Winter seems condensed this year with our most severe conditions packed into the last few weeks.

Although runners will tough out whatever weather comes our way, we know that eventually we’ll run into a spring thaw.

But no matter the weather, for the past 40 years, runners can be sure to run into THE Spring Thaw. Spring Thaw, held in Allegheny County’s North Park at 10 a.m. Feb. 27, began as the original Pittsburgh Marathon. It has evolved into a great training event for upcoming spring marathons or half marathons.

Spring Thaw’s choice of 10, 15 or 20 miles in consecutive loops of North Park Lake offers many options. The 10-mile event is a stand-alone race with awards for top three overall male and female finishers and top masters. First three finishers in age groups from 19 and under through 70+ earn special 40th anniversary medals. All 10 mile finishers earn a commemorative embroidered winter hats.

The 15-mile distance adds one more loop around the lake and is a popular choice for half marathon training. All 15-mile finishers earn running gloves. According to the event’s webpage, the 15-mile incentive is there to keep the 10 milers going and to provide some consolation for the 20-milers who change their minds at 15 miles.

With the Boston Marathon only six weeks away and Pittsburgh Marathon on May 1, the 20-mile distance is a good fitness test. Runners who complete the entire 20 miles at Spring Thaw earn neck gaiters.

If you are unsure of what distance you wish to run, race director Kevin Smith says that’s not a problem. If you wish to run less or more than originally planned, you’re free to switch during the event.

Spring Thaw offers experienced pacers from marathonpacing.com in all distances at paces from seven minutes per mile through 11 minutes per mile and each 30-second increment in between. Running with a pacer affords runners the opportunity to gauge fitness and to try out a particular tempo or goal pace. All runners, no matter what distance or pace, will enjoy Spring Thaw’s traditional post-race refreshments of hot soup and pizza.

Smith, now in his 13th year as race director, predicts participation of 700 to 800 runners, with 20 to 30 percent who make this an annual tradition. “This race is so weather dependent,” Smith says. “In our largest year, we had just shy of 1,000 runners, but the weather was 45 degrees and dry.”

In its 40 years, Spring Thaw has never been cancelled because of weather. Smith says that cold weather will never stop the race, though a major snowstorm might. Organizers rely on guidance from Allegheny County Police. If road conditions are extremely dangerous, the race would be postponed.

“We’ll make a weather decision before 7 a.m. on race day,” Smith says. Runners should check emails, eliterunners.com and the Spring Thaw Facebook page.

You may register for Spring Thaw online or download a printable application from eliterunners.com. If you prefer, sign up at Elite Runners new Robinson Township location, 1108 Park Manor Blvd., Pittsburgh on Thursday and Friday prior to the race from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. You may also sign up at the North Park Rose Barn beginning at 8:30 a.m. on race day.

Spring Thaw, one of nearly 90 races in the tri-state area timed by Elite Runners, benefits local youth s who in turn volunteer at the event. This year’s charity recipients include Young Life of Beaver County and distance running teams from St. Malachi, Kennedy Township and Holy Trinity schools.

For more information about Spring Thaw, set for 10 a.m. February 27, visit eliterunners.com or call 412-490-0881.

Upcoming events

Saturdays, 8 a.m.: Up-N-Running Group Runs, Valencia. Run on rolling country roads. 724-898-2525 or shoes@runpa.com

Wednesdays, 6:30 p.m.: Mojo Running Group Runs, Seven Fields. 724-772-2808 or info@mojorunningpittsburgh.com

Thursdays, 9:30 a.m.: Mojo Trail Nuts Group Runs, North Park. Run on North Park trails. 724-772-2808 or info@mojorunningpittsburgh.com

Saturday, 9 a.m.: Winter Sprinter 4 Mile Run and 2 Mile Walk, Canfield, OH. Also 2 mile walk beginning at 9:45 A.M. slandy@meridianhealthcare.net or register online at meridianhealthcare.net

Feb. 27, 10 a.m.: Spring Thaw, North Park. Choice of 10, 15 or 20 miles around North Park Lake. 412-490-0881 or eliterunners.com

March 5, 11 a.m: Sixth Annual Ellport Borough Community Winter Wonderland 5k, Ellwood City. 724-758-2506 or bonnherb@yahoo.com

March 6, 8:30 a.m.: Mill Creek Distance Classic Half Marathon and 5k, Youngstown, OH. 330-727-6070 or ytownrunners.org

March 12, 6 a.m.: Blair Candy Company 5 Mile Run, 2 Mile Run and 2 Mile Walk, Altoona. 814-695-3204 or hollidaysburgareaymca.org

March 12, 9 a.m.: Primary Health Network Charitable Foundation Shamrock ‘N’ Run 5k, Sharon. Includes breakfast and postrace party. sliska@primary-health.net

March 12, 9 a.m.: St. Patrick’s Day Distance Festival 5k, 2 Mile and 10k, Erie. Starts at Presque Isle State Park Rotary Pavilion. 814-474-3282 or erierunners.club

March 12, 9 a.m.: March Mad Dash 5k, 5 Mile and 10 Mile, North Park. Starts at North Park Boat House. 412-486-7006 or tweisner@stpaulsumc.com

March 19, 7:30 a.m.: Shamrock Shuffle Half Marathon, 5k Run/Walk and 1 Mile Run/Walk, Harmony. Challenging course, 10 A.M. start for 5k, 11:15 A.M. start for 1 mile. 724-321-4265 or joella@zoominternet.net

March 19, 7:30 a.m.: Fight for Air Climb, Pittsburgh. Climb 45 floors to the top of Oxford Centre for American Lung Association. 412-321-4029, ext. 226 or rmazur@lunginfo.org

March 19, 8:30 a.m.: Irish Heritage 5k/ 10k, Tyrone. Also 50 yard kids dash at 10 a.m. 814-684-2032 or joshuahouse.com/races

March 19, 9 a.m.: Mammoth Beer Mile and 5k, Greensburg. Beer mile starts at 11 A.M. www.mammothbeermile.com or info@flattire.com

March 19, 10 a.m.: Larry Winschel St. Paddy’s Day Run, South Park. Choice of 1 Mile, 2.25 Mile or 4 Mile runs with Greater Pittsburgh Road Runners starts at South Park Children’s Playground. 412-561-0768

March 19, 10 a.m.: Diane Kelly Memorial 5k Run and Fun Walk, Warren. jody@warrenymca.org

March 26, 8:30 A.M.: Just a Short Run, North Park. Choice of 5k, 8.1 Mile, Half Marathon or 30k to benefit Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. 412-490-0881 or Eliterunnersracing.com

May 1, 7 a.m.: Pittsburgh Marathon and Half Marathon, Pittsburgh. Price increases February 3. thepittsburghmarathon.com

Sept. 25, 8 a.m.: City of Pittsburgh Great Race 10k and 5k, Pittsburgh. Discounted registration until March 31. 412-255-2493 or rungreatrace.com

Oct. 15: Buffalo Creek Half Marathon, Sarver. Registration is now open. Butlerfreeporttrail.org

Race results

Erie Road Runners Club New Year’s Day 5 Miler, Jan. 1: Aaron Garrity, 1st Overall M, 28:13; Gabby Kennelley, 1st Overall W, 32:06; Mark Courtney, 34:45; John Armstrong, 35:01; Angela Taylor, 37:02; Sue Squires, 45:09; Barbara Ford, 48:20; Jim Constas, 48:20; Greg Kaliszewski, 53:02; Amanda Hodges, 59:19; Megan Mitchell, 1:04:13; Brandon Benson, 1:21:30

Moraine State Park Winterfest 5k, Jan. 16: Noah Bowser, 1st Overall M, 19:07; Brittni Geibel, 1st Overall W, 22:50; Shawn Beranty, 21:08; Brent Collins, 21:16; Tim Flaherty, 21:18; Mark Kunz, 21:57; Daniel Beggs, 22:30; Dave Suber, 22:32; Reed Kissick II, 23:10; Matthew France, 23:50; Blake Kelly, 24:07; Adison Trofimuk, 24:38; Nathan Troyan, 24:41; Donald Crawford, 24:47; Douglas Waid, 26:29; Jake Weiland, 26:49; Tisha Frederick, 27:02; Cindy Suber, 27:03; Jen Beachem, 27:03; Thomas Kessler, 27:15; Kristen Kessler, 27:41; Candy France, 28:23; Max Weiland, 28:36; Brian Weiland, 28:37; Jim Lakin, 28:50; Rebecca Hensel, 29:45; Sarah Drane, 30:30; Jennifer Anderson, 30:33; Robert Crawford, 30:43; Karlee Kushnereit, 30:50; Susan Kushnereit, 30:51; Terry Wingfield, 30:58; Julie Collins, 31:12; Todd Trofimuk, 31:30; Lisa Lee, 31:33; Danielle Wiles, 31:44; Marilyn Moore, 31:50; Marie Murdick, 31:50; Wade Fisher, 32:38; Jenna Buechele, 33:04; Joe Mccormish, 33:08; Jim Laskowski Jr., 33:24; Becky Carbin, 34:13; Bethany Boarts, 34:53; Megan Dailey, 34:56; Susan Wingfield, 36:30; Marrisa Sprowls, 36:40; Chelsea Giardina, 36:40; Mary Cogser, 36:51; Ethan Fisher, 37:04; Jennifer Cyphert, 38:11; Sarah Beatrice, 39:05; Erika Kissick, 39:09; Kaleb Carlantonio, 39:59; Darren Waid, 40:01; Scott Thomas, 40:33; Kailyn Plant, 41:57; Denise Shearer, 41:58; Trevor Sherman, 42:03; Cameron Laskowski, 42:49; Melanie Bartel, 44:30; Kara Nastasi, 46:06; Kelsey Stover, 46:06; LeeAnn Sherman, 48:03; Lily Sherman, 48:07; Emily McCormish, 49:24; Nathan Babusci, 55:27; Nancy Zattiero, 55:27; Paul Carlantonio, 55:39; Rhonda Hough, 59:52; Dianne Blakely, 59:57

Send comments and suggestions: Patricia Neubert, 435 Cherry Valley Rd., Saxonburg, PA. 16056. Phone 724-352-4395. E-mail bigp16@connecttime.net

Pat Neubert is a running columnist for the Butler Eagle.