It's late November. Major races are over. Goals have been met or shelved for next season. It's time to relax and have fun with running before we're locked in the annual deep freeze of winter.

After a hard training season, it's good to take a break both mentally and physically. Put away the watch and your dignity and join in the festivity and silliness of a seasonal costume race like Oil City's Christmas Past Jingle Bell 5k on Dec. 4 or the following Saturday's Run Santa Run 5k in Cranberry Township.

Training and racing can be a selfish endeavor. Thank your family for their support by running or walking with them in one of the many Thanksgiving Day events. Some, such as Seneca Valley Cross Country Turkey Chase 5k or Kiski Valley Turkey Trot 5k, also host 1 mile fun runs. It's best to check with race organizers if you plan to bring a jogging stroller or your dog.

Create your own family fun run or walk. Share your favorite short and easy loop around your neighborhood or visit a nearby park. Finish with a stop at the playground — and don't forget the post-run hot chocolate and cookies.

This is the season for giving. Choose a run for what organizers do for others instead of what they do for you. Grateful Gallop 5k on Thanksgiving Day raises money to support more than 1,600 people through Grove City Community Food Pantry and accepts donations of non-perishable food items and toiletries that morning.

One of my favorite holiday events was the no longer held Run through the Lights in Hartwood Acres. You can still enjoy the radiance of the season at this Saturday's Light Up Kittanning 5k and 1 Mile Glow Walk, part of that river town's Light Up Night.

Try the popular Fleet Feet Holiday Lights Run in Pittsburgh on Dec. 16 or the annual Twilight 5k and 2 Mile run/walk through Lakemont Amusement Park in Altoona on New Year's Eve. Or avoid the crowds and run with friends to check out the neighborhood holiday displays. Remember to deck yourself in lights anytime you run at night.

I love the sights, sounds and smells of running (or hiking) in the woods this time of year. It's been proven that nature is good for the body and the soul and a great antidote to the regimen of training and racing.

If you are new to trail running, start with a paved route such as the loop trail in Adams Township Community Park. Crushed limestone rail trails like our own Butler-Freeport Trail are scenic, gentle and safe and a good transition from pavement to backwoods running.

More rugged trails such as the short but scenic trails of Spring Valley Park in Clinton Township or longer hiking trails at Moraine State Park offer recovery from the pounding and monotony of road running along with exercise for strength and agility. Enjoy the scenery and don't worry about your pace.

Dress in bright colors, not just for the festive season. Check to see if your favorite running park or trail allows hunting. And remember, the first day of deer hunting with rifles starts on the Saturday after Thanksgiving this year.

It's tick season — almost year-round in our region. Ticks are most active in the spring and fall from September through November and are dormant in winter but anytime the temperature rises above 32 degrees, they will be active.

After your run, be sure to do a total body tick scan. Look closely since young ticks can be smaller than a poppy seed. Send all clothing to the dryer on medium/high heat for 30 minutes to kill any clinging ticks before tossing them in the clothes hamper.

Saturday, 9 a.m.: Oil City YMCA Turkey Trot 5k, Oil City. Run on Samuel Justice Rail Trail. 814-677-3000 or runsignup.com/Race/PA/OilCity/OilCityYMCATurkeyTrot5kRunWalkSaturday, 5 p.m.: Light Up Kittanning 5k and 1 Mile Glow Walk, Kittanning. Part of Kittanning's Light Up Night. Headlamps encouraged but not necessary. runsignup.com/Race/PA/Kittanning/LightUpKittanning5k?aflt_token=HrZcYWJT57TH3GH4vWg7QL584fEmdOnKNov. 25, 8 a.m.: YMCA Turkey Trot, Pittsburgh. Choice of 1 mile, 5k or 5 mile distance. p3r.org/races/ymca-turkey-trotNov. 25, 8:30 a.m.: Downtown Warren Turkey Trot, Warren. Flat, fast and scenic loop through downtown. 814-688-0393 or bdeppen@cityofwarrenpa.govNov. 25, 9 a.m.: Seneca Valley Turkey Chase 5k, Cranberry Township. Run through Graham Park. Also virtual option. runsignup.com/Race/PA/CranberryTwp/svccturkeytrotNove.25, 9 a.m: 27th Annual Gobbler's Gallop 10k & 5k, Ellwood City. 5k starts at 10:15 A.M. runsignup.com/Race/PA/EllwoodCity/GobblersGallopNov. 25, 9 a.m.: Grateful Gallop 5k, Grove City. Flat and fast run along Hunter Farm bike path benefits Grove City Community Food Pantry. Donations of non-perishable food items accepted. runsignup.com/Race/PA/GroveCity/GratefulGallop5kNov. 25, 9 a.m.: Lisa's Ladybugs Turkey Trot 5k, Punxutawney. 724-882-6496 or lori_ebel@yahoo.comNov. 27, 10 a.m.: WALKer Run 5k, Conneaut Lake. No race day registration. 814-382-3839 or www.walkerrun5k.comDec. 4, 9 a.m.: Oil City's Christmas Past Jingle Bell 5k, Oil City. Dress festive. runsignup.com/Race/PA/OilCity/OCJingleBellRun5kDec. 4, 9 a.m.: 2021 Ugly Sweater 5k Fun Run, Ellwood City.Dec. 4, 9:30 a.m.: Vandergrift Back When Holiday Extravaganza 5k, Vandergrift. Tossle cap to each finisher. runsignup.com/Race/PA/Vandergrift/VandergriftBackWhenHolidayExtravaganza5kDec. 5, 11 a.m.: Clint Puller Memorial Toy Run 5k, Meadville. Run on Ernst Rail Trail. Competitive awards and awards for best Christmas costumes. 724-992-9154 or clintpullermemorial@gmail.comDec. 11, 9 a.m.: Run Santa Run 5k, Cranberry Township. Lots of swag in this holiday themed fun run through Graham Park. Dress festive! runsignup.com/Race/PA/CranberryTownship/RunSantaRunCranberryTownshipDec. 11, 10 a.m.: Snowflake 5k, Erie. Starts at Rotary Pavilion in Presque Isle State Park. If park is closed because of inclement weather, race will be cancelled. erierunners.club/event/snowflake-5k-2-2021-12-11/2021-12-11/Dec. 16, 5 p.m.: Holiday Lights Charity Run, Pittsburgh. Benefits Life Changing Service Dogs for Veterans. www.fleetfeet.com/s/pittsburgh/events-2/fleet-feet-holiday-lights-runDec. 19, 10 a.m.: New Florence Festivus 5k, New Florence. Run, walk or ruck. runsignup.com/Race/PA/NewFlorence/NewFlorenceFestivus5kDec. 31, 2 p.m.: Beaver County YMCA New Year's Eve 5k, Beaver. Starts at Beaver High School. runsignup.com/Race/PA/Beaver/YMCANewYearsEve5kDec. 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/Dec. 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/HarmonySilvester5KDec.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/HarmonySilvester5K

Ohio River Trail Fall Races 5k, October 3: Luke Simpson, 1st Overall M, 17:32; Robyn Remic, 1st Overall W, 26:30; Curtis Irion, 1st 40-44 M, 38:23Ohio River Trail Fall Races 10k, October 3: Travis Myers-Arrigoni, 1st Overall M, 32:27; Stella Balzli, 1st Overall W, 42:46; Heather Hudak, 2nd Overall W, 44:58; Troy Stiffler, 2nd 55-59 M, 1:07:31; Rhonda Maloney, 2nd 50-54 W, 1:10:56; Rick Orlowski, 1st 60-64 M, 1:11:48Ohio River Trail Fall Races 5k Walk, October 3: Julie Stiffler, 1st Overal W, 46:28; Tammy Steele, 2nd Overall W, 49:51; Kim Kenetz, 3rd Overall W, 52:53Hot Cider Hustle Half Marathon, October 10: Rick Huhfer, 1st Overall M: Leah Anne Wirfel, 1st Overall W, 1:22:22; Tyler Miller, 1st 25-29 M, 1:38:40; Christi Novak, 2nd 40-44 W, 1:45:21; Kyle Shaffer, 1:49:00; Ian Hunter, 3:03:23Roaring Run Howl at the Moon 5k, October 23: Dante Frescura, 1st Overall M, 17:53; Claudia Henry, 1st Overall W, 23:58; Travis Domhoff, 3rd 20-29 M, 24:23; Kathleen Baraniak, 2nd 30-39 W, 28:29; Jesse Hilko, 24:22Preston Park Prance 5k, October 24: Reagan Donahue, 1st Overall M, 21:59; Zachary Slear, 2nd Overall M, 22:00; Nathan Sydlik, 3rd Overall M, 22:34; Kim Platt, 1st Overall W, 25:58; Jamie Harcar, 2nd Overall W, 28:09; Melissa Yeany, 3rd Overall W, 29:23; Jake Taciuch, 23:45; Jeff Smith, 24:17; Scott Choura, 24:18; Ethan Horne, 24:51; Arthur Boring, 25:16; James Dankovich, 25:21; Jim Gallagher, 25:55; Thomas Patterson, 27:53; John Karpacs, 28:29; Mitch Radella, 28:33; Logan Diaz, 29:02; Bradley Regis, 29:26; Braden Kiser, 29:27; Mandy James, 29:30; Jake Kauffman, 29:40; Dane Winkler, 30:28; Holly Depew, 30:42; Josh Kauffman, 31:01; Sean Harcar, 31:12; Carrie Birckbichler-Smith, 31:14; Bruce Soule, 31:17; Frazier Kutren, 31:55; Christina Dreher, 32:08; Derrick Henderson, 32:13; Ryan Gold, 32:18; Erica Lutz, 33:24; William Osche, 32:27; David Murray, 33:59; Robert Kinney, 34:03; Megan Giammarco, 35:06; Rebecca Reinsel, 35:14; Patrick Kelly, 35:41; Laura Augustine, 36:32; Kory Nowakowski, 36:45; Amanda Choura, 36:56; Susan Hoover, 37:34; Anthony Sunseri, 37:42; Sarah Bogan, 37:46; Julia Murray, 37:50; Meagan Greygor, 38:34; Courtney Zarnick, 38:37; Daniel Zarnick, 38:37; Brandon Himes, 39:47; Jesse Dillaman, 39:47; Mia Loos, 39:52; VANCEBART mas, 40:17; Seth Bartmas, 40:17; Karen Chill, 40:29; Keri Kauffman, 41:38; Amy Farr, 41:43; Rick Orlowski, 41:51; Dakota Everetts, 42:41; Kimberlee Dickey, 43:51; Robyn Holz, 43:51; Carol English, 44:03; Al Lane, 44:22; Jen Beachem, 44:38; Lindsey Doolin, 44:38; Elizabeth Bunk, 45:07; Jessica Price, 46:22; Breanna Sawyer, 46:23; Debra Kuminkowski, 48:19; Janice Pakozdi-Luffy, 48:25; Marty Luffy, 48:26; Troy Stiffler, 49:34; Julie Stiffler, 49:34; Vickie Turner, 50:04; Yvonne Bartmas, 51:26; Tom Turner, 52:26; SaraBeth Swain, 57:00; Julie Ryan, 57:00; Caroline Kyne, 57:53; Kendall Spaugh, 58:45; Emily Spaugh, 58:46; Melissa Gutherie, 58:46; David Gronostaj, 59:52; Christopher Pirollo, 1:02:15; Rita Lane, 1:03:22; Kim Kenetz, 1:07:01; Dana Mellott, 1:07:05; Molly Granzeier, 1:07:05; Stephen Granzeier, 1:07:06; Wyatt Veith, 1:07:25; Emily Veith, 1:07:31; Zachary Veith, 1:07:34; Patty Henderson, 1:08:37; Jenifer McKain, 1:13:55; Brianna Twigg, 1:13:56; Barbara Steetle, 1:21:19Northern Ohio Marathon, October 31: Jorge Villanueva, 1st Overall M, 2:33:39; Alex Delzoppo, 1st Overall W, 3:22:16; Stacy Kopchak, 1st 50-59 W, 3:43:24; Eric Slagle, 3:57:06; Jinny Hertweck, 4:15:47; Joe Guilyard, 4:35:56Send comments and suggestions: Patricia Neubert. Phone 724-352-4395. Email lotzak@consolidated.netPat Neubert is a running columnist for the Butler Eagle