Cross country season is over, and marathons have paused until spring. It’s time to heal nagging injuries and to relax a mind that’s been focused on performance.

Holiday-themed events may be just what runners need to relieve the pressure of competition and to run purely for fun, at least until next year’s training begins.

This Saturday, runners are invited to dress festively for Merry Christmas Mile and Light Up Night in Hermitage at 5:50 p.m. Merry Christmas Mile precedes the annual Holiday Light Up Parade, so runners and walkers will be cheered on by 8,000-10,000 spectators lining the parade route.

Following a fireworks display, the run/walk starts at Kraynaks Christmasland, renowned for its year-round holiday spirit for 49 years, and runs downhill to Hickory United Methodist Church. Merry Christmas Mile was first run in 2017 and has increased in participation each year since. Race director Patti Rodinbaugh expects more than 150 this Saturday, especially if weather is mild.

The parade keeps to a tight schedule, but there’s time for even the slowest runners and walkers to finish before the parade overtakes them. Rodinbaugh said last year a dinosaur-costumed walker finished next-to-last. Santa always makes his appearance at the end.

After completing the mile, participants will have plenty of time to watch the parade of more than 90 floats, marching bands from several local schools and dazzling light displays.

If you need the speed, organizers advertise the course can be a great place to try for a PR. Male and female course records were set in 2023, by Justin Reno, 4:29, and Lia Bartholomew, 5:39. Reno has signed up to challenge his time. Top three male and female finishers, masters and age group finishers in age groups from 10-and-under through 70-plus earn medals.

The best three costumes also earn prizes which are awarded near Hickory UMC following the event.

Online registration for Merry Christmas Mile is open until midnight Friday at secure.getmeregistered.com/get_information.php?event_id=140146. Sign up on race day from 4:30-5:40 p.m. at Kraynaks parking lot, cash or check only. Arrive early since roads will be congested.

For more information, call Patricia Rodenbaugh, 724-981-8750 or email patricia_rodenbaugh@hermitage.k12.pa.us.

‘Tis the season for truthahntrub, the German-equivalent for turkey trot. On Nov. 29 at 9 a.m., Saxonburg celebrates both Thanksgiving and the town’s German heritage with the Truthahntrub 5K and 1K Fun Run. Held on the Saturday of Thanksgiving weekend, Truthahntrub is “a perfect opportunity to run/walk with family, friends, and co-workers while enjoying the picturesque countryside.”

Beginning at Roebling Park, Truthahntrub 5K is a mostly paved, out-and-back course through town and surrounding pastures. The 1K, starting shortly after, is a loop through town. All finishers in the 1K receive a turkey trot ribbon.

Competitive awards in the 5K include trophies for top three overall male and female finishers and medals for top three in age groups from 9-and-under through 70-and-older. There are also three awards in the popular and competitive team division.

Following the race, all can enjoy Bavarian soft pretzels, hot chocolate and coffee in Roebling Park. It’s a great way to reconnect with friends and family at home for the holiday weekend.

After the race, visit Main Street’s Small Business Saturday at a leisurely pace.

You may register for Truthahntrub 5K and 1K online until noon Nov. 28 at runsignup.com/Race/PA/Saxonburg/SaxonburgTruthahntrab5k. Register in person at packet pick-up 5-6:30 p.m. Nov. 29 at Speckled Hen

Chocolate Company or on race day beginning at 7:30 a.m. in Roebling Park. In-person registration is by cash, check or Venmo payment only.

Saturday, 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

Saturday, 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

Dec. 13, 9 a.m.: Run Santa Run 5K, Cranberry Township. Dress festive for this run through Graham Park. runsignup.com/Race/PA/CranberryTownship/RunSantaRunCranberryTownship

Dec. 14, 10 a.m.: 5th Annual Festivus for the Rest of Us 5K Run/Walk, New Florence. runsignup.com/Race/PA/NewFlorence/NewFlorenceFestivus5k

Dec. 20, 9 a.m.: Reindeer 5K, 1-Mile and ½-Mile, Zelienople. runsignup.com/Race/PA/Zelienople/ReindeerRace2023

Run for Their Lives 5K, Sept. 1: Quintin Sato, 1st Overall M, 19:48; Emily Thornton, 1st Overall W, 20:03; Sheryl Brenner, 3rd Overall W, 24:43; Enzo Urso, 1st 17 & Under M, 25:44; Lorelai Urso, 3rd 17 & Under W, 28:20; Landon Rebholz, 2nd 17 & Under M, 32:17; Greg Brenner, 22:56; Ryan Brady, 26:03; Hortense Allison, 26:18; Britt Cranmer, 26:20; Paul Urso, 26:42; Kaitlyn Mecannic, 30:47; Rachel Urso; 31:01; Lara Hudek, 31:23; Nichole Rebholz, 32:18; Renee Allison, 33:15; Kaleesha-Teres Moffat-Jackson, 33:36; Kristan Semmler, 41:29; Pamela Krosel, 43:22; Lisa Murslack, 49:19

Pioneer Pursuit 5K, Sept. 13: Ryan Irwin, 1st Overall W, 18:15; Dominick Pusateri, 2nd Overall M, 18:17; Sara Irwin, 1st Overall W, 19:52; Chelsea Custer, 2nd Overall W, 23:13; Mandy Matus, 3rd Overall W, 23:49; Nick Coval, 1st 40-49 M, 25:10; Glenn Sharrar, 2nd 40-49 M, 26:25; Tabitha Bowser, 2nd 40-49 W, 27:07; Lauren Hortert, 1st 30-39 W, 27:13; Susan Landgraf, 1st 50-59 W, 27:31; Isaac Hixon, 1st 18 & Under M, 27:49; Greg Panchik, 2nd 30-39 M, 28:13; Camryn Bowser, 1st 1-18 & Under W, 29:17; Ken Peth, 3rd 40-49 M, 30:03; John Karpacs, 3rd 60-69 M, 32:23; Anthony Sunseri, 1st 70+ M, 32:50; Madison Sharrar, 2nd 18 & Under W, 33:31; Summer Vantine, 2nd 30-39 W, 34:58; Karen Beilstein, 3rd 40-49 W, 34:58; Ashley Teuteberg, 3rd 30-39 W, 36:21; Destiny Gray, 1st 19-29 W, 47:36; Katherine Metcalfe, 2nd 50-59 W, 48:09; Bruce Soule, 26:12; Vince Moore, 27:32; Becky Clouse, 37:20

Distant Area Volunteer Fire Department PB Festival Half Marathon, Sept. 20: William McCorkle, 1st Overall M, 1:48:21; Gina Dansak, 1st Overall W, 2:18:03

Distant Area Volunteer Fire Department PB Festival 5K Race, Sept. 20: Brad Patsy, 1st Overall M, 19:10; Peyton Patsy, 1st 19 & Under M, 20:26; Sara Irwin, 1st Overall W, 20:27; Fred Weaver, 3rd 40-49 M, 22:54; J. Snyder, 3rd 19 & Under M, 24:53; Lynnette Snyder, 1st 40-49 W, 26:42; Jim Brosius, 2nd 50-59 M, 27:57; Anthony Termin, 1st 20-29 M, 29:42; Wendy Smith, 2nd 40-49 W, 31:27; Jon Snyder, 26:42; Clint Ferringer, 27:59; Allen Clinger, 28:03; Dale Rogers, 29:59

Fineview Step Challenge 5 Mile, Oct. 4: Ryan Sippel, 1st Overall M, 40:43; Mary Kowalski, 1st Overall W, 46:21; Michal Kawecki, 41:47; David Findlay, 1:01:10; Luke Lesic, 1:42:24

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