In a normal April or May, Herb Cratty barely has time to keep in shape, let alone train for road racing. As owner of Miles of Smiles Timing Services, he and his crew time 40 or so races per month in this peak running season.

But this is not a normal year. For now, all area races have either been cancelled or postponed until a later and safer date. Herb says that approximately 50 percent of events have been cancellations, but envisions that some that have been postponed may face cancellation as well.

“Events rely on donations from local businesses,” he says. “That support may dry up in the fall since businesses are really hurting.”

Herb noticed that in March, as important races like Boston and Pittsburgh Marathons began to be canceled, runners seemed to lose motivation to keep training. They seemed to be “just going through the motions.”

To challenge runners to keep going, he created Miles of Smiles April 200 Mile Challenge. The first 25 runners to log 200 miles in the month of April earn a specially designed medal to commemorate their achievement. As of this writing, seven runners have reached the goal.

That's a lot of miles for one month, but if you're up to the challenge, you still have a week to report your miles to Herb at bonnherb@yahoo.com. Even if 200 miles is out of your fitness reach, you can still challenge yourself to get off the couch and stay moving.

Herb reports that one longtime runner decided that, even if she couldn't cover 200 miles, a record mileage month of 110 was achievable.

Not everyone can log 200 miles in a month, but in May, Herb's challenge is much more attainable. Miles of Smiles You May Run Virtual Half Marathon and 5k is Herb's first-ever virtual race.

Participants in Miles of Smiles You May Run register at RunSignup.com now until May 31 for a 5k, half marathon or both. (There's a special discount for both events.) Run the distance on a course of your choice. Then email your finishing time to Herb. Times will be posted at smileymiles.com daily until the event closes on May 31.

Submitting accurate times is on the honor system. Herb says there's no way to verify “official” times since everyone's GPS watch or timer will be a little different.

Unlike a one-time road race event, participants are welcome to run this virtual event as many times as desired within the month. If you post a faster time, Herb will update your results.

There are no awards besides bragging rights in this virtual event, but there are rewards. All participants receive a short-sleeved technical t-shirt designed by Ed Doyle, founder of Up-N-Running Running Store, and a special commemorative finisher's medal for each distance completed. Rewards will be mailed in early June.

Herb says he has no expectations of participation numbers for this virtual event, but he has 20 runners, including himself, signed up so far. Herb is competing in both distances and hopes to be competitive since he's had a lot more time to train this spring.

Herb says that one positive in all this is that this time of isolation and social distancing may create more runners and healthier people. He's noticed more people on his regular running routes either running or walking, alone or with kids.

The future for local events is still uncertain and dependent upon the track of Covid-19. Herb says he's had race cancellations for June and into July. So far, our own Butler Road Race 5 Mile and 2k is still set to go on June 20.

Upcoming events

Saturday: Apollo 13k and Saturn 5k Virtual Run, Commemorates the 50th anniversary of Apollo 13 with hat, bib and finisher's medal. Submit results by April 30. smoothrunning.org/apollo-13k-and-saturn-5k-virtual-run or support@thefloridamarathon.com

Now until April 30: Social Distance Virtual 5k, Anywhere. Sign up, run a 5k distance anywhere, email results to info@wolfcreektrackclub.com by April 30, receive medal. runsignup.com/Race/XX/AllofHumanity/SocialDistanceVirtual5K

April 26, 11 a.m.: Sunday Run Days, Springdale. Run a mile or 5k, drink a beer at Leaning Cask Brewery. 724-715-7539

May 1 through May 31: Miles of Smiles You May Run Virtual Half Marathon and 5k, Ellwood City. Run a half marathon, 5k or both. Email times to bonnherb@yahoo.com. Earn a finisher's medal (or two) and t-shirt. Submit as many times as you wish. Fastest time counts. Register at runsignup.com/Race/PA/EllwoodCity/MilesofSmilesYouMayRunVirtualHalfMarathonand5k or bonnherb@yahoo.com

May 3, 7 a.m.: City of Pittsburgh Virtual Marathon, Half Marathon, and 5k, Pittsburgh. Register and run a virtual race on Pittsburgh streets or in area parks. www.thepittsburghmarathon.com

May 10: Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure, Pittsburgh. This event has been rescheduled to September 13. Registration is now open. 412-651-5504 or komenpittsburgh.org

May 16, 8 a.m.: Hollidaysburg Diamond Dash 10k and 6k Runs and 5k Walk, Hollidaysburg. http://www.blairregionalymca.org/raceseries/diamond-dash/

May 16: Diamond 5k Run/Walk, Blue Spruce Park, Indiana. This race is postponed until October 3. 724-349-1111, ext. 7356 or www.diamonddrug.com/5k

May 16, 8 a.m.: AmVets Post 113 Patriots' Day 5k, Tionesta. 814-775-3404 or eric.cepek@gmail.com

June 6, 8 a.m.: God's Country Marathon. Half and Team Relay, Galeton. Challenging road marathon, point-to-point from Galeton to Coudersport. 814-558-5353 or amy_eppley@yahoo.com

June 6, 8 a.m.: Boston Trail ½ Marathon and 5k, Elizabeth Township. Run from Boston Trailhead of Yough River Trail on Great Allegheny Passage. (Rescheduled from April 18.)412-780-7802 or thebostontrail.com

June 6, 9 a.m.: Yuengling Gold Rush 5k, Pittsburgh. Run on North Shore, post-race party. 765-729-0691 or www.yuenglinggoldrush.com

June 7, 8:30 a.m.: Greenfield Glide 5k, Pittsburgh. Challenging course mostly on Frick Park Trails. http://www.greenfieldglide.com

June 20, 9 a.m.: Butler Road Race 5 Mile and 2k, Butler. 724-287-4733 or cdreher@bcfymca.org

Send comments and suggestions: Patricia Neubert. Phone 724-352-4395. Email lotzak@consolidated.net

Pat Neubert is a running columnist for the Butler Eagle