Go ahead — admit it.

You had good intentions of taking small portions and passing on the pumpkin pie. But Thanksgiving dinner comes once a year, and who can resist Mom’s candied yams or a second helping of the ever popular green bean casserole?

Running is a great way to offset the excessive feasting of Thanksgiving dinner. And fortunately, there are still a few races this weekend in which to burn off the calories.

Rich-Mar Rotary Turkey Trot 5K, Saturday at 9 a.m. in Gibsonia, has run through the Treesdale community in southern Butler County for more than ten years. Chuck Berry, president of Rich-Mar Rotary, calls it “a great way to work off the Thanksgiving turkey.”

Berry has helped organize the event, always held on the Saturday after Thanksgiving, for the past five years. The 5K usually fields an average of 150 participants with another 30 or so in the accompanying one-mile walk. The number varies according to the weather.

Berry has been with the race in all weather conditions, from sunny and relatively warm for late November to inches of overnight snow a few years ago.

“We had to call out extra volunteers to show people which way to go because all of our course markings were buried,” he says.

Last year, participation dipped to below 100 due to freezing rain and bone-chilling wind. Still, Berry can’t foresee cancelling the event unless footing becomes too slick. “Most runners are hearty types,” he says. “They’ll run in anything.”

Rich-Mar Rotary Turkey Trot begins on a traffic controlled back road, then winds along sidewalks in the Treesdale community of Gibsonia. Berry calls it moderately challenging, but scenic.

Although there are a few twists and turns, Berry promises that the course is well marked and staffed with volunteers at critical points to be sure no one gets lost.

The event offers commemorative t-shirts for all participants and awards in the 5K for overall top male and female finishers and age groups in five-year increments from Under 10 through 80+.

The awards ceremony takes place indoors at Treesdale Golf Club and for an additional $10, participants and spectators may enjoy a brunch while the awards are presented.

Although this post-Thanksgiving race is a plus for stuffed runners, it’s also an event with a greater purpose. All proceeds from the Turkey Trot 5K benefit Lighthouse Foundation of Butler. Lighthouse, founded in 1985, provides services to those facing an employment or housing crisis.

Lighthouse Foundation serves more than 6,000 clients each year, filling gaps in basic human services like housing, food, transportation and education.

In addition to its weekly free community meal and food bank, and free computer skills and employment classes, Lighthouse maintains five sites which provide transitional or emergency housing. Its Safe Harbor shelter in downtown Butler provides 60 days of housing for up to five families who find themselves suddenly homeless.

Lighthouse Foundation is supported by more than 1,500 individuals, agencies, churches and service organizations such as Rich-Mar Rotary. The Rotary has been involved in several projects to benefit Lighthouse, including constructing sidewalks and renovating a building in Butler.

If you haven’t registered yet for Rich-Mar Rotary Turkey Trot 5K, it’s not too late. Registration opens at 8 a.m. this Saturday at Treesdale Golf Club for the 9 a.m. start.

For more information, call 724-625-2220 and speak with Anji or Allison or email anji.gustafson@ourclub.com

Upcoming events

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

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

Saturday, 9 a.m: Rich-Mar Rotary Turkey Trot 5K, Gibsonia. Also 1 mile walk through Treesdale community. 724-625-2220 or anji.gustafson@ourclub.com

Sunday, 9 a.m.: Trot for Tots 10K and 5K, Oakdale. 412-490-0881 or www.eliterunners.com

Dec. 7, 9 a.m.: Oil City Christmas Past Jingle Bell 5K, Oil City. shinds@oilcity.org

Dec. 7, 11 a.m.: Winter Wobble 5K, Slippery Rock. Run from SRU Ski Lodge. 216-496-7179 or sru.fcal1@gmail.com

Dec. 8, 9 a.m.: The Clint Puller Memorial Toy Run 5K, Meadville. Run on Ernst Trail benefits Toys for Tots. 724-992-9154 or michaelharry40@hotmail.com

Dec. 8, 10 a.m.: Nittany Valley Half Marathon, State College. 814-321-2993 or nvhalfmarathon@gmail.com

Dec. 14, 10 a.m.: Snowflake 5K, Erie. Starts at Presque Isle State Park Rotary Pavilion. 814-774-3209 or dana@erie-runnersclub.org

Dec. 14, 11 a.m.: Old Fashioned Christmas in Volant 5K and Kids Fun Run, Volant. bonnherb@yahoo.com

Dec. 31, 3 p.m.: Harmony Silvester 5K, Harmony. Also 1 mile fun run at 3:45 p.m. Part of New Year’s Eve Celebration. 724-452-3149 or saltemus@zoominternet.net

Dec. 31, 6:30 p.m.: Resolution Run 5K, State College. 814-355-1589 or dhe1@psu.edu

Jan.1, 10 a.m.: ERC New Year’s Day 5 Mile Race, Erie. Starts at Presque Isle State Park Rotary Pavilion. 814-774-3209 or dana@erie-runnersclub.org

January 12, 9 a.m.: Frigid 5 Miler, North Park. Starts at North Park Lodge, commemorative neck gaiters. 412-490-0881 or www.eliterunners.com

Race results

Butler VA Hospital 5K, Nov. 9: Cody Ziegler, 1st Overall M, 18:15; Brittany Baumcratz, 1st Overall W, 21:59; Adam Lowe, 1st 13-19 M, 18:31; J.T. Fleming, 1st 20-29 M, 19:13; Joe Maier, 1st 30-39 M, 19:36; Dustin Seigworth, 2nd 13-19 M, 20:29; David White, 1st 40-49 M, 20:43; Nathan Sydlik, 2nd 20-29 M, 21:18; David Drane, 3rd 20-29 M, 21:37; Todd McGill, 2nd 40-49 M, 21:42; Aaron Depew, 3rd 40-49 M, 21:52; Elizabeth Witmer, 1st 30-39 W, 22:08; Morgan Vincent, 1st 13-19 W, 23:04; Nathan Monday, 1st 12 & Under M, 23:04; Sarah Rendos, 2nd 30-39 W, 23:23; Jessica Lauer, 1st 20-29 W, 23:56; Dana D’Antonio, 3rd 30-39 W, 24:56; Katie Ferricks, 1st 12 & Under W, 24:56; Bob Todd, 1st 50-59 M, 25:05; David Russell, 2nd 30-39 M, 26:09; Lori Whitmore, 1st 40-49 W, 26:22; Kelsey Milford, 2nd 13-19 W, 27:17; Sarah Drane, 2nd 20-29 W, 27:54; Karen Carmichael, 2nd 40-49 W, 28:38; Lisa Lee, 3rd 40-49 W, 28:50; John Bopp, Jr., 2nd 50-59 M, 31:24; Shannon Sasala, 3rd 20-29 W, 32:02; Sharon Bopp, 1st 50-59 W, 32:10; Melissa Russell, 3rd 30-39 W, 32:57; Rick Booth, 1st 60-69 M, 33:42; Elizabeth Green, 1st 60-69 W, 35:28; Vickie Turner, 2nd 60-69 W, 39:08; Buddy Turner, 3rd 50-59 M, 40:51; Anna Judd, 3rd 13-19 W, 47:16; Rob Ross, 2nd 60-69 M, 47:38; Rose Ross, 3rd 60-69 W, 47:40; Dave Szebalskie, 23:59; Tom Parsons, 24:46; Jeff Hartell, 25:34; Robyn Stewart, 26:49; Beth Graham, 27:03; Danielle Wiles, 28:51; Brian Beals, 29:07; Renee Wetzel, 29:19; Desiree Atkinson, 29:44; Amanda Garmong, 32:24; Megan Black, 34:07; Megan Whitman, 34:08; Mary Cooper, 36:34; Danielle Ghering, 37:40; Ted Wagner, 37:40; Harold Jurysta, 39:39; Daughte Brosenitsch, 40:41; Libby Gribik, 40:50; Jacy Brosenitsch, 42:04; Thomas Turner, 45:41; Allison Judd, 47:16; Charlene Moon, 49:37; Christine Bruns, 51:43

Fall Crawl 5K, Nov. 9: Caleb Bowser, 1st 16 & Under M, 19:37; Mike Shaffer, 1st 17+ M, 20:07; Austin Malencia, 2nd 17+ M, 20:15; Jonathan Assay, 2nd 16 & Under M, 20:25; Alec Parker, 3rd 16 & Under M, 21:15; Nick Radio, 3rd 17+ M, 22:20; Sidney Shemanski, 1st 16 & Under W, 26:14; Margaret Hollobaugh, 2nd 16 & Under W, 26:49; Rebecca Hollobaugh, 3rd 16 & Under W, 27:40; Erika Clark, 1st 17+ W, 28:17; Marcy Mann, 2nd 17+ W, 29:46; Kelly Pastorius, 3rd 17+ W, 30:20; Owen Parks, 21:20; Tyler Ben, 21:30; Jake Bogaczyk, 21:59; Nate Shaffer, 22:11; Logan Ziemkiewicz, 22:11; Eric Weiland, 22:56; Jason Ortlip, 23:52; Jeffrey Parks, 24:19; Sawyer Parks, 26:57; Joseph Malloy, 28:22; Isabella Parks, 28:41; Sophia Reitz, 28:48; Michaela Mattivi, 29:00; Samantha Clark, 29:09; Ryan Shaffer, 29:13; Ross Hassler, 29:13; Luke Hassler, 29:14; Matt Legin, 29:42; Charlie Kreinbucker, 29:54; Frank Watson, 30:39; Tom Hollobaugh, 30:59; Maddie Miller, 31:24; Alana Shaffer, 31:29; Grayson Mann, 31:45; Katie Fuhrman, 32:00; Tammy Sarver, 32:07; Katie Everson, 32:30; Lisa Bogaczyk, 32:48; Alyssa Bogaczyk, 33:42; Michele Ortlip, 34:14; Katie Hurebin, 34:15; Allie Kreinbucker, 37:49; Chuck Kreinbucker, 38:10; Gretchen Shaffer, 38:15; Angel Miller, 38:23; Travis Domhoff, 41:52; Rachel Hollobaugh, 42:01; Laura Watson, 42:22; Sherry Everson, 45:14; Eli Hassler, 51:24; April Hassler, 51:25; Jennifer Kondrick, 52:07; Emily Kondrick, 52:07; Hayle Jageman, 54:08; Erik Jageman, 54:15; Teresa Hollobaugh, 54:33

Persad 5k, November 10: Mark Ansell, 1st Overall M, 20:16; Brooke Molde, 1st Overall W, 23:59; Dustin Wehler, 3rd 30-39 M, 22:25; Roger Hyde, 2nd 40-49 M, 23:01; Eileen Wrubel, 1st 30-39 W, 24:38; Cassidy Wosniak, 1st 20-29 W, 26:25; Chad Coblitz, 26:29; Mike Hucko, 26:38

Apollo Fight for Life 5K, Nov. 16: Roman Tale, 1st Overall M, 18:12; Brendan Cary, 3rd Oerall M, 18:44; Ashley West, 1st Overall W, 23:44; Ron Romanoff, 1st 30-39 M, 20:27; David Fugate, 1st 50-59 M, 21:09; John Swauger, 1st 60-69 M, 23:38; Debbie Fugate, 1st 40-49 W, 24:46; George Yochum, 2nd 60-69 M, 25:35; Melinda Kulick, 1st 30-39 W, 26:14; Garrett Eddy, 1st 12 & Under M, 26:49; Michael D. Cary, 3rd 60-69 M, 27:00; Darian Sonafelt, 1st 12 & Under W, 27:07; Ki Sonafelt, 2nd 40-49 W, 27:12; Colleen Sellers, 2nd 30-39 W, 27:13; Mary Beth Kellogg, 1st 50-59 W, 27:14; Francine Garrone, 3rd 30-39 W, 27:30; Alyson Collins, 3rd 20-29 W, 28:19; Stacy A. Stull, 2nd 40-49 W, 28:23; Jeanette Eddy, 3rd 40-49 W, 29:25; Robert Zukas, 3rd 60-69 M, 30:28; Trent Bialak, 3rd 12 & Under M, 31:02; Kali Hepburn, 1st 13-19 W, 31:12; Jessica Tapia, 1st 30-39 W, 32:20; Janet Theis, 2nd 50-59 W, 33:17; Kate Bielak, 2nd 30-39 W, 37:20; Ann Nemec, 1st 60-69 W, 37:34; Tom Felts, 1st 70+ M, 39:45; Barbara Reeser-Smiesko, 2nd 60-69 W, 40:28; Chelsea Markle, nd 20-29 W, 40:38; Steve Bielak, 25:03; Eric Eddy, 26:49; Christie Rlosky, 28:39; Devan Sonafelt, 33:20; Jocelyn Bielak, 37:19; Shelby Seybert, 39:43; Tanya Seybert, 42:19; Jim Nemec, 43:25; Zach Zyans, 46:47

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