Runners dream of attending a destination race in an exotic locale.

But travel can be expensive and inconvenient, especially for families. How about a destination race in scenic and nearby Rimersburg?

Rimersburg’s Cookie Daze 5K, at 9 a.m. Saturday, is only part of a weekend of family-oriented fun. The event, originally a 10K, has been held as part of the town’s Cookie Daze celebration for 32 years.

Nancy Carmichael, president of Rimersburg’s Chamber of Commerce, has been with the race since its inception. She was the first race director, then took a break to devote time to her family. Since her two sons and one daughter are now grown, she has stepped up to direct the race for the past 10 years.

Carmichael suggests that although Rimersburg is close enough to drive in for the Saturday morning race, runners may want to stay in Clarion, 15 miles away, on Friday before the race. Friday night’s Cookie Daze activities include a parade, D.J. and street dance until 10 p.m., followed by fireworks.

On Saturday at 8 a.m., families are welcome to run the Super Hero Fun Run, a one-mile run for kids ages 12 and younger. Kids are encouraged to dress as their favorite superheroes. Entry is free and parents may run with their kids.

Carmichael says that some parents use the Super Hero Run as a warmup for the Cookie Daze 5K. Cookie Daze welcomes day-of-event registrations at the Community Center on race day. Registrants are guaranteed a commemorative t-shirt, though popular sizes may have to wait a few weeks for delivery.

Carmichael expects about 80 participants for the 5K. The highest participation has been 118 finishers. Kids in strollers are welcome as well as walkers.

The event gives trophies as overall awards for walkers as well as runners. Competitive awards for the 5K run include trophies and Oakley sunglasses for overall first place finishers and medals for top three in age groups 10 and under through 60+.

Cookie Daze 5K begins in Memorial Park and follows a scenic, rolling loop course through the rural countryside. Carmichael, an experienced 5K runner, calls it “mostly flat with a few small hills.”

Refreshments following the run include fruit, water, and of course, cookies. Cookies are provided by IBake, a Rimersburg company which supplies cookies to institutions such as hospitals, colleges and prisons.

Runners and their families are encouraged to stay in town for the day’s festivities. Vendors, crafts, carnival rides and games will be open all day. There’s a doggy fashion show at 10 a.m. and kids Big Wheels race at 11:30 a.m.

There are two scavenger hunts planned — one for kids at 1 p.m. followed by the adult version at 2 p.m. Motorcycles cruise into town from 3 to 6 p.m. At 7 p.m., the band Sideshow performs downtown.

If you decide to stay for the weekend, Sunday’s Cookie Daze events include a car show at noon and outdoor movie on Sunday evening. And of course, more carnival all day.

For more information about Cookie Daze 5K, call Carmichael at 814-473-6427.

Upcoming events

Saturday, 8 a/m.: Roebling’s Run 5K, Saxonburg. Rolling out and back race starts at Knoch High School. 412-603-1999 or ap2426@zoominternet.net

Saturday, 8 a.m.: 3rd Annual CUP 5K Run and Walk, Cranberry Township. Run through Graham Park. 724-504-5110 or inko@zoominternet.net

Saturday, 8 a.m.: Yinzer 5K, North Park. Race starts at Boathouse, benefits Light of Life Rescue Mission. bfeindt@lightoflife.org

Saturday, 9 a.m.: Brookline Breeze 5K Fitness Run/Walk, Pittsburgh. Also one-mile fun run and one-mile dog walk. 412-561-6786 or home1322@verizon.net

Saturday, 9 a.m.: Rimersburg Cookie Daze 5K, Rimersburg. 814-473-6427

Saturday, 8 p.m.: Howl at the Moon 5K Night Run and Walk, Beaver. 724-622-7637 or stevegoldcamp@yahoo.com

Sunday, 8:30 a.m.: Get Fit Families Youth Triathlon, Portersville. Youth triathlon at Moraine State Park. 724-321-4265 or joella@zoominternet.net

Sunday, 7:30 a.m.: Two Face 10K, North Park. Road run starts at North Park Boathouse. 412-490-0881 or nickw@eliterunners.com

Sunday, 9 a.m.: Two Face 10K, North Park. Trail run follows road race. 412-490-0881 or nickw@eliterunners.com

Aug. 15, 9 a.m.: Rod Whiteman Memorial Horsethief 5K, Knox. 814-221-9509 or tcochran9509@gmail.com

Aug. 15, 6 p.m.: Run for the Trail 7K and 2 Mile Fun Run/Walk, Dilltown. Run on Ghost Town Rail Trail, pets and strollers welcome. 412-613-1167 or tmprrcih@yahoo.com

Aug. 16, 8 a.m.: Hamot 10K/ Mayor’s Cup, Erie. Run through scenic parts of Erie. Also 3 Mile Fitness Walk/Run and Bariatric 1 Mile at 8:15 A.M. and Toddler Trot at 9:45 A.M. 814-881-0060 or suzannec@erierunners.club

Aug. 16, 9 a.m.: Prospect Chiefs 5K Run, Butler. bonnherb@yahoo.com

Aug. 19, 7 p.m.: Courtney’s Ice Cream Race 5K, Grove City. 724-866-1374 or smc@runhigh.com

Aug. 21, 7 p.m.: Scrub Run 8K or 4K Run/Walk, North Park. Run at North Park Pool loop. 412-748-6648 or steindoerferj@ph.upmc.edu

Aug. 22, 7:30 a.m.: Grandparents Race 10 Mile, 5K and 1 Mile Kids Fun Run, Zelienople. Run at Passavant Retirement Complex. 724-321-4265 or joella@zoominternet.net

Aug. 22, 9 a.m.: Run Around the Square 5K and 1.5 Mile, Pittsburgh. Run through Regent Square neighborhood and Frick Park. 412-731-4456 or pmdirienzo@verizon.net

Aug. 29, 6:30 a.m.: Baker Trail UltraChallenge, Summerville. 50 mile race for individuals or relay teams of up to 5 members. www.rachelcarsontrails.org

Aug. 30, 8:15 a.m.: Butler County Habitat for Humanity Youth Triathlon, Cranberry Township. Event in North Boundary Park for kids ages 6 through 16. 724-321-4265 or joella@zoominternet.net

Sept. 6, 9 a.m.: 27th Annual Gatorade Steelers 5K, Pittsburgh. Run ends in Heinz Field, Steelers random drawing prizes. 412-697-7713 or www.steelers.com/5k

Sept. 6, 9 a.m.: FAAP Fall Classic 5K and 10K, Run/Walk, North Park. Trail runs with unique awards benefits Filipino American Association of Pittsburgh. attorneymarkknapp@yahoo.com

Sept. 12, 8 a.m.: 30th Annual Festival of the Arts 5K, Saxonburg. Scenic small town run. 724-355-5059 or shoes@runpa.com

Sept. 12, 8:30 a.m.: Rockin’ the Knob Trail Challenge 30K and 5 Mile, Claysburg. Run on trails at Blue Knob Four Seasons Resort. bmazur@intelmarx.com

Race results

St. Barnabas 5K, Aug. 1 (under 28:00): Jed Christiansen, 1st Overall M, 15:03; Nick Edinger, 2nd Overall M, 15:38; Aubrey Moskal, 1st Overall W, 16:26; Lauren Finikiotis, 3rd Overall W, 18:21; Michael Smocer, 1st Masters M, 18:36; Sharyl Relic, 1st Grand Masters W, 21:46; Jinny Hertweck, 1st Masters W, 22:42; Debbie Deddo, 2nd Grand Masters W, 23:09; Eric Thompson, 2nd 35-39 M, 18:49; Angela Mignanelli, 1st 16-19 W, 19:01; Matthew Sudak, 3rd 35-39 M, 19:04; Tessa Franchi, 3rd 16-19 W, 20:47; Robert Dummer, 2nd 25-29 M, 20:54; Bill Schmidt, 2nd 60-64 M, 21:14; Katherine Fedko, 3rd 10-14 W, 21:20; Natalie Richard, 1st 20-24 W, 21:46; Eric Domitrovic, 3rd 40-44 M, 23:16; Rhonda Merhaut, 3rd 50-54 W, 25:11; Mary Siegel, 2nd 40-44 W, 25:15; Maddie Hutchison, 2nd 20-24 W, 25:34; Cassandra Smiley, 3rd 40-44 W, 25:47; Terry Ann Fuller, 1st 60-64 W, 25:58; John Antinossi, 3rd 70-75 M, 26:15; Patricia Neubert, 2nd 60-64 W, 27:02; Sally Horn, 3rd 60-64 W, 27:11; Ellie Tourney, 2nd 45-49 W, 27:12; Barbara Lane, 2nd 65-69 W, 28:27; Meg Rakowski, 3rd 65-69 W, 29:04; Jocelyn Rich, 2nd 9 & Under W, 30:48; Dezso Csizmadia, 1st 75-79 M, 32:35; Marcia Semple, 2nd 70-74 W, 37:52; Lauren Golla, 3rd 9 & Under W, 39:45; Donald Cescon, 3rd 75-79 M, 41:26; Margretta Lutz, 1st 80+ W, 42:10; Lucille Braun, 3rd 70-74 W, 44:50; Beth Gallogly, 2nd 75-79 W, 49:46; Cristina Veggi, 3rd 75-79 W, 52:45; Peggy Kopelic, 2nd 80+ W, 55:17; Dan Carlino, 16:56; Joey Mullen, 17:26; Chuck Adams, 18:03; Kurt Brautigam, 18:21; Andrew Kingan, 18:43; Austin Micko, 19:06; Michael Dolgos, 19:09; Camden Sarver, 19:39; Evan Deddo, 20:01; Caleb Martin, 20:06; Ben Balish, 20:11; Jacob Porter, 20:16; Noah Adams, 20:24; John Armstrong, 20:37; Sean Farrell, 20:45; Brent Collins, 20:56; Michael Finikiotis, 20:59; Josh Venderlic, 21:00; Nathan Stoner, 21:01; David Jeter, 21:05; Delaney McCarthy, 21:27; Charles Sehellhaas, 21:55; Lauren Allen, 22:00; John Boulanger, 22:05; James DeFoggia, 22:10; Makara Smocer, 22:16; Katie Kirsch, 22:22; David Swisher, 22:23; Richard Wolf, 22:23; Nick Porter, 22:25; Dean Rippee, 22:32; David Peters, 22:34; Alissa Beam, 22:39; Bridget Jankawski, 22:40; William Schwalm, 22:43; Mario Johns, 22:44; Lucy Lewis, 22:51; Quinton Johnson, 22:55; Grace Johnson, 22:56; Brent Metal, 22:56; Katie Rishel, 23:05; Judy Johnson, 23:11; Michelle Wolf, 23:19; Olivia Schoppen, 23:32; Roger Hyde, 23:33; Brian Pirro, 23:34; Bradley Christie, 23:36; Kevin Pritts, 23:48; Sammy Jo Barnes, 23:52; Jill Molnar, 24:05; Brad Johnson, 24:09; Tony Chan, 24:19; David Rishel, 24:20; Kyle Donnelly, 24:25; Hannah Kemper, 24:30; Hudson Fuller, 24:52; Dan Pedersen, 25:00; Brandon Bullay, 25:02; Brandon Bullay, 25:03; David Guo, 25:03; Sammi Pavlecic, 25:10; Mary Fannie, 25:12; Tresa Coon, 25:13; Suzanne Papik, 25:16; Antonio Gomez, 25:18; Ryan Barnes, 25:21; Vincent Semrau, 25:25; Domenick Semrau, 25:26; David Stoner, 25:27; Marin Smocer, 25:31; James Gascoine, 25:33; Jon Hassler, 25:36; Timothy Molnar, 25:37; Bob Todd, 25:38; Jake Minster, 25:42; Mike Zatchey, 25:42; Devin Golla, 25:43; Brian Ritz, 25:45; Julia Solomon, 25:50; Bradley Johnson, 25:53; Mary Ella McCarthy, 25:54; Julie Hutchison, 25:56; Sydney Lang, 25:58; Kyle Mannas, 26:01; Scott Golla, 26:10; Emily Wilkinson-Baldauf, 26:10; Breanna Franchak, 26:16; Adan Bonvenuto, 26:25; Carly Dolgos, 26:25; Matthew Deacon, 26:29; David Bonvenuto, 26:30; Ryan Helsel, 26:30; Nate Macioce, 26:42; Benjamin Rishel, 26:42; Bill Barton, 26:44; Mike Hucko, 26:45; Madison Gumto, 26:47; Katherine Colton, 26:47; Dan Smiley, 26:52; Sean Hutchins, 26:57; Bob Johnston, 26:57; James DeMore, 27:01; Marcie Papik, 27:03; Cindy Waltemire, 27:03; Caitlin Golla, 27:04; Michael Medjimorec, 27:06; Jason Spudic, 27:10; Jackson English, 27:11; Leah May, 27:17; Katrina Smith, 27:21; Harry Balish, 27:26; Steve Hawbaker, 27:39; Madeline Komoroski, 27:42; Marcus Fannie, 27:46; Stella Fannie, 27:47; Zachary Boggs, 27:47; Adam Mobley, 27:49; Rebecca Mobley, 27:50; Robin Hawbaker, 27:52; Delaney Rich, 27:55; Jacob Szafranski, 27:57; Elinore Kneidinger, 27:59

Send comments and suggestions: Patricia Neubert, 435 Cherry Valley Rd., Saxonburg, PA. 16056. Phone or fax 724-352-4395. Email bigp16@connecttime.net

Pat Neubert is a running columnist for the Butler Eagle