It doesn't seem right somehow, but runners should head north for their Cinco de Mayo celebration this weekend.

Warren, Pa., is party central at 10 a.m. Saturday for running with a Mexican flavor.

High 5 celebrates its seventh year and expects between 300 and 400 participants for the 5-mile race, 1Z\x-mile race and run and 1Z\x-mile fun walk. This year, the running festival adds a 100-yard dash for youngsters age 5 to 7 and a 50-yard dash for participants ages 4 and under.

Race director Patty Gabreski, a dedicated triathlete currently training for an Ironman-length event later this summer, shares race directing duties with fellow runner Shelley Nuhfer.

The race offers a flat-and-fast, out-and-back course along the Allegheny River south of Warren. The race is professionally timed with traffic controlled by state and local police. Warren Police Explorer Scouts direct runners at the turnaround.

For fun and in keeping with the holiday theme, the race is led by Mearl, a full-sized decorated bull pulled on a flatbed trailer. Split timers at each mile marker don sombreros.

Also, high school students cheer runners on with posters written in Spanish while participants are serenaded by Sheffield Area High School's steel drum band. A traditional piñata finishes the celebration.

Gabreski works as a mental health therapist. She stresses the connection between physical and mental health and the importance of living a balanced life.

To highlight Mental Health Awareness Month, the race name High 5 reflects the five aspects of well being: mental, social, spiritual, emotional and physical health.

Day-of-event registrations are welcome for Saturday's High 5, though commemorative T-shirts will be available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Registration begins at 9 a.m. for the 10 a.m. The race starts on Lee Street behind Warren General Hospital on the south side of town.

For information about High 5, call 814-723-4511 or email gabbyfam@atlanticbb.net

Eight Weeks to the Starting Line: Week 2•

Sunday: Warm up with a 5-minute brisk walk; run 30 seconds, walk 90 seconds, run 60 seconds, walk 90 seconds. Repeat for a total of 20 minutes. Cool down with a 5-minute walk.•

Monday: Brisk 15-minute walk.•

Tuesday: Same as Sunday.•

Wednesday: Brisk 15- to 30- minute walk.•

Thursday: Brisk 15- to 30- minute walk.•

Friday: Walk 5 minutes. Run 60 seconds, walk 90 seconds; repeat for 20 minutes total. Walk 5 minutes.•

Saturday: Brisk 15- to 30- minute walk.

Upcoming eventsSaturday, 8 a.m.: Up-N-Running Group Run, Valencia. Fun run with refreshments. 724-898-2525 or www.runpa.comSaturday, 8 a.m.: Flying Pig 10K, Cincinnati. Part of marathon weekend festivities. Also 5K at 10:15 and kids fun run at 11. 513-721-7447 or www.flyingpigmarathon.comSaturday, 9 a.m.: Walk, Run and Ride for Habitat for Humanity, West Deer Township. Choice of 2K walk, 5K run, 15- or 30-mile ride. www.habitatav.orgSaturday, 9 a.m.: Spring Fever Eco Run, Cuyahoga Valley National Park, Brecksville, Ohio. 216-623-9933Saturday, 9 a.m.: Run Dock to Lock 5K, Rices Landing. Point-to-point on Greene River Trail benefits Greene County Summer Day Camp. 724-627-5541 or arinehart@alltel.netSaturday, 10 a.m.: Upper West Branch Triathlon, Curwensville. Individual or team event: run 4.4 miles, canoe or kayak 3 miles, ride a bike 12.8 miles. Canoe or kayak rental available at 814-765-1410. www.clfdccd.comSaturday, 10 a.m.: Friends of the Cheat 5k, Albright, W.Va. AaronMiller@arlp.comSaturday: Leukemia and Lymphoma Society Team in Training information meeting, Monroeville. Find out how you can train for a marathon while helping to fight cancer. 412-395-2879 or www.teamintraining.org/wpamSunday, 6:30 a.m.: Flying Pig Marathon and Half Marathon, Cincinnati. 513-721-7447www.flyingpigmarathon.comSunday, 10 a.m.: Two-Mile Walk on a Trail, Schenley Park, Pittsburgh. Walk on Steve Faloon Memorial Trail benefits Children's Hospital Bone Marrow Fund. Dogs on leashes welcome. 412-561-7161Sunday, 10 a.m.: Crazy Horse Trail Run, South Park. Choice of 8 miles or 4 miles with Greater Pittsburgh Road Runners Club. 724-348-6012May 9, noon: Online registration for Oct. 28 Marine Corps Marathon opens. www.marinemarathon.comMay 12, 10 a.m.: Run for Sight 5K Butler. Run on VA Medical Center grounds benefits Butler County Association for the Blind. 724-287-4059May 28, 9 a.m.: Kevin Gatons Memorial 5K Race and Walk, Greensburg. Starts at Lynch Field, memorial to runner and coach Kevin Gatons. www.gatons5k.comJune 9, 9 a.m.: Parkinson Awareness Memorial 5K Race and Walk, Uniontown. Memorial run for Jerry Maher Sr. 412-620-9292 or jermaher@zoominternet.net

Race results:

Genesis Riverside 5K, April 21: Charlie Ban, 1st Overall M, 14:57; Heather Melzer, 1st Overall W, 18:55; Heather Healy, 1st 35-39 W, 22:41; Kris Poloyac, 2nd 35-39 W, 23:20; Pamela Kristoff, 1st 40-44 W, 23:39; Rebecca Miller, 2nd 40-44 W, 23:53; Aunika Ketterer, 1st 30-34 M, 24:24; Christy Sarver, 2nd 25-29 W, 24:27; Lou Lodovico, 1st 70 and over M, 25:43; Marilyn Lapiska, 1st 50-54 W, 26:37David Baes, 25:08; Pamela Connors, 25:26; Tony Davis, 25:50; Jay Crizer, 26:12; Denny Lemmo, 26:25; Heather Clark, 26:34; Robert Zaccari, 26:46; Lisa Hetland, 27:15; Lynn McKinney, 27:43; Amy Lally, 27:46; Matto Reichart, 28:43; Matthew Reichart, 28:43; John Ruppe, 28:47; Peggy Tretter, 29:02; Austin Coril, 34:17; Diann Coril, 34:18; David Coril, 34:25; Mike Snell, 1:06:05; Carrie Snell, 1:06:05

Genesis Riverside 10K, April 21: Zachary Sabatino, 1st Overall M, 30:49; Mindy Sawtelle, 1st Overall W, 36:22; Barbara Derenzo, 3rd Overall W, 44:43; Gregory Ripper, 3rd 45-49 M, 47:05; Michelle Kocan, 1st 35-39 W, 49:21; Avery Lawson, 2nd 30-34 W, 50:43; Patrick Armknecht, 45:19; Ryan Henrie, 47:26; Thomas McClure, 58:31; Kimberly Gambardella, 59:08; Ryan Dahl, 1:01:10; James Hodgson, 1:01:45

Burg's Pizza and Wing Pub 10K, April 22: Josh Simpson, 1st Overall M, 31:55; Mindy Sawtelle, 1st Overall W, 37:55; Leslie Kramer, 2nd Overall W, 40:48; Mark Courtney, 47:52; Bruce Hall, 52:57; Carl Hill, 53:10; Jason Logue, 53:28; Swawn Nettles, 55:08; Craig Rogers, 55:23; Thomas Puskar, 1:00:42; Stacie Doughty, 1:00:53; Kelly McKeever, 1:05:26Send comments and suggestions: to 435 Cherry Valley Road, Saxonburg, Pa. 16056. Phone or fax: 724-352-4395. Email: bigp16@connecttime.netPat Neubert is the running columnist for the Butler Eagle.