The groundhog may have his day in the beginning of February, but the end of the month belongs to runners.

This Saturday at 10 a.m. marks the 37th running of the Spring Thaw in North Park. The event has become not only an escape from cabin fever but the first test for runners training for late spring marathons and half marathons.

Conditions for the Spring Thaw can be unpredictable, though the event has never been canceled for bad weather. Runners have learned to adapt to rain, snow, or the occasional sunny warm day.

For years, Spring Thaw was an aberration — a 10-mile race in the middle of winter. The race is still there, but the current Spring Thaw offers much more.

In response to the return of May’s City of Pittsburgh Marathon in 2009, Spring Thaw has expanded to include 15-mile and 20-mile distance options. Since 2009, Spring Thaw has more than tripled in size.

Race registration for Spring Thaw has already topped 1,000 and the event is on its way to breaking an attendance record for the sixth year in a row.

Spring Thaw has been able to expand its participation in part because of the compactness of its course. Parking, traffic concerns and safety are contained within the North Park Lake area. Although some runners are bored by consecutive five-mile loops of the familiar lake circumference, others find the gentle rolling hills with marked miles comforting and convenient.

Because of the crush of pedestrian traffic within the small area, parking will be at a premium near the start area on race day. Runners should plan to arrive early, park at one of the designated parking areas: Ice Rink, North Park Pool or spillway, and ride a shuttle to the start. Bag check is available at the Boathouse.

Spring Thaw is a chip timed event. Runners can view split times of each five-mile segment in posted race results. This is a useful training tool for those using Spring Thaw as a long tempo run or progressive run as part of marathon or half marathon training.

The Spring Thaw 10- mile distance offers traditional competitive awards for overall, masters and age group competitors from age 20 and under through 70+. Runners who complete 15 miles earn running gloves. Those who complete the entire 20 miles (four loops around North Park Lake) earn a coveted Spring Thaw fleece hat.

Overall top finishers in the 20-mile distance earn competitive awards, but there are no age group awards in the longer distances. The reward for most is in completing the distance.

Spring Thaw participants in all distances share in the pre and post race festivities in the warmth of the Rose Barn on Saturday morning. Third fastest American born marathon runner and author Dick Beardsley will be on hand to greet runners prior to the run. Runners can warm up with a post race party including music, raffle prizes, more than 80 gallons of soup and 3,000 slices of pizza.

Proceeds from Spring Thaw are shared by several local charities who provide volunteers for the event. These include St. Malachy Cross Country program, Beaver County Young Life, St. Philips of Moon Youth Ministry and others. Independent volunteers are also welcome to help.

It’s not too late to be a part of this year’s running rite of spring. Online registration is now closed, but Elite Runners and Walkers will hold registration and packet pick-up Thursday and Friday, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. at their Robinson Township store.

If you must wait, you may still register on race day, but you’ll risk missing out on taking home a commemorative long sleeved technical shirt.

For more information about Saturday’s Spring Thaw, visit www.eliterunners.com or call 412-490-0881.

Upcoming events

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

Saturdays, 8 a.m.: Big Beaver Big Dawgs Winter Training Runs, Beaver. Group of all ages and abilities running various distances. Starts at Second Avenue near Fire Station. http://bbbigdawgs.weebly.com

Tuesdays, 6:30 p.m.: Elite Runners Group Run, Robinson Township. Weekly three mile fun run for all abilities. www.eliterunners.com

Wednesdays, 6 p.m.: Elite Runners Group Run, Monroeville. Weekly four to five mile group run for all abilities. www.eliterunners.com

Wednesdays, 7 p.m.: MoJo Sports Group Run, Seven Fields. Run three to seven miles with friends. 724-772-2808

Saturday, 10 a.m.: 37th Annual Spring Thaw, North Park. Your choice of 10, 15 or 20 miles around North Park Lake. 412-490-0881 or www.race360.com/14354

March 3, 8:30 a.m.: Mill Creek Distance Classic, Youngstown, OH. Choice of half marathon or 5K. 330-727-6070 or ytownrunners.org.

March 9, 9 a.m.: March Mad Dash, North Park. Choice of 5K, 5 Mile or 10 Mile distances beginning at North Park Boat House. 412-585-2361 or sandy_mcknight@hotmail.com

March 9, 9:30 a.m.: NBARC St. Patrick’s Day 5K, New Brighton. Starts at Big Rock Park. 724-495-9417 or hilfinger@newbrightonborough.org

March 9, 10 a.m.: NEADS Canines for Combat Veterans 5K Run/ Walk, Rochester. Run through Brady’s Run Park. darrionclouse@comcast.net

March 9, 11 a.m.: Ellport Boro Community Winter Wonderland 5K, Ellwood City. Scenic 5K with lots of post race refreshments, indoor awards ceremony. 724-758-2506 or bonnherb@yahoo.com

March 10, 9 a.m.: Athletic Trainer Run 5K and 1 Mile, Pittsburgh. Starts at UPMC Sports Medicine Center. 412-432-3770 or sanchioligi@upmc.edu

March 16, 7:30 a.m.: Shamrock Shuffle Half Marathon, Harmony. Challenging course. joella@zoominternet.net

March 16, 9 a.m.: St. Patrick’s Day Distance Festival 10K and 5K, Erie. Starts at Rotary Pavillion. 814-580-8339 or jimlang@bigwhitetrailer.com

March 16, 9 a.m.: Chippewa Township St. Patrick’s Day 5K Run, Beaver Falls. Also two mile walk on rolling course. 724-843-8177 or wissnerc@comcast.net

March 16, 10 a.m.: Shamrock Shuffle 5K, Harmony. Also 1 Mile event at 11:15 a.m. with rolling hills. joella@zoominternet.net

March 16, 10 a.m.: Lucky Leprechaun 5K, Knox. Starts at Keystone High School. 814-229-6112 or coachenator@windstream.net

March 23, 7:30 a.m.: Flight for Air Climb, Pittsburgh. Climb the 897 steps of One Oxford Centre. 412-321-4029 or mmysliwiec@lunginfo.org

March 23, 7:30 a.m.: Lt. JC Stone 50K, North Park. 412-366-8740 or Loudangelo@aol.com

March 23, 10 a.m.: March for the Military 5K, Cranberry Township. 724-591-3261 or ota5k@zoominternet.net

March 24, 10 a.m.: Larry Winschel St. Paddy’s Day Run, South Park. Choice of 4.2 or 2 mile run, 1 mile walk with Greater Pittsburgh Road Runners Club. 412-561-0768

March 30, 10 a.m.: Golden Tide Baseball 5K Run/ Walk, Curwensville. 814-715-2351 or debharzinski@atlanticbb.net

March 30, 8:30 a.m.: Just a Short Run, North Park. Choice of half marathon, 5K, 30K or 8.1 miles. 412-490-0881 or events@eliterunners.com

March 30, 11 a.m.: Cook Forest Half Marathon & 5K, Cooksburg. Scenic run along Clarion River.814-393-2081 or dbevevino@clarion.edu

Sept. 29: City of Pittsburgh Great Race 5K and 10K, Pittsburgh. Registration is now open with discounts for the first 6,000 registered. www.rungreatrace.com

Race results

Kittanning Rotary 5K, Feb. 9: Will Zachrich, 1st Overall M, 20:32; Sara Roudybush, 1st Overall W, 22:38; Dez Csizmadia, 1st 60+ M, 29:58; Thomas Hollobaugh, 2nd 40-49 M, 31:09; Maggie Hollobaugh, 1st 10-14 W, 31:14; Aleena Hohn, 2nd 10-14 W, 37:46; Rebecca Hollobaugh, 3rd 10-14 W, 39:20; Brenda Murray, 2nd 50-59 W, 40:03; Barbara Reeser-Smiesko, 1st 60+ W, 41:34; Raymie Bell, 3rd 30-39 M, 50:41; Gavin Hohn, 1st 10-14 M, 54:33; Teresa Hollobaugh, 3rd 50-59 W, 1:00:40; Cindy McCrea, 36:29; Rachel Hollobaugh, 1:00:26

Freeze Your Lymphs Off 5K, Feb. 16: Jack Morrow, 1st Overall M, 16:54; Lucie Kubinski, 1st Overall W, 20:10; Glenn Wargo, 2nd 15-19 M, 20:49; Paul Notarangelo, 3rd 15-19 M, 23:16; Kim Spears, 1st 30-39 W, 23:58; Emily Kutch,v 2nd 15-19 W, 25:01; Nick Wargo, 22:05; Travis Bailey, 24:31; DJ Kutch, 25:02; Toni Weis, 25:53; Brad Runyon, 25:59; Brandon Crawford, 26:57; Jocelyn Kimmel, 27:48; Tony Deluca, 28:24; Melissa Passafiume, 32:24; Jessica Herring, 34:03; Kristen Bailey, 34:54; Georgia Glass, 41:30

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