This weekend, Moraine State Park Regatta celebrates 25 years of showcasing and promoting eco-friendly recreational activities for all ages at our local water wonderland.

Along with a full weekend of outdoor fun for all ages, organizers have included Regatta 5K, a running/walking tour of one of the park’s most popular and scenic trails, Sunken Garden Trail on Moraine’s South Shore.

Regatta 5K had been run in some of the Regatta’s past years. It was revived in 2019, the year event coordinator Amanda Becker joined the organization. She says running the 5K is a great way for runners and walkers of all ages and abilities to experience the natural beauty of the park. Becker says she loves to see families experience the trail together on race day.

The event offers a registration discount for kids ages 4-12. She’s hiked the entire trail recently with her kids, ages 4 and 2. She laughed when asked if the event was suitable for strollers.

“That would be quite a challenge,” she said.

But she did say the event welcomes everyone, including dogs on leashes. She asks that any dogs, strollers and walkers assemble at the back of the starting pack since the trail is relatively narrow.

Amanda emphasized even though the course is suitable for everyone, it’s a real trail, not a rail trail. There are roots and uneven ground. If it rains, some places will be muddy and bridge crossings slippery. But the expected 80 or so participants will be rewarded with runs on soft surfaces in the pine forest and scenic paths through ferns and wildflowers. And there are several beautiful views of Moraine State Park’s Lake Arthur and shoreline.

The event offers a water stop at approximately the halfway point of the course. Refreshments following the race include Gatorade and water.

If you’re an experienced trail runner, Regatta 5K is a great place to challenge your speed. In 2022, Josh Rader, of Butler, finished the 5K in 20 minutes, 34 seconds. And in 2023, Maera Shannon ran a women’s best 22:09.

Regatta 5K awards the top three male and female finishers with gift cards from ProBike+Run. Top age group finishers from 17 and under through 61-plus earn medals. And all participants are entered in a random drawing for a weekend’s stay at Bear Run Campground or BREEO fire pit.

Amanda invites everyone to stay after the 5K awards on the main stage for a free yoga session at 10 a.m., one of five yoga events throughout the weekend. She also encourages everyone to check out the weekend’s entire schedule of events at MoraineStateParkRegatta.org.

There’s something for everyone from kayak and paddleboard demos to music to kids’ activities. New for this year is axe throwing. If you’ve used all of your energy at the 5K, there are classic boat and car displays, vendors and plenty of food.

Online registration for Regatta 5K will be open until race day Saturday at runsignup.com/Race/PA/Portersville/MoraineRegatta5k. You may register on race day at the Regatta on Moraine’s South Shore between 7-8:30 a.m. start. T-shirts for latecomers will be available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Saturday, 8 a.m.: Canoe Creek Triathlon, Duathlon, 5K Run or 2 Mile Walk, Hollidaysburg. Held at Canoe Creek State Park. runsignup.com/Race/PA/Hollidaysburg/CanoeCreekTriathlonRaces

Saturday, 8:30 a.m.: Moraine Regatta 5K, Portersville. Trail run/walk on Moraine State Park’s Sunken Garden Trail. runsignup.com/Race/PA/Portersville/MoraineRegatta5k Saturday, 9 a.m.: St. Barnabas Free Care 5K, Gibsonia. 724-625-3770 or stbarnabashealthsystem.com/charities/annual-events/stbarnabas5k/

Saturday, 9 a.m.: Karns City Cross Country’s 9th Annual Gremlin Gallop 5k Run/Walk, East Brady. Run on Armstrong Rail Trail. ultrasignup.com/register.aspx?did=115594 August 6, 7 p.m..: National First Night Out 5K, Punxsutawney. Flat and fast run downtown. runsignup.com/Race/PA/Punxsutawney/FirstNightOut5k

August 7, 6:30 p.m.: Frick Summer Trail Series, Pittsburgh. Run 5-6 miles in Frick Park starting at Homewood Cemetery Gate in Point Breeze. runsignup.com/Race/PA/Pittsburgh/FrickSummerTrailRaceSeriesPresentedbyPaperDirt August 7, 7 p.m.: Sailors’ Summer Solstice Shuffle 5K, Sandy Lake. Also ½ mile kids fun run for ages 10 & under. runsignup.com/Race/PA/SandyLake/SailorsSummerShuffle5k August 10, 8:30 a.m.: Slickville 5K Coal Mine Climb & 2 Mile Fun Walk, Slickville. Challenging backcountry route in conjunction with Slickville Community Days. runsignup.com/Race/PA/Slickville/Slickville5kCoalMineClimb2MIleFunWalk

August 10, 9 a.m.: Brookline Breeze 5K Run and Fitness Walk, Pittsburgh. Also kids’ 1-Mile Mini Breeze and 1-Mile Dog Walk at 8:30 A.M. runsignup.com/Race/PA/Pittsburgh/BrooklineBreeze5K

August 10, 9 a.m.: Prospect Boys and Girls Club Breakaway 5K, Butler. Also free kids race for ages 10 and under. runsignup.com/Race/PA/Butler/ProspectBoysGirlsClubBreakaway5k

August 10, 6 p.m.: Talbot Shuffle 11600m and 3200m, Allison Park. Run heats of 1600 meters, 3200 meters or both on Hampton Track. runsignup.com/Race/PA/AllisonPark/HamptonTrackFundraiser

August 11, 8 a.m.: Solar 5K/15K, Boston. runsignup.com/Race/PA/Boston/PolarVortex

August 11, 9 a.m.: Kinzua Bridge Challenge, Mount Jewett. Choice of 10K, 5K, 11-Mile or 2-Mile Walk on Mt. Jewett to Kinzua Bridge Rail Trail. runsignup.com/Race/PA/MountJewett/KinzuaBridgeChallenge

August 14, 7 p.m.: Ice Cream Race 5K, Grove City. QUAD Series 4. Kids run, post-run ice cream party. 724-866-1374 or secure.getmeregistered.com/get_information.php?event_id=139786

August 17, 6:30 a.m.: Mighty Moraine Man Fall Multisport Festival, Portersville. Triathlons and Aquabike events for all ages at Moraine State Park. runsignup.com/Race/PA/Portersville/MightyMoraineFallMultiSportFestival

August 17, 7 a.m.: Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Half Marathon, 5K, 10k & Relay, Cleveland, OH. register.chronotrack.com/r/78826

August 17, 8 a.m.: Historic Hill Run, Walk and Ride 5K, Pittsburgh. Run at Freedom Corner in Pgh Hill District. runsignup.com/Race/Events/PA/Pittsburgh/HistoricHill

August 24, 9 a.m.: 40th Run Around the Square 5K, Pittsburgh. Run through Regent Square neighborhood. 412-731-4456 or runaroundthesquare.com

Back the Blue 5K, May 19: Jon Pedersen, 1st Overall M, 16:02; Riley McGee, 2nd Overall M, 18:01; Kevyn Fish, 1st Overall W, 18:34; Brandon Kelley, 3rd Overall M, 18:45, Amy O'Donnell, 2nd Overall W, 19:35; Zari Golojuh, 3rd Overall W, 20:34; Jacob Szul, 1st 14 & Under M, 18:46; Gavin Gardner, 1st 15-20 M, 19:14; Mateo Saspe, 2nd 15-20 M, 19:33; Jim Haughey, 1st 50-59 M, 20:18; Justin Sellinger, 2nd 14 & Under M, 20:46; Noah Neigh, 1st 21-29 M, 21:10; Kim Platt, 1st 40-49 W, 22:03; Chase Prioletti, 3rd 14 & Under M, 22:12; Jeff Smith, 2nd 50-59 M, 22:14; Nick Berger, 3rd 15-20 M, 22:30; Jason Judy, 2nd 40-49 M, 22:35; Tucker Vouga, 2nd 21-29 M, 23:48; Mitch Andrews, 1st 30-39 M, 24:03; Lindsay Wiefling, 3rd 40-49 W, 24:08; Krista Geagan, 2nd 30-39 W, 24:30; Dustin Ziegler, 3rd 40-49 M, 24:48; Erick Hortert, 3rd 50-59 M, 25:03; Elliette Smith, 1st 15-20 W, 25:16; Amanda Ziegler, 3rd 30-39 W, 25:24; Mandy Matus, 1st 21-29 W, 25:33; Kaitlyn Epler, 2nd 21-29 W, 25:49; Joseph Myron, 3rd 21-29 M, 25:59; Joseph Denninger, 1st 60+ M, 26:35; Myla McGee, 2nd 14 & Under W, 27:06; David Drane, 3rd 30-39 M, 28:17; Anna Baird, 2nd 15-20 W, 28:56; Breanna Drane, 3rd 14 & Under W, 29:18; Paul Johnson, 3rd 60+ M, 30:25; Natalee Junker, 3rd 21-29 W, 30:39; Kathy Jones, 1st 60+ W, 32:54; Lori Haughey, 2nd 50-59 W, 33:28; Robin Trinko, 3rd 50-59 W, 33:43; Cynthia Paganico-Mcnany, 3rd 60+ W, 36:43; Carter McGee, 23:39; Val McGee, 24:18; Carrie Birckbichler-Smith, 25:19; Joseph Gigliotti, 25:46; Braedan Drane, 25:47; Rocco Deleonardis, 25:53; Jennifer Rottman, 27:46; Nicole Prioletti, 27:47; Brianna Bailey, 28:19; Blake Wright, 28:56; Brian Mathieson, 29:42; Heather Cottage, 29:53; Lana Kramer, 30:00; Robyn Fox, 30:08; Joshua Sinclair, 31:16; Sara McGee, 31:19; Ralph Deer, 32:11; Shawna Hardy-Emerson, 32:23; Michael Jewart, 32:50; Sylvia Mays, 33:37; Meagan Summerville, 33:57; Anna Myron, 33:57; Rosa Salgado, 33:58; Ashley Teuteberg, 34:28; Bob Rottman, 35:00; Jessica Bronder, 35:30; Chad Filges, 35:33; Daniel Tarr, 35:52; Palak Pan, 36:30; Tracy Vidnovic, 37:29; Erin Kohlmeyer, 37:51; Nicholas Lancy, 37:56; Krista Lancy, 38:22; Milly Mainhart, 39:43; Elizabeth Mainhart, 39:43; Ryan McCrea, 40:13; Ashley McCrea, 40:13; Jasper Schnelle, 40:53; Haley Watkins, 41:14; Sarah Drane, 41:14; Collins Kramer, 41:42; Diane Deer, 42:52; Joe Betro, 44:15; Lois McMichael, 44:30; Rebecca Leitem, 46:38; Lexie Graham, 46:38; Rachel Watson, 49:08; Harper Rugg, 49:09; Suzie Olszewski, 50:09; Bill Olszewski, 51:37; Paula Neu, 54:12; Katricia Vouga, 54:21

Back the Blue 2 Mile Run, May 19: Alyssa Miller, 1st Overall, 23:33

Back the Blue 2 Mile Walk, May 19: Rodney Daum, 1st Overall M, 24:40; Mandy Saeler, 1st Overall W, 25:08; Terri Turrano, 2nd Overall W, 25:46; Adelynn Miller, 3rd Overall W, 26:48; Glen Kramer, 2nd Overall M, 26:49; Jordan Stutz, 28:26; Brady Birckbichler, 28:26; Mackenzie Birckbichler, 28:27; April Miller, 30:42; Christina Reamer, 30:55; Carly Neigh, 32:36; Tom Neigh, 33:11; Christine Birckbichler, 37:52; David Birckbichler, 37:52; Matt Ankrum, 37:56; Laura Ankrom, 37:56; Amanda Burns, 37:57; Heather Jewart, 40:24; Abbey Jewart, 40:25; Jacob Jewart, 40:25; Kevin Hoffman, 43:10; Heather Stalker, 43:11

God’s Country Marathon, June 1: A.J. Kelly, 1st Overall M, 2:44:25; Kevin Storer, 3rd Overall M, 3:07:43; Katie Chaput, 1st Overall W, 3:27:17; Elise Oldroyd, 1st 19 & Under W, 4:14:48; Amber Ebeling, 1st 20-29 W, 4:15:42; Matthew Chambers, 4:02:29; John Ebeling, 4:15:42; Tristen Rodriguez, 4:38:54; Michael Chambers, 4:39:44

God’s Country Half Marathon, June 1: Jude Martyak, 1st Overall M, 1:25:00; Kelsey Hanna, 1st Overall W, 1:40:24; Dustin Wenner, 1nd 40-49 M, 1:43:16; Reuben Pink, 2nd 50-59 M, 1:50:46; Sean McKean, 2nd 19 & Under M, 1:54:57; Darien Wenner, 1st 19 & Under W, 1:56:32; Ella Wahlers, 2nd 19 & Under W, 2:00:33; Emma Chambers, 3rd 19 & Under W, 2:07:29; Tom Jerris, 1st 60-69 M, 2:13:02; Alex Avilez, 2:17:04; Parker Wilson, 2:22:50; Jesse Minor, 2:34:10; Shane Cornuet, 3:22:59

Pat Neubert is a running columnist for the Butler Eagle. Send comments and suggestions: Patricia Neubert, phone 724-352-4395, email lotzak@consolidated.net