Most of us will spend this Thanksgiving gathered around a special meal shared with friends and/ or family.

We share in giving thanks for those gifts of health, safety and security, freedom from want, the love of family and friends.

But sharing your Thanksgiving table with runners changes the perspective just a little.

Here are a few of my runner’s Thanksgiving offerings.

Thank God for shoes. I ran my first miles in cheap Nike Waffle Trainer knock-offs, suffered through beginner’s shinsplints, then graduated to pillow-soft but short-lived baby blue Onitsuka Tigers, still one of my favorite running shoe models of all time.

Barefoot running aside, modern running shoes have taken the sport from an endeavor for only the lightest and structurally perfect to an activity of the masses — emphasis on the mass. From flyweight minimalist to beefy boots, there’s a shoe for every foot, every body type, every running level — No excuses.

Socks. Socks have (thankfully) come a long way from those cotton mid-calf whites of my high school PE class.

If you usually purchase your running socks in a store that sells milk, eggs, Christmas lights and hardware, treat yourself to a trip to a running specialty or sporting goods store to find anything from performance wool for upcoming winter running to blister prevention for long runs, special weaves for trail running to compression knee-highs for faster recovery. Your feet will thank you.

Trails. The first rail trail in the United States was created in 1965, but indigenous people had used trails for trade and travel centuries before anyone considered running for recreation.

Today, trail running and racing has become more popular than ever before with 4.8 million Americans hitting the off-roads according to a 2009 study by the Outdoor Foundation.

Like road running, there’s something for everyone on the trails, from a gentle joint-saving jog on our Butler-Freeport Trail to the challenge of Glacier Ridge Ultramarathon held in Moraine State Park each spring.

Race directors. When we enter a race, most of us take for granted safety, accuracy, rewards and awards. We pay our entry fee and head to the starting line oblivious to what it takes to give us a good experience.

But most race day successes are the culmination of months of planning, coordination, hard work and prayer. Let’s remember to thank our local race directors by pre-registering, by adhering to course rules and regulations and by looking out for fellow runners during the race.

Exercise restraint in criticism (justified or not) of the event.

Our goal should always be to encourage more and better running events for the whole community.

Volunteers. Runners would rather be running in a race, not working or watching it. That partly explains the dearth of knowledgeable volunteers at some events.

But what volunteers lack in running expertise, they usually make up in enthusiasm.

Volunteers are often tied to an event not because of any interest in the sport of running, but by their dedication to a cause. These are high school band boosters, friends of the parents of a sick child, family members of a service man or women on active duty.

Don’t forget to thank and encourage race volunteers, for without their efforts, there would be no race.

Running groups. A running group can be two friends meeting for a weekly jog or 200 training for a major marathon. Join a group like Steel City Road Runners to elevate your training, Hash House Harriers to unwind or create your own group to fulfill your physical or emotional needs.

Don’t forget to thank your fellow runners who rejoice with you in victory, commiserate in defeat, bask in the same warm May sun on the road and shiver with you on a rainy trail in November. We’re in this together, every step of the way.

Upcoming events

Saturday, 9 A.M.: Rich-Mar Rotary Turkey Trot 5k, Gibsonia. Also 1 Mile Walk through Treesdale community. 724-625-2220 or anji.gustafson@ourclub.com

Saturday, 9 A.M.: WALKeR Run 5k, Conneaut Lake. First run to honor the late Walter Perrine. 814-573-8734 or lauriekurt@gmail.com

December 6, 8 A.M.: Up-N-Running Group Run, Valencia. Start of winter weekly runs. 724-898-2525 or shoes@runpa.com

December 6, 9 A.M.: Oil City’s Christmas Past Jingle Bell 5k, Oil City. Also Youth Elf Race at 8:45 A.M. elizabeth@urban-ins.com

December 6, 9 A.M.: Jingle All the Way 5k, Irwin. Benefits Juvenile Diabetes Foundation. courtlblair@gmail.com

December 7, 10 A.M.: Nittany Valley Half Marathon, State College. 814-321-2993 or nvhalfmarathon@gmail.com

December 7, 10 A.M.: Deerslayer Trail Run, South Park. Choice of 4 or 8 miles on South Park trails. 724-348-6012 or bmcglothlin@hotmail.com

December 7, 11 A.M.: Clint Puller Memorial Toy Run 5k, Meadville. Benefits Toys for Tots. 724-992-9154 or michaelharry40@hotmail.com

December 13, 10 A.M.: Jingle Dash 5k, Ellwood City. 724-601-7754 or sdesandzo@zoominternet.net

December 13, 10 A.M.: Snowflake 5k, Erie. Starts at Presque Isle State Park Beach 1. 814-774-3209 or dan.a@erierunners.club

December 13, 10 A.M.: Jingle Bell Run/ Walk, Piittsburgh. Costume themed run. Also kids Tinsel Trot at 9 A.M. and 1 Mile Run/ Walk at 9:30 A.M. 412-250-3342 or lwaltman@arthritis.org

December 20, 11 A.M.: Old Fashioned Christmas in Volant 5k and Kids Fun Run, Volant. Out and back course on country roads. Gift wrapped presents to winners. 724-456-2373bonnherb@yahoo.com

December 31, 3 P.M.: Harmony Silvester 5k, Harmony. Also 1 mile fun run. Out and back through historic Harmony. Part of New Year’s Eve celebration. 724-452-3149 or saltemus@zoominternet.net

December 31, 4 P.M.: Twilight 5k Run, 2 Mile Run and 2 Mile Walk, Holidaysburg. Run through the lights at Lakemont Park. tkunstbeck@hollidaysburgareaymca.org

January 1, 10 A.M.: ERC New Year’s Day 5 Mile Race, Erie. Starts at Presque Isle State Park’s Rotary Pavillion. 814-774-3209 or dan.a@erierunners.club

January 11, 9 A.M.: Frigid 5 Miler, North Park. Starts at North Park Lodge. 412-490-0881 or events@eliterunners.com

January 19, 10 A.M.: Bushwacker’s Nightmare Trail Run, South Park. Choice of 5k or 10k starting at South Park Fairgrounds. 724-348-6012 or bmcglothlin@hotmail.com

Race results

Buffalo Creek 5k, October 19: Joshua Bowser, 1st Overall M, 20:43; Mark Lockerman, 1st 60-69 M, 31:35; Patricia Neubert, 1st 60-69 W, 31:36; John Patrus, 2nd 60-69 M, 33:26; Calista Dosch, 3rd 14 & Under W, 34:48; Jordan Bozzelli, 1st 16-19 M, 36:19; Brenda Murray, 2nd 50-59 W, 38:57; Amy Walker, 2nd 40-49 W, 54:24; Erin Bauer, 31:13; Joe Bozzelli, 33:42; Tracy Newman, 36:58Courtney, 2nd Overall M, 20:59; Alyssa Miller, 1st Overall W, 25:20; Gary Waddell, 1st 50-59 M, 21:35; Shawn Beranty, 1st 40-49 M, 23:56; Henry Nolan, 2nd 50-59 M, 26:11; Amanda Steinheiser, 1st 20-29 W, 26:23; Skylar Cousins, 3rd 14 & Under M, 27:19; Russ Walker, 3rd 40-49 M, 27:53; Liz Graham, 2nd 20-29 W, 28:34; Amy Steinheiser, 3rd 20-29 W, 28:45; Joe Zboran, 3rd 50-59 M, 29:19; Jamie King, 1st 30-39 W, 29:34; Megan Ruffaner, 2nd 30-39 W, 30:00; Sarah Shafer, 3rd 35-39 W, 30:39; Dave Lockerman, 1st 60-69 M, 31:36; Patricia Neubert, 1st 60-69 W. 31:36; John Patrus, 2nd 60-69 M, 33:26; Calista Dosch, 3rd 14 & Under W, 34:48; Amy Walker, 2nd 40-49 W, 54:24; Jordan Bozzelli, 1st 15-19 M, 36:19; Brenda Murray, 2nd 50-59 W, 38:57; Joe Bozzelli, 33:42; Tracy Newman, 36:58; Taylor Mercatello, 42:59; Taylor Mercatello, 1:09:22

Buffalo Creek Half Mile Kids Race, October 19: Annie Atwood, 4:28; Anna Ruffaner, 4:47; Luke Stull, 4:54; Abigail Bauer, 4:57; Max Stull, 5:12; Brady Hodak, 5:16; Zachary Bauer, 5:18; Cole Ruffaner, 5:56; Brody Beranty, 6:02; Adeline Toy, 6:04; Gracie Hodak, 7:17; Austin Berantyu, 7:46

Trick or Trot 5k, November 1: Clint Glenn, 1st Overall M, 18:38; Adam Stillwaggon, 2nd Overall M, 20:40; Hannah Frakes, 1st Overall W, 22:44; Bailey Hixon, 2nd Overall W, 23:29; Molly Wicker, 3rd Overall W, 24:16; Benjamin Jones, 1st 19 & Under M, 20:47; Robert McKnight, 1st 20-29 M, 21:47; Will Hannon, 2nd 19 & Under M, 24:49; Micayla Wright, 1st 19 & Under W, 25:22; Matt Peffer, 2nd 20-29 M, 25:58; Mark Perrine, 1st 50-59 M, 26:41; Anna Giesmann, 1st 20-29 W, 26:41; Joanna LeFevre, 2nd 20-29 W, 26:58; Tony Jones, 3rd 19 & Under M, 27:36; Terry Reeher, 1st 60+ M, 34:54; Clara Hannon, 27:49; Alexis Marnejon, 27:51; Ruth Finley, 28:48; Alexandra Clough, 28:49; Caitlyn Vidovic, 28:53; Emma Rudolf, 28:54; Hannah Coad, 28:55; Ryker Minch, 28:57; Kelly McCosby, 29:03; Laura Ames, 29:48; Molly Koegler, 29:50; Jackie Busolits, 30:22; David E. Porter, 30:38; Kelleigh Huber, 31:10; Jessica Mancini, 31:29; Melanie Barber, 32:19; Sarah Cecil, 33:21; Abigail Hephner, 34:09; Christine Mikhael, 34:40; Julia Morgan, 34:54; Natalie Smith, 36:45; Rebecca Holmes, 40:06; Asha Irani, 44:58; Sarah Hempel Irani, 45:00; Paul Strobel, 45:49; Caitlin Govan, 45:52; Caris James, 47:26; Precious Grieco, 47:26; Alayna Funyak, 47:34; Carolyn Jack, 50:46; Abbey Dean, 50:48; Hannah Winchell, 50:51; Kylie Lucas, 50:55; Sophia Nell, 51:14; Jake Zeigler, 52:27; Laura McAuliffe, 52:28; Lauren Fishel, 54:43

Dirt Monster 5 Mile (trail), November 1: Brett Hoffman, 1st Overall M, 34:30; Courtney Burgess, 1st Overall W, 40:20; Dominic Wyzomirski, 1st Masters M, 35:11; Jody Lobert, 2nd Masters M, 40:14; Karin Byers, 1st Masters W, 46:14; Jinny Hertweck, 2nd Masters W, 46:17; Catherine Hrach, 3rd Masters W, 47:08; Matthew Sudak, 1st 30-39 M, 38:28; Don Splitstone, 2nd 40-49 M, 42:15; Mark Knapp, 1st 50-59 M, 42:16; Edna Spang, 1st 40-49 W, 47:31; Jeff Smith, 3rd 40-49 M, 43:21; Marshall Lily, 3rd 50-59 M, 45:59; Patricia Neubert, 1st 60-69 W, 50:41; Tom Murray, 1st 70+ M, 1:01:55; Tim Spang, 43:45; Alex Lauer, 44:05; Bruce Hall, 47:42; Steven P. Gaghan, 49:33; Nicholas Ashenden, 52:55; David Lockerman, 1:04:50

Pat Neubert is a running columnist for the Butler Eagle. Send comments and suggestions: Patricia Neubert, 435 Cherry Valley Rd., Saxonburg, PA. 16056. Phone or fax 724-352-4395. Email bigp16@connecttime.net