Runners are a hardy breed, but sometimes they are a foolhardy breed.

Spring Thaw race co-director Kevin Smith of Elite Runners and Walkers laughed when I mentioned canceling this Saturday's event if the weather is bad.

"It's never been canceled in all of its 29 years," Smith says. "Runners adjust."

Smith also directed Murrysville's Frigid 5 on Feb. 11. The race lived up to its name with an 8-degree starting temperature and wind chills that made it seem well below zero. Many of the Frigid 5's more than 100 finishers used the run as a "warm-up" for Spring Thaw.

Kevin Smith has co-directed Spring Thaw with Runner's High's Mark Courtney for the past three years.

"It's been a good partnership," Smith said.

Smith provides volunteers and handles the application process for the event while Courtney does the race timing and provides excellent soup for the postrace feed.

Spring Thaw, the original Pittsburgh Marathon, has evolved into a good training race for spring marathons and an excellent goal of its own. The event includes distances of 10, 15 and 20 miles.

All participants in the event receive a long-sleeved Brooks technical T-shirt as a commemorative. The shirt itself is worth the entry fee.

"It's like buying a shirt and getting a race for free," Smith said.

The 10-mile distance awards competitive prizes for top overall and age-group finishers.

Runners completing 15 miles of consecutive North Park Lake loops earn a bonus gift of gloves.

And finishers of the entire 20-mile distance receive embroidered hats and vie for honors as top overall or masters men and women. Participants in all distances are eligible to win random drawing prizes as well.

Runners and spectators will welcome the warmth of North Park's Rose Barn, the staging site for this year's Spring Thaw. Plan to park behind the barn as the boathouse parking lot will be closed for the race.

For eight or nine participants in the Elite Runners and Walkers coaching program, Spring Thaw is a training run for spring marathons like Flying Pig Marathon in Cincinnati on May 6 or the popular Just a Short Run half marathon.

Just a Short Run, also sponsored by Elite Runners and Walkers, is scheduled for March 31 in North Park.

While Just a Short Run is an official race for Leukemia and Lymphoma Society's Team in Training, proceeds from Spring Thaw are divided among charities supported by the event's volunteers.

It's not too late to register for Spring Thaw at 10 a.m. Saturday. Online registrations will be accepted until Thursday night at www.signmeupsports.com.

Day-of-event registrations are also welcome at a slightly higher fee. Forinformation, call 412-490-0881 or email springthaw10@hotmail.com. Unlikely cancelations due to extreme weather will be posted at www.eliterunners.com and listed on TV weather closing announcements.

Upcoming events: Saturday, 8 a.m.: Up-N-Running group run, Valencia. Train for Flying Pig Marathon or run just for fun. 724-898-2525 or www.runpa.comMarch 4, 8:45 a.m.: Mill Creek Classic Half Marathon, Youngstown, Ohio. Hilly and scenic run through Mill Creek Park. 330-782-2912 or cmille2195@aol.comMarch 31, 8:30 a.m.: Just a Short Run, North Park. Choice of 5K, half marathon, 30K or half marathon relay. 412-490-0881 or www.justashortrun.netSend comments and suggestions to: 435 Cherry Valley Road, Saxonburg, Pa. 16056. Phone or fax: 724-352-4395. Email: bigp16@connecttime.net