My last column of the year is usually a review of highs and lows followed by hope for the year to come.

This year is no different, but the highs are sorely missed and the lows dominate like a black cloud across the sun.And I can't help but end this year's writing with the sad report of the passing of Ed Doyle, not only my friend, but a friend to runners and non-runners in our community.

Ed was a lifelong runner, starting with the Penn Hills High School cross country team. As with most dedicated to the sport, running wasn't Ed's prime motivation, but a thread that wove itself through the fabric of his life.

Ed and wife Carol raised four kids who grew to become uniquely talented and independent adults. I met Ed, not as a runner, but as a fellow youth soccer parent and coach to our sons' and daughters' teams.

I first ran with Ed in some forgotten local 5k where we fell into the same pace and carried on a breathless conversation. I recall a Mars 5k where he pushed me to a second overall finishing place and a Saxonburg Festival 5k where he made me laugh so hard I could barely run.

Ed finally fulfilled his dream of opening his own running store. More than a store, Up-N-Running became a local hub for advice, social running and community support along with providing quality athletic equipment to runners and walkers of every age and ability. My mom and I became his first employees. During the first Christmas season at the store, we decorated the shrubs outside the front door with old race medals as ornaments.

Ed delighted in talking with local youth track and cross country athletes, in promoting the sport and in using running to benefit the community. He generously donated running swag to countless races, was race director of the popular Saxonburg Distance Series 5ks and Where's Our Water 5k to benefit Glade Run Lake Conservancy.

He sponsored and ran for Alzheimer's Association teams at Pittsburgh Marathon and his was also the voice each tired runner heard as they neared the Buffalo Creek Half Marathon finish.

Lately, having passed his Up-N-Running store to his son and daughter in-law, Ed and Carol spent more time with grandchildren, enjoying their mountain getaway and relaxing at the family's favorite vacation spot on the Outer Banks. Ed continued to run, completing a few Ragnar relays and enjoying Shoes 'n' Brews social runs with the loosely organized Team Beer running group.

I ran with him at the last Shoes 'n' Brews in October, a few weeks before he fell ill. We plodded through a few slow miles in the dwindling light before sharing beers at an outside picnic table.

But I remember our conversation on that last meet-up before autumn's darkness claimed the evening. We agreed (being the same age) that we had probably outrun the desire to race for a prize, but that running would always be its own reward. We'd both keep at it as long as life would allow.

I guess it's human nature, in times like this, to scream at the unfairness of life, “Why?!” Why should this gentle, funny, compassionate, caring friend, husband, father and grandfather be taken by a cruel and random virus? And then, why have nearly 1.8 million other unique and valued members of the human race also succumbed?

A wise counselor once told me that, in the face of the unknowable, rather than ask why, a better question is “What?” What can you do in response to tragedy? What will you do?

I propose that all who knew Ed Doyle respond by doing what Ed can no longer do. Be compassionate. Be caring. Support those organizations that Ed can no longer support like Alzheimer's Association and Glade Run Lake Conservancy. Step up and volunteer at local races. Run together (when we can safely). And keep at it as long as life allows.

Dec. 31, Noon: New Year's Eve 5k, Beaver. Out and back with staggered start. Virtual option. https://runsignup.com/Race/PA/Beaver/YMCANewYearsEve5kDec. 31, 4 p.m.: Twilight 5k Run, 2 Mile Run and 2 Mile Walk, Hollidaysburg. Run through the lights of Lakemont Amusement Park. Walk starts at 5 P.M. www.blairregionalymca.org/raceseries/twilight-race/Jan. 1, 10 a.m.: Erie Runners Club New Year's Day 5 Mile Race, Erie. Virtual race this year. Dan.a@erierunners.club or https://erierunners.club/event/erc-new-years-day-5m-race/2021-01-01/Jan. 2, 11 a.m.: Resolution Run 5k Run/ Fun Walk, Derry. Run around Keystone State Park Lake, No race day registration and bib pickup prior to race at Gingerbread Man Running in Indiana. https://runsignup.com/Race/PA/Derry/ResolutionRunWPAJan. 9: Run 2 Read Half Marathon, Prickett's Fort State Park, WV. 304-366-6055 or runtoread@hotmail.comJan. 10, 8:30 a.m.: Frigid 5 Miler, Allison Park. Start at North Park Skating Rink. This year's course is run in reverse with a downhill finish. Also virtual option. https://runsignup.com/Race/PA/AllisonPark/Frigid5MilerJan. 16, Noon: Community and Rec Center New Year Winter Wellness Dash 1 Mile Run/ Walk, Upper St. Clair. Beanies to first 100, $45 entry fee. 412-221-1099 or http://www.twpusc.org/crc/crc-homeJan. 23, 10 a.m.: Resolution Run 5k, Hermitage. https://runsignup.com/Race/PA/Hermitage/ResolutionRun5KwctcJan. 28, 6:30 p.m.: Wolf Moon 15k, Allison Park. Night trail run through North Park, 3-person team scoring. https://runsignup.com/Race/Events/PA/AllisonPark/WOLFMOON15KJan. 30, 10 a.m.: Groundhog Jog 4 Mile Run/Walk, Punxsutawney. Run starts downtown, also virtual option. https://runsignup.com/Race/PA/Punxsutawney/undhogJog4MileRunWalk?aflt_token=HrZcYWJT57TH3GH4vWg7QL584fEmdOnKFeb. 6, 11 a.m.: Resolution Run 5k Run/Fun Walk/Ruck, Derry. Run around Keystone State Park Lake. https://runsignup.com/Race/PA/Derry/ResolutionRunWPAFeb. 13, 9 a.m.: Cupid's Chase 5k, Butler. Run at Lake Arthur Golf Club. Walkers, wheelchairs and baby strollers welcome. 724-613-8133 or www.comop.org/cupidschase/Feb. 14, 10 a.m.: Valentine Prediction Race, Erie. Race distance is between 4 and 6 miles. Predict your pace per mile. Closest finishing times to predictions win awards. 814-774-3209 or https://erierunners.club/event/valentine-prediction-race/

Brush Creek Road to Trail 5k, Nov. 29: Tyler Paszkowski, 1st Overall M, 16:44; Owen Schessler, 2nd 14-19 M, 17:49; Jodeph Harmanos, 3rd 14-19 M, 18:07; Angelina Hunkele, 1st 40-49 W, 18:38; Elizabeth Hunkele, 2nd 14-19 W, 19:49; Mitch Radella, 1st 50-59 M, 22:44; Jim Gallagher, 2nd 50-59 M, 22:49; Bill Schessler, 3rd 50-59 M, 23:11; Morgan Siebka, 1st 20-29 W, 23:12; John Karpacs, 1st 60-69 M, 26:00; Jennifer Eckenrode, 3rd 30-39 W, 26:58; Riley Gallagher, 2nd 20-29 W, 27:41; Anthony Sunseri, 1st 70+ M, 31:32; John Patrus, 3rd 70+ M, 35:51; Alexandra Gongas, 22:56; Freya Davis, 23:02; Daniel Hogue, 26:47; Mark Harmanos, 26:48; Scott Baker, 26:51; Melissa Eckenrode, 27:00; Fallon Bright, 28:34; Joella Baker, 30:18; Nicole Hogue, 31:50; Deborah Takacs, 34:44;Brush Creek Road to Trail 5k & 4 Mile, Nov. 29: Owen Schessler, 1st Overall M, 47:58; Lenna Birchard, 1st Overall W, 56:49; Julie Demarco, 1st 40-49 W, 57:00; Simon Short, 1st 40-49 M, 58:28; Jeanine Mcguire, 1st 30-39 W, 58:58; Devin Walsh, 1st 30-39 M, 59:50; Joseph Harmanos, 2nd 14-19 M, 1:00:58; John Black, 1st 50-59 M, 1:04:14; Fallon Bright, 1st 14-19 W, 1:07:25; Bill Schessler, 2nd 50-59 M, 1:08:39 Morgan Siebka, 1st 20-29 W, 1:10:26; Alexander Witmer, 2nd 20-29 M, 1:10:26; Nicole Hogue, 2nd 30-39 W 1:18:41; Joe Monaco, 3rd 30-39 M, 1:23:31; Joella Baker, 3rd 50-59 W, 1:24:20; Janie Crowl, 1st 60-69 W, 1:25:13; Melissa Eckenrode, 3rd 30-39 W, 1:27:12; Kellie Werschey, 3rd 40-49 W, 1:30:13; Jan Tiedmann, 2nd 60-69 W, 1:41:49; Nancy Smith, 2rd 60-69 W, 1:51:38; Hayden Tucker, 1:22:52; Scott Baker, 1:25:26; Jennifer Eckenrode, 1:27:13; Derek Pollard, 1:29:01; Janet Mikula, 1:29:01; Chris Thoburn, 1:29:39; Sarah Donley, 1:29:44; Carl Kondrach, 1:29:47; Deborah Takacs, 1:40:24; Mike Hackstedde, 1:52:20Santa Sprint 1 Mile, Dec. 5: Tyler Jenkins, 1st Overall M, 5:05; Chrissy Lewis, 1st Overall W, 5:56; Tim Hertel, 3rd Masters M, 6:26; Megan Garrison, 2nd 15-19 W, 8:10; Justin Kovach, 3rd 30-39 M, 9:42; Tosha Bethel, 3rd 40-44 W, 11:26; Beth Jeffries, 3rd 45-49 W, 11:47; Brady Powell, 7:00; Trey Bethel, 7:39; Kelsie Kovach, 8:01; Jaxson Humphrey, 8:29; Olivia Phillips, 10:18; Tara Hertel, 10:36Reindeer Race 5k, Dec. 20: Chase Waldschmidt, 1st Overall M, 16:29; Noah Petersen, 2nd Overall M, 16:53; Owen Schessler, 3rd Overall M, 16:55; Ava Pietrzyk, 1st Overall W, 19:26; Dana Huhes, 2nd Overall W, 19:28; Maddie Gagnon, 3rd Overall W, 19:30; Joe Harmanos, 1st 16-19 M, 17:45; Ben Capozzi, 2nd 16-19 M, 17:48; Colton Ginsburg, 1st 11-12 M, 17:49; Adrian Riddell, 1st 40-49 M, 18:09; Matt MAuclair, 2nd 40-49 M, 18:53; Zac Baker, 3rd 16-19 M, 19:28; Viva Kreis, 1st 13-15 W, 19:30; Dylan Kirchner, 1st 16-19 W, 19:36; Carlos Ferman, 3rd 40-49 M, 19:54; Samantha Hennen, 2nd 16-19 W, 19:57; Julia Zalinski, 2nd 13-15 W, 19:57; Abby Kreber, 3rd 13-15 W, 19:59; Alyssa Urling, 1st 11-12 W, 20:13; Vanessa Snyder, 1st 30-39 W, 21:04; Bill Schessler, 1st 50-59 M, 21:10; Mikayla Eckenrode, 3rd 11-12 W, 21:29; Amber Marsh, 2nd 30-39 W, 21:29; Melissa Conjack, 3rd 30-39 W, 21:39; Ian Maloney, 1st 9-10 M, 21:51; David Bruni, 2nd 50-59 M, 21:52; Mitch Radella, 3rd 50-59 M, 21:56; Morgan Siebka, 1st 20-29 W, 22:15; Freya Davis, 3rd 16-19 W, 22:18; Chuck Sarver, 1st 60-69 M, 23:03; Cindy Waltemire, 1st 60-69 W, 27:32; Laurie Schessler, 2nd 50-59 W, 28:34; Sara Andreassi, 3rd 20-29 W, 31:39; Wyatt Bowman, 2nd 9-10 M, 37:27; Ben Baker, 2nd 7-8 M, 38:57; Carol English, 2nd 60-69 W, 47:14; Joshua Eckenrode, 23:21; Drew Kirchner, 23:30; Keelin Schessler, 23:56; Shawn Hennen, 24:01; Tara Lucot, 24:22; Emma McDonald, 24:22; Dylan Paulson, 24:48; Mark Harmanos, 24:52; Scott Baker, 25:32; Melissa Eckenrode, 26:32; Jennifer Eckenrode, 26:35; Angela Maloney, 28:31; Brian Dzurenda, 29:54; Mia Dzurenda, 29:54; Kimberly Paulson, 30:36; Deborah Takacs, 31:43; Courtney Sikora, 36:57; Jeff Baker, 38:57; Debra Kuminkoski, 40:22; Denise Phipps, 42:16; Laura Augustine, 47:17Send comments and suggestions: Patricia Neubert. Phone 724-352-4395. Email lotzak@consolidated.net<i>Pat Neubert is a running columnist for the Butler Eagle</i>