Most of us have at least a vague knowledge of the sport of triathlon.

From the world-famous Ironman in Kona, Hawaii, to our local Mighty Moraine Multi-Sport Festival held annually in Moraine State Park, most triathlons feature swimming, cycling and running in that order. And for the most part, triathlons take place in the beautiful outdoors, which, I am sure you’ve noticed, is frosty in Western Pennsylvania this time of year.

But at 9 a.m. Sunday, Rose E. Schneider Family YMCA in Cranberry Township offers triathletes of all ages and abilities a cozy and warm take on the sport with its annual indoor triathlon. The event is held completely indoors with a pool swim, stationary bike and treadmill run.

Kathy Hensler, Healthy Living Director at the YMCA, said the event has been held at the Y for approximately nine years with a break for the COVID-19 pandemic. She expects 30-40 participants from ages 7 to 70-plus with a large contingent of area youth from Joella Baker’s Get Fit Families triathlon training program.

Hensler, a marathon runner currently training for Pittsburgh Half Marathon, said the YMCA Indoor Triathlon is a great introduction to the sport. The indoor distance and mileage are easier as participants complete set times for each segment rather than complete a set course.

Participants are seeded by age. Kids ages 7-10 complete 10 minutes of pool swimming, 15 minutes on a stationary bike and 10 minutes running on a treadmill. All older competitors swim 10 minutes, cycle 30 minutes and run 20 minutes.

Points are awarded for completed laps or miles. Top three overall and in age groups from 7-10 through 55-plus earn medals. And there are snacks of fruit, donuts, bagels and cookies for all.

Hensler welcomes first-timers to the event. She advised newbies eat a good dinner the evening before and a breakfast of protein and light carbohydrates. Wear your swimsuit to the starting area and pack a gym bag with clothes and shoes for the bike and running segments. Cycling shoes are helpful but not necessary.

Registration is available online at bcfymca.org/events/indoor-triathlon-1 until race day with a discounted price for YMCA members. There will be limited day of event registration, as well. If you have questions, you are welcome to contact Hensler at khensler@bcfymca.org or 724-452-9122.

Looking ahead, Butler County Family YMCA in Butler will hold its own Indoor Triathlon on April 5. It’s open to anyone ages 15 and up with a slightly different format.

Participants in the Butler Indoor Tri complete a quarter-mile swim, ride 7 miles on a stationary bike and run a 5K on a treadmill. Registration is open to all with a discount for members now through March 31 at bcfymca.org/events/indoor-triathlon-0. For more information, contact Jamie Knauff, Butler YMCA Aquatic and Programs Director, at jknauff@bcfymca.org or 724-287-4733.

If triathlon isn’t for you, the 49th Spring Thaw runs through North Park on Feb. 22. Choose from 5, 10, 15 or 20 miles in gentle counterclockwise 5-mile loops of North Park Lake. It’s a great training event for a spring marathon or just getting out for a long run with friends.

After the run, join those friends for a bowl of hot soup and other refreshments at North Park’s Rose Barn. All finishers earn a medal. There are competitive overall and age group awards for every distance. Five-milers receive a long-sleeved tee shirt while those in the longer distances receive a quarter-zip pullover.

This year’s Spring Thaw proceeds benefit 412 Food Rescue, a local charity that has delivered over 26 million pounds of surplus food to local people who need it.

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

Saturday, 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

Sunday, 9 a.m.: Rose E. Schneider Family YMCA Indoor Triathlon, Cranberry Township. Triathlon ages 7 through adult and all skill levels. 724-452-9122 or bcfymca.org/events/indoor-triathlon-1

Sunday, 10 a.m.: Chili 5K, Mentor, OH. Run in Springbrook Gardens Park, post-race chili. www.gcxcrunningseries.com/chili5k February 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 14-16: Visit Beaver County Rabid Racoon 100, Beaver Falls. Challenging half marathon, 100K or 100-mile trails runs in Brady’s Run Park. www.rabidraccoon100.com

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

March 15, 10 a.m.: Primary Health Network Charitable Foundation Shamrock ‘N’ Run 5K, Sharon. phncharitablefoundation.salsalabs.org/2025ShamrockNRun5KRunWalkEvent/index.html

March 15, 1 p.m.: Shamrock Run 5K and 1-Mile, Canfield, OH. Run at Canfield Fairgrounds. runsignup.com/Race/OH/Canfield/ShamrockRunCanfieldFairgrounds

March 22, 10 a.m.: 9th Annual Semper Gratus Shamrock Shuffle 5K and 1-Mile Family Fun Walk, Leechburg. St. Patrick’s Day themed run for charities. runsignup.com/Race/PA/Leechburg/ShamShuffle

March 22, 10 a.m.: Kiski Area Shamrock Run 5K, Apollo. Certified course on country roads. runsignup.com/Race/PA/Apollo/KiskiAreaShamrockRun5K

March 22, 10 a.m.: Trout Island Tromp 4.6 Miles. Rece #2 in MCTA Marathon Series. 724-301-6775 or www.mctrails.org/events-1

March 22, 10 a.m.: Larry Winschel St. Paddy’s Day Run, South Park. Greater Pittsburgh Road Runners Club event with 1 Mile, 2.25 Mile and 4 Mile options. 412-561-0768 or jwinschel@verizon.net

March 23, 1 p.m.: Stepping Into Spring 5K, Moundsville, WV. runsignup.com/Race/WV/Moundsville/SteppingIntoSpring5k?rsus=100-200-9a3203d2-bddb-45d0-b2bb-0d7734cd2721

Operation Troop Appreciation, Nov. 10: Will Nury, 1st Overall M, 17:44; Brian Canny, 1st Master M, 19:09; Camryn Bruno, 11st Overall W, 20:01; Lumei Miller, 1st Masters W, 23:11; Martin Herman, 1st 45-49 M, 19:43; Shalin Thosani, 2nd 11-14 M, 22:03; Max Meinert, 1st 30-34 M, 22:44; Jeff Bennett, 1st 25-29 M, 22:47; Rocco Bernardini, 3rd 11-14 M, 23:08; Herbster Cratty, 1st 60-64 M, 23:15; Andrew Parker, 1st 55-59 M, 24:36; Damon Clark, 2nd 35-39 M, 24:48; Steven Andritz, 2nd 30-34 M, 24:49; Rebecca Clark, 1st 30-34 W, 24:49; Miranda Lajevic, 2nd 15-19 W, 25:25; Mitch Radella, 3rd 55-59 M, 26:30; Marie Johnson, 1st 55-59 W, 26:54; Joseph Denninger, 2nd 60-64 M, 27:27; Rebecca Parker, 1st 50-54 W, 27:40; Joe Mulqueen, 1st 65+ M, 27:56; Rhonda Merhaut, 2nd 55-59 W, 27:59; Shawna Johnson, 2nd 50-54 W, 28:45; Ellie Tourney, 3rd 50-54 W, 29:00; Malissa Linsenbigler, 3rd 40-44 W, 30:10; Laura Gonzales, 3rd 30-34 W, 32:35; Joni Clemente, 2nd 65+ W, 38:01; Caison Stanko, 24:34; Josh Cagno, 25:07; Erin Kohlmeyer, 30:34; Christian Leclaire, 30:56; Alyssa McQuillan, 31:34; David Bernardini, 31:47; Tessa Cagno, 32:37; Elinore Kneidinger, 33:47; Lauren Singer, 36:16; Karina Dunn, 38:51; Nathaniel Wilson, 45:59; Dana Sullivan, 46:01; Logan McPeak, 49:48; Molly McPeak, 49:49; Judy Fritsch, 56:53

Kiski Valley Turkey Trot 5K, Nov. 28: Jonnih Windelbard, 1st Overall M, 15:53; Tyler Wimicinski, 3rd Overall M, 17:28; Julia Bauer, 1st Overall W, 19:09; Colton Rearick, 1st 16-19 M, 17:42; Henry Good, 2nd 11-15 M, 20:27; Rebecca Pennington, 2nd 20-29 W, 20:31; Beau Edwards, 1st 10 & Under M, 22:43; Chase Prioletti, 2nd 10 & Under M, 22:53; Lisa Stephenson, 1st 50-59 W, 26:36; Heidi Edwards, 3rd 10 & Under W, 27:41; Tammy Kuniak-Sarver, 3rd 60-69 W, 36:29; James Stewart, 3rd 60-69 M, 27:52; Eli Hassler, 19:48; Ben Brestensky, 19:48; Jacob McClymonds, 22:21; Leo Zerick, 23:13; Richard Stewart, 23:47; Mason Hallstrom, 24:09; Max Freund, 24:37; Macey Edwards, 24:41; Liam Breski, 24:53; Kenny Dorian, 25:17; Lucy Hassler, 25:19; Lucas Bowser, 25:20; Xander Simpson, 25:26; Jake Sarver, 25:35; Greg Schnur, 26:46; Gage Kraljic, 26:59; Hayden Good, 27:26; Frank Nesko, 27:26; David Rearick, 27:45; Lurena Stewart, 27:47; Ross Hassler, 27:53; Tabitha Bowser, 28:32; Shelly Suhadolnik, 28:48; Linsey Schnur, 28:56; Dylan Stonebraker, 28:56; Ed Row, 29:13; Quinn Myers, 29:26; Craig Myers, 29:26; Liam Suhadolnik, 29:34; Talon Myers, 29:37; Julia Marsili, 29:42; Nicole Prioletti, 29:45; Annabelle Geist, 29:52; Josh McClymonds, 30:35; Paige Lithgow, 30:36; Matthew Canzoneri, 30:41; Caitlyn Brennan, 31:30; Braedan Drane, 32:08; Mya Wright, 32:21; Jesse Stewart, 33:08; Ariana Clark, 33:49; Malbry Row, 33:58; Olivia Stonebraker, 36:22; Mariah Master, 36:22; Dawn Brennan, 37:48; Carrie Myers, 37:53; Gianna Suhadolnik, 37:53; Camryn Bowser, 38:06; Randy Bowser, 38:09; Adamo Mosca, 39:13; Lenny Brennan, 41:06; Sarah Drane, 41:14; Cooper Suhadolnik, 41:21; Nicole Yurkovic, 41:56; Mia DeVito, 47:45; Dale Daugherty, 55:59; Cristi Daugherty, 56:04; Beth McClymonds, 56:53; Jennifer Sychak, 1:00:51; Gilliah Brown, 1:01:32

Gobbler’s Gallop 10K, Nov. 28: William Evans, 1st Overall M, 33:28; Devin Montileone, 3rd Overall M, 34:39; Carolyn Smith, 2nd Overall W, 41:36; Jodi Patterson, 3rd Overall W, 44:15; Dan Spiker, 1st 20-29 M, 44:27; Martin Feroce, Jr, 3rd 40-49 M, 45:23; Mark Casteel, 2nd 50-59 M, 45:31; Lloyd Grimes, 1st 60-64 M, 48:06; Julie Saibena, 1st 30-39 W, 49:36; Carrie Birckbichler-Smith, 2nd 40-49 W, 49:47; John Armstrong, 3rd 50-59 M, 50:00; Vanessa Johnson, 3rd 30-39 W, 51:33; Boone Weatherly, 1st 70+ M, 1:01:16; Johnathan Nelson, 42:37; Nathan Brown, 48:54; Amanda Verece, 57:05; Ron Rojas, 59:41

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