Two years is a long time to wait for a best buddy.

Butler's Best Buddies Eggstravaganza took place in the spring of 2019 but, like most other running and group events, was forced to cancel in 2020 due to arrival of the pandemic. Fortunately, the event will take place with COVID-19 safety guidelines in place this Saturday at Butler High School.

Butler's Best Buddies Eggstravaganza includes an Easter Egg Dash 5k and Bunny Hop 1 Mile Fun Run/Walk for all ages, followed by an Easter Egg Hunt for kids ages 10 and under and a special appearance by the Easter Bunny. Kids who enter either of the running/walking events earn free admission to the egg hunt. Other kids are welcome to participate in the hunt for a $5 fee.

Packet pickup and day of event registration opens at 8 a.m. accepting cash payments only at Butler High School's Art Bernardi Stadium. Commemorative shirts and runner swag bags are not guaranteed for day-of-event sign ups, though may be available in a limited quantity.

Race director Kaitlyn Reges says that as of Tuesday, 237 have preregistered for one of the events. Many of these are deferred registrations from last year's cancelled events. She anticipates many more people will register on race day.

She and co-director Michelle Yeager are faculty advisors for the Best Buddies Butler Chapter, a club at Butler High School. She credits the student club officers for organizing the logistics of the event and members of the National Honor Society for volunteering on race day.

Both running events begin and end on the high school track while the egg hunt takes place within the stadium. All in attendance must wear a mask and follow social distancing guidelines. Participants must sign a COVID-19 waiver to take part in any of the day's activities. Strollers are not allowed on the high school track.

The chip-timed competitive Easter Egg Dash 5k starts at 10 a.m. Runners and walkers should follow social distancing guidelines while in the starting area. The rolling course includes loops of the Butler Senior and Intermediate High School Campus.

Individually wrapped snacks and refreshments will be available following the 5k with an awards ceremony held on the stadium field. Competitive awards for the 5k include plaques for the first male and female finishers. Top three male and female finishers in age groups 14 & under, 15-19, 20-39, 40-59 and 60+ receive medals.

The 1-mile Bunny Hop Fun Run/Walk starts at approximately 11 a.m. following the conclusion of the 5k and includes a single loop of the Senior High School Campus. Once again, strollers are not permitted on the track.

The Easter Egg Hunt for ages 10 and under begins at approximately noon. There will be five separate hunts according to age: 2 years and younger, 3-4, 5-6, 7-8 and 9-10 year olds. Some eggs contain candy while others have certificates for prizes.

The entire day's events of Eggstravaganza, including a raffle for assorted baskets donated by sponsors, benefit Butler High School's Best Buddies chapter. The group is part of an international organization founded in 1989 to promote friendship between people with and without intellectual and developmental disabilities. Best Buddies also creates learning opportunities and offers job placement for students.

Butler's Best Buddies group currently has 104 members with 31 buddy pairs. The pairs talk at least weekly, spend time together at least twice per month and attend group activities monthly. Even throughout the pandemic, the club conducted virtual parties to stay connected.

Kaitlyn says that Best Buddies plans to make this an annual event.

“It's a lot of fun and we appreciate anyone who comes out for this family-friendly event,” she said.

For more information about the Eggstravaganza and the Easter Egg 5k, visit runsignup.com/Race/PA/Butler/BestBuddiesEasterEggDash. For more information about Best Buddies International, their mission and how you can help, visit www.bestbuddies.org.

Update — My last column featured Semper Gratus Shamrock Shuffle 5k in West Leechburg.

Race director Ian Cole offered this wrap-up of a successful race. The 247 runners and walkers plus a number of virtual participants raised nearly $15,000 to benefit the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. Guest of honor and cancer survivor Sophie Stophel shared her story while Semper Gratus, along with Best Buy, presented her with a laptop, Gannon University swag bag and $500 in support of her Student of the Year campaign.

Save the date of July 10 this year for Santa Shuffle 5k, a Semper Gratus Christmas-in-July-themed race that hopefully will include a dance and in-person festivities.

March 27, 7:30 a.m.: Shamrock Shuffle Half Marathon, 5k Fun Run/Walk and 1 Mile Fun Run/Walk, Harmony. 5k starts at 10 A.M., 1 mile starts at 10:45 A.M. https://getfitfamilies.com/owsevent/shamrock-shuffle/March 27, 8 a.m.: March Mad Dash 5k, 5 Mile or 10 Mile, Allison Park. Run around North Park Lake. Also virtual option. runsignup.com/Race/Info/PA/AllisonPark/MarchMadDashMarch 27, 9:15 a.m.: Barnesville Park/Rotary Lake Trail 5k Walk/Run and Fun Run, Barnesville, OH. Handcrafted trophies, food, hooded sweatshirts. 740-310-2117 or carlkondrach@yahoo.com. Register online at runsignup.com/Race/OH/Barnesville/BarnesvilleParkRotaryLake5kTrailWalkRunKidsFunRunMarch 27, 10 a.m.: Easter Egg Dash 5k and Bunny Hop 1 Mile and Kids Easter Egg Hunt, Butler. Held at Butler Senior High School's Art Bernardi Stadium. This race will take place pending COVID-19 mandates and restrictions. runsignup.com/Race/PA/Butler/BestBuddiesEasterEggDashMarch 27, 10 a.m.: Trout Island Tromp 4.6 miles (MCTA Marathon Series Race #1), Sharpsville. Run on rail trail, limited to 150 participants. 724-301-6775 or races@mctrails.net. Register at www.mctrails.org/events www.mctrails.org/eventsApril 3, 9 a.m.: Spring Break Eight.5 (MCTA Marathon Series Race #2), Fredonia. Rolling course in and around Fredonia. Limited to 150 participants. 724-301-6775 or races@mctrails.net. Register online at www.mctrails.org/eventsApril 10, 9 a.m.: Buck Ridge Burn Trail Half Marathon and 5k, Gardners. Challenging trail runs. falconracetiming.com/event/buck-ridge-burn-trail-half-marathon-5k-gardners-pa/April 10, 9 a.m.: Run Across Guatemala 5k, Allison Park. Starts at Harmar Pavilion in North Park, benefits orphanage in Guatemala. runsignup.com/Race/Events/PA/AllisonPark/RunAcrossGuatemala5kApril 10, 9 a.m.: Dyngus Day 5k, Allison Park. Run starts at North Park Boat House. 703-237-0085 or mmrozek@frpark.com. Online registration at secure.getmeregistered.com/get_information.php?event_id=133443April 10, 9 a.m.: Dirty Kiln Trail Races at Canoe Creek State Park, Hollidaysburg. Choice of 10k or half marathon trail race. This event is sold out. http://www.alleghenytrailrunners.com/dirty-kiln-trail-race/April 24, 9 a.m.: On the Dam Que Trail Relay, Hooversville. Scenic 34-milerun around Quemahoning Reservoir individually or as a relay for teams of 2 to 4 runners. 814-244-2270 or stephdaniels72@gmail.comApril 24, 10 a.m.: MKG Half Marathon (MCTA Marathon Series Race 3), Sandy Lake. Run on paved bike trail around Lake Wilhelm. 724-301-6775 or races@mctrails.net. Register online at www.mctrails.org/eventsMay 1, 8:30 a.m.: Run to Breathe Half Marathon and 5k, Portersville. Starts at McDanel's Boat Launch, Pavilion #7 in Moraine State Park. Also virtual options. 724-841-6528 or bonnherb@yahoo.com. Online registration at runsignup.com/Race/PA/Portersville/RunToBreatheHalfMarathon5KMay 2, 7 a.m.: Latonka Marathon, Mercer. Run at Lake Latonka limited to 100 runners. 724-866-1374 or smc@runhigh.com. Online registration opens March 17 secure.getmeregistered.com/get_information.php?event_id=135356

Olde Girdled Grit Marathon, Feb. 27: Brad Yuronich, 1st Overall M, 4:12:38; Sarah Carson, 1st Overall W, 5:45:57; Tina Benedek-Grimm, 2nd Overall W, 6:00:53; Josh Gretz, 3rd 30-39 M, 2:05:57; Ruth Werne, 2nd 40-49 W, 2:27:21; Donna Barker, 3rd 4-49 W, 2:29:52; Anthony Cicconetti, 2:21:08; Michael Maynard, 2:26:01; Gerald Oswald, 2:44:08; Lori Fromlak, 2:57:28;Olde Girdled Grit Half Marathon, Feb. 27: Johnny Patterson, 1st Overall M, 1:45:37; Kimberly Tanner, 1st Overall W, 2:01:25;Shamrock Run 5k, March 6: Andrew Zentgraf, 1st Overall M, 17:18; Annette Aho, 1st Overall W, 20:19; Trevor Barnhart, 1st 20-24 M, 24:55; Michael Labos, 3rd 40-44 M, 26:35; James Ziesche, 1st 60-64 M, 26:39; Terry Melis, 3rd 65-69 M, 31:42; Dustin Kalkbrenner, 21:24; Mitch Radella, 23:49; Thomas Barnhart, 30:02; Tasha Werner, 30:59; Priscilla Green, 31:34; RJ Symanski, 31:52; Jaynelle Henderson, 32:24; Nathan Waldenville, 32:27; Jessica Maxin, 32:48; Shannon Whitney, 32:48; Laura Potoski, 32:57; Christine Black, 33:00, David Blackwell, 33:40; Brian Beals, 35:05; Courtney Blood, 35:40; Chuck Holet, 36:45; Patricia Reese, 39:21; Chris Quish, 42:24; Lisa Collins, 49:01; Darren Casher, 49:02; Bridget Lane, 50:18;Semper Gratus Shamrock Shuffle 5k, March 13: Dean Banko, 1st Overall M, 17:57; Christian Renaud, 3rd Overall M, 21:55; Maya Poziviak, 1st Overall W, 22:31; Luke Ladouceur, 1st 40-44 M, 23:31; Travis Domhoff, 3rd 16-19 M, 25:17; Thatcher Mays, 3rd 10 & Under M, 29:05; Larry Nicastro, 3rd 60+ M, 29:24; Misty Genzler, 2nd 11-14 W, 39:11; Bonnie Wysocki, 2nd 60+ W, 50:23; James Caruso, 22:47; Jesse Hilko, 25:17; John Carpenzano, 28:42; Leanne Mays, 29:02; Erin Kohlmeyer, 29:05; Kathleen Baraniak, 31:36; Sawyer May, 32:56; Brad Baum, 36:19; Bryanna Ford, 38:13; Anna Markel, 38:13; Dan Markel, 38:23; Eddie Amori, 38:23; Dave Markel, 38:23; David Olszak, 38:23; Tara Esposito, 38:27; Megan Wright, 40:13; Johnny Patrus, 42:02; David Bowser, 48:58; Robin Butts, 49:19; Nikki Wysocki, 50:19Ellport 5k, March 13: Chase Waldschmidt, 1st Overall M, 16:31; Kaitland Schrantz, 1st Overall W, 19:25; Joe Cioffi, 1st 19 & Under M, 20:04; William Milliron, 3rd 30-39 M, 21:10; Travis Ritenour, 1st 20-29 M, 21:17; Bonnie Smerk, 1st 30-39 W, 21:22; Kaden Schlichtkrull, 3rd 19 & Under M, 21:47; Jim Gallagher, 2rd 50-59 M, 22:11; Mitch Radella, 3rd 50-59 M, 22:36; Nicole Corsi, 2nd 30-39 W, 22:48; Jamie Shouse, 3rd 20-29 W, 23:52; David Suber, 3rd 60-69 M, 23:55; Jamie Richards, 2nd 50-59 W, 27:36; Cindy Suber, 2nd 60-69 W, 28:02; Sherree May, 3rd 60-69 W, 29:35; Tony Sunseri, 2nd 70-74 M, 30:50; Marina Paradise, 3rd 50-59 W, 34:32; Dezso Csizmadia, 3rd 80+ M, 50:48; John Armstrong, 25:19; Cameron Weatherly, 26:34; Hattie Brasseur, 27:02; Megan Anderson, 27:14; Riley Gallagher, 27:24; Dennis Arndt, 27:41; Robert Kinney, 27:50; Sean Harcar, 27:51; Amy Lutz, 28:03; Cara Pertile, 28:07; Zachary Porter, 28:28; Lucas Porter, 28:37; Jerry Porter, 28:38; Angelica Mason, 28:52; Sara Hackenberg, 29:35; Greg Hardin, 31:34; Troy Stiffler, 32:10; Ed Brown, 32:23; Emily Brown, 32:23; Ed Leymarie, 32:45; Shawna Hardy-Emerson, 34:38; Tonya Barnett, 35:22; Tiffannie Widmaier, 35:22; Lenny Yensull, 35:48; Debra Kuminkoski, 44:23; Kim Kenetz, 48:51; Boy Hackenberg, 49:50Shamrock 5k, March 20: Jacob Halasowski, 1st Overall M, 16:36; Kennedy Quinlan, 1st Overall W, 21:16; John Rhoden, 1st 15-18 M, 19:35; Jay Jones, 2nd 40-49 M, 21:26; Vanessa Snyder, 1st 30-39 W, 23:05; Alex Levandoski, 3rd 30-39 M, 23:19; Duncan Jones, 3rd 19-29 M, 32:30; Tyler Moretti, 22:44; Amanda Blough, 25:32; Kourtney Lampel, 29:12; Troy Stiffler, 34:27; Keti McKaskey, 36:09; Mason Hallstrom, 46:33; Katie Davis, 50:26; Rocko Hallstrom, 51:57; Campbell Curry, 57:01; Jamie Hallstrom, 59:39; Chris Hallstrom, 59:41; Carl Fester, 1:00:57Send 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>