28:19; Kathryn Myer, 28:21Kristy Thrasher, 28:25; Jim Thrasher, 28:26; Beverly Heasley, 28:28; Daug Slade, 28:28; Debbie Loughry, 29:01; Lou Lodovico, 29:25; Erin Hartle, 30:25; Josh Hindman, 30:31; Diana Wolak, 30:34; Tyler Miller, 30:40; Nicolette Lovett, 30:46; Jennifer Hindman, 30:47; William Dundore, Jr., 30:50; Karen Ketler, 31:10; Julie Witmer, 31:42; Sarah Anastasi, 31:42; James Witmer, 31:43; Jennifer Cygan, 31:43; Crystal Albert, 31:53; Tedd Nesbit, 31:56Sarah Bordick, 32:18; Jim Pittock, 32:20; Jennifer Slade, 32:35; Laura Cain, 32:42; Dana Hogue, 32:46; Ann Bolard, 33:01; Amy Miller, 33:02; Alex Brochetti, 33:43; Liz Kruck, 33:44; Tricha Albert, 33:48; Doc Daugherty Shields, 34:25; Melissa Johnston, 34:54; Janet Tarr, 35:05; Logan Slade, 35:15; Art Campbell, 35:19; James Campbell, 35:20; Rebecca Woods, 35:28; John Casteel, 36:09; Laurie Hawkins, 36:39; Maria Mullin, 37:25; Jackie Winston, 38:32Elizabeth Donaldson, 40:31; Melissa Ferguson, 40:47; Bev Faddy, 41:53; Michelle Brochetti, 42:09; Lisa Miller, 43:13; Jessamine Montero, 44:23; Judy Komperda, 45:16; Doug Fry, 45:16; David Adams, 46:26; Jane Phipps, 50:52; Rebecca Shaner, 1:00:20; Dusan Miller, 1:00:29; Trenna Miller, 1:00:41; Megan Martinelli, 1:00:41Send comments and suggestions to: 435 Cherry Valley Road, Saxonburg PA 16056. Phone: 724-352-4395. E-mail: lotzak@consolidated.netPat Neubert is the running columnist for the Butler Eagle.