Western Pa. loves St. Patrick’s Day. Because the holiday falls on Tuesday this year, we have two weekends to drink green beer and wear our festive shamrock running shorts to local events.

At 8 a.m. Saturday, P3R sponsors Pittsburgh Parade Day Dash 5K and 1-Mile with scenic, almost flat routes through Pittsburgh prior to the popular St. Patrick’s Day Parade. The 5K begins on the North Shore while the 1-Mile starts from Stanwix Street downtown. Both end on Boulevard of the Allies in front of the parade grandstand. Since the parade begins at 10 a.m., there will be plenty of cheering spectators for runners and walkers.

This is the second year for the Parade Day Dash. The inaugural event had more than 2,000 participants. This year, Kelsey Emch, public relations director for P3R, predicted close to 3,000 this yearbased on current registrations.

You may sign up online until race day at p3r.org/races/ or in person at packet pick-up at Dick’s World of Sports, Ross Park Mall, Thursday from 4-8 p.m. and Friday, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. There’s also race-day registration at the start areas beginning at 6:30 a.m.

The $60 5K registration fee ($40 for 1-Mile) may sound steep, but there are plenty of perks. Participants receive a race hoodie, and all finishers earn a custom-designed medal. There’s gear check at the starting area for both distances and bananas and cookies at the finish. And kids ages 12 and under register for half off the adult price.

The 5K event is a competitive race offering awards for top three male and female and age group finishers from 11U through 80-plus. There are also awards for best St. Patrick’s Day costumes. The 1-mile event is just for fun.

Dogs and strollers are welcome in the 1-mile only. Service dogs may participate in the 5K. Contact info@p3r.org for prior permission.

And keep those green shorts out for another week.

At 10 a.m. March 21, Shamrock Shuffle 5K and 1-Mile Fun Walk takes over the streets of the small town of West Leechburg.

This is the 10th year for this community celebration presented by Semper Gratus, a Pittsburgh-based charity that supports pediatric patients affected with cancer, other diseases or disabilities. The group also supports kindness initiatives like packing food boxes for families at Thanksgiving. To date, Semper Gratus has donated more than $500,000 to Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, Autism-Pittsburgh and more.

The 2025 Shamrock Shuffle saw a record high 520 finishers. Race director Ian Coyle predicts possibly 600 for this year. He credited great community support for the event’s success. Coyle said many residents watch from porches or have St. Patrick’s Day parties on their lawns to cheer on the runners and walkers in their festive attire as the race winds through residential neighborhoods on streets closed to traffic.

Shamrock Shuffle is staged from West Leechburg Firemen’s Recreation Hall. This gives participants a warm place to gather before and after the event. Both events start at 10 a.m.

The 5k is a certified course Coyle called “challenging” with hills throughout. Top three overall and age group winners from 10U through 70-plus in the 5K earn custom designed medals. There’s also a Best Costume category.

The less challenging 1-mile is just for fun. Strollers and leashed dogs are welcomed and costumes are encouraged.

Shamrock Shuffle is all about fun. There’s music, refreshments including a coffee truck and smoothie truck, family-friendly surprises including balloon art, face painting and appearances by Disney and Marvel characters. If you don’t wish to run or walk, there’s a Yoga Give and Glow event at 10 a.m. and Small Town Loud Voice Dance Party for ages 21 and over at 5 p.m.

Registration is open until 9:30 a.m. on race day at runsignup.com/Race/PA/Leechburg/ShamShuffle. Kids ages 4 and under are free. Commemorative T-shirts and swag bags are not guaranteed but will be available while supplies last. For more information about Semper Gratus events, visit www.sempergratuspgh.org/

Saturday, 8 a.m.: Pittsburgh Parade Day Dash, Pittsburgh. Run 5K or 1-Mile Fun Run/Walk prior to St. Paddy’s Day Parade. p3r.org/races/pittsburgh-parade-day-dash

Saturday, 10 a.m.: Kiski Area Shamrock Run 5K, Apollo. runsignup.com/Race/PA/Apollo/KiskiAreaShamrockRun5K

Saturday, 10 a.m.: Judith’s Jig 5K & Kids Jaunt, Meadville. Starts at Diamond Park Square. secure.getmeregistered.com/get_information.php?event_id=142036

March 21, 7:30 a.m.: Shamrock Shuffle 13.1-Mile, 5K & 1-Mile, Harmony. Run one or all 3 distances from challenging 13.1 miles to rolling 5K and 1-Mile. Food and beverages following. runsignup.com/Race/PA/Harmony/ShamrockShuffleZeienopleRotary

March 21, 10 a.m.: Shamrock Shuffle 5K and Fun Walk, Leechburg. Kids 4-and-under free. Supports Semper Gratus. runsignup.com/Race/PA/Leechburg/ShamShuffle

March 28, 8:35 a.m.: Just a Short Run, Allison Park. Run 5K, 8.1-Mile, Half Marathon or 30K in North Park. runsignup.com/Race/Info/PA/AllisonPark/JASR

March 28, 10 a.m.: Butler’s Best Buddies Eggstravaganza 5K, Bunny Hop 1-Mile and Kids Easter Egg Hunt, Butler. Fun for all at Art Bernardi Stadium. runsignup.com/Race/PA/Butler/BestBuddiesEasterEggDash

April 4, 10 a.m.: Fool’s Run 10K and 5K, Blairsville. runsignup.com/Race/PA/Blairsville/FoolsRun10K5K?utm_source=platform_find_a_race&utm_medium=referral or 814-749-8556

April 4, 10 a.m.: Venango County CASA Superhero 5K Run/Walk and Free Superhero Kids Mini Fun Run, Oil City. Run on Samuel Justis Trail. runsignup.com/Race/PA/OilCity/VenangoCountyCASASuperhero5k

April 11, 9 a.m.: Miles for Micah 5K, 1-Mile and Kid’s Dash, Harmony. Raise money for child battling cancer. runsignup.com/Race/PA/Coraopolis/MilesForMicah5kMileKidsDash

April 11, 9 a.m.: Dyngus Day Dash 5K, Allison Park. Starts at North Park Boathouse. Polka band, prizes, pierogis. 412-327-6074 or www.dyngusdash.com

April 11, 9 a.m.: Dirty Kiln Trail Races at Canoe Creek State Park, Hollidaysburg. Scenic and challenging trail run. runsignup.com/Race/PA/Hollidaysburg/DirtyKiln

April 12, 10 a.m.: Helicon Brewing Food Truck 5K, Oakdale. Run out and back on Panhandle Rail Trail. runsignup.com/Race/PA/Oakdale/HeliconBrewingFoodTruck5K

April 25, 8 a.m.: Tapped for Sap 25K, Beaver Falls. Run or hike scenic Brady’s Run Park trails. runsignup.com/Race/PA/BeaverFalls/TappedForSapKTrailRace

April 25, 7:30 a.m.: Draft Day 5K, Pittsburgh. p3r.org/races/picksburgh-draft-day-5k

April 25, 8 a.m.: On the Dam Trail 10K, 30K, 50K and Four-person Relay, Hooversville. ultrasignup.com/register.aspx?did=133026

May 2-3: Pittsburgh Marathon Weekend, Pittsburgh. p3r.org/races/dick-s-sporting-goods-pittsburgh-marathon

May 9, 6 a.m.: Glacier Ridge Trail Ultra, Portersville. Choice of 50 miles, 50K or 20 miles on Moraine State Park trails. www.glacierridgetrailultra.com

Cupid’s Chase 5K (Butler), Feb. 14: Natalie Zolinas, 1st Overall W, 21:29; Douglas Basinski, 1st Overall M, 21:46; Andrew Grossmann, 2nd Overall, 23:10; Corinne Petrus, 2nd Overall, 23:43; Jessica Titler, 3rd W Overall, 25:06; S Mark Courtney, 1st 70+ M, 24:25; Levi Pankratz, 1st 13-15 M, 24:27; Joseph Titler, 1st 35-39 M, 24:30; Chelsea Custer, 1st 30-34 W, 25:38; Amber Wagner, 2nd 30-34 W, 26:09; Rob Lewis, 1st 40-44 M, 27:01; Tyler Simon, 1st 30-34 M, 27:05; Mandy Hunt, 1st 25-29 W, 27:38; Jordan Herzog, 1st 25-29 M, 27:39; Tasha Ponteous, 1st 45-49 W, 28:16; Megan Winters, 1st 40-44 W, 28:28; Madison Hunt, 2nd 25-29 W, 28:37; Jen Hammonds, 28:49; 2nd 40-44 W, Ashley McCandless, 1st 35-39 W, 29:06; Jess Holland, 3rd 40-44 W, 29:07; Christopher Hawes, 1st 50-54 M, 29:10; Jessica Hamilton, 2nd 35-39 W, 29:29; Steve Sinka, 2nd 50-54 M, 29:40; Jennifer Rottman, 2nd 45-49 W, 29:53; Ashley Hogsett, 3rd 30-34 W, 29:57; Jaclyn Rohrman, 3rd 35-39 W, 30:33; Genevieve Genaway, 2nd 13-15 W, 30:43; Tasha Werner, 1st 50-54 W, 30:49; Mason Hunt, 3rd 13-15 M, 31:56; P Schley, 1st 45-49 M, 32:40; Daniel Watson, 3rd 25-29 M, 33:01; Anthony Sunseri, 3rd 70+ M, 35:18; Brendan Stinson, 2nd 30-34 M, 35:20; Steven Claypoole, 2nd 45-49 M, 35:38; Chad Filges, 3rd 45-49 M, 36:22; Jennifer Zolinas, 2nd 50-54 W, 37:15; Alex Vanwormer, 3rd 30-34 M, 37:18; Steven Trimble, 1st 20-24 M, 39:20; Mackenzie O'Brien, 3rd 13-15 W, 39:22; Jennifer McCurdy, 1st 6-64 W, 40:48; Zoey Pankratz, 1st 16-19 W, 41:16; Abby Davis, 1st 12 & Under W, 43:43; Timothy McConahy, 1st 12 & Under M, 45:02; Thomas Hawk, 2nd 12 & Under M, 45:12; Brielle Karns, 1st 20-24 W, 46:02; Rebeccah Rodgers, 2nd 20-24 W, 46:02; Karen Hull, 1st 55-59 W, 47:52; Carley Stoy, 31:22; Rachael Mong, 31:40; Sara Young, 31:57; Lillian Bean, 33:34; Mekenzie Wolfe, 34:15; Heidi Phillips, 34:58; Stephanie Butler, 35:05; Courtney Uhl, 35:24; M Schley, 35:50; James Hughes, 36:07; Lydia Hamman, 36:46; Justin Pott, 37:17; Siwai Neupane, 37:38; Paul Johnson, 37:48; Jess Greathouse, 38:26; Amanda Leitem, 38:38; Ashley Teuteberg, 39:20; Danielle Peffer, 39:38; Laura Crawford, 39:41; Susie Pott, 40:47; Emily Eldridge, 41:47; Chelsea Kendrew, 44:34; Jessica Scott Rodgers, 46:56; Kaylee Bender, 46:59; Allie Short, 47:00; Alley Rodgers, 48:09; Mackenzee Trimble, 54:45; Angela Claypoole, 54:46; Bridget Tompkins, 56:22

Cupid’s Chase 5K (Pittsburgh), Feb. 14: Chad Pakozdi, 1st Overall M, 17:17; Liam Ginsburg, 3rd Overall M, 17:41; Jennifer Kobin, 1st Overall W, 18:26; Matthew Sudak, 1st 45-49 M, 21:01; Mark Sassaman, 3rd 45-49 M, 23:59; Ariann Holmberg, 2nd 35-39 W, 24:17; Andie Mentzer, 3rd 30-34 W, 26:25; Lukas Carnes, 2nd 12 & Under M, 27:44; Connor Gerhauser, 3rd 12 & Under M, 28:58; Justin Ziegler, 22:56; Darryl Guest, 25:37; Katlin Morris, 26:37; Alaina Hicks, 27:20; Daniel Guerra, 27:37; Lana Moran, 29:06; Alexia Barlamas, 29:12; James Ginsburg, 29:39; Angeline Buczkowski, 30:10; Ethan Minogue, 30:18; Raelene Mack, 32:38; Anna Sikora, 33:10; Carnell Beamon, 33:19; Sara Laughlin, 34:41; Ayanna Akins, 34:48; Heather McCoy, 34:49; Ronelle Myers, 35:55; Jennifer Sassaman, 36:04; Ashley DeVito, 37:18; Libby Stofko, 37:19; Sophia DeVito, 37:22; Aurora Gerhauser, 37:50; Haley Carter, 38:09; Melanie Munn, 39:39; Ryan Gerhauser, 40:58; Jackson Mandock, 41:25; Joshua Chico, 42:30; James Ashbaucher, 1:00:28; Jessica Ashbaucher, 1:00:29

Big One Run 5K, Feb. 21: Chad Pakozdi, 1st Overall M, 17:16; Rebecca Pennington, 1st Overall W, 19:03; Adam Leskanic, 21:42; Morgan Stull, 23:29; Mark Kujala, 33:37; Morgan Nussbaumer, 33:39; Tony Sunseri, 35:17; Kelli Hillwig, 37:10; Rick Orlowski, 38:49; Lori Masters, 44:55; Kathy Shoaf, 44:55

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