According to Mayor Joe Cisco and resident runner Herb Cratty, the middle of February is a great time to visit Ellport Boro.

Cratty, race director for Saturday's Ellport Boro Winter Wonderland 5K, laughingly referred to Ellport as a "suburb of Ellwood City." It's a quiet residential area with plenty of neighborhood streets to accommodate runners.

The mayor of Ellport suggested that Cratty, owner of Miles of Smiles Timing Service, hold a road race through town to give people a lift in the dead of winter. The race date coincides with Cratty's birthday.

"What better way to spend my birthday than with friends?" Cratty said. "Some of us haven't seen each other since October or November, when the racing season was done."

Cratty expects 50 to 75 of his running friends, fast and slow, to attend this inaugural race.

"We have a good many preregistered, but it really will depend on the weather on race day," he said.

Although Cratty expects the race to go on as planned, if unusually harsh conditions make running dangerous, the run will be postponed until the first week of March. A makeup date is not confirmed because Cratty expects to hold this weekend's event.

"Runners run in all weather," he said.

Cratty has been logging more than 50 miles per week in training for the Williamsburg Colonial Half Marathon in Virginia Feb. 24. Despite the frigid temperatures, Cratty has managed to keep up his faster- paced training.

He has been accompanied on some of these faster sessions by Knoch High miler Brian Tackett.

"We're on opposite ends of the racing spectrum," Cratty said, "but he keeps me honest. He gives me a good workout."

Although he is facing his 44th birthday Saturday, Cratty often finds himself among the top finishers at local, regional and national events. He also imparts his knowledge to anyone willing to listen, including high school distance runners at Ellwood City High.

Dustin Smith of Ellwood City, one of the region's fastest distance runners, arguably is the favorite to win the Winter Wonderland 5K, though several others, including Doug Basinski and Dan Dygert, should make the race competitive.

The gentle loop course should result in some fast midwinter race times. There's only one hill of significance, and it appears in the second mile of the run.

The course also is beginner-friendly, and Cratty said some of his friends will bring up the rear with a fast walking pace.

There will be plenty of food for all of Herb's running friends at the post-race party, to be held in the warmth of the community center. With good support from businesses, Winter Wonderland 5K promises to be a feast of pizza, bagels, fruit and drinks.

Although it is a birthday party, Cratty isn't sure if refreshments will include cake.

"I don't how cake would sit on runners' stomachs after a race," Cratty said.

In addition to the feast, each participant will receive a pair of cotton running gloves.

Day-of-event registrations are welcomed and will take place beginning at 9 a.m. inside the community center.

For information or directions to Ellport Boro Winter Wonderland 5K, which starts at 11 a.m. Saturday, call 724-758-2506 or email bonnherb@yahoo.com.

Check out this and other Miles of Smiles races at www.smileymiles.com

Saturday, 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.Sunday, 8 a.m.: Hot Harry's Group Run, North Park. Same as Saturday's run.Feb. 21, 7:30 p.m.: "Spirit of the Marathon," Cinemark, Galleria at Pittsburgh Mills. Encore presentation of the film. Order tickets online at www.fathomevents.comFeb. 23, 9 a.m.: Spring Thaw, North Park. Choice of 10 miles, 15 miles or 20 miles, post-run soup buffet. 412-490-0881 or ksmith@eliterunners.comMarch 2, 8:30 a.m.: Mill Creek Distance Classic, Youngstown, Ohio. Hilly half marathon runs through Mill Creek Metro Park. 330-727-6070 or rhart829@sbglobal.netMarch 8, 11 a.m.: Katrina's 5K Run, Freedom. Benefits New Orleans hurricane relief. 724-728-2648March 8, noon: Air Force ROTC Arnold Air Society Run to Remember, Morgantown, W.Va. 304-483-1579 or hsealove@mix.wvu.eduMarch 9, 9 a.m.: Athletic Trainer River Run, Pittsburgh. Run from UPMC Southside. 412-432-3770 or sanchioligi@upmc.eduMarch 15, 10 a.m.: Diane Kelly 5K Run & Walk, Warren. Starts at YMCA. 814-726-0110 or chris@warrenymcaMarch 22, 7 a.m.: Lt. J.C. Stone 50K UltraMarathon, North Park. Honors Vietnam War hero. www.active.comSend comments and suggestions to: 435 Cherry Valley Road, Saxonburg, Pa. 16056. Phone or fax: 724-352-4395. E-mail: bigp16@connecttime.netPat Neubert is the running columnist for the Butler Eagle.