Marathon runners hold as their model the original solo, all-consuming effort of the Greek soldier Pheidippedes, who carried his message of victory on foot from the Battle of Marathon to Athens.

And some of us training alone for back road miles like to identify with the independent and rebellious hero of Alan Sillitoe’s 1959 story, “The Loneliness of the Long Distance Runner.”

Those two tales represent distance running’s history, lore and past. The truth is, most people today aren’t running because they have to, and they’re not running alone. Large city marathons attract participants in the tens of thousands. RunningUSA lists more than 15.5 million finishers in US running events in 2012.

While races still employ finishing clocks and award competitive prizes, events such as mud, obstacle, and color runs emphasize camaraderie over competition, teamwork over individual achievement and fun over finishing times.

Today’s runners demonstrate that like most humans, we crave interaction. We run in packs. If you’ve been running in the mold of the “loneliness of the long distance runner,” consider these reasons to join the pack.

Training. Training with a group can lead to better racing. Running weekly with those who are slightly faster can quicken your pace and improve your running efficiency. And if you are one of those runners who makes every run a race and can’t leave your watch behind, running with a less serious or slower group can add a much needed easy day to your schedule.

If you have a hard time sticking to a plan, training with a group lends structure and gives access to coaching. If you are interested in group training, Dick’s Sporting Goods Pittsburgh Marathon offers training groups and coaching through Steel City Road Runners.

Local running stores also offer group training for this and other events during the year. Check with your local YMCA or health club for existing training groups or start your own neighborhood group.

Motivation. Sometimes running is hard. As they say, “If it was easy, everybody would do it.” Having a hard day in the middle of a 20-mile training run is more bearable when you’re sharing the road. And it’s great to have the cheerleaders of your running group by your side as you struggle through starting a running program.

Accountability. On my own, I love to sleep in on Saturday mornings. My running group gets me out of bed and on the road. I know they’ll be there at 8 a.m., snow or rain, freezing cold or blistering heat —maybe not all, but someone will be waiting.

Teamwork. One of the draws of mud or obstacle runs is the promise that everyone helps one another achieve more than they could accomplish individually. Members of a group look out for one another, on the road and sometimes beyond.

Relaxation. It’s great to take a solitary evening run to unwind, to be alone with your thoughts. But sometimes talking to yourself isn’t the counsel you need.

Conversation within a running group tends to flow like a river. Sometimes it’s light and bubbly. Sometimes it comes in torrents or waves. And occasionally there’s a dark undercurrent. But there’s something about the sound of familiar voices above the rhythm of footsteps that sooths away the worries of the day.

Fun. Do you remember how you ran as a child? Sometimes you ran fast as the wind. When you got tired, you stopped. Tag, hide-and-seek, soccer, touch football, flying kites. Who wouldn’t want that freedom?

Group events such as color runs or hashing remind us that running is fun, and as with many fun activities, it’s “the more, the merrier.”

Upcoming events

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

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

Saturday, 10 a.m.: Community Options Cupid’s Chase, Pittsburgh. Run on Northshore Trail near Heinz Field. 412-431-7079 or bridget.haney@comop.org

Saturday, 11 a.m.: Runnin’ Outta Our Mine 5K, Wampum. Run through underground storage limestone caves. 724-535-4300 or www.wampumunderground.com

Sunday, 10 a.m.: Valentine Prediction Race, Erie. Closest to predicted finishing time (no watches) earn chocolate awards. 814-774-3209 or dana@erie-runnersclub.org

Feb. 15, 7:30 a.m.: Valentine’s Day 5K, 10K & 15K Race, North Park. Starts at North Park Boathouse. 724-272-8797 or info@remisglut1foundation.com

Feb. 15, 10 a.m.: Trout Island Trail Run, Sharpsville. Run 4.6 miles on rail trail. 724-301-6775 or info@mctrails.org

Feb. 22, 10 a.m.: Rotary Club 5K, Kittanning. Starts at Armstrong County YMCA. 724-545-9622 or briggle@rgsymca.org

Feb. 22, 10 a.m.: The Spring Thaw, Allison Park. Choice of 10, 15 or 20 miles; starts at North Park Boathouse. 412-490-0881 or sandy_mcknight@hotmail.com

March 1, 10 a.m.: Autism Frostbite 5K, Allison Park. Starts at North Park Boathouse. 412-980-0085 or www.positivemovementz.com/frostbite5k

March 2, 8:30 a.m.: Mill Creek Distance Classic Half Marathon and 5K, Youngstown, OH. 330-727-6070 or http://ytownrunners.org

March 8, 9 a.m.: March Mad Dash, Allison Park. Choice of 5K, 5 miles or 10 miles starting at North Park Boathouse. Also post race party. www.marchmaddash.org

March 8, 9 a.m.: 3rd Brave American 5K, Sewickley. Benefits Boulder Crest Retreat for Wounded Warriors. 412-741-8987 or rav395@gmail.com

March 8, 11 a.m.: Ellport Borough Community Winter Wonderland 5K, Ellwood City. Scenic 5K with lots of food and drinks. 724-758-2506 or bonnherb@yahoo.com

March 15, 9 a.m.: Spring Break Eight (point five), Fredonia. 724-301-6775 or info@mctrails.org

March 15, 9 a.m.: St. Patrick’s Day Distance Festival, Erie. Choice of 10K or 5K starts at Rotary Pavilion at Presque Isle State Park. 814-474-3282 (6-8 p.m.) or jimlang@bigwhitetrailer.com

March 15, 9 a.m.: Primary Health Network Charitable Foundation Shamrock ‘N’ Run 5K, Sharon. Starts at Quaker Steak & Lube, entry fee includes breakfast. slisks@primary-health.net

March 15, 9 a.m.: Chippewa Township St. Patrick’s Day Race, Beaver Falls. Choice of 5K run, 2 mile walk. 724-847-2705 or wissnerc@comcast.net

March 15, 10 a.m.: Diane Kelly Memorial 5K Run and Fun Walk, Warren. Starts at Warren County YMCA. chris@warrenymca.org

March 15, 7:30 a.m.: Shamrock Shuffle, Harmony. Choice of half marathon, 5K at 10 a.m. or 1 mile at 10:45 a.m. Hot soup and green beer following the run. www.active.com/harmony-pa/running/distance-running-races/shamrock-shuffle-2014

Race results

Erie Runners’ Club New Year’s Day 5-Miler, January 1: Andrew Holland, 1st Overall M, 29:08; Rebecca Easly, 1st Overall W, 35:04; Mark Courtney, 1st 55-59 M, 36:08; Nichol Murray, 44:17; Kelly Geer, 50:38; David Peck, 50:38

Send comments and suggestions: Patricia Neubert, 435 Cherry Valley Rd., Saxonburg, PA. 16056. Phone or fax 724-352-4395. Email bigp16@connecttime.net

Pat Neubert is a running columnist for the Butler Eagle