There’s nothing so festive as a New Year’s Eve race. It’s the last event of the year with 2016’s miles in the bank, nothing to prove, optimism and a new calendar looking forward — so let’s party!

Get an early start on the New Year celebration at Harmony’s Silvester 5k Race at 3 p.m. and 1 Mile Fun Run/Walk at 4:15 p.m. on New Year’s Eve. The race is only part of Harmony’s Silvester celebration acknowledging the town’s German heritage. Plan to arrive early and stay late for some of the family-friendly activities about town.

You don’t have to be German to enjoy this festive out-and-back race which starts in downtown Harmony. The course is somewhat challenging (hilly), but most runners don’t seem to mind. For most, it’s the participation that counts in this event.

Enjoy the spirit of the day. This is the last time to wear your jingle bells, elf hats and New Year’s costumes. And you’ll get plenty of cheers from the many spectators along the course. You’ll need the encouragement toward the top of a long climb in the middle of the race. Resist the urge to stop and warm yourself by spectators’ roadside campfire complete with a cooler of beer.

There will be plenty of liquid refreshments after the race at the packed Harmony Inn bar. Or gather with finishers at Grace Church Community Center a few blocks from the finish line for the awards ceremony and random drawings.

Be sure to dress warm for the post-race festivities. The ball drops in the town square at 6 p.m. to coincide with the German New Year with fireworks following.

For more information about all of the Harmony Silvester events, visit www.harmonymuseum.org or call 724-452-7341.

If you can’t get enough of those holiday lights, head to Hollidaysburg Dec. 31 for the Hollidaysburg Area YMCA’s Twilight Race 5k Run, 2 Mile Run and 2 Mile Walk through Lakemont Amusement Park.

Leave the PR for another day and take in all the shining displays or run the 5k or 2-mile run at 4 p.m. and cool down with the walk starting at 5 p.m. If you’ve already registered for the run, the walk is free. Participants also earn free admission to Lights on the Lake, a driving tour of the park with holiday music which opens at 6 p.m.

Runners in both distances start together at the entrance of the park. 5k runners then run three loops through the lights while 2-milers run two loops before heading back to the finish. Bibs are color-coded for the different distances, but you’re on your own to count laps. For safety sake, no headsets or pets are allowed in the event.

There are plenty of awards in all events at the Twilight Run. Overall top man and woman in the 2 Mile Walk and Run and top three overall in the 5k earn awards. There are also age group awards for top three in 15 age groups from ages 6-8 through 70-plus.

Register early if you want a long-sleeved commemorative shirt. Those who have completed the Hollidaysburg YMCA’s eight events for 2016 also earn hooded sweatshirts.

Online registration is available until Dec. 30 at hollidaysburgareaymca.org. Also, visit the website or call 814-693-4467 for more information about the Twilight Run or other Hollidaysburg area runs.

Upcoming events

Wednesdays, 6:30 p.m.: Mojo Run Group, Cranberry Township. All paces, distances and ages welcome. 724-772-2808 or info@mojorunningpittsburgh.com

Dec. 31, 3 p.m.: Harmony Silvester 5k, Harmony. Also 1 mile fun run at 3:45 p.m. Part of New Year celebration with German food, musicians, fireworks and ball drop at 6 p.m. www.harmony-pa.us or active.com

Dec. 31, 4 p.m.: Last Call 5k, Austintown, OH. Out and back on back trail, awards held at Paladin Brewery. 234-421-0188 or www.2vr.com

Dec. 31, 4 p.m.: Twilight 5k Run, 2 Mile Run and 2 Mile Walk, Hollidaysburg. Run through the lights at Lakemont Park. 724-695-4467 or bsheffer@hollidaysburgareaymca.org

Jan. 1, 10 a.m.: New Year’s Day 5 Miler, Erie. 814-774-3209 or bigwhitetrailer.com/register

Jan. 1, 10 a.m.: First Day 5k and 1 Mile Walk, Bethel Park. Starts at South Hills YMCA. mlloyd@williamscoulson.com

Jan. 7, Noon: Winter Wing Challenge 5k and 1 Mile, Sharpsville. All you can eat wings after the race. 724-456-2373 or frstacrs@yahoo.com

Jan. 7, 1 p.m.: Run 2 Read Half Marathon, Fairmont, WV. Run through Prickett’s Fort State Park. 304-694-6042 or www.runtoread.org

Jan. 7, 1 p.m.: Resolution Run 5k Run and Walk, Derry. Run around Keystone Lake. 724-464-0900 or Runsignup.com

Jan. 8, 9 a.m.: Frigid 5 Miler, North Park. Post-race pancake breakfast. 412-490-0881 or www.eliterunnersracing.com

Jan. 14, 11 a.m.: Chilly Cheeks Challenge 10 Mile, 5 Mile or 2.5 Mile, Hermitage. Run through Buhl Farms Park. 724-456-2373 or pittsmullet@verizon.net

Jan. 16, 10 a.m.: Somerset Fire & Ice 5k Run & Walk, Somerset. Part of winter festival. 814-445-6213 or dmapes40@yahoo.com

Jan. 17, 10 a.m.: Bushwacker’s Nightmare Trail Run, South Park. Choice of 5k or 10k sponsored by GPRRC. 412-341-0684 or thegprrc@gmail.com

Feb 4, 10 a.m.: PREP4PITT-1: Trout Island Tromp, Sharpsville. Out and back on rail trail. First race of marathon race series. 724-301-6775 or info@mctrails.org

Feb. 4, 10 a.m.: Winterfest 5k, Moraine State Park. kplant@zoominternet.net

Feb. 11, 10 a.m.: Community Options Cupid’s Chase 5k, Pittsburgh. Starts near Heinz Field on Northshore Trail. 412-431-7079 or bridget.haney@comop.org

Feb. 12, 10 a.m.: Valentine’s Prediction Run, Erie. Starts at Presque Isle State Park Rotary Pavilion. Erierunners.club

Race results

Buffalo Township Veterans Day 10k, Nov.6: Stephen Hepler, 1st Overall M, 46:28; Mitch Radella, 2nd Overall M, 47:34; Chuck Sarver, 3rd Overall M, 50:37; Anna Theischafer, 1st Overall W, 51:14; Cindy Walters, 2nd Overall W, 1:00:06; Tony Theischafer, 1st 20-29 M, 51:13; Tony Williams, 1st 50-59 M, 1:04:23; Johnny D. Patrus, 1st 60+ M, 1:07:57

Buffalo Township Veterans Day 5k, Nov. 6: Ian Voysey, 1st Overall M, 20:12; Ashley Bramble, 1st Overall W, 21:59; Briana Sutra, 2nd Overall W, 26:06; Laney Pastoria, 3rd Overall W, 26:33; Chris Legters, 2nd Overall M, 22:14; Kyle Legters, 3rd Overall M, 22:15; Travis Domhoff, 1st 15-19 M, 24:18; Bode Fair, 1st 14 & Under M, 24:21; Eric Sokol, 1st 40-49 M, 29:16; Amy Sokol, 1st 40-49 W, 29:16; Kelly Postoria, 1st 50-59 W, 30:01; Mary Cirucci, 2nd 40-49 W, 33:23; Jim Harry, 1st 50-59 M, 33:24; Rita Sieczkowski, 2nd 50-59 W, 36:45; Tracey Lark, 3rd 50-59 W, 38:32; Valery Corle, 3rd 40-49 W, 50:35; Ashalee Corle, 1st 15-19 W, 50:36

Brush Creek Park Chase Away Hunger 5k, Nov. 12: Adam Hessler, 1st Overall M, 18:14; Kristen Kelosky, 1st Overall W, 24:58; Patrick Moran, 1st 40-49 M, 18:31; Mike Johnston, 1st 30-39 M, 19:42; Austin Schoeder, 1st 15-19 M, 20:14; Terry McGaffic, 2nd 50-59 M, 20:20; Chuck Flach, 2nd 40-49 M, 21:20; Jay Hessler, 1st 14 & Under M, 22:39; Braden Flach, 2nd 14 & Under M, 23:23; Mark Eschenfelder, 1st 60-69 M, 25:35; Sara Flach, 1st 40-49 W, 26:04; Frank Tarantine, 3rd 50-59 M, 26:16; Lou Alaksin, 1st 70+ M, 27:53; Boone Weatherly, 3rd 60-69 M, 28:31; Sara Lee-Faulkner, 2nd 40-49 W, 28:39; Kaitlyn Lawless, 1st 14 & Under W, 33:04; Jennifer Miller, 3rd 40-49 W, 33:31; Mark Lawless, 3rd 40-49 M, 35:48; Ashley Lawless, 2nd 14 & Under W, 39:15; Patricia Avery, 1st 60-69 W, 40:55; Eleanor McGee, 3rd 14 & Under W, 43:26; Pam Steeb, 2nd 50-59 W, 46:30; Debbie Sheffield, 3rd 50-59 W, 50:16; Jennifer Brown, 3rd 30-39 W, 50:17; Becky Rengers, 2nd 60-69 W, 51:57; Patti Flach, 3rd 60-69 W, 51:57; Taylor Wright, 1st 15-19 W, 54:08; Brandon James, 2nd 70+ M, 55:30; Wetauna Cypher, 2nd 70+ W, 55:30; Jim Miller, 29:58; Tim Paul, 32:41; Trisha Lawless, 33:45; Mike Hessler, 38:35; Allison Smith, 44:39; Melissa Bonicky, 51:58; Charlie Flach, 53:25; Caitlyn Kimmel, 54:10; Tauna Perenovich, 56:20; Catherine Kimmel, 1:01:54; Carmella Dambaugh, 1:01:59; Rose Christman, 1:04:39; Niel Christman, 1:04:57

Fight for Life 5k, Nov. 19: Doug Basinski, 1st Overall M, 19:02; Mike Fugate, 2nd Overall M, 19:16; Felicity Smith, 1st Overall W, 21:55; David Fugate, 1st 50-54 M, 21:21; Debbie Fugate, 1st 50-54 W, 24:19; Robert Zukas, 1st 70+ M, 30:45;

Foxburg Turkey Trot 5k, Nov. 19: Ean King, 1st Overall M, 18:20; Rebecca Pennington, 1st Overall W, 21:43; Noah Neigh, 1st 19-29 M, 19:32; Fred Weaver, 2nd 30-44 M, 21:37; Wyatt Rodgers, 3rd 18 & Under M, 22:14; Vern Kern, 1st 60+ M, 23:35; Brittni Geibel, 1st 19-29 W, 24:16; Alyson Fennell, 2nd 18 & Under W, 24:48; Carrie Birckbichler-Smith, 1st 30-44 W, 25:33; Moni Reynolds, 3rd 18 & Under W, 25:42; Elizabeth Weiland, 3rd 30-44 W, 25:33; Megan Crawford, 2nd 19-29 W, 28:28; Mel Risinger, 2nd 60+ M, 29:08; Josh Burke, 2nd 19-29 M, 28:28; Denny Crawford, 2nd 45-59 M, 30:12; Robert Crawford, 3rd 60+ M, 31:28; Jane Sherry, 2nd 45-59 W, 31:51; Rob Pennington, 3rd 45-59 M, 33:35; Sonaj Crawford, 2nd 60+ W, 34:44; Jenny Day, 3rd 45-59 W, 36:53; Donna Birckbichler, 3rd 60+ W, 48:29; Blake Kelly, 23:29; Jim Rodgers, 23:57; Josh Roach, 24:06; Donald Crawford, 24:33; Eric Shumaker, 24:48; Luke Robinson, 29:04; Geri Montgomery, 29:04; Nathan Troyan, 29:47; Rossi Mcmillen, 29:51; Kayla Albert, 30:23; Jeffrey Green, 31:02; Nora Mason, 31:25; Emma Johns, 32:21; Dennis Chadman, 34:05; Justine Keene, 34:45; Stefanie Whitmer, 34:59; Jaydon Crawford, 35:08; Emma Roach, 35:21; Jenna Mclay, 35:52; Shawn Kniseley, 36:44; Melanie Bartel, 37:54; Patrick Roach, 37:56; Crystal Albert, 38:19; Brandy Huff, 38:36; Tammy Thibodeau, 38:36; Mandy Johns, 40:56; Cindy Crawford, 44:19; Julie Griffiths, 48:28; Sheila Waldroup, 51:08; Tyler Green, 51:09; Jeanette Green, 51:16; Amanda Ambrose, 55:24; Maryann Maher, 56:06; Debora Bright, 56:12; Mary Fleeger, 58:35; Ruth Eyth, 58:35; Ned Barger, 58:41; Michael Green, 59:40; Terri Alworth, 1:01:22; James Alworth, 1:01:22; Tom Holland, 1:03:22; Deena Philage, 1:03:38; Carol Holland, 1:04:18; Tammy Mclay, 1:04:33; Tracie Keene, 1:04:34; Jerry Lauer, 1:04:44; Donna Lauer, 1:05:47; Elaine Shirey, 1:11:17; Karyn Calderone, 1:11:42; Elaine Miller, 1:11:47; Aimee Miller, 1:11:47

Send comments and suggestions to: Patricia Neubert, 435 Cherry Valley Rd., Saxonburg, PA. 16056. Phone 724-352-4395. E-mail lotzak@consolidated.net.

Pat Neubert is a running columnist for the Butler Eagle.