After the golden, unusually warm fall, winter has arrived with an arctic blast.

But the sudden change didn’t dampen runners’ spirits at two of last week’s Thanksgiving races, including the Seneca Valley Cross Country Turkey Trot.

Although finisher numbers were down from last year, more than 550 runners completed the loop of Graham Park in Cranberry Township. Both male and female winners bested 2023 times. Hometown speedster Dylan McBride finished first in 15:58, while former Seneca Valley High School runner Karsyn Spears was the first female finisher in 19:33.

Finisher demographics bode well for the future of Seneca Valley’s cross country program. More than 100 finishers were age 14 and under with an additional 65 in the 19-and-under age group.

Saturday’s conditions were frosty and blustery, two of my least favorite environments for running. But I, along with nearly 170 others, bundled up for Saxonburg’s Truthahntrub 5K. An additional 30 joined in the new 1K run/walk. Both benefit Knoch High School’s cross country and track programs.

Hand warmers were available at the registration table, and race director Mike Formica cautioned runners about possible icy conditions on the scenic Saxony Farms drive. Although pre-race warmup was challenging, once the race started, I was quite comfortable in the 6-degree windchill morning.

Conditions slowed finishing times slightly, but Mike Formica (the younger) once again finished first in 16:28. Camryn Bruno of Oakdale was the top female runner in 21:09.

This year’s team competition offered trophies to the top three teams based on cumulative score of the first three runners. Team Knoch Elite repeated its win. Team Quickadee Chickadees took home the most coveted team award, the random drawing prize of a large chocolate turkey from local Speckled Hen Chocolates.

Now that the Thanksgiving turkeys have finished trotting, runners are ready to chase Santa toward Christmas.

Run Santa Run returns to Graham Park in Cranberry Township on Dec. 14. This year, in addition to the traditional 5K, the event includes The Jolly Mile, a run/walk “for those who want to have a great time but might not be ready for the full 5K.” Kids ages 10 and under can join in the 100-yard Kids’ Reindeer Ramble, called “the perfect way for little ones to get involved and celebrate the season.”

This event is all about Santa. Runners are encouraged to dress in holiday themed attire with prizes for the best three costumes. Competitive awards include 16-ounce enameled mugs for overall and age groups from 9-and-under through 70-plus. All finishers earn custom-designed finisher medals.

Race swag for the 5K and 1-mile include Run Santa Run fleece pajama pants, Santa hat and cinch-style backpack. All participants in the Kids’ Reindeer Ramble earn a finisher medal and receive a stuffed reindeer toy.

If you can’t get enough Santa with one race, GCXC Race Management bundles 5K registration with two other local Run Santa Run’s for the Santa Triple Sleigh and the opportunity to earn a special Triple Sleigh medal.

Races include Run Santa Run Oakdale held at Helicon Brewing on Sunday and Run Santa Run South Park on Dec. 15. All the area’s Run Santa Runs support Amachi Pittsburgh’s annual toy drive.

Participants are urged to bring an unwrapped toy suitable for a child from infant through age 18. Cash donations are also accepted. For more information about Amachi Pittsburgh, visit amachipgh.org.

Race director Matt Imhof advises registering now since Run Santa Run may sell out. He also said to arrive early on race day as the park road will close at 8:45 a.m.

Saturday, 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

Saturday, 9 a.m.: Jingle for the Jaycees 5K, Beaver. runsignup.com/Race/PA/Beaver/BeaverAreaJayceesJingleBell5kandMile

Saturday, 10 a.m.: Lutheran Senior Life Abundant Lights 5K and 1 Mile, Zelienople. 724-452-3677 or runsignup.com/Race/PA/Zelienople/AbundantLightsK

Saturday, 10 a.m.: Jingle Bell Run, Pittsburgh. https://events.arthritis.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=donorDrive.event&eventID=1672

Saturday, 3 p.m.: Santa’s Spirit Sprint 5K and 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

Sunday, 9 a.m.: The Y Santa Run 5K/10K, Beaver. Also 1-Mile Fun Run. runsignup.com/Race/PA/Beaver/YMCASantaRun5k1MileRun

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

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

Dec. 14, 9 a.m.: Run Santa Run 5K, Cranberry Township. Run through Graham Park. runsignup.com/Race/PA/CranberryTownship/RunSantaRunCranberryTownship

Dec. 14, 9 a.m.: St. Bartholomew Church Ugly Christmas Sweater 5K Run and 2 Mile Walk, Crabtree. runsignup.com/Race/PA/Crabtree/SaintBartholomewChurchUglyChristmasSweater5k2MileWalk

Dec. 14, 4:30 p.m.: Ellwood City Chamber of Commerce Ugly Sweater 5K, Ellwood City. runsignup.com/Race/PA/EllwoodCity/ellwoodcityUglySweater5k

Dec. 15, 10 a.m.: New Florence Festivus for the Rest of Us 5K, New Florence. runsignup.com/Race/PA/NewFlorence/NewFlorenceFestivus5k

Dec. 21, 9 a.m.: Reindeer 5K, 1 Mile and ½ Mile, Zelienople. Run one or all the distances. getfitfamilies.com/reindeer-race/

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

Dec. 24, 10 a.m.: The Christmas Eve 5K, Allison Park. Starts at North Park Boathouse. runsignup.com/Race/PA/AllisonPark/TheChristmasEve5k

Dec. 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

Dec. 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

Dec. 31, 6:30 p.m.: NVRC First Night 5K Resolution Run, State College. 814-441-0791 or runsignup.com/Race/PA/StateCollege/NVRCResolutionRun

Jan. 1, 11 a.m.: New Year’s Resolution Run 5K and 1 Mile, Oakdale. runsignup.com/Race/PA/Oakdale/NewYearsResolutionRun5Kand1MileFamilyFunWalk

Jan. 4, 1 p.m.: Run 2 Read Half Marathon, Fairmont, WV.Run at Prickett’s Fort State Park. runsignup.com/Race/WV/Fairmont/RuntoReadHalfMarathon

Jan. 5, 10 a.m.: Set Your Year on Fire 5K Run, Walk, and Ruck, Ligonier. runsignup.com/Race/PA/Ligonier/SetYourYearOnFire5k2023

Jan. 11, 9 a.m.: North Park Half Marathon, Allison Park. Loops of North Park Lake starting at the Boathouse. runsignup.com/Race/PA/AllisonPark/NorthParkHalfMarathon

Jonathan’s Forever Young 5K, Sept. 15: Ryan Curren, 1st Overall M, 20:08; Danielle Daley, 1st Overall W, 22:27; Sam Heckert, 1st 18-29 M, 21:41; Greyson Cunningham, 1st 17 & Under M, 22:23; Jonathon Kelly, 3rd 18-29 M, 22:26; Matt Dudkowski, 1st 40-49 M, 22:42; Ella Yanni, 1st 17 & Under W, 22:48; Mandy Toman, 2nd 18-29 W, 22:50; Ben Hunkele, 3rd 17 & Under M, 23:05; John Miller, 1st 50-64 M, 23:06; Keith Schedlbauer, 2nd 50-64 M, 23:37; Stacey Shaffer, 1st 40-49 W, 23:47; Mike Curren, 2nd 40-49 M, 24:05; Ava Spagnolli, 2nd 17 & Under W, 24:36; Jeff Maynard, 3rd 50-64 M, 29:24; Jodi Porterfield, 2nd 50-64 W, 31:01; Peggy Sibenac, 1st 65+ W, 36:20; Stephen McCarthy, 2nd 30-39 M, 39:39; Nathan Howard, 23:21; Mitchell Kuhn, 23:34; Lukas Wilson, 23:35; Jack Petulla, 23:48; Michael Curren, 23:48; Bo Heckert, 24:37; Jeremy Shaffer, 25:17; Chase Mehaffey, 25:28; Chase Lavezoli, 25:38; Gavin Lavezoli, 25:39; Roman Thomas, 25:39; Lucas McLane, 24:16; Jack Counahan, 26:02; Jim Stout, 26:04; Steve Lavezoli, 26:20; Chase Frye, 26:23; Will Woessner, 26:24; Dominik McGill, 26:41; Kathleen Petulla, 26:51; Samuel Schmidt, 27:14; Jake Taciuch, 27:16; Ben Crocco, 27:58; Tony Aiello, 28:18; Lauren Aiello, 28:19; Trish Parkhill, 29:24; Tomi Howard, 29:27; Paul Ward, 29:41; Keenan Parkhill, 29:52; Renee Schedlbauer, 29:52; Jackson Mehaffey, 30:24; Alan Bicker, 30:31; Lochlan Carter, 31:08; Kaden Rainey, 31:09; Caitlin Murtha, 31:50; Karen Dudkowski, 32:02; Ben Dudkowski, 32:02; Jackson Landrenrsu, 33:05; Matt Crocco, 33:09; Doug Loehr, 33:17; Brian Irwin, 33:32; Spencer Irwin, 33:33; Brian Barnhart, 33:46; Christine Lenz, 33:50; Jude Landreneau, 34:01; Todd Katres, 34:10; Jon Armitage, 34:24; Michael Kuhn, 35:36; Carson Lentz, 35:41; Chris Sibenac, 36:16; Colleen Montileone, 36:28; Jacob Hadley, 36:56; Christine Black, 38:15; Sandy Larsen, 40:06; Dave McClain, 40:21; Dawn Wells McClain, 40:22; Nate White, 42:15; Denee White, 42:24; Jessica Irwin, 42:43; Sara Irwin, 42:43; Layla Kuhn, 42:55; Allie Woessner, 43:28; Blake Wilson, 43:28; Stacey Wollerton, 43:38; Emma Dudkowski, 44:11; Carl Mueller, 44:18; Kathryn Mueller, 44:19; Molly Merhaut, 44:34; Sloan Curren, 45:56; Molly Curren, 45:57; Leanne Donovan, 46:00; Lisa Masciantonio, 46:25; Kristen Molinaro, 46:27; Erich Meier, 46:27; Tina Lentz, 47:22; Adam Willochell, 47:27; Cheri Armitage, 47:27; Matt Merhaut, 47:31; Dawn Merhaut, 47:32; Kylie Zirckel, 47:34; Gianna Nicotra, 47:35; Kayla Willochell, 47:49; Nicole Lavezoli, 47:51; Hanna Willochell, 47:54; Jennifer Nicotra, 48:00; Debra Barnhart, 48:19; Jennifer Muldoon, 48:32; Leslie Miller, 48:39; Jamie Henry, 48:54; Joselyn Henry, 48:54; Amy Mathieu, 48:57; Rachel Richardson, 49:01; Deirdre Wilson, 49:03; Bella Folmer, 49:06; Ami Moore, 49:07; Mary Folmer, 49:09; Lily Jakovac, 49:23; Ellie Bielawski, 49:23; Nolan Hays, 49:53; Heidi Golden, 49:53; Samantha Vukovic, 50:06; Deborah Troutman, 50:28; Leroy Troutman, 50:30; Cara Grebinoski, 50:37

FAAP Fall Classic 20K, Oct. 5: Ann Cook, 1st Overall W, 1:39:53; Travis Ritenour, 1st Overall M, 1:42:04; Michael Bossola, 1st 50-54 M, 1:57:15; Christina Traynor, 2nd 50-54 W, 2:28:46; Kristin Kelly, 1st 55-59 W, 2:23:14; Jeff Ramsey, 2:04:21

FAAP Fall Classic 10K, Oct. 5: Dylan Beck, 1st Overall M, 51:11; Aly Clark, 1st Overall W, 1:06:44; Kevin Smetak, 1st 50-54 M, 57:39; Chad Linebaugh, 2nd 30-34 M, 59:10; Keith Smetak, 2nd 50-54 M, 1:00:52; Preston Mears, 1st 17-19 M, 1:24:16; Patricia Neubert, 1st 70-74 W, 1:29:25; George Maier, 1:02:47; Dustin Wehler, 1:07:27

FAAP Fall Classic 5K, Oct. 5: John Ortiz, 1st Overall M, 21:05; Henry Buchanan, 2nd Overall M, 21:10; Naiya Caraang, 1st Overall W, 27:46; Angie Bella, 2nd Overall W, 28:28; Joe Kalinyak, 2nd 65-69 M, 27:55; Myrna Bella, 1st 55-59 W, 32:34; Jay Bella, 2nd 55-59 M, 34:20; Leayna Bononno, 2nd 45-49 W, 40:44; Arnel Balcita, 3rd 55-59 M, 57:35

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