Groundhog Day is this Sunday, and I think most of my friends and neighbors don’t want Phil’s curse of six more weeks in the deep freeze should he see his shadow.

But since it is an unofficial holiday, we may as well celebrate with running.

Go to the source with Saturday’s Groundhog Jog & Mile Run/Walk in Punxsutawney. The race starts in town and runs to Gobbler’s Knob and back. All finishers earn a collector’s coin to mark the occasion. Registration is open until midnight Friday.

Closer to home, Groundhog Day 5K, 1 Mile Fun Run/Walk and Kids Dash runs familiar routes on North Park roads beginning at the Boathouse. All finishers earn a groundhog medal and winter hat, in case Phil extends winter.

If you believe in the dignity of every person and their freedom to experience self-determination, I’ve got a place for you. The Eighth Annual Cupid’s Chase 5K to benefit Community Options, Inc., runs its traditional course from Lake Arthur Golf Club at 10 a.m. Feb. 8.

The run/walk is one of several Cupid’s Chase events held annually on the same day to raise funds and awareness for people with physical and mental disabilities. Timothy Hawk, race director and Executive Director of Community Options Butler said all funds raised through Cupid’s Chase events directly benefit local disabled people.

One of Butler’s recent projects has been to help remodel a basement apartment so a disabled family member could achieve a level of independent living. The Butler office currently assists 24 clients with various residential needs.

“Our focus is on adults,” Hawk said. “We build around what people need in housing, medical and life-skills management.”

Hawk anticipates more than 100 participants this year, depending on weather conditions. Many participants, including his wife and kids, are there to support the cause and share a morning stroll with friends and neighbors.

Although the course is not closed to auto traffic, it is held on lightly traveled back roads and will have volunteer monitors for safety. All finishers earn a medal. The course is wheelchair and stroller friendly. Dogs are allowed but must remain outside of the Golf Club.

Butler’s Cupid’s Chase can be competitive. The USATF certified course is chip timed with a gun start. Hawk said there’s one deceptively challenging hill near the middle of the otherwise gentle course. Competitive awards include trophies for first three male and female finishers and medals for top three age group finishers in five-year increments from 12-and-under through 70-plus.

Last year’s winners included Butler High School runner Jake Szul, who finished first in 20:15, and Leslie Kramer, a familiar name on race podiums, finishing first female in 24:09.

All are welcome to attend the awards ceremony inside the Lake Arthur Golf Club Banquet Hall. There’s a DJ, 50-50 raffle and basket raffles along with post-race breakfast items such as bagels, eggs, fruit and other snacks.

Registration is open online at runsignup.com/Race/PA/Butler/CupidsChase5KButler. There’s packet pickup and registration at Community Options Butler office at 407 West Jefferson St. on Feb. 6-7 from 9 a.m.-7 p.m. and race day registration at the starting area beginning at 8:30 a.m. Students receive a discount with a special code.

Call 724-613-8133 or email timothy.hawk@bomop.org to access or for other questions. For safety, Timothy advises all participants to arrive no later than 9:40 a.m. because the entrance to Lake Arthur Golf Club is on the race course.

Saturday, 9 a.m.: Groundhog Day 5K, Allison Park. Also 1 Mile Fun Run/Walk starting at North Park Boathouse. runsignup.com/Race/PA/AllisonPark/GroundhogDay5kPGH

Saturday, 10 a.m.: Groundhog Day 4 Mile, Punxsutawney. Starts at Barclay Square, runs from downtown to Gobbler’s Knob and back. runsignup.com/Race/PA/Punxsutawney/GroundhogJog4MileRunWalk

Feb. 8, 8 a.m.: GCXC+Cancer Bridges Community Run/Walk, Pittsburgh. Free registration with 6 run/walk options followed by pancake breakfast provided by Cancer Bridges charity. Donations accepted. runsignup.com/Race/Info/PA/Pittsburgh/GCXCCancerBridgesCommunityRun

Feb. 8, 10 a.m.: You Complete Me 5K Run/Walk, Canfield, OH. Run at Canfield Fairgrounds with finisher medals to individuals or couples, awards for fastest couples. runsignup.com/Race/OH/Canfield/YouCompleteMe5K

Feb. 8, 10 a.m.: 8th Annual Cupid’s Chase 5K, Butler. Run at Lake Arthur Golf Club benefits Community Options, Inc. runsignup.com/Race/PA/Butler/CupidsChase5KButler

Feb. 8, 10 a.m.: Community Options Cupid’s Chase 5K, Pittsburgh. Run on River Trail on North Shore. runsignup.com/CupidsChase5KPittsburgh

Feb. 9, 9 a.m.: 4Ever Yours 4 Miler and 2 Person Relay, Allison Park. Valentine-themed race starting at North Park Boathouse. runsignup.com/Race/PA/AllisonPark/4EverYours4Miler

Feb. 9, 10 a.m.: Valentine Prediction Run, Erie. Predict your pace per mile on the 3-5 Mile course. Chocolate awards for most accurate predictions. runsignup.com/Register/?raceId=6039

Feb. 15, 9 a.m.: South Park Half Marathon, South Park. Two loops on paved park roads. runsignup.com/Race/PA/SouthParkTownship/SouthParkHalfMarathon

Feb. 15, 4 p.m.: Big One Run, New Castle. Run fast, downhill mile, challenging 5K or both at Cascade Park. runsignup.com/Race/PA/NewCastle/BIGONERUN

Feb. 16, 10 a.m.: Chili 5K, Mentor, OH. Run in Springbrook Gardens Park, post-race chili. www.gcxcrunningseries.com/chili5k

Feb. 22, 10 a.m.: Epicenter Eight(0.5), Fredonia. First event in MCTA 26.2 Series. 724-301-6775 or www.mctrails.org/events-1

Feb. 22, 10 a.m.: 49th Annual Spring Thaw, Allison Park. Run 5, 10, 15 or 20 miles in loops around North Park Lake. Post race hot soup. runsignup.com/Race/Info/PA/AllisonPark/TheSpringThaw

March 1, 7:30 a.m.: Olde Girdled Grit Marathon and Half Marathon, Concord Twp., OH. Half marathon starts at 9 a.m. www.gcxcrunningseries.com/oldegirdledgrit

March 1, 9 a.m.: Shamrock Run 5K, Cranberry Township. Flat and fast course through Graham Park. Also 1-Mile Fun Run/Walk and Kids Dash. runsignup.com/Race/PA/CranberryTownship/ShamrockRunCranberry

March 8, 11 a.m.: Ellport Boro Community 5K, Ellwood City. Cash prizes for 70+ runners and course records. Pizza for all. 724-841-6528 or runsignup.com/Race/PA/ELLWOODCITY/ELLPORTBOROWINTERWONDERLAND5K

March 15, 7:30 a.m.: Shamrock Shuffle Half Marathon, 5K run/walk and 1 Mile run/walk. Hilly course. 5K starts at 10 a.m., 1 Mile at 11 a.m. runsignup.com/Race/PA/Harmony/ShamrockShuffleZelienopleRotary

March 15, 8:30 a.m.: Pittsburgh Parade Day 5K and 1-Mile Family Fun Run/Walk, Pittsburgh. Run downtown before St. Patrick’s Day Parade. p3r.org/races/pittsburgh-parade-day-dash

March 15, 9 a.m.: March Mad Dash 5K, Allison Park. Run in North Park supports Youth Reach Inc. runsignup.com/Race/PA/AllisonPark/MarchMadDash

Veterans Marathon, Nov. 3: Andrew Maxwell, 1st Overall M, 2:49:30; Erika Suhy, 1st Overall W, 3:29:46; Garrett Nogan, 2nd 35-39 M, 3:37:19; Deborah Troutman, 2nd 40-44 W, 4:56:36; Chad Coblitz, 4:08:31; John H Armstrong, 4:21:11; Lydia Rastelli, 5:29:27

Ryan Gloyer Memorial 5K Run/Walk, Nov. 3 (finishers under 32:00): Riley McGee, 1st Overall M, 17:47; Katherine Brosky, 1st Overall W, 20:52; Chase LaPaglia, 1st 5-19 M, 19:25; Tyler Edmiston, 1st 11-14 M, 19:52; Cameron Cramer, 2nd 15-19 M, 20:03; Nicholas Greco, 1st 30-39 M, 20:35; Ian Maloney, 3rd 14 & Under M, 21:30; Graci Gordon, 1st 11-14 W, 21:33; Mike Taylor, 2nd 40-49 M, 21:38; Zachary Cataldi, 3rd 40-49 M, 21:46; Giulia Pologruto, 1st 15-19 W, 22:56; Leighton McLean, 3rd 11-14 W, 22:57; Jeff Bennett, 2nd 20-29 M, 23:00; Kyle Wenzel, 3rd 20-29 M, 23:10; Lindsay Murray, 1st 40-49 W, 23:13; Carter Temple, 1st 10 & Under M, 23:24; Jeannie Orend, 2nd 40-49 W, 23:57; Olivia Hennon, 2nd 15-19 W, 24:02; Elliette Smith, 3rd 15-19 W, 24:11; Carrie Birckbichler-Smith, 3rd 40-49 W, 24:24; Nicole Hogue, 1st 30-39 W, 25:20; Dustin Eaton, 2nd 50-59 M, 26:08; Myla Mcgee, 1st 10 & Under W, 26:23; Jace Roth, 3rd 10 & Under M, 27:17; Christine Edmiston, 2nd 35-39 W, 27:50; August Landolina, 1st 60-69 M, 27:51; Kelsey Dickey, 3rd 30-39 W, 29:36; Ava Keally, 2nd 10 & Under W, 31:41; Sierra Brown, 3rd 10 & Under W, 32:21; Sue Kusherneit, 2nd 60-69 W, 49:48; Elva Senko, 3rd 60-69 W, 55:17; Fran Monz, 2nd 70+ W, 57:06; James Slovak, 3rd 70+ M, 58:29; Nick Berger, 22:01; Kevin May, 22:23; Seth Murray, 22:26; Christian Wary, 22:37; Andrew Cilik, 23:33; Danny Mitchell, 23:50; Grayson Parish, 24:26; Andra Titus, 24:32; Owen Emiston, 24:39; Justin Adam, 24:40; Harper Adam, 24:40; Valentino Bui, 24:44; William Henderson, 24:46; Kyler Leroy, 24:49; Liam Janouskovec, 24:57; Cael Waltemire, 24:59; Ryan Fuchs, 25:00; Matthew White, 25:06; Mariah Martin, 25:06; Benjamin Ozdinec, 25:09; Charlie Mitchell, 25:11; Val Mcgee, 25:14; Evangeline Henderson, 25:17; Alex Harsh, 25:26; Gage LaPaglia, 25:32; Connor Cortese, 25:34; Brian Donatelli, 25:36; Carter Mcgee, 25:37; Brittany Lucas, 25:41; Lucas Martin, 26:16; Natalia Colonello, 26:19; Scott DeVivo, 26:23; Lucas Bova, 26:26; Heather Efaw, 26:34; Mike Jacobs, 26:39; Luke Jacobs, 26:41; Jacob Ozdinec, 26:44; LaVarr Stephens-Howling, 26:52; Mollie Gallagher, 26:58; Rebecca McMichael, 27:07; Marlowe Murray, 27:09; Amanda Temple, 27:12; Jeremy Jarrell, 27:16; Luke Jarrell, 27:16; Jace Roth, 27:17; Jessica Adams, 27:18; Parker Mell, 27:29; Geno Boyle, 27:32; Tyler Nist, 27:33; Gavin Sperry, 27:46; Zoey Ulewicz, 27:46; Trent Popp, 27:48; Bryce Edmiston, 27:49; Joey Dostillo, 27:50; Danielle Beitko, 27:54; Alaina Andrus, 28:04; Connor Matson, 28:23; Zachary Ashead, 28:25; Luke Sloan, 28:29; Jessica Moslander, 28:30; Chase Crawford, 28:34; Evan Ramsey, 28:49; Maggie Lucas, 29:12; Sophie Stiglitz, 29:19; Max Burkowski, 29:28; Lucas Pereira, 29:28; Daniel Dickey, 29:36; Alton Temple, 29:44; Austin Keally, 29:45; Ella Romza, 29:49; Anastasa Williams, 30:05; Leah Boyle, 30:09; Michael Rothka, 30:12; Joshua Musiak, 30:14; Maddox Sheetz, 30:20; Katherine Frye, 30:22; Molly Thompson, 3:26; L. Schley, 30:30; Tammy Young, 30:32; Jim Hinchman, 30:36; Shelly Smith, 30:50; Logan Snow, 30:55; Alex Vernier, 30:56; Laela Stroud, 31:04; Nate Harley, 31:04; Steven Puchiata, 31:07; Vanessa Puchiata, 31:07; Matthew Bova, 31:07; Jason Young, 31:12; Abby Wolford, 31:19; Ivan Cilik, 31:21; Julie Wahl, 31:27; Krista Davis, 31:36; Zachary Sypien, 31:39; Mylie Libby, 31:52; Vivian Tran, 31:53; Emily Sassaman, 31:55; Ariana Marks, 31:56; Kyra Reinhart, 31:56; Maizee Zaccone, 31:57; Gavin Welch, 31:59

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