'Twas the week before Christmas and all through the region, Santa was running at Run Santa Run 5k.

Run Santa Run 5k began as a Cleveland charity event in 2014. The 5k came to our area in 2017 with the first Pittsburgh Run Santa Run 5k held in Cranberry Township's Graham Park. This year, western PA will host two Run Santa Run 5ks this Saturday — one at Graham Park, the other at Kennywood Park in Pittsburgh.

Run Santa Run 5ks encourage competition and fun. Overall top three male and female finishers earn cash prizes while top three in age groups from 8 and Under through 70+ earn awards. All finishers receive a Santa medal and perks including Santa shirt, hat, beard, gloves and imprinted drawstring bag.

Wear your commemoratives or dress in your own holiday attire. And be sure to smile for the cameras along the course. Race day photos will be available for free on the event's Facebook page.

There will be one aid station on the 5k course but plenty of hot chocolate and cookies for everyone at the finish line. Adult finishers in the Kennywood run can also enjoy a post-race beer.

Runners and walkers of all abilities are welcome at Run Santa Run 5ks. Kids in strollers may participate for free, but strollers and walkers are encouraged to line up in the back of the pack. Sorry, but no dogs allowed.

Cranberry Township's Run Santa Run 5k starts this Saturday at 9:30 a.m. The course is flat and run completely within Graham Park's roads and walking trails. Check out a map at www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=7322412

Kennywood's race, held on the same day, starts at 3 p.m. in the amusement park's parking lot. After a short tour of neighborhood streets, it finishes within the amusement park. Runners will recognize the course as the same one used for Kenny's Koaster Race in June.

Day of event registrations are welcome at either race beginning an hour and a half before start time. You also may register online for any of the Run Santa Run 5ks until race day registration closes.

Packet pickup and registration for the Cranberry race will be held on Friday, 2 to 7 p.m.. at the UPMC Lemieux Sports Complex. All registered are invited to stay for free skating from 7 to 8:30. There's a small fee for non-registered skaters.

Packet pickup for the Kennywood event will be held at Pro Bike+Run in Robinson Township on Friday from 1 to 6 p.m. Registration fee for Kennywood is slightly higher, but includes entry to Kennywood Park's Holiday Lights on Saturday evening.

Brian McCloskey of Greater Cleveland XC, the race presenter and timing service, expects close to 600 participants for each of the Pittsburgh area races. There are also four additional Ohio races and one in Morgantown, W.Va., this Christmas season.

Run Santa Run 5k benefits two charities, one in Ohio and one local to the community in which each race is held. In Ohio, funds support Ronald McDonald House in Columbus, the world's largest Ronald McDonald House in the world serving more than 4,500 families of children facing medical challenges annually.

Both Cranberry and Kennywood Run Santa Run 5k's also support our area's US Marine Toys for Tots. The organization, founded in 1947, has distributed 566 million toys to 258 million children. Last year, Toys for Tots Butler helped 2,280 kids have a brighter holiday with 21,046 toys distributed.

Thursday, 5 p.m.: Fleet Feet Holiday Lights Run & Charity Raffle, Pittsburgh. New location starting at Nova Place on Northshore. 412-851-9100 or www.fleetfeet.com/s/pittsburgh/events-2/fleet-feet-holiday-lights-runSaturday, 9:30 a.m.: Run Santa Run 5k, Cranberry Township. Holiday themed run at Graham Park. www.runsanta5k.com/pittsburghSaturday, 3 p.m.: Run Santa Run 5k, Pittsburgh. Holiday themed run at Kennywood Amusement Park, West Mifflin. www.runsanta5k.com/kennywoodSunday, 6 p.m.: Miller Mistletoe Mile, North East. Starts at Skunk and Goat Tavern. 814-449-4081 or anne@rl-hospitality.comDec. 28, 10 a.m.: Resolution Run 5k, Hermitage. https://runsignup.com/Race/PA/Hermitage/ResolutionRun5KwctcDec. 31, 3:30 p.m.: Harmony Silvester 5k, Harmony. Also 1 Mile Fun Run at 4:15 P.M. runsignup.com/Race/PA/Harmony/Silvester or saltemus@zoominternet.netDec. 31, 4 p.m.: Twilight 5k Run, 2 Mile Run and 2 Mile Walk, Hollidaysburg. Run through holiday light display at Lakemont Park. www.blairregionalymca.orgJan. 1, 10 a.m.: Erie Runners' Club New Year's Day 5 Mile Race, Erie. Starts at Presque Isle State Park's Rotary Pavilion. 814-774-3209 or dan.a@erierunners.clubJan. 1, 11 a.m.: Soup Run 5k, Boston. www.smileymiles.comJan. 4, 11 a.m.: Resolution Run 5k/ Fun Walk/ Ruck Derry. Run. Walk or ruck (carry a weighted pack on your back). https://runsignup.com/Race/PA/Derry/ResolutionRunWPAJan. 11, 1 p.m.: Run 2 Read Half Marathon, Fairmont, WV. Run through Prickett's Fort State Park. 304-366-6055 or www.wvrunning.com/R2R/Jan. 12, 9 a.m.: Frigid 5 Miler, Allison Park. Run in North Park. www.athlinks.com/event/frigid-5-miler-60867Jan. 18, Noon: Community and Rec Center New Year Winter Wellness Dash 1 Mile Run/Walk, Upper St. Clair. Bargain race with $5 registration fee, beanie hats to first 100 registered. 412-221-1099, ext 606 or mccleaster@twpusc.orgJan. 25, 11 a.m.: Chilly Cheeks Challenge 2.5 Mile, 5 Mile or 10 Mile, Hermitage. Run through Buhl Farms Park. 724-841-6528 or bonnherb@yahoo.com. Online registration at www.runsignup.comFeb. 1, 10 a.m.: PREP4PITT-1: Trout Island Tromp 4.6 miles, Sharpsville. Run on rail trail. 724-301-6775 or races@mctrails.netFeb. 1, 10 a.m.: Groundhog Day 4 Mile, Punxsutawney. 814-939-9770Feb. 2, 9 a.m.: Groundhog Day Prediction Run, Zelienople. Choice of 6.66, 4.44, or 2.22 miles. Winners based on finishing times closest to prediction. No timing devices allowed during the event. www.getfitfamilies.comFeb. 8, 9 a.m.: Cupid's Chase 5k, Butler. Run at Lake Arthur Golf Club. 724-613-8133 or timothy.hawk@comop.orgFeb. 9, 10 a.m.: Valentine Prediction Race, Erie. Run between or walk 4 and 6 miles. Finishers closest to predicted times earn chocolate awards. 814-774-3209 or dan.a@erierunners.club

EQT 10 Miler, Nov. 2 (finishers under 1:45:00): Martin Hehir, 1st Overall M, 48:04; Bethany Sachtleben, 1st Overall W, 54:41; Rob DiLoreto II, 1st Masters M, 59:53; Courtney Schorr, 1st Masters W, 1:07:37; Kimberley Hohman, 3rd Masters W, 1:08:08; Sarah McGowan, 2nd 20-24 W, 1:06:48; Brian McGowan, 3rd 50-54 M, 1:06:57; Gerald Kosar, 1st 60-64 M, 1:15:04; David Spencer, 2nd 60-64 M, 1:17:37; David Toth, 1:00:51; Matthew Slagle, 1:05:03; Josh Flanhofer, 1:05:18; Matt Rippin, 1:07:43; Christopher Rowoth, 1:08:48; Jessi Drayer, 1:10:23; Christy Crummy, 1:11:05; Tyler Singer, 1:11:26; Calum Munro, 1:11:27; Christina Stasko, 1:12:09; Amy Brown, 1:13:15; David Palmiotto, 1:13:42; Ashley Henshaw, 1:13:43; Robert Pudlo, 1:14:47; Vinny Nerone, 1:16:00; Dustin Kalkbrenner, 1:16:12; Ray Meals, 1:17:04; Robin Springirth, 1:17:18; Robert Waltrip, 1:17:24; Kate Meeuf, 1:18:15; William Marsh, 1:18:24; Vance Rosenow, 1:18:51; Matt Grossman, 1:19:49; Keith Schedlbauer, 1:19:52; Jeremy Jarrell, 1:20:19; Terence Ake, 1:20:27; Kristine Poloyac, 1:20:48; Kevin Persch, 1:20:49; Katie Arvay, 1:21:03; Shannon Smith, 1:21:08; Holly Peterman, 1:21:29; Glenn Battle, 1:21:44; Craig Riner, 1:22:16; Mark Breedlove, 1:22:09; Daniel Beggs, 1:22:30; Daniel McCloskey, 1:22:33; Ray Huber, 1:22:43; MacKenzie Fagan, 1:22:55; Tracey Smith, 1:23:00; Marty Herman, 1:23:18; Erin Donahue, 1:23:19; Stuart Cashman, 1:23:37; Michelle Carnicelli, 1:23:54; Kelly Skwortz, 1:25:19; Terrilyn Tomaszewski, 1:25:19; Brittaney Lucas, 1:25:19; Stephen Blackburn, 1:25:39; Patrick Hughes, 1:25:45; Holly Muchenski, 1:26:00; Charles Warden, 1:26:09; Nicole Khoury, 1:26:19; Leah Rapp, 1:26:30; Mario Dias, 1:26:34; Andrew Menchyk, 1:26:38; Jorge Candiotti, 1:26:47; Alexandra Perry, 1:26:48; Cameron Kirkland, 1:26:52; Colleen Whalen, 1:27:21; Caroline Hufnagle, 1:27:34; Stephen Smith, 1:27:38; Thomas Lynch, 1:27:47; Michael Millsap, 1:27:46; William Woods, 1:28:03; Dave Fetterman, 1:28:07; John Crum, 1:28:12; Steve Smith, 1:28:12; Jason Fawcett, 1:28:20; Kayla Ledergerber, 1:28:25; Amy Cravottaa, 1:28:27; Meredith Gustafsson, 1:28:28; Melinda McDonough, 1:28:34; Amanda Hardt, 1:28:42; Erin Rigsby, 1:28:53; Dana Nicklas, 1:28:53; Jim Hardt, 1:28:58; Nick Marchi, 1:29:04; Rob Vandenburgh, 1:29:10; Amber Castelli, 1:29:11; Garrett Bontempo, 1:29:12; Jen Chomicki, 1:29:15; Michael Fitzgerald, 1:29:37; Jamie Kemper, 1:30:24; Darren Klaum, 1:30:24; Sandra Zugell, 1:30:48; Matthew Houser, 1:30:57; January Scheidlmeier, 1:31:14; Kimberly DeBaene, 1:31:41; Taylor Merkosky, 1:31:49; Anne Conn, 1:31:57; Patrick Prazenica, 1:32:04; Garrett Bowers, 1:32:11; Pam Daugherty, 1:32:18; Brian Daugherty, 1:32:19; Shirley Peng, 1:32:27; Lori Griffith, 1:32:39; Richard Guntang, 1:32:46; Sean Colvin, 1:33:01; Ashley Boyers, 1:33:04; Valerie Curry, 1:33:08; Allison Miller, 1:33:16; Danielle Wissinger, 1:33:29; Kevin Collins, 1:33:37; Emily Wiley, 1:33:58; TJ Christensen, 1:34:19; Cheryl Fox, 1:34:30; Aimee Miller, 1:34:44; Shana Hutchins, 1:35:05; Megan Kosar, 1:35:24; Jacqueline Eriksen, 1:35:30; Lindsay Dickey, 1:35:46; Chris Sibenac, 1:36:05; Aaron Muscatello, 1:36:07; Curtis Pfleegor, 1:36:15; Greta Wicks, 1:36:16; Gregory Alan, 1:36:27; Bonnie Alan, 1:36:28; Thomas Perry, 1:36:32; Andrew Karns, 1:36:40; Maud Mayemba, 1:36:45; Mia Bywalski, 1:36:49; Renee Schedlbauer, 1:37:05; Krista Geagan, 1:37:12; Evelyn Zawada, 1:37:12; Erika Clark,1:37:16; Katelyn Conn, 1:37:19; Sean Kelly, 1:37:30; Ashley Thiebaud, 1:37:43; Dani Gumto, 1:37:44; Warren Geither, 1:37:49; D. Thomas Cegan, 1:37:57; Sandy Larsen, 1:38:19; Jessica Irwin, 1:38:20; Heather Maynard, 1:38:28; Karlee Kushnereit, 1:38:29; Keri Kastner, 1:38:29; Susan Kushnereit, 1:38:29; Maureen Hedglin, 1:38:29; Andrew May, 1:38:31; Janet Pudlo, 1:38:55; Cindy Waltemire, 1:39:00; Erin Foley, 1:39:20; Kristin Kelly, 1:39:22; Wendy Polochak, 1:39:32; Nate Macioce, 1:39:50; Jenna Pershing, 1:39:51; Daniel Suorsa, 1:40:08; Tiffany Haddad, 1:40:19; Kali Williams, 1:40:39; Frank Piedimonte, 1:40:51; Eric Efinger, 1:41:50; Michael Jones, 1:41:59; Andrew Nuttall, 1:42:02; Ronald Nyman, 1:42:12; Katie Jamison, 1:42:13; Alexis Curry, 1:42:14; Peter Taube, 1:42:20; Kimberly Dambach, 1:42:35; Alena Smigla, 1:42:36; Ben Mulig, 1:43:02; Kaitlyn Hammerschmidt, 1:43:19; Anna Timko, 1:43:29; Ryan Sedar, 1:43:30; Janel Edwards, 1:43:31; Leah LaFramboise, 1:43:33; Renee Schmitzer, 1:43:40; Marci Bontempo, 1:44:13; Lori Cipkins, 1:44:56Send comments and suggestions: Patricia Neubert. Phone 724-352-4395. Email lotzak@consolidated.netPat Neubert is a running columnist for the Butler Eagle