Western Pennsylvanians love St. Patrick’s Day. But rather than solemnly honor the patron saint of our heritage, our commemorations tend toward the secular with parades, parties, green beer and of course, running.

Butler County runners will combine St. Paddy’s Day revelry with a morning of exercise at Harmony’s Shamrock Shuffle this Saturday. The event, now in its 11th year, has a distance for every runner with a tough half marathon starting at 7:30 a.m.,followed by a gentler competitive 5k at 10 a.m. and 1-mile fun run/walk at 10:45.

Dogs and kids in strollers are also welcome in the fun run. Choose one or run all three to collect a special award.

Shamrock Shuffle offers perks of a competitive race along with a party atmosphere. Every finisher receives a medal and a loaf of gourmet cinnamon bread. Age group winners in age groups from 14-18 through 70+ in the half marathon, 10 and under through 70+ in the 5k and age 4-5 through 70+ in the 1-Mile earn pint glasses.

The party begins early on Saturday at the starting area in the square in downtown Harmony. Runners are encouraged to dress in St. Paddy’s Day-themed attire. Race director Joella Baker says that her favorite costumes are the group that runs in green tutus, face-paint and head-dresses.

The party rolls on throughout the course. Each water station is staffed by a different local high school sports organization, including softball and baseball teams from Seneca Valley and North Catholic High Schools.

The rowdiest may be the Dawn Crackers running group from the Rose Schneider YMCA in Cranberry Township. They staff the aid station at the top of a half-mile climb in the middle of the half marathon, rewarding runners with a good dose of green cheer, some of it in the form of Jello shots or green beer (ages 21+).

No matter the distance run, all finishers may join in the post-race party at Harmony Inn with music, soup, food and beverages. Non-participants may attend for a suggested $5 donation.

Donations and race proceeds benefit Zelienople Rotary Club and its local focus. Past Rotary projects include construction of benches in Harmony Park, improvements to Zelienople Community Park and scholarships to local students.

Although Joella Baker has directed Shamrock Shuffle since its inception as a 10-mile event held at nearby Strawberry Ridge Golf Course, the focus remains the same. She says that the main purpose of the event is to have fun and to showcase the Harmony community.

Baker may be a veteran race director, but her true passion is triathlon. She coaches triathletes of all levels through her Get Fit Families programs. She currently has 60 members ages 5 through 19 on the youth team. Her son Zac, a sophomore at North Catholic High School, will compete this year in the High School National Championship in Tempe, Ariz.

This year, Baker will also direct the USA Triathlon PA State Championships at Moraine State Park May 17 -18 and the Northeast Regionals Sept. 7 - 8. The Moraine event will host the best high school triathletes as it serves as the high school state championship. Anyone may enter as there are no qualifiers necessary.

Baker also finds a little time between coaching and administrative obligations to train herself. Her current focus is on training for a 10k swim in Michigan in August.

It’s not too late to sign up for this Saturday’s Shamrock Shuffle. Register online at www.active.com/harmony-pa/running/distance-running-races/the-shamrock-shuffle-2019. Packet pickup and registration will be held on Friday, 4 to 6 p.m. at Grace Church in Harmony. Day of event registration begins at 6 a.m.

Upcoming events

Saturdays, 8 a.m.: Up-N-Running Group Run, Valencia. Training for distances up to marathon, starts at All Fit parking area. 724-898-2525 or shoes@runpa.com

Saturday, 7:30 a.m.: Shamrock Shuffle Half Marathon, Harmony. Challenging, hilly course. joella@zoominternet.net

Saturday, 9 a.m.: St. Patrick’s Distance Festival, Erie. Choice of 5k or 10k starts at Presque Isle State Park’s Rotary Pavilion. Also competitive racewalk awards. 814-460-9930 or erierunners.club/

Saturday, 10 a.m.: Shamrock Shuffle 5k Run/Walk and 1 Mile Run/Walk, Harmony. Rolling course. 1 Mile starts at 11 a.m. joella@zoominternet.net

Saturday, 10 a.m.: Kiski Area Shamrock Run 5k, Apollo. 724-224-7999

Saturday, 10 a.m.: Judith’s Jig 5k Memorial Run/Walk, Meadville. Starts at Diamond Park Square. 814-282-1-69 or judithsjig@gmail.com

Sunday, noon: The Saint Patrick’s Day Which Way 5k, Franklin. Choice of two directions to run on Samuel Justice Trail. 814-437-7653 or josh@shawgorealestate.com

March 23, 9:30 a.m.: Mammoth Beer Mile and 5k, Greensburg. Beer mile starts at 11 a.m. Run either event or both at Westmoreland County Fairgrounds. mammothbeermile.com/registration/ or info@flattire.co

March 23, 10 a.m.: Larry Winschel St. Paddy’s Day Run, South Park. Choice of 1 mile, 2.25 miles, 4 miles sponsored by Greater Pittsburgh Road Runners. 412-561-0768

March 24, 8:45 a.m.: Mill Creek Distance Classic Half Marathon and 5 Mile, Youngstown, OH. Ytownrunners.org or 330-727-6070

March 30, 9 a.m.: Super Hero 5k Ben Banks Memorial run, Beaver Falls. 724-462-5356 or jlkrigar@gmail.com

March 31, 8:30 a.m.: 18th Annual Just a Short Run, Allison Park. Choice of 5k, 8.1 miles, half marathon and 30k starting at North Park Boathouse. www.justashortrun.com/registration or 412-490-0881

April 6, 9 a.m.: Maple Festival 5k Run & Walk & 5 Mile Run, Meyersdale. 814-634-8717 or gmiller1958@yahoo.com

April 6, 10 a.m.: PREP4PITT-3, Sandy Lake. Choice of half marathon or 5k on paved bike path around Lake Wilhelm. 724-301-6775 or www.mctrails.org/events

April 6, 10 a.m.: Fool’s Run 10k & 5k, Indiana. 724-349-0501 or www.indianaroadrunners.com

April 6, 9 a.m.: Dirty Kiln Trail Races at Canoe Creek State Park, Hollidaysburg. Choice of 5 miles or half marathon on rugged trails. bmazur@intelmarx.com or www.alleghenytrailrunners.com/dirty-kiln-trail-race/

April 7, 10 a.m.: The Pathfinder Trail Run, South Park. Sponsored by Greater Pittsburgh Road Runners. 724-348-6012 or bmcglothlin@hotmail.com

April 7, 11 a.m.: Cook Forest Half Marathon and 5k, Cooksburg. Run along Clarion River. www.cookforest.com or 814-393-2081

April 7, 3 p.m.: Choice of 2 or 5 miles to benefit Camp Friendship and Arc or Jefferson and Clearfield counties. 814-952-0490 or creativegardencc@gmail.com

April 13, 10 a.m.: Easter Egg Dash 5k and Bunny Hop 1 Mile and Kids Easter Egg Hunt. Held at Butler Senior High School’s Art Bernardi Stadium. Kaitlyn_reges@butler.k12.pa.us

April 14, 9 a.m.: Run to Breathe Half Marathon and 5k, Portersville. Starts at Moraine State Park’s McDaniel’s Boat Launch. 724-841-6528 or bonnherb@yahoo.com

Race results

Prep4Pitt Spring Break 8.5, March 2: Mathew McClellan, 1st Overall M, 52:07; Evonne Patterson, 1st Overall W, 1:11:28; Nate McAlister, 2nd 40-49 M, 1:00:44; Rhonda Maloney, 2nd 50-59 W, 1:31:10; Tony Sunseri, 1st 70+ M, 1:32:26; Mary Dundore, 1st 60-69 W, 1:34:16 William Woods, 1:22:16: Angela Cloutier, 1:32:58; Suzzanne Freeze, 1:37:45; Janelle Fumerola, 1:48:10

PHN Shamrock’n Run 5k, March 9: Leah Anne Wirfel, 1st Overall W, 17:58; Thomas Hunyadi, 1st Overall M, 19:19; Herb Cratty, 1st 55-59 M, 20:50; Mitch Radella, 1st 50-54 M, 23:07; Dan Heasley, 3rd 50-54 M, 33:10; Alex Day, 1st 20-24 M, 34:07; Ashley Burt, 35:16; Jenny Day, 40:18; Troy Cummings, 59:31; Patricia Nagel, 59:56

PHN Shamrock’n Run 10k, March 9: Eric Kennedy, 1st Overall M, 35:43; Stella Balzli, 1st Overall W, 42:10; Jesse McKinnis, 1st 25-29 M, 44:49; Cindy Suber, 1st 55-59 W, 55:46; Matt Nocera, 2nd 35-39 M, 1:00:47; Anthony Sunseri, 1st 70+ M, 1:01:18; Hattie Brasseur, 1st 15-19 W, 1:05:56

March Mad Dash 5k, March 9: Brian Murphree, 1st Overall M, 19:46; Jill Campbell, 1st Overall W, 24:42; Mark Likoudis, 1st 60+ M, 23:13; Heidi Fleming, 1st 20-29 W, 32:28; James Arthur, 3rd 40-49 M, 33:43; Lucy Arthur, 1st 19 & Under W, 33:43; Valerie Rieder, 2nd 40-49 W, 34:03; Kathryn Messer, 3rd 19 & Under W, 51:10; Richard Guido, 29:45; Tracy Lachendro, 39:41; Nina Hillwig Friel, 41:44; Kathleen Vinay, 49:09; Megan Messer, 55:59

March Mad Dash 5 Mile, March 9: Matthew Popowicz, 1st Overall M, 30:17; Jessica Griggs, 1st Overall W, 35:32; Linsey Schnur, 3rd Overall W, 37:31; Don Pellegrino, 3rd 60+ M, 45:33; Caroline Cunningham, 1st 19 & Under W, 49:00; Liz Forrester, 46:34; Torrey Cunningham, 46:46; Ernie Kecso, 47:25; Sandy Larsen, 48:21; Jessica Irwin, 48:22; Sam Nunnery, 49:27; Lydia Wudarczyk, 50:10; Betty Foulkrod, 50:17; Rubia Schmader, 50:32; Dawn Wells McClain, 50:40; Isabela TeodoroDeBarros Silva, 51:26; Heidi Yeager, 52:11; Andrew Weisner, 52:54; Corrine Satriano, 53:15; Amanda Lucco, 53:37; Maria Cashdollar, 54:29; Brener Da Silva, 55:37; Trish Meyer, 57:53; Kim Kenetz, 1:04:59; Wendy Smith, 1:16:53; Michelle Cook, 1:26:42; Stacy Cramer, 1:26:43

Msrch Mad Dash 10 Mile, March 9: Andy Gregor, 1st Overall M, 55:08; Hayley Davis, 1st Overall W, 1:04:20; Dan Holland, 1st 40-49 M, 1:02:42; Mark Hunkele, 2nd 40-49 M, 1:07:41; Michael Smocer, 1st 50-59 M, 1:08:01; Seth Jenny, 1st 30-39 M, 1:08:02; Tammy Slusser, 1st 50-59 W, 1:10:52; Melissa Conjack, 1st 30-39 W, 1:10:59; Angie Jenny, 2nd 30-39 W, 1:14:07; Tonya Bond, 1st 40-49 W, 1:17:30; Fred Florian, 3rd 60+ M, 2:14:19; John Armstrong, 1:14:31; Jeff Lynn, 1:15:50; Steve Nichols, 1:17:01; Mark Casteel, 1:17:35; Lori Fromlak, 1:29:20; January Scheidlmeier, 1:30:27; Regiane Morgueta, 1:33:16; Melissa Garcia, 1:35:31; Erika Campbell, 1:36:06; Johanna Scott, 1:36:50; Leanne Finney, 1:36:53; William Woods, 1:38:00; Sean Hutchins, 1:38:48; Shana Hutchins, 1:38:49; Amanda Webb, 1:38:54; Trista Graham, 1:39:06; Alena Smigla, 1:40:18; Don Slusser, 1:44:14; Natasha Sanchez, 1:53:52; Janelle Fumerola, 2:08:21; John Ropelewski, 2:10:50

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

Pat Neubert is a running columnist for the Butler Eagle