Operation Troop Appreciation 5K — the name says it all.

For the past 20 years, this race in Hampton Township has been the largest fundraiser for Operation Troop Appreciation, a Pittsburgh-based charity that has served more than 210,000 active military and veterans.

OTA is a 100% volunteer staffed organization that supports currently deployed military by supplementing supplies such as gloves, boots and other items requested by soldiers worldwide. Since 2014, OTA has also offered veterans and their families support as they make the transition back to civilian life.

This 5K race is more than a fundraiser. It’s a demonstration of thanks and support by the community to those who serve and have served our country.

It begins 9 a.m. Sunday in Hampton Community Park with a patriotic start by active service members and follows a rolling course on paved park roads and a packed gravel fitness trail. Along the way, Boy Scout Troop 17 offers water, and at the halfway point and Hampton High School Pep Band gives encouragement to charge up “The Hill,” a short but steep ascent about a mile into the race.

Race director Alice McLaughlin said although the course has changed several times over the years, that hill has been a constant. The course will be the same as last year’s run, and McLaughlin promised plenty of signage and volunteers on the course for anyone new to the event.

“I always run or walk the course after the signs are up,” she said.

McLaughlin credits volunteers’ dedication for the race’s success and longevity.

“Volunteers just show up each year,” she said. “They know what to do and they do it.”

She named scoutmaster Jim Anderson of Troop 17 and Theresa Goeller as examples. Goeller provides a free post-race All-American Buffet for all attendees to the race with hot dogs, homemade baked beans and fresh fruit.

If you are interested in helping at the race, McLaughlin welcomes new volunteers. Call or text her at 412-860-1883.

McLaughlin hopes to top 250 participants this year and hopes for good weather for the event. Online registration is open at runsignup.com/Race/PA/AllisonPark/OPERATIONTROOPAPPRECIATION5K until Friday.

Day of sign-up opens 7 a.m. Sunday.

Preregistered runners will have their bibs and bags ready for self-serve pick-up to save time. There’s also a self-serve goody bag table in which participants choose their own items. McLaughlin said this practice began during the pandemic and is more efficient on a busy race morning.

McLaughlin welcomes all runners and walkers. Strollers and leashed dogs are permitted.

Those interested in race times and competition are well rewarded. Top two overall and first masters male and female finishers earn handmade awards and gift certificates. Top age group finishers in groups from 10-and-under through 65-plus receive apple pies while second and third age group winners earn medals.

There’s also a Team Challenge with cross country scoring for teams of five. The winning team takes home tickets to a Pittsburgh Penguins game.

“Regardless of the awards they win and the amenities they enjoy, runners are motivated by the knowledge that their efforts will help provide Holiday care packages to our active-duty troops,” McLaughlin said.

At the finish area, DJ Rick will provide not only patriotic music but musical accompaniment to a post-race random drawing of “a wide assortment of creative and unique prizes.”

For more information about Operation Troop Appreciation’s mission to help those who serve and have served or to donate money or needed goods, visit operationtroopappreciation.org.

Saturday, 10 a.m.: Veterans Salute 5K Run/Walk, Rochester. Hilly course from Green Valley Township Park. runsignup.com/Race/PA/Rochester/VeteransSalute

Sunday, 7:30 a.m.: EQT Pittsburgh 10-Miler, 10K and 10K Walk, Pittsburgh. p3r.org/races/eqt-10-miler

Sunday, 9 a.m.: Operation Troop Appreciation Veteran’s Day 5K Race, Allison Park. Slightly rolling course through Hampton Community Park. Post-race buffet. runsignup.com/Race/PA/AllisonPark/OPERATIONTROOPAPPRECIATION5K

Nov. 16, 7:15 a.m.: Last Trail Standing 50K, 25K, 8-Miler and 5K, Pittsburgh. Race covers every trail in Settlers Cabin Park. runsignup.com/Race/PA/Oakdale/LastTrailStanding

Nov. 22, 9 a.m.: Turkey Trot 5K and 1K Kids’ Run, Waynesburg. Also 1K pet walk. 5K starts at 9:30 at Eva Bowlby Library. runsignup.com/Race/PA/Waynesburg/EvaKBowlbyLibrary5KTurkeyTrot

Nov. 22, 5:50 p.m.: Merry Christmas Mile @ Light Up Night Hermitage, Hermitage. Starts at Kraynak’s store, precedes Holiday Parade. 724-981-8750 or secure.getmeregistered.com/get_information.php?event_id=140146

Nov. 27, 7:30 a.m.: 35th Annual YMCA Turkey Trot 5-Mile and 5K, Pittsburgh. Also 1 Mile Family Fun Run at 9:30 a.m. p3r.org/races/ymca-turkey-trot

Nov. 27, 8:30 a.m.: Kiski Valley Turkey Trot 5K, Apollo. Run in Kunkle Park. Also 1 Mile Fun Run/Walk. runsignup.com/Race/PA/Apollo/kvturkeytrot

Nov. 27, 9 a.m.: 27th Annual Gobbler’s Gallop 10K and 5K, Ellwood City. 724-758-6227 or runsignup.com/Race/PA/EllwoodCity/GobblersGallop

Nov. 27, 9 a.m.: Latrobe Turkey Trot 5K, Latrobe. 724-610-4656 or latroberecreation.org/races/

Nov. 27, 9 a.m.: 10th Grateful Gallop 5K presented by GCAFCU, Grove City. Flat and fast course through Hunter’s Farm Park. runsignup.com/Race/PA/GroveCity/GratefulGallop5k

Nov. 27, 9 a.m.: Lawrence County Community YMCA T-Day 5K/Fun K, New Castle. runsignup.com/Race/PA/NewCastle/LawrenceCountyYMCATDay5K

Nov. 27, 9:30 a.m.: Gobble Wobble 5K, Hermitage. Run at Buhl Park. runsignup.com/Race/PA/Hermitage/GobbleWobbleRace

Nov. 29, 9 a.m.: Truthahntrab 5K, Saxonburg. Scenic 5K or 1K through Saxonburg. Also team challenge. runsignup.com/Race/PA/Saxonburg/SaxonburgTruthahntrab5k

Nov. 29, 10 a.m.: WALKer Run 5K, Conneaut Lake. Out and back along Conneaut Lake. 814-573-8734 or www.walkerrun5k.com

Dec. 6, 10 a.m.: Lutheran Senior Life Abundant Lights 5K and 1-Mile, Zelienople. Run at Passavant Community Campus. runsignup.com/Race/PA/Zelienople/AbundantLightsK

Dec. 6, 10 a.m.: Jingle Bell Run, Pittsburgh. Dress festive, starts at Great Lawn on North Shore. events.arthritis.org/jbrpittsburgh

Dec. 7, 9 a.m.: Run Santa Run 5K, Oakdale. Out-and-back from Helicon Brewing on Panhandle Trail. runsignup.com/Race/PA/Oakdale/RunSantaRun5KOakdale

Dec. 7, 9:30 a.m.: Santa Run 5K/10K, Beaver. Wear your Christmas attire. Also 1 Mile Fun Run. runsignup.com/Race/PA/Beaver/YMCASantaRun5k1MileRun

Dec. 7, 10 a.m.: Nittany Valley Half Marathon, State College. 814-231-4043 or www.nittanyvalleyhalfmarathon.com

Dec. 7, 4 p.m.: It’s a Wonderful 5K, Indiana. Run around lake at Blue Spruce Park. runsignup.com/Race/PA/Indiana/ItsAWonderful5K?_gl=1*77wvtp*_ga*MTU0NDMyNzQ0Mi4xNzYwMzk1NTQx*_ga_QKEVS8BTWC*czE3NjExMzgzNDQkbzIkZzAkdDE3NjExMzgzNDQkajYwJGwwJGgw

Run Around the Square 5k, Aug. 23: Lukas Marcelis, 1st Overall M, 17:18; Lily Moerschel, 1st Overall W, 19:34; Colleen Abel, 1st 45-49 W, 23:34; Bill Schmidt, 1st 70+ M, 24:34; Ryan Abel, 23:13; Danielle Verba, 26:58; Matthew Mehalik, 27:46; David Findlay, 27:54; Michelle Zucatti, 28:25; Mike Gorham, 28:28; Matthew Johnston, 28:55; Bruce Soule, 29:02; Hazel McKinney, 31:18; Paul Meskanick, 32:21; Megan Trenz, 32:52; Traci Morris-Soule, 36:32; Svetlana Tarassov, 37:31; Teresa Schrader, 38:46; Kristin Flanders, 39:43; Terry Melis, 40:20

Harvest Home Twilight 5K, Sept. 5: Sean Ratkus, 1st Overall M, 18:48; Isaac Vangura, 3rd Overall M, 19:11; Caitlin Guilfoyle, 1st Overall W, 19:31; Rebecca Clark, 2nd Overall W, 19:49; Joe Malone, 1st Masters M, 20:15; David Rice, 3rd Masters M, 21:10; Luke Dieckmann, 1st 10-11 M, 21:46; Liz Creasy, 1st 30-39 W, 22:30; Gavin Walter, 1st 14-15 M, 22:49; Jeff Gonano, 2nd 30-39 M, 23:04; Joseph Malone,Sr., 1st 60-69 M, 23:17; Dave Sippel, 1st 70+ M, 24:16; Rafael Amato, 2nd 9 & Under M, 24:24; Samantha Beckert, 2nd 10-11 W, 24:36; Maggie Miller, 3rd 10-11 W, 24:41; Lindsay Buchanan, 2nd 40-49 W, 27:15; Sarah Flaherty, 3rd 20-29 W, 34:16; Nancy Luttrell, 1st 70+ W, 35:19; Dave Baldwin, 1st 50-59 M, 49:40; Stehanie Z., 2nd 50-59 W, 1:01:37; Eileen Donnelly, 3rd 50-59 W, 1:01:41; Cheryl Schoone, 2nd 60-69 W, 1:01:41; Sam Tiche, 22:38; Ben Buchanan, 22:53; Cole Miller, 22:55; Victor Montes, 23:56; Declan Flynn, 24:10; Zach Thomas; Gloria Gonano, 25:54; Michael Amato, 26:34; David Montes, 26:51; Frank Amato, 27:01; Theodore Schoedel, 27:37; Brian Dieckmann, 28:08; Danielle Sefchok, 29:31; Jeanette McDevitt, 29:59; Isaac White, 30:56; Ashton Horne, 31:38; Cooper Creasy, 32:25; Ethan Creasy, 32:25; Keith Creasy, 32:25; Natalie Rice, 32:54; Brad Tiche, 33:15; Caleb Radzvin, 33:41; Salvatore Cersosimo, 33:43; Parker Skrastins, 33:44; Daniel Waruszewski, 34:53; Lexie Miller, 36:39; Jocelyn Miller, 36:40; Alaina Vargo, 36:42; Lindsay Radzvin, 39:04; Joanne Malone, 45:39

Erie Marathon at Presque Isle, Sept. 7: Nate Kawalec, 1st Overall M, 2:23:30; Katie Lembo, 1st Overall W, 2:51:39; Michael Brown, 2nd 70-74 M, 4:01:18; 2 Ez, 2:48:13; Brad Mueller, 2:50:14; Matthew Slagle, 3:18:24; Bryce Foreback, 3:28:07; Kirsten Beck, 3:31:15; Ryan Locktosh, 3:42:12; Kate Meeuf, 3:46:16; Dustin Houpt, 3:46:25; Kara Shuty, 3:46:29; Lacee Loos, 3:52:25; Renee Miller, 3:54:23; Michaella Roth, 3:56:54; Matthew Saunders, 3:57:37; Matthew Tarasovich, 4:08:12; Mason Hacker, 4:19:34; Brian Ekas, 4:27:58; Abby Lizewski, 4:28:05; Emma Lizewski, 4:28:05; Julia Hillebrand, 4:28:38; Trish Olkowski, 4:55:56; Bethany Harmon, 5:37:32

Pat Neubert is a running columnist for the Butler Eagle. Send comments and suggestions: Patricia Neubert, phone 724-822-1577, email lotzak@consolidated.net