Thanksgiving is a time when friends and family gather, and not just around the dinner table. Two area races invite family, friends and teammates, past and present, to run together for local athletic teams.

On Thanksgiving Day at 9 a.m., Seneca Valley Cross Country Turkey Chase runs through Cranberry Township’s Graham Park. The course on park roads and paved paths is flat, fast and USATF certified. Now in its 13th year, the Turkey Chase is the largest public 5K in Butler County.

The event saw 650 finishers in 2023 and race director Jim Heltzell expects another good turnout this year.

“We have runners coming from all over the country,” he said. “California, Texas, Louisiana and even a runner from Sweden.”

Jim describes the event as having a carnival atmosphere. Although many will compete for custom medals for overall and age groups from 14-and-under through 60+, others run or walk just for the fun of it. Walkers and kids in strollers are welcome, but parents should be mindful of other runners, especially on the narrow path portions of the course. Dogs, however, are not welcome as animals are not permitted in Graham Park.

Turkey Chase is a fundraiser for Seneca Valley Cross Country Boosters. Funds raised will supplement next year’s cross country team, paying for such expenses as traveling to out-of-town meets for the varsity teams. Proceeds also fund summer cross country camps for Seneca Valley kids from 3rd through 12th grade to introduce them to the fun of cross country running.

Online registration is open through race day, November 28. There’s registration and packet pickup at Fun Fore All in Cranberry Monday and Tuesday, Nov. 25 and 26, from 6-8 p.m. and Thursday, 4-6 p.m. You may register on race day at the back of Graham Park starting at 7 a.m.

Organizers will also be collecting non-perishable food items for Armstrong’s Breaking Bread food distribution at packet pickup and at the race start.

On Saturday, Nov. 30 at 9 a.m., another local race welcomes friends and family to support high school cross country and track athletes. The 2nd Annual Truthahntrab 5K runs a scenic loop through Saxonburg for Knoch High School’s Cross Country and Track and Field teams. Truthahntrab, “Turkey Trot” in German, is a nod to the town’s heritage.

Race participants and spectators are welcome to check out the historic town and to shop Small Business Saturday after the race. Last year’s inaugural event had 250 finishers with 4 teams registered. Race director Mike Formica would like to at least match those numbers. The event has added a 1K fun run/walk to encourage family participation with ribbons for all 1K finishers. Last year’s overall winner, Mike’s son, also named Mike, won the 5K last year with a time of 15:48 and will return this year to try for a repeat performance.

Butler’s Sammy Jo Barnes won last year’s women’s race in 19:10. Several Knoch alumni will also return to challenge the team division. This year’s 5K will award top 3 teams along with trophies to top 3 overall finishers and turkey-themed medals to top 3 age group winners from 9-and-under through 70+. There will be plenty of refreshments for participants and spectators in Roebling Park following the race, including Bavarian soft pretzels, hot chocolate and coffee.

Online registration for Truthahntrub 5K and 1K is open until Friday, November 29 at noon and packet pickup and registration that evening from 5 to 6:30 p.m. at Speckled Hen Chocolates. Runners will also get a free chocolate with their packets at Speckled Hen. There’s day-of-event registration beginning at 7:30 a.m. in Roebling Park — cash, check or Venmo only.

If you’re unable to run, join the Truthahntrub fun by volunteering. Sign up at runsignup.com/Race/SaxonburgTruthahntrab5k/Page/volunteer.

Saturday, 5 p.m.: Merry Christmas Mile @ Light Up Night, Hermitage. Kicks off Light Up Night Parade. 724-981-8750 or prodenbaugh@hermitagesd.net

Sunday, 6 p.m.: 2nd Annual Festival of Lights Twinkle Trot 5k, Wheeling, WV. Run or walk through the lights of Oglebay Park. Dress festive and bring your own light. Kids under age 8 run for free. runsignup.com/Race/WV/Wheeling/OglebayTwinkleTrot5K November 28, 7:30 a.m.: 34th Annual TMCA Turkey Trot, Pittsburgh. Run 5 miles, 5k or both. p3r.org/races/ymca-turkey-trot

November 28, 9 a.m.: 27th Annual Gobbler’s Gallop, Ellwood City. Run 10k or 5k, finish on Riverside High School track. runsignup.com/Race/PA/EllwoodCity/GobblersGallop November 28, 9 a.m.: Seneca Valley Turkey Chase 5k, Cranberry Township. Run through Graham Park benefits Seneca Valley XC Boosters. runsignup.com/Race/PA/CranberryTwp/svccturkeytrot

November 28, 9 a.m.: 30th Annual Latrobe Turkey Trot 5k, Latrobe. Run from Latrobe Stadium. 724-537-4331

November 30, 9 a.m.: Truthahntrab 5k, Saxonburg. runsignup.com/Race/PA/Saxonburg/SaxonburgTruthahntrab5k

November 30, 9 a.m.: 9th Annual Grateful Gallop 5k, Grove City. Run at Hunters Farm with cookies, hot cider, scenic course. runsignup.com/Race/PA/GroveCity/GratefulGallop5k

December 7, 8 a.m.: New River Gorge Trail Festival – Winter Edition, Fayetteville, WV. Challenging but scenic 50k or half marathon on New River Gorge National Park trails. runsignup.com/Race/WV/Fayetteville/NewRiverGorgeTrailFestivalWinterEdition December 7, 10 a.m.: Lutheran Senior Life Abundant Lights 5k and 1 Mile, Zelienople. 724-452-3677 or runsignup.com/Race/PA/Zelienople/AbundantLightsK

December 7, 10 a.m.: Jingle Bell Run, Pittsburgh. events.arthritis.org/index.cfm?referrer=paidsearch-google-048&utm_source=google&utm_medium=&utm_campaign=21802624053&gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAjwyfe4BhAWEiwAkIL8sERhzKsZ46FY0a30mjygiVv3Ncqf-c8cGRjtCQqGjaHikvS-4IgEiBoCqgQQAvD_BwE&fuseaction=donorDrive.event&eventID=1672

December 7, 3 p.m.: Santa’s Spirit Sprint 5k & 1 Mile Run or Walk, Barnesville, OH. Raises money for needy kids during Christmas. Dress up for the season. runsignup.com/Race/OH/Barnesville/8thAnnualSantasSpiritSprint

December 8, 9 a.m.: Run Santa Run 5k, Oakdale. Run on Panhandle Trail starts at Helicon Brewing. runsignup.com/Race/PA/Oakdale/RunSantaRun5KOakdale

December 8, 10 a.m.: Nittany Valley Half Marathon, State College. Starts on Penn State campus. 814-231-4043 or runreg.com/nittany-valley-half-marathon/

December 14, 9 a.m.: Run Santa Run 5k, Cranberry Township. Run through Graham Park. runsignup.com/Race/PA/CranberryTownship/RunSantaRunCranberryTownship December 21, 9 a.m.: Reindeer 5k, 1 Mile and ½ Mile, Zelienople. Run one or all the distances. getfitfamilies.com/reindeer-race/

December 22, 4:45 p.m.: Chilly Cheeks Christmas 5k, 724-841-6528 or runsignup.com/Race/PA/Hermitage/ChillyCheeksChristmasK

December 31, 3:30 p.m.: Harmony Silvester 5k and 1 Mile, Harmony. runsignup.com/Race/PA/Harmony/HarmonySilvester5K?gad_source=1&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIycajlN_piQMVfUP_AR23hg5aEAAYASAAEgITZPD_BwE

December 31, 4 p.m.: Twilight 5k Run, 2 Mile Run and 2 Mile Walk, Hollidaysburg. Run through the lights of Lakemont Park. runsignup.com/Race/PA/Altoona/TwilightRace

Brady’s Happy Races 5k, September 1: Tyler Harold, 1st Overall M, 19:50; Debbie Skinger, 1st Overall W, 20:55; Brent Collins, 2nd 60-69 M, 24:04; Leah Walter, 1st 20-29 W, 24:23; Briona Rice, 2nd 20-29 W, 25:11; Mitch Radella, 2nd 50-59 M, 26:45; Laura Augustine, 3rd 50-59 W, 34:04; Diana Laslavic, 3rd 20-29 W, 36:10; AJ Depew, 29:35; John Karpacs, 32:07; Anthony Sunseri, 34:12; Deborah Takacs, 40:14; Gaylen Miller, 40:56; Denise Phipps, 50:02 Brady’s Happy Races 10k, September 1: Trevor Staab, 1st Overall M, 39:48; Hailey Tesch, 1st Overall W, 48:26; Jessica Musi, 2nd Overall W, 50:38; Mark Casteel, 2nd 50-59 M, 54:16; Kimberly Miller, 1st 50-59 W, 1:08:31; Karen Walzer, 2nd 50-59 W, 1:11:20; Pamela Beck, 1:23:11 Buhl Day 5k, September 2: Peter Boyd16:44; Faith Sullivan, 1st Overall W, 19:49; Cailee Spaeny, 2nd Overall W, 20:23; Hannah Gildersleeve, 3rd Overall W, 20:37; Heather Schell, 1st 55-59 W, 22:31; Emmy Riddle, 2nd 15-19 W, 22:52; Jessica Greco, 2nd 40-44 W, 23:54; Mitch Radella, 1st 55-59, 25:00; Abbey Baron, 3rd 15-19 W, 25:19; Jonathan Sosa, 3rd 25-29 M, 25:23; 2 25-29 26:13; Jason Simonic, 3rd 30-34 M, 26:15; Warren Sullivan, 2nd 60-64 M, 26:30; Chad Javens, 3rd 50-54 M, 26:36; Frank Tarantine, 2nd 65-69 M, Nicole Kirk, 2nd 30-34 W, 28:43; Forest Colwell, 3rd 35-39 M, 29:39; Jason Young, 3rd 45-49 M, 29:54; Mason Smith, 2nd 10-14 M, 38:34; Tammy Young, 29:12; Delaney Javens, 30:11; Ben Gross, 31:44; Anthony Sunseri, 32:37; Brittany Pope, 33:16; Bob Gavala, 34:32 Rock ‘N’ the Knob 50k Trail Run, September 14: Michael Kos, 1st Overall M, 6:17:05; Jamie Harcar, 1st Overall W, 7:43:28; Michael Wallace, 8:31:51; David Snyder, 9:05:33; Bernie Kurten, 9:34:23; Seth Stallard, 10:06:47; Nathan Ford, 10:10:23 Rock ‘N’ the Knob Trail Half Marathon, September 14: Joel Takacs, 1st Overall M, 2:14:13; Kellie Seaton, 1st Overall W, 2:58:48 Jesse Mckinnis, 1st 30-39 M, 2:54:25; Christina Traynor, 2nd 50-59 W, 4:36:06; Elizabeth Dickey, 2nd 60+ W, 5:54:56; Kimberly Ayers, 4:45:30; Maria Anderson, 5:56:20 Rock ‘N’ the Knob Trail 10k, September 14: Cody Sral, 1:12:38; Steven Patterson, 1:16:04; Jane Hallinan, 1:16:11; Thomas Patterson, 1:32:42 Pioneer Pursuit 5k, September 14: Gavin Gardner, 1st Overall M, 19:49; Lucas Bowser, 2nd Overall M, 20:56; Matt Reagle, 3rd Overall M, 21:16; Elliette Smith, 1st Overall W, 22:22; Lacee Loos, 2nd Overall W, 22:47; Carrie Birckbichler-Smith, 3rd Overall W, 23:48; Tyler Eagan, 1st 19-29 M, 21:26; Matthew Schaefer, 2nd 40-49 M, 22:16; James Hendell, 2nd 19-29 M, 22:43; Philip Coachman, 3rd 40-49 M, 22:51; Emma Johns, 1st 19-29 W, 24:12; Briana Dugan, 1st 40-49 W, 25:04; Krista Geagan, 1st 30-39 W, 25:13; Megan Winters, 2nd 30-39 W, 26:24; Tabitha Bowser, 3rd 40-49 W, 26:48; Beth Graham, 3rd 30-39 W, 27:05; John Karpacs, 1st 50+ M, 27:54; Vincent Moore, 2nd 50+ M, 28:00; Chloe Schaefer, 1st 18 & Under W, 28:13; Kenley Graham, 2nd 18 & Under W, 28:45; Emily Clouse, 3rd 18 & Under W, 28:56; Jim Smith, 3rd 50+ M, 29:41; Evan Kaltenvach, 3rd 19-29 M, 29:49; Richie Esquivel, 1st 30-39 M, 29:55; Jake Graham, 2nd 30-39 M, 31:32; Diana Laslavic, 2nd 19-29 W, 32:17; Katherine Metcalfe, 2nd 50+ W, 34:59; Luke Kunkel, 3rd 30-39 M, 42:46; Glenn Sharrar, 27:15; Elizabeth Weiland, 27:27; Tricia Schaefer, 28:32; Angela Maloney, 28:57; Camryn Bowser, 29:39; Nick Coval, 30:05; Anthony Sunseri, 30:59; Dianna Craig, 31:01; Anna Benjamin, 31:01; Ashley Teuteberg, 33:35; Megan Coval, 34:37; Randy Bowser, 34:54; Ashley Benjamin, 35:17; Adam Benjamin, 35:17; Madison Sharrar, 35:33; Walt Tutak, 36:27; Alexis Loos, 37:18; Nadia Turner, 39:26; Alyssa Miller, 39:26; Olivia Sutara, 42:06; Jacqueline Kunkel, 42:45 Send comments and suggestions: Patricia Neubert, phone 724-822-1577, Email lotzak@consolidated.net

Pat Neubert is a running columnist for the Butler Eagle