Seneca Valley High School senior Madison Goodman has been running and road racing since he was eight years old. He currently competes on the high school track in events from 800 meters through two miles.

But one thing Madison has never done is organize and direct a race himself. That changes next weekend with the Race for the Boys 5K Run, at 8:30 a.m. March 31 in Harmony.

Race for the Boys is Madison Goodman’s senior project, a graduation requirement at Seneca Valley High School. The project began in September with a written proposal. Following the race, Madison will make a final presentation of what he has learned from his work.

Even though he has no experience as a race director, Madison has encountered few surprises so far. His biggest challenge has been “to get organized.”

Madison had help in laying out and measuring the race course from local timing service Miles of Smiles. The out-and-back 5K starts at Strawberry Ridge Golf Course in Harmony and follows rural Scott Ridge Road north of Zelienople. Madison says there’s one major hill in the middle of the course —- gradual down on the way out, up on the way back.

Race for the Boys 5K will take place regardless of weather conditions. Since the clubhouse at Strawberry Ridge Golf Course will serve as race headquarters, runners are guaranteed shelter pre and post run.

As any race director knows, a successful event relies on volunteers. Goodman has enlisted the help of 10 family members and friends to conduct the event which he estimates will attract approximately 75 participants.

In addition to his love of running, Madison enjoys skateboarding. He is donating any proceeds from Race for the Boys toward building Zelienople Memorial Skate Park. Currently, skateboarders from his neighborhood must travel to Butler or Cranberry Township to skate.

The proposed skate park keeps alive the memories of three Seneca Valley High School students who tragically lost their lives in a car accident in 2010. The students, Trevor Barkley, Sam Bucci and Elijah Lundsford, Seneca Valley seniors at the time of the accident, were volunteer firefighters. They were on their way to a firefighters’ meeting when their car skidded on icy roads and crashed.

If you’d like to support Zelienople Memorial Skate Park and help Madison Goodman fulfill his graduation requirement, plan to attend Race for the Boys 5K. Race day registration opens at 7:30 a.m. on March 31. For more information, contact Madison Goodman, 724-368-9807 or brgood@zoominternet.net.

Race for the Boys 5K will have competition for participants from two popular races held on the same day. To the south, the 12th Just a Short Run in North Park offers runners a choice of distance, relatively easy course and plenty of company.

The race may reach its goal of 2,300 participants for this benefit for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, so sign up now at www.race360.com/14355. For more information about Just a Short Run, visit www.justashortrun.net.

To the north, the 28th Annual Cook Forest Half Marathon and 5K offers a more scenic and peaceful alternative to the party atmosphere of Just a Short Run. More than 700 runners completed the run along the Clarion River last year. This event benefits Clarion University’s Track and Field team and athletic scholarships.

You may sign up on the day of the event at Cook Forest, but plan to arrive early. Registration lines are usually long. For more information, visit www.cookforest.com/marathon or call 814-393-2081.

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, 9 a.m.: Fight for Air Climb, Pittsburgh. Climb 45 floors (897 steps) to promote lung health and raise funds for lung disease research. 412-321-4029, ext. 226 or tvillalba@lunginfo.org

Saturday, 10 a.m.: Diane Kelly Memorial 5K Run and Fun Walk, Warren. chris@warrenymca.org

Sunday, 10 a.m.: March for the Military 5K, Cranberry Township. Run through North Boundary Park benefits Operation Troop Appreciation. 724-841-7535 or ota5k@zoominternet.net

March 31, 8:30 a.m.: Race for the Boys 5K Run, Harmony. Run on Strawberry Ridge Golf Course benefits Zelienople Memorial Skate Park. 724-368-9807 or brgood@zoominternet.net

March 31, 8:30 a.m.: Just a Short Run, North Park. Choice of 13.1 miles, 8.1 miles, 5K or 30K benefits Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. 412-490-0881 or director@justashortrun.net

March 31, 9 a.m.: Penn State Shenango PTA Hustle for Muscle 5K, Sharon. Cash for first place. Ksc5201@psu.edu

March 31, 11 a.m.: Cook Forest Half Marathon and 5K, Cook Forest State Park, Cooksburg. Scenic out-and-back course along the Clarion River. 814-393-2081 or dbevevino@clarion.edu

April 1, 10 a.m.: Harlequins April Fool’s Challenge, Pittsburgh. Hilly and muddy obstacle course at Founder’s Field. 412-265-5579 or matt@pittsburghharlequins.org

April 1, 3 p.m.: Run or Walk for Someone Special, Sykesville. Five mile race, two mile fun run/ walk. 814-938-4416 or run_walk@yahoo.com

April 7, 10 a.m.: Fool’s 10K Run and 3 Mile Walk, Indiana. 724-349-1354 or jswauger@comcast.net

April 7, 10 a.m.: Prep for Pittsburgh Half Marathon & 5K, Sandy Lake. Run around Lake Wilhelm at Goddard State Park. 724-301-6775 or info@mctrails.org.

April 14, 9 a.m.: 20th Annual Genesis Riverside Run, Pittsburgh. Choice of 10K or 5K run along the Northshore. 412-973-6273 or race@genesispgh.org.

April 14, 10:30 a.m.: 12th Annual A Rabbit Runs Through It 5K, Latrobe. Starts at Memorial Stadium. 724-537-4331 or dawn@latroberecreation.org

April 21, 8:45 a.m.: Race for the Future 5K Run/ Walk, Cranberry Township. Run through North Boundary Park benefits Seneca Valley Track and Field Boosters scholarships. 724-841-8161

April 21, 9 a.m.: Big Foot Half Marathon and 5K, Kittanning. 724-545-9622 or jbeeker@armstrongymca.org

April 21, 9 a.m.: Roaring Run 5k/ 15K, Apollo. roaringrun@gmail.com

April 21, 9 a.m.: Mukti 5K Run/ Walk, Beaver Falls. 724-462-4762 or mikejohnston5@gmail.com

Race results

Kittanning Rotary Club 5K, February 25: Ian King, 1st Overall M, 17:44; Trevor Howard, 2nd Overall M, 18:13; Sara Roudybush, 1st Overall W, 22:08; Mitch Radella, 1st 40-49 M, 22:04; Austin Perry, 1st 15-19 M, 22:24; Dave King, 2nd 60+ M, 25:36; Becky Johnston, 1st 30-39 W, 27:31; Amy Hollopeter, 1st 15-19 W, 29:06; Brenda Murry, 1st 50-59 W, 38:29; Mindy Knappenberger, 2nd 50-59 W, 39:45; Teresa Hollobaugh, 3rd 40-49 W, 44:56; Cindy McCrea, 35:08; Dana Hogue, 36:05; Raymie Bell, 38:00

Mill Creek Distance Classic Half Marathon, March 4: Matthew Folk, 1st Overall M, 1:10:56; Danielle Cerroni, 1st Overall W, 1:27:04; Leslie Kramer, 1st 30-34 W, 1:32:28; Mattew Sudak, 1:37:39; John Armstrong, 1:39:06; Bob Gracie, 1:43:57; Nichol Murray, 2:18:48; Shane Messina, 2:20:06

Mill Creek Distance Classic 5K, March 4: Curt Bacchus, 1st Overall M, 18:19; Amanda Fire, 1st Overall W, 21:52; Sherree May, 2nd 50-54 W, 30:22; Lou Lodovico, 3rd 70+ M, 32:43; Sierra Messina, 3rd 14 & Under W, 33:18; Lenny Yensull, 29:29; Gale Mussey, 29:47

March Mad Dash 5K, March 10: Scott Beatty, 1st Overall M, 18:13; Erika Suhy, 1st Overall W, 19:32; Jennifer Pace, 2nd Overall W, 19:42; Andy Bajuszik, 2nd 20-29 M, 22:22; John Cadamore, 2nd 19 & Under M, 25:45; Bill Daly, 1st 60+ M, 26:25; Cindy Lutz, 3rd 40-49 W, 30:11; Beth Daly, 1st 60+ W, 35:21; Janet Manfred, 3rd 60+ W, 52:25; Ryan Haller, 25:36; Benjamin Cadamore, 29:56; Matthew Cadamore, 33:28; Brian Cadamore, 49:38

March Mad Dash 5 Mile, March 4: Dominic Wyzomirski, 1st Overall M, 29:56; Elizabeth Milligan, 1st Overall W, 32:21; Jonathan Spreng, 2nd 19 & Under M, 37:20; Matt Kravec, 41:26; Steve Cochran, 41:48; Valerie Walker, 42:15; Alicia Swanson, 43:03; Ryan Swierezinski, 43:51; Kurt Beitler, 44:51; Jaqueline Jenson-Valli, 46:29; Rita Giegel, 46:35; Brian Kravec, 50:21; Amy Murray, 51:12; Nicole Salvia, 53:36; Dave Edwards, 53:38; Allison Buddie, 58:29; Kellie Gillespie, 59:28; Sara McGraley, 1:03:03; Deborah Rastelli, 1:06:39; Kathryn Rastelli, 1:06:52

March Mad Dash 10 Mile, March 4: Matt Cady, 1st Overall M, 59:55; Michelle Corkum, 1st Overall W, 1:01:34; Rich Marcotte, 3rd 40-49 M, 1:05:02; John Armstrong, 1:12:31; Henry Spreng, 1:15:19; Denny Martin, 1:22:05; Kristine Poloyac, 1:22:25; Kevin Moczan, 1:23:21; Christi Novak, 1:24:05; Jeffrey Gray, 1:27:32; Amanda Bradford, 1:30:26; Cara Reinard, 1:31:00; Anita Werner, 1:31:42; Becky Johnston, 1:37:24; Sherree Mazurek, 1:40:53; Wayne Toy, 1:44:09; Mary Moody, 1:48:37; Leslie Stofko, 1:48:37; Samantha Simmons, 1:51:46; Leann Schoeppner, 1:55:43; Susan Tassey, 2:01:49

Ellport Boro Community 5K, March 10: Kevin Reno, 1st Overall M, 17:02; Leslie Kramer, 1st Overall W, 19:27; Bob Mars, 2nd 50-54 M, 20:30; Curt Grimm, 1st 60-64 M, 21:59; Logan Slade, 2nd 14 & Under M, 22:01; Bruce Hall, 3rd 40-44 M, 22:48; David Suber, 3rd 50-54 M, 23:02; Kristen Kelosky, 1st 45-49 W, 23:09; Holly Bauer, 2nd 35-39 W, 23:23; Cindy Grimm, 1st 60-64 W, 23:25; Jessica Kelosky, 1st 15-19 W, 25:01; Cindy Suber, 1st 50-54 W, 25:57; Dez Csizmadia, 3rd 70+ M, 27:43; Patricia Wyant, 2nd 60-64 W, 27:49; Lisa Stevick, 2nd 40-44 W, 34:54; Mitch Radella, 21:25; David Guo, 25:29; Laura Chess, 34:58

Send comments and suggestions: 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