We begin a new calendar every year, but this time, it's special. We move into a new decade. It's a great time to look back at what's happened before we bound into the future.

Transcending the running world, April 15, 2013 will always be remembered as a stab in the heart to all Americans. As runners and spectators celebrated Patriot's Day in Boston, two homemade pressure cooker bombs exploded near the finish of the Boston Marathon killing three and injuring several hundred people. The violent act by two terrorist brothers horrified but unified the world which responded with the phrase and actions, “Boston Strong!”

The running community responded to the cowardly attack by tightening security at all future events and by fielding 9000 more runners than usual at 2014's Boston Marathon. More than 36,000 runners entered the race that year but none performed better than Meb Keflezighi.

Keflezighi, 39, was the oldest Boston winner since 1930 and the first American winner in more than 30 years.

As reported by Peter May in the April 21, 2014 New York Times, Meb said, “This is probably the most meaningful victory for an American because of what happened last year. I just ran a personal best. I just won the Boston Marathon. I feel blessed.”

On the track, Almaz Ayana of Ethiopia won gold and set a world record at the Rio Olympic Games 10k in 2016. Ayana's time of 29:17.45 bested Wang Junxia of China's 1993 record by 14 seconds.

On a sad note, Canadian Masters distance legend Ed Whitlock died on March 13, 2017. Whitlock owns 32 single age records from 5k through the marathon, including half marathon and marathon records set in 2016 at age 85.

While road race records and Olympic performances dominated media coverage, Joe “Stringbean” McConaughy quietly crushed several Fastest Known Times in the back country. In 2014, at age 23, McConaughy speed hiked the Pacific Crest Trail's 2660 miles in 53 days, 6 hours and 37 minutes. In August of 2017, without the help of a support crew, he averaged more than 50 miles per day on the 2190 mile Appalachian Trail to finish in 45 days, 12 hours, 15 minutes.

The previous unsupported FKT on the Appalachian Trail was set by Heather “Anish” Anderson. Her 54 day finish is still the fastest women's time on the rugged route.

Anderson also holds the overall self-supported speed record on the Pacific Crest Trail set in 2013 with a 60 day, 17 hour and 12 minute finish. In 2018, she logged almost 8000 miles to capture the fastest Triple Crown of completing the PCT, AT and Continental Divide Trail in one calendar year.

To top off the decade, Eliud Kipchoge of Kenya ran a marathon in under 2 hours for the first time in history. His finishing time of 1:59:40 was aided by a specially designed course and shoes and with the help of 41 pacesetters.

His historic performance is not an official world record because it was not run under course record eligible parameters. But Kipchoge is also the current world record holder with a 2:01:39 finish at Berlin Marathon in 2018.

The women's marathon world record fell in October 2019's Chicago Marathon as Brigid Kosgei finished in 2:14:04. The record was previously 2:15:25 run by Paula Radcliffe in 2003 in London.

On a personal note, several of my running friends achieved longtime goals of running longer, faster or qualifying for Boston or New York Marathons. I began the decade by running my longest-ever event at Rachel Carson Challenge's 35 mile trail ultra and slowest-ever marathon at New York in 2011. After a few injuries and comebacks, I step into the next decade hopeful and hopefully wiser about my running choices.

After a look back, we face the future, a new year and a new decade with plenty of roads and trails ahead. Let's run!

January 4, 11 A.M.: Resolution Run 5k/ Fun Walk/ Ruck Derry. Run. Walk or ruck (carry a weighted pack on your back). https://runsignup.com/Race/PA/Derry/ResolutionRunWPAJanuary 11, 1 P.M.: Run 2 Read Half Marathon, Fairmont, WV. Run through Prickett's Fort State Park. 304-366-6055 or www.wvrunning.com/R2R/January 12, 9 A.M.: Frigid 5 Miler, Allison Park. Run in North Park. www.athlinks.com/event/frigid-5-miler-60867January 18, 12 noon: Community and Rec Center New Year Winter Wellness Dash 1 Mile Run/Walk, Upper St. Clair. Bargain race with $5 registration fee, beanie hats to first 100 registered. 412-221-1099, ext 606 or mccleaster@twpusc.orgJanuary 25, 11 A.M.: Chilly Cheeks Challenge 2.5 Mile, 5 Mile or 10 Mile, Hermitage. Run through Buhl Farms Park. 724-841-6528 or bonnherb@yahoo.com. Online registration at www.runsignup.comFebruary 1, 10 A.M.: PREP4PITT-1: Trout Island Tromp 4.6 miles, Sharpsville. Run on rail trail. 724-301-6775 or races@mctrails.netFebruary 1, 10 A.M.: Groundhog Day 4 Mile, Punxsutawney. 814-939-9770February 2, 9 A.M.: Groundhog Day Prediction Run, Zelienople. Choice of 6.66, 4.44, or 2.22 miles. Winners based on finishing times closest to prediction. No timing devices allowed during the event. www.getfitfamilies.comFebruary 8, 9 A.M.: Cupid's Chase 5k, Butler. Run at Lake Arthur Golf Club. 724-613-8133 or timothy.hawk@comop.orgFebruary 9, 10 A.M.: Valentine Prediction Race, Erie. Run between or walk 4 and 6 miles. Finishers closest to predicted times earn chocolate awards. 814-774-3209 or dan.a@erierunners.club

Buffalo Township Veteran’s Day 10k, November 9: Doug Basinski, 1st Overall M, 40:55; Blair Beck, 2nd Overall M, 42:52; Melissa Conjack, 1st Overall W, 43:12; Stephen Hepler, 3rd Overall M, 46:26; Gypsy Dreveniak, 3rd Overall W, 58:27; Kevin Condon, 2nd 50-59 M, 47:12; Jim Henry, 1st 40-49 M, 56:02; Wayne Carbo, 2nd 40-49 M, 57:55; Patricia Neubert, 1st 60-69 W, 1:02:19; Melissa Toncini, 1st 40-49 W, 1:07:03Buffalo Township Veteran’s Day 5k, November 9: Zachary Best, 1st Overall M, 20:28; Sam Kristine, 2nd Overall M, 20:31; Travis Domhoff, 3rd Overall M, 23:16; Beth Davis, 1st Overall W, 26:27; Tina Bortmes, 3rd Overall W, 29:29; Jacob Kristine, 1st 15-19 M, 24:58; Anthony Covaleski, 2nd 30-39 M, 25:04; Jim Beck, 1st 50-59 M, 25:30; John Karpacas, 2nd 50-59 M, 25:50; Mike Brestensky, 3rd 50-59 M, 25:57; Dean Syphert, 1st 20-29 M, 26:21; Chuck Sarver, 1st 60-69 M, 29:31; Allysa Walker, 1st 30-39 W, 34:50; Todd Cyphert, 1st 40-49 M, 38:23; Jonathan Hicks, 2nd 40-49 M, 40:36; Jocalyn Thompson, 2nd 20-29 W, 44:00; Ben Pletcher, 1st 70+ M, 48:46; Betty Pletcher, 1st 70+ W, 50:26; Frank Ting, 26:50; Josh Medina, 33:31; Adam Krepps, 33:31; Chris Dimun, 42:02Operation Troop Appreciation 5k (2.9 miles), November 10: Alex Archer, 1st Overall M, 15:07; Ava Dzurenda, 1st Overall W, 19:35; Martin Hesman, 1st Masters M, 19:47; Stacey Hesman, 1st Masters W, 22:13; Andrew Koryak, 1st 20-24 M, 16:55; Matt McGoey, 2nd 20-24 M, 17:32; Sustin Stewart, 1st 11-14 M, 18:06; Steve Schohn, 1st 35-39 M, 18:27; Eion Mckernan, 1st 15-19 M, 19:04; Quentin Romano, 2nd 15-19 M, 19:05; Aidan Hesman, 3rd 11-14 M, 20:19; Tom McLaughlin, 3rd 35-39 M, 20:30; Ryan Roethlein, 1st 30-34 M, 20:39; Brent Collins, 1st 55-59 M, 21:12; Mary Sedlak, 1st 11-14 W, 21:16; Van Cornish, 2nd 40-44 M, 21:50; Sarah Sharar, 1st 15-19 W, 22:21; Anne Mooney, 1st 25-29 W, 22:35; Mitch Radella, 2nd 50-54 M, 22:39; Tony Chan, 1st 60-64 M, 22:44; Dan Wolfe, 2nd 25-29 M, 22:55; Tori Kochick, 2nd 25-29 W, 25:05; Brian Dzurenda, 3rd 45-49 M, 25:10; Kristine Sharar, 3rd 50-54 W, 26:16; Lucas Pott, 2nd 10 & Under M, 26:44; Christine Patton, 1st 45-49 W, 27:21; Catherine Parker, 1st 10 & Under W, 27:59; Becky Parker, 2nd 45-49 W, 27:59; Hal English, 2nd 55-59 M, 28:11; Leanne Finney, 3rd 45-49 W, 28:17; James Parker, 3rd 10 & Under M, 28:45; Benjamin Frederick, 3rd 55-59 M, 29:00; Louann Lodico, 2nd 60-64 W, 29:02; Gerry McLaughlin, 2nd 65+ M, 30:38; Eddie Marinzel, 3rd 65+ M, 31:10; Sandra Ung, 3rd 60-64 W, 32:14; Judy Fritsch, 2nd 65+ W, 44:27; Sanjay Johnson, 22:07; Luc Normandy, 23:05; Taylor Dailey, 23:08; Owen Anderson, 23:26; Amiya Johnson, 23:27; Carter Anderson, 23:29; Ava Sharar, 24:47; Devin Winklosky, 25:33; Heather Johnson, 26:51; Peter Johnson, 27:01; Adam Kochick, 27:36; Zachary Thompson, 27:53; Megan Finney, 28:17; Gopal Gupta, 28:35; Sean Buzzard, 28:36; Sndrew Parker, 28:46; Shawn McClinton, 29:33; Barb Gallagher, 29:34; Rita Baranwal, 29:48; Jack McLaughlin, 30:17; Erin McLaughlin, 30:32; Dawn Basinger, 30:43; Cheryl Zingaro, 30:44; Owen Mckernan, 31:13; Erin Kuper, 31:34; Lisa Bolsey, 31:34; Matthew Smith, 31:53; Connie Smith, 31:53; Quinn Mckee, 32:42; John Lally, 33:40; Maria Monahan, 33:54; Tony Wang, 34:06; Joni Clemente, 34:21; Debra Kuminkoski, 34:43; Denise Senfit, 39:37; Lisa Siwula, 40:13; Wendy Dean, 40:36; Jill Simmons, 42:14; Amanda Burns, 51:07; Nadine Hildebrand, 51:07Apollo Run for Life 5k, November 16: Philip Westlake, 1st Overall M, 21:11; Rachel Faas, 1st Overall W, 29:46; Bob Zukas, 1st 70+ M, 29:34Gobbler’s Gallop 10k, November 28: Jarrett Boyd, 1st Overall M, 36:20; Carter MacMurdo, 3rd Overall M, 39:07; Kylee Kaszer, 1st Overall W, 43:53; Julie Sabona, 3rd Overall W, 44:54; Matt Montellanico, 1st 30-39 M, 40:37; Ron Liscio, Jr., 2nd 30-39 M, 41:19; Gregory Banyay, 3rd 30-39 M, 41:35; Mark Casteel, 1st 40-49 M, 43:26; Jeff Gonzales, 2nd 40-49 M, 43:59; Dan Spiker, 1st 20-29 M, James Couch, 1st 13 & under M, 45:53; Jodi Patterson, 1st 14-19 W, 45:55; Natalie Lape, 2nd 14-19 W, 46:49; Anne Maharg, 1st 20-29 W, 46:56; Julie Burns, 3rd 30-39 W, 47:32; Ray Russell, 1st 60-64 M, 47:33; Jack Patterson, 2nd 60-64 M, 48:04; Leslie Golding, 2nd 40-49 W, 49:08; John Mckivigan, 1st 65-69 M. 51:47; John Armstrong, 2nd 50-59 M, 53:41; Dan Zelch, 3rd 50-59 M, 54:18; Michelle Pekich, 1st 50-59 W, 56:45; David Adam, 1st 70+ M, 57:51; Hope Stiteler, 1st 13 & Under W, 1:03:26; Deedy Vetice, 1st 60-64 W, 1:04:21; Rebecca Flore, 3rd 20-29 W, 1:06:13; Christine Guthrie, 2nd 60-64 W, 1:09:56; Josh Edmiston, 43:57; Jim Carr, 47:03; Anthony Colangelo, 49:00; Jeff Savard, 49:09; Ross Maretta, 49:35; Mitch Connolly, 49:36; Aaron Zimmerman, 51:33; Hunter Best, 54:01; Joseph Rubcic, 54:02; Valerie Hardy, 54:03; Greg Hardin, 54:16; Tyler Monic, 54:57; Carrie Birckbichler-Smith, 54:57; Elizabeth Mccollough, 55:42; Scott Kavanagh, 55:55; Mark Pekich, 56:07; Tammi Kohner, 58:28; Raymond Kohner, 58:30; Dave Melfi, 58:39; Joella Baker, 59:27; Debra Kuminkoski, 1:03:07; Tim Weil, 1:03:27; Melissa Stiteler, 1:03:28; Ron Wiesner, 1:07:51; Alice Wiesner, 1:09:57; Beth Ferrie, 1:10:37; Steve Roir, 1:10:38; Karen Kavanagh, 1:13:01Send comments and suggestions: Patricia Neubert. Phone 724-352-4395. Email lotzak@consolidated.netPat Neubert is a running columnist for the Butler Eagle