Runners are selfish. We must be to carve out a personal training space or to run away from life's daily stresses.

But most runners I know are also generous. In this season of giving there are plenty of ways runners can give rather than receive.

Give back — All of us who compete appreciate a well-organized race. But an excellent event doesn't just happen by accident. It's due to the planning and hard work of many volunteers.

Make a promise this year to give back to your sport by volunteering on race day or, just as important, behind the scenes in the weeks or months leading up to the event.

Many volunteer jobs are simple but important and offer on-the-job training for newbies. Some event websites feature online volunteer registration. If not, contact the race director.

Run for someone — We all know the success story of Leukemia and Lymphoma Society's Team in Training. Since its inception in 1988, the program has raised more than $1.5 billion for research and care while supporting those who suffer with blood-related diseases.

Based on the success of Team in Training, other charitable organizations have founded similar programs. Arthritis Foundation conducts Joints in Motion. Several charities such as the American Liver Foundation and Alzheimer's Association work with major marathons or allow runners to fundraise at a race of their choosing. You could run a marathon or half marathon with a greater purpose this year.

Charity begins at home. There are plenty of local charities that hold road races each year as fundraisers. Add an extra dollar or two to your application fee to boost your donation when benefitting scholarships for local athletes, supporting your neighborhood park or putting food on someone's table.

You have plenty: share — Runners accumulate an incredible number of shoes over the years. Running shoes are usually ready for retirement from active service after 200 to 500 miles but there's still a lot of life in them. Locally, Up-N-Running in Valencia accepts usable shoes. Athletic shoes are donated to the More Foundation while non-athletic shoes benefit Special Olympics.

If your retired shoes aren't wearable, Nike recycles old shoes into usable material for playgrounds through their Reuse-A-Shoe program. Drop off any brand of worn-out athletic shoes at the Nike Factory Store at Grove City Premium Outlets.

Give of yourself — Encourage someone else by helping them begin a running program or offering to run with them. That's a gift to you as well because it's usually more fun running with someone than training alone. Or spread your running knowledge by offering your services as a volunteer coach to adults or children.

Rest-day giving — Runners are good at carving out niches of time for exercise, but you can't run all the time. Find an hour or two each month to do something good that's beneficial but not running-related.

A great place to start is by joining an established program at your church, synagogue or social organization. Spend time working at your local food bank or library or delivering meals and a smile to neighbors who aren't as mobile as you. If you can't sit still even on rest days, contact a local animal shelter and volunteer to exercise some canine inmates.

Family first — Don't forget to give back to family members who put up with your running habit year-round. Thank them by attending a non-running event or by setting aside some special family time centered on their passion, not your's.

Rebalance the kindness ratio — In these harsh times when we can't see the smiles through our masks, any mode of transportation causes rage and community meetings turn ugly, it will take at least a village of calm and kind people to recenter civility. Set your default to kindness and open your eyes to opportunities to serve others in small ways.

Sunday, 10 a.m.: New Florence Festivus 5k, New Florence. Run, walk or ruck. runsignup.com/Race/PA/NewFlorence/NewFlorenceFestivus5kDecember 31, noon: Beaver County YMCA New Year's Eve 5k, Beaver. Starts at Beaver High School. runsignup.com/Race/PA/Beaver/YMCANewYearsEve5kDecember 31, 4 p.m.: Twilight 5k Run, 2 Mile Run, 2 Mile Walk, Hollidaysburg. Run through the lights of Lakemont Park in heats with walking heat at 5 P.M. www.blairregionalymca.org/raceseries/race-series/December 31, 3:30 p.m.: Harmony Silvester 5k, Harmony. Part of New Year's Eve celebration with ball drop at 6 P.M. runsignup.com/Race/PA/Harmony/HarmonySilvester5KDecember 31, 4:15 p.m.: Harmony Silvester 1 Mile, Harmony. All 1-Mile runners receive a finisher's medal. Parents may run with kids for free. runsignup.com/Race/PA/Harmony/HarmonySilvester5KJanuary 1, 10 a.m.: Erie Runners Club New Year's Day 5 Mile Race, Erie. Starts at Rotary Pavilion in Presque Isle State Park. erierunners.club/event/erc-new-years-day-5m-race/January 1, 11 a.m.: New Year's Resolution Run 5k and 1 Mile, Oakdale. Out and back run on Panhandle Rail Trail. runsignup.com/Race/PA/Oakdale/NewYearsResolutionRun5Kand1MileFamilyFunWalk?remMeAttempt=January 2, 10 a.m.: Resolution Run 5k, Allison Park. Stars at North Park Boathouse. runsignup.com/Race/PA/AllisonPark/WolfCreekResolutionRunJanuary 2, 2 p.m.: Rockin in the New Year, Remembering Jordan Adams, St. Marys. Separate start for male and female runners. 814-594-7126 or barbiepsu@hotmail.comJanuary 8, 10 a.m.: 6th Annual Resolution Run 5k, Hermitage. runsignup.com/Race/PA/Hermitage/ResolutionRun5KwctcJanuary 9, 1 p.m.: Frigid 5 Miler, Hampton Township. Starts at North Park Lodge. runsignup.com/Race/PA/AllisonPark/Frigid5MilerJanuary 9, 1 p.m.: Run 2 Read Half Marathon, Fairmont, WV. Ime rial race in Prickett's Fort State Park. runsignup.com/Race/WV/Fairmont/RuntoReadHalfMarathonJanuary 17, 10 a.m.: Bushwacker's Nightmare 5k/10k, South Park. Sponsored by Greater Pittsburgh Road Runners Club. 724-348-6012 or bmcglothlin@gmail.com.January 22, 9 a.m.: North Park Half Marathon, Allison Park. Run 2 loops around North Park Lake. runsignup.com/Race/PA/AllisonPark/NorthParkHalfMarathon?aflt_token=HrZcYWJT57TH3GH4vWg7QL584fEmdOnK&r=YJanuary 29, 9 a.m.: Groundhog Day 5k, Allison Park. Starts at North Park Boathouse. Also virtual option. runsignup.com/Race/PA/AllisonPark/GroundhogDay5kPGHJanuary 29, 10 a.m.: Freeze Your Gizzard 5k, Penfield. Dress festive and run through frosty Parker Dam State Park at YMCA Winterfest. runsignup.com/Race/PA/Penfield/FreezeYourGizzard5K?aflt_token=HrZcYWJT57TH3GH4vWg7QL584fEmdOnK&r=YJanuary 29, 10 a.m.: Groundhog Day 4 Mile, Punxsutawney. 814-938-6362 or doug.craft61@icloud.com. Online registration at runsignup.com/Race/PA/Punxsutawney/GroundhogJog4MileRunWalk?remMeAttempt=

16th Annual Buffalo Creek Half Marathon, October 16: Andrew Van Hoogenstyn, 1st Overall M, 1:10:26; Jennifer Bigham, 1st Overall W, 1:22:28; Jared Towney, 2nd 25-29 M, 1:26:50; Todd Roberts, 1st 55-59 M, 1:30:04; Michael Brown, 1st 65-69 M, 1:33:23; Christopher Mager, 3rd 65-69 M, 1:38:37; Camille Bromley, 2nd 20-24 W, 1:39:00; Linsey Schnur, 3rd 40-44 W, 1:39:34; Chuck Sarver, 2nd 65-69 M, 1:42:21; Debbie Fugate, 2nd 55-59 W, 1:45:59; Marie Johnson, 1st 50-54 W, 1:50:35; Coleen Whalen, 3rd 55-59 W, 1:54:25; Dana Nicklas, 3rd 50-54 W, 1:54:46; Travis Domhoff, 3rd 20-24 M, 1:59:41; Madison Vaughan, 2nd 19 & Under W, 2:12:00; Patricia Neubert, 1st 65-69 W, 2:20:02; LouAnn Lodico, 3rd 65-69 W, 2:47:38; Josh Flanhofer, 1:20:59; Jack Kelley, 1:25:07; Nathan Sydlik, 1:26:05; Joe Floris, 1:27:17; Melissa Conjack, 1:30:47; Joseph Haverstick, 1:33:52; Daniel Cecchetti, 1:35:47; Jason Cecchetti, 1:35:51; Mark Casteel, 1:36:58; Doug Donatelli, 1:37:20; Zachary Kraus, 1:38:22; Andrew Harmon, 1:38:34; Nicole Stiles, 1:38:42; Scott Bowes, 1:39:02; Matthew Sydlik, 1:40:33; Jeff Nelson, 1:40:41; Mike Shaffer, 1:40:41; Mike Borowy, 1:41:03; Stephanie Scoletti, 1:42:24; Kelly Himes, 1:43:32; Roger Lutz, 1:44:03; James Dankovich, 1:44:47; Amy Rogers, 1:44:54; Robert Dummer, 1:45:09; Daniel Byerly, 1:45:52; Alyssa Siegel, 1:46:34; Steve Cunningham, 1:46:39; Nicole Rebholz, 1:47:14; Caroline Hufnagle, 1:48:37; Anna Roddy, 1:48:49; Anthony Beilstein, 1:49:21; Tim Heusey, 1:49:23; Timothy Miller, 1:49:55; Meredith Heusey, 1:50:10; David Fugate, 1:50:42; Kevin Hixon, 1:52:26; Connie Hoffer, 1:52:42; Corey Savannah, 1:52:46; Dane DeKing, 1:52:47; Jinny Hertweck, 1:52:49; Daniel Mitchell, 1:53:59; Amanda Zavidny, 1:55:06; Nicole Prioletti, 1:56:30; Debbie Deddo, 1:57:31; Joseph Beilstein, 1:58:02; Wendy Wick, 1:58:16; Michelle Dlugas, 1:58:54; Caleb Rauscher, 1:59:37; Steven Corl, 1:59:46; Lauren Corl, 2:00:27; Richard Adams, 2:00:54; Wayne Carbo, 2:02:09; Rose Manning, 2:02:34; Johannah Scott, 2:02:41; Leanne Finney, 2:03:09; Ronald Schmoll, 2:03:19; Denise Whitacre, 2:03:38; Elle Kelley, 2:04:18; Samantha Maley, 2:05:41; Katlyn Davis, 2:06:58; Pam Daugherty, 2:07:22; Carrie Birckbichler-Smith, 2:07:45; Crystal Horan, 2:08:10; Raymond Reed, 2:08:56; Curtis Peters, 2:08:59; Scott Meiser, 2:09:29; Harold Dunn, 2:09:29; Delaney Gagen, 2:10:36; Nicole Price, 2:10:48; Susan Hagan, 2:10:48; Katie Kukieza, 2:12:47; Rita Ciccariello, 2:13:01; Kayla Albert, 2:13:14; Doug Titchen, 2:14:44; Melissa Eckenrode, 2:16:48; Jennifer Eckenrode, 2:16:53; Briget Nicholas, 2:16:57; Nathan Tharnish, 2:17:34; Adriana Alatorre, 2:20:02; Chad Murphy, 2:20:18; Melanie Godfrey, 2:20:19; Lana Krameer, 2:20:23; Anna Brugere, 2:20:34; Laura Augustine, 2:20:50; Matt Nocera, 2:21:36; Cassie Taormina, 2:24:11; Sherrie Mazurek, 2:24:47; Taylor Lichty, 2:25:28; Paul Casey, 2:25:49; David Blackwell, 2:27:31; Brad Shankel, 2:28:23; Kristen Shankel, 2:28:24; Priscilla Bromley, 2:29:27; Nichol Zaginaylo, 2:30:27; Heidi Fleming, 2:30:42; Erica Savannah, 2:30:50; Lacey Anderson, 2:31:44; Amy Lutz, 2:32:02; Marilyn LaRocca, 2:32:25; Linda Ryan, 2:32:26; Maura Harrocks, 2:32:51; Karen Postupac, 2:33:09; Sarah Postupac, 2:33:11; Cody Postupac, 2:33:11; Katherine Colton, 2:33:32; Michelle Lenhart, 2:34:27; Priscilla Green, 2:34:44; Wendy Collins, 2:37:00; Christi Hilliard, 2:37:07; Karen Beilstein, 2:37:42; Kara Constantine, 2:38:53; John Sestak, 2:39:05; Robert Dum, 2:39:39; Debbie Jankowski, 2:41:05; Levi Brugere, 2:41:19; John Nicotra, 2:41:40; Matt Riffle, 2:41:42; Leesha Brugere, 2:43:20; Megan Caporali, 2:43:49; Abby Cunningham, 2:45:21; Jane Armstrong, 2:48:10; Jenn Tompkins, 2:49:17; Carol English, 2:49:32; Chuck Holet, 2:49:55; Heather Mason, 2:49:55; Jessica Johnson, 2:51:00; Maritza Cable, 2:51:32; Michelle Bender, 2:56:22; Kristin Brugere, 2:57:56; Connie Kinghorn, 3:15:54; Michael Reed, 3:17:49Freeport Howl-o-ween Hustle 5k, October 30: Blair Beck, 1st Overall M, 18:53; Kristen Prazenica, 1st Overall W, 21:59; Noah Linhart, 1st 15-19 M, 21:19; Travis Domhoff, 2nd 20-29 M, 22:58; Michelle Dlugas, 1st 30-39 W, 24:28; John Karpec, 1st 60-69 M, 25:05; Henry Good, 2nd 30-39 M, 25:42; Jim Beck, 2nd 50-59 M, 26:31; Patrick Linhart, 1st 40-49 M, 26:44; Katelyn Jageman, 1st 14 & Under W, 27:24; Erik Jageman, 3rd 30-39 M, 27:26; Audrey Gregori, 1st 15-19 W, 28:09; Maegan Johnson, 1st 40-49 W, 28:14; Mario Lesko, 2nd 14 & Under M, 28:36; Hayden Good, 3rd 14 & Under M, 29:17; Nate Good, 2nd 40-49 M, 29:17; Scarlett Sather, 3rd 14 & Under W, 29:48; Erika Clark, 1st 50-59 W, 29:53; Christy Gregori, 2nd 40-49 W, 30:50; Ron Covone, 1st 70+ M, 42:57; Carla Slanicka, 1st 60-69 W, 49:33; Sofia Slanicka, 32:13; Steve Slanicka, 34:17; Shannon Weber, 36:10; Marcie Marasia, 39:44; Jennifer Slanicka, 41:59; Siara Slanicka, 45:33; Kim Kenetz, 54:17Send comments and suggestions: Patricia Neubert. Phone 724-352-4395. Email lotzak@consolidated.net.Pat Neubert is a running columnist for the Butler Eagle.