There's running in our past and our future in Butler and Pittsburgh.

Megan Grenek of the Butler Blind Association called Saturday's Run for Sight 5K a success, though final fundraising tallies are not in yet.

"Weather was great and we had a good turnout," Grenek said.

More than 54 runners and walkers participated in the third-annual event. Chaz Connolly won the men's division of Run for Sight with a time of 17 minutes, 47 seconds, while Butler's Elaina Balouris topped the women's field with her time of 20:04.

Sunday's Komen Race for the Cure established that it is still the biggest fitness event in our area. More than 36,000 runners and walkers participated in the 5K timed race, 5K walk, mile walk and kids dash held at Schenley Park in Pittsburgh.

The timed race featured more than 2,000 finishers on a perfect day for running: overcast with temperatures in the low 50s. More than $2 million was raised to benefit Western Pennsylvania women and to fund research to cure breast cancer. Additional donations will be accepted until May 31 at www.komenpittsburgh.org.

The future of racing looks brighter in our area after unconfirmed reports from Allegheny County officials that a marathon will once again tour the streets of Pittsburgh in the spring of 2009.

A return of the Pittsburgh Marathon had been rumored for 2008 as part of the city's 250th anniversary celebration but time was too short to organize a quality major marathon for this year. Interested parties, government officials and prospective sponsors have been meeting with an eye toward a marathon in May 2009, but plans have not been formally released.

Although a "Pittsburgh Marathon" existed in various forms and at different locations in the area, 1985 marked the inaugural running of a downtown course. The 1985 event attracted 2,500 runners, but the number of participants and the quality of the event grew quickly, with more than 6,000 completing the rolling tour of city neighborhoods at its height.

At its height, the Pittsburgh Marathon attracted a world-class field of marathoners and was ranked in the top 10 of U.S. marathons. The 1988 race was the site of the U.S. Women's Olympic Trials race while the men's U.S. Olympic team was chosen in a steamy 2000 race.

The last race in 2003 attracted more than 2000 finishers in the full marathon and more than 600 teams from all over the world. The city discontinued the event because of financial concerns within the city government and the loss of major sponsorship.

Eight Weeks to Fitness Week Three

Take care of the little things before they become big problems. If you find that you are exceptionally tired on the day after a workout, take a rest day. If you develop a nagging pain, try ice, ibuprofen and an extra day off.

•

Day 1: Warm up with a 5- minute walk. Run 60 seconds, walk 60 seconds. Repeat for total of 20 minutes. Walk 5 minutes.•

Day 2: Walk 30 minutes.•

Day 3: Same as Day 1.•

Day 4: Same as Day 2.•

Day 5: Warm up with a 5- minute walk, then two times 30- second run, 60-second walk; two times 60-second run, 60- second walk; 90-second run, 60- second walk; two times 60-second run, 60-second walk; two times 30-second run, 60-second walk. Cool down with a 5-minute walk.•

Day 6: Same as Day 2.•

Day 7: Warm up with a 5- minute walk. Run 60 seconds, walk 60 seconds. Repeat for total of 20 minutes. Walk for a 5-minute cooldown.Upcoming eventsFriday and Wednesday, 12:15 p.m.: Lunchtime run, Cabot. Run 6 to 7 easy miles with me from St. Luke Church. 724-352-2777 or pneubert@stlukecabot.orgSaturday, 8 a.m.: Up-N-Running Group Run, Valencia. 724-898-2525 or www.runpa.comSaturday, 8 a.m.: Hot Harry's Group Run, North Park. Run from 7 to 20 miles. Leaves from Lt. Stone Field.Saturday, 8 a.m.: Economy Spring 5K Run-Walk, Economy Park, Beaver. 724-869-4324Saturday, 10 a.m.: Pride in the Valley 5K Run-Walk, New Florence. 724-235-9460Sunday, 7 a.m.: Rite Aid Cleveland Marathon and Half Marathon, Cleveland. Also 10K race. 800-467-3826 or www.clevelandmarathon.comSunday, 8:30 a.m.: St. Margaret Foundation Fitness Classic 5K, Aspinwall. Starts at UPMC St. Margaret. 412-784-5169 or online registration at www.stmargaretfoundation.orgSunday, 9 a.m.: MS Miles of Smiles 5-Mile Race and Walk, North Park. Also 1-mile accessible walk, benefits MS Society. 724-713-0934 or www.msmilesofsmiles.comSunday, 9 a.m.: Wondergirl 5K, Homestead. Benefits Girls on the Run program, timed event but no awards. 412-641-6636 or www.girlsontherun.magee.eduMay 21, 7 p.m.: Muskie Mini Marathon 5K, Pymatuning State Park, Jamestown. Second race in Smiley Miles Triple Crown. Mathatic2004@yahoo.comMay 24, 7:45 a.m.: Race-A-Palooza Half Marathon and 5K, Lower Burrell. Also 2K and youth biathlon for ages 7 through 12. 724-335-9191 or alasure@vpfymca.orgMay 24, 8 a.m.: Ogden Newspapers 20K Run and Walk, Wheeling, W.Va. Return to hillier course, cash prizes, post- race picnic. 303-233-01000, ext. 317 or register online at www.ogden20k.comMay 31, 8 a.m.: Darlington Derby 5K, Darlington. 724-847-2682 or harrington42@comcast.netMay 31, 9 a.m.: Freeport Flash 5k Run-Walk, Freeport. N3wav@aol.comJune 7, noon: Buffalo Stampede Trail Run, Freeport. Choice of 25K, 14 miles, 4.6 miles on rugged trail. Post-run barbeque with live music. 814-397-4316 or www.americanadventuresports.comJune 14, 9 A.M.: Parkinson Awareness Memorial 5K Race and Walk, Uniontown. 412-629-9292 or www.jerrymahermemorial5k.comRace results

Boston Marathon, April 21: Robert Cheriuyot, 1st Overall M, 2:07:46; Dire Tune, 1st Overall W, 2:25:25; Mark Courtney, 3:04:28; Kiyoshi Hayakawa, 3:08:42; Brett Decker, 3:19:37; Adam Leskanic, 3:27:15; Sabine Kane, 3:27:21; Jim Hamilton, 3:28:08; Stacy Kopchak, 3:29:52; Janine Marcoux, 3:31:46; Michelle Ellery, 3:33:14; Daniel Ruble, 3:37:59; Valerie Kunkel, 3:38:46; Harry Peterson, 3:39:55; Joe Ward, 3:40:03; Lisa Poepoe, 3:44:02; Patricia Neubert, 3:54:30; James Nickel, 3:56:21; Dena Schmid, 3:56:55; John Armstrong, 3:58:29; Scott Pearson, 4:24:40; Joella Baker, 4:26:16; Fran Graytock, 4:28:03

Flying Pig Marathon, May 4: Andy Martin, 1st Overall M, 2:30:40; Michelle Didion, 1st Overall W, 3:05:18; Elizabeth Reinhart, 3:28:15; Evan Lowe, 3:36:11; Jeff Leya, 3:41:08; Bob Gracie, 3:47:02; Dorothy Moxie, 3:50:42; Michael Labarre, 3:57:07; Wendy Recio, 3:57:09; Randy Nichols, 3:59:41; Robb Fort, 3:39:43; Mary Morgan, 4:17:25; Keith Quisenberry, 4:30:29; Matthew Callihan, 4:57:26; Barbara Spreng, 4:58:36; Darlene Callihan, 6:42:31

Grove City Sunset Sprint 5K, April 23: Jacob Kildoo, 1st Overall M, 17:15; Susan Dreves, 1st Overall W, 21:24; Laura Mercer, 2nd Overall W, 22:51; Alexandra Smith, 3rd Overall W, 22:53; Mike Dreves, 1st 30-39 M, 18:04; Mitch Radella, 3rd 40-49 M, 20:33; Wes Marks, 2nd 15-19 M, 21:18; Curt Grimm, 3rd 50-59 M, 21:22; Alex Cetnar, 1st 14 & Under M, 21:35; Matthew Miller, 3rd 15-19 M, 22:33; John Antinossi, 1st 60 and over M, 22:56; Lou Alaksin, 2nd 60 and over M, 23:02; Cindy Grimm, 1st 50-59 W, 23:18; Dez Csizmadia, 3rd 60 and over M, 23:49; Laura Beth Howell, 1st 20-29 W, 24:24; Ashley Cetnar, 1st 15-19 W, 26:07; Esther Harclerode, 2nd 20-29 W, 26:19; Erin Sober, 3rd 20-29 W, 26:46; Debra Kuminkoski, 3rd 40-49 W, 35:44Christopher Bloch, 20:45; Daniel Claybaugh, 20:52; Wes Ykema, 20:55; Michael Lewis, 20:59; Jim Gallagher, 21:03; Mark Knapp, 21:04; Ben Allen, 22:38; Andrew Haggan, 22:45; Jeff Tharnish, 22:48; Dale Weaver, 22:50; Tim Su, 22:53; Matt Armstrong, 22:54; Geoff Serrao, 24:05; Mike Bruno, 24:54; Nick Lassor, 25:11; Gwen Kildoo, 25:54; Bill Lamborn, 26:19; Lauren Hetzen, 27:15; Lindsay Crawford, 27:16; Erika Doaue, 27:17; Jodi Barry, 27:17; Margaret Robbins, 27:29; Rebecca Wood, 27:32; William Dundore, 29:38; Adam Bright, 30:51; Jenny Gadsby, 32:50; Laura Mark, 32:50; Rebecca Limberg, 35:14; Juliette Jones, 35:14; Rebecca Jeffries, 35:38Send 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.