With major marathons like New York and Chicago attracting more than 35,000 runners to its streets, it's hard to imagine running without running into someone. Most large races are a combination of running event and street party.

It's also hard to imagine, in rural Pennsylvania, that those large scale events have much to do with our solitary runs. We have much more in common with the troubled youth of Alan Sillitoe's classic novel, "The Loneliness of the Long Distance Runner."

Many runners spend the majority of their miles alone. But running is like many other human activities: It's more fun with a buddy. For example, the food's just as good if you dine alone, but the experience is usually more memorable when you invite friends to dinner.

In the past week or so, company has become especially important as I struggle to stay motivated. Left on my own, I'd probably curl up in front of the fire with a book or veg out with bad TV rather than go for my daily run. Even housecleaning gives me an excuse to avoid running in the suddenly adverse conditions.

I'm writing this column to the sound of cold rain pelting my window. Mom and I braved the elements earlier today for a chilly 10-mile run together.

On our own, we might have turned back soon after starting. Together, we slogged on, keeping each other going by complaining about the weather and our unfortunate choice of semiwaterproof clothing.

Earlier this week, I got a morning call from one of my noontime running partners. It was snowing like a blizzard and she wondered if I was still planning to run through the Arctic blast at lunchtime.

"I was thinking of staying inside," she admitted, "but if you're going, so am I."

"Sure I'm running," I said from the warmth of my office. "How bad could it be?"

We found out when we slid across the parking lot. We decided to run through the inches of snow in Laura Doerr Park rather than on the slippery roads.

After about 10 minutes of leaning into the wind, snow accumulating on my eyelashes and hat, I considered that Wendy might have been right about skipping the run.

Still, we managed about four miles by repeating our tracks through the park and were rewarded for our efforts with a perfect blue sky once the snow cleared.

Sometimes, especially in the cold and wet, the company of another runner makes the difference between running and giving it a pass. It's what tips the scales away from indoor comfort and toward the comfort of companionship.

Of course I'll still run most of my runs alone. I don't mind my own company. But don't hesitate to call me when you want to share the road.

Friday, 9 a.m.: SWIF Turkey Trot 5-Mile, North Park. Starts at boathouse. 724-444-3400Saturday, 8 a.m.: Up-N-Running Group Run, Valencia. Ed's got the coffee on. 724-898-2525 or www.runpa.comSaturday, 8:30 a.m.: YMCA Turkey Trot, Hollidaysburg. Choice of 5-mile or 2-mile runs. 814-695-4467 or www.hollidaysburgareaymca.orgDec. 6, 9 a.m.: Arthritis Foundation Jingle Bell Run 5K, North Park. Also 1-mile fun run. 412-566-1645 or kmalcolm@arthritis.orgDec. 6, 9:30 a.m.: Holiday 5K Walk-Run, New Brighton. 724-495-9417 or jhilfinger@co.beaver.pa.usDec. 7, 9 a.m.: Trot for Tots 5K, Oakdale. Also 10K at 9:40. Please bring a new unwrapped toy for Toys for Tots. 412-490-0881 or www.eliterunners.comDec. 7: Deerslayer Challenge, South Park. Choice of challenging 8-mile or 4-mile run on cross country trails. 724-348-6012 or bmcglothlin@hotmail.com

<B>His Kids School 5K, Oct. 4:</B> Brian Forester, 1st Overall M, 18:40; Joe Klimchak III, 2nd Overall M, 22:09; Aaron Depew, 3rd Overall M, 23:24; Dorothy Moxie, 1st Overall W, 23:33; Susie Weller, 2nd Overall W, 24:33; Nicole Binnie, 3rd Overall W, 25:14; Dez Csizmadia, 1st 70 and over M, 25:10; Holly Bauer, 1st 30-39 W, 25:54; Brittney Faust, 1st 14-19 W, 26:35; Lane Rodgers, 1st 9 and under M, 30:17; Amelia Lindsay, 1st 10-15 W, 30:29; David Noah, 1st 10-15 M, 30:50; Debbie Kuminkoski, 1st 40-49 W, 31:15; Makayla Burtner, 2nd 10-15 W, 31:24; Madison Burtner, 3rd 10-15 W, 31:24; Shawn Burtner, 1st 40-49 M, 34:32Joe Klimchak Jr., 2nd 60-69 M, 38:35; Jeff Woller, 1st 30-39 M, 38:36; Phil Henkel, 3rd 60-69 M, 40:35; Jeanine Burtner, 2nd 40-49 W, 42:33; Joanne Huff, 1st 50-59 W, 45:10; Olivia Lindsay, 2nd 16-19 W, 46:03; Lisa Lindsay, 3rd 40-49 W, 46:06; Zac Corace, 3rd 9 and under M, 50:07; Kaya Morgan, 1st 9 and under W, 50:18; Michelle Morgan, 2nd 30-39 W, 50:24; Stacy Corace, 1st 20-29 W, 51:02; Amanda Sheppeck, 3rd 16-19 W, 51:32; Terri Faust, 3rd 35-39 W, 52:29; Josh Lippo, 1st 16-19 M, 54:22; Lynn Henkel, 1st 60-69 W, 64:00Grady Morgan, 50:22; Cindy Sheppeck, 51:31; Brenda Dollhopf, 52:28; Mackenzie Rodgers, 54:08; Monica Faust, 54:09; Carol Grippo, 54:43; Patrick Acquiviva, 63:00; Kathy Acquaviva, 67:00<B>Pat Madden Memorial 5K, Oct. 4:</B> Jeremiah Stauffer, 1st Overall M, 21:09; Emily Skoczlas, 1st Overall W, 22:48; Andrew Raisley, 1st 20-29 M, 25:06; Jake Eddy, 2nd 20-29 M, 25:15; Jono Schnur, 3rd 20-29 M, 26:32; Ben Bromley, 1st 40-49 M, 26:33; William Osche, 1st 50-59 M, 26:59; Bill Dalmagro, 1st 30-39 M, 28:14; Vicki Young, 1st 30-39 W, 28:14; Rob Taylor, 2nd 40-49 M, 28:24; Marydonna Ravasio, 1st 40-49 W, 28:42Mark Prybyl, 2nd 50-59 M, 30:02; Jennifer Grooms, 3rd 30-39 W, 35:02; Skylar Kerr, 1st 19 and under M, 35:20; Kimberly Say, 1st 20-29 W, 36:55; Bill Kerr, 2nd 30-39 M, 42:32; Jared Titley, 1st 60 and over M, 43:26; Butch Schnur, 1st 60 and over M, 44:51; Eileen Minnock, 1st 50-59 W, 47:45; Ray Reed, 2nd 20-29 M, 50:17; Kristi Vogel, 2nd 20-29 W, 50:22; Pamela Osche, 3rd 40-49 W, 50:42; Leslie Mortimer, 1st 40-49 W, 51:10; Robert Mortimer, 1st 40-49 M, 51:10; Doreen Cline, 2nd 50-59 W, 51:14; Sherri Uram, 3rd 50-59 W, 52:18; Barbara Campbell, 2nd 40-49 W, 52:18; Debbie Bryan, 3rd 40-49 W, 52:19Jeff Ellermeyer, 1st 50-59 M, 53:17; Aaron Edwards, 3rd 30-39 M, 53:20; Jessica Regalski, 3rd 20-29 W, 55:46; Chris Shaffer, 3rd 40-49 M, 55:59; William Powell, 3rd 50-59 M, 58:54; Bill Ainsworth, 2nd 50-59 M, 58:56; Paul Jacobs, 3rd 50-59 M, 58:59; Dena Brown, 3rd 20-29 W, 59:36; Chuck Cline, 3rd 60 and over M, 1:00:03; Rebecca Morrice, 2nd 30-39 W, 1:02:19Mike Menchyk, 26:32; Eric Say, 36:55; Desiree Atkinson, Patti Doyle, 53:18; Cindy Ellermeyer, 53:18; Heather Groves, 53:20; Mary Schnur, 54:05; Cheryl Vollnogle, 55:59; Bruce Shaffer,56:00; Wendy Powell, 58:53; Linda Jacobs, 58:55; Joyce Ainsworth, 58:59; Kimberly Seybert, 59:35, Nick Kochanov, 1:02:17; Sunita Peacock, 1:02:19; Matthew Onega, 1:02:43; Leslie Schnur, 1:03:16; Holly Schnur, 1:03:17; Debbie Staley, 1:03:18; Chuck Staley, 1:03:19Send comments and suggestions: Patricia Neubert, 435 Cherry Valley Rd., Saxonburg, Pa. 16056. Phone 724-352-4395. Email bigp16@connecttime.net