We’ve all celebrated Groundhog Day.

But how about Raccoon Weekend?

Beaver County’s 4th Annual Rabid Raccoon 100 kicks off three days of trail and ultra running in Brady’s Run Park with a level and scenic out-and-back 5K at 6:30 p.m. Friday and concludes Sunday as the last ultra marathoners complete 100 miles and 15,200 feet of elevation climb.

Rabid Raccoon has grown to be among the largest 100 trail events in the country with more than 1,400 runners expected for the weekend’s festival of trails, 170 in the 100 miler. Although the 100-mile is the star, there are plenty of distances and combinations of challenging single track and gravel paths to fill trail running desires.

Friday’s 5K is level and accessible to anyone over age 4. The 100-mile starts at 4 a.m. Saturday, with 100K and 100-Mile Relay for up to eight team members starting at 7 a.m. The most popular half marathon with more than 425 runners starts at 8 a.m., with the more adventurous Midnight Half Marathon starting at midnight and running through the dark to Sunday morning. The final event, Raccoon’s Revenge obstacle challenge, begins at 9 a.m. Sunday.

Andrew Mascio, owner of Wolf Creek Race Management, predicts over 4,000 participants, volunteers and spectators in Brady’s Run Park. He says the park has a great facility with plenty of parking and annually hosts 8,000 for festivals. There will also be several food and beverage vendors on hand throughout the weekend with pizza, barbecue, bagels, beer, coffee and more.

Mascio also predicts good trail conditions with a minimum temperature of 60 degrees for the weekend. He said conditions should be even better for the 2026 Rabid Raccoon as the event will switch to May 29-31.

Most trail ultras are 80% male, 20% female in participation. This year, Rabid Raccoon 100 introduces a Women in Ultrarunning program with the goal of achieving 50/50 gender split in 100K and 100-mile races. Check out details at www.rabidraccoon100.com.

It’s not too late to join the fun this year. Although there is no day-of-event registration, you may sign up online Thursday and Friday or at the race expo and packet pickup at Brady’s Run Recreational Facility. Note: all participants must pick up their packets Friday.

If you’d rather run on roads this weekend, the Shamrock Shuffle Half Marathon, 5K and 1-Mile returns Saturday to Harmony. The more than 14-year-old event to benefit Zelienople Rotary is staged so participants can run one or all distances.

In keeping with the season, runners are encouraged to dress in St. Paddy’s Day-themed costumes. Strollers and dogs on leashes are welcome.

The out-and-back half marathon, which race director Joella Baker called “one of the toughest in Western PA,” starts at 7:30 a.m. and features a 600-meter hill climb near the turnaround with a reward of Jello shots at the top (runners 21 and older). The 5K, starting at 10:15, is a gentler tour of Harmony streets while the 1-mile at 11 a.m. runs out-and-back on the same streets.

Online registration is open until noon Friday and packet pick-up that day from 4-6 p.m. at Grace Church in Harmony. Day-of-event signups begin at 6:30 a.m. Saturday. All are welcome at the post-race awards ceremony and party with food and drinks at Harmony Inn.

In my last column, I previewed a friendly community 5K in the small town of Ellport. I’m happy to report the event last Saturday as a success.

Race director Herb Cratty was thrilled with the record 174 registrations for Ellport Boro Community 5K Run and 1 Mile Walk, an increase of 20 over last year.

Cratty was also pleased with the increase in senior signups, with 26 registered in age groups 70-74, 75-79 and 80-plus. Winners in those age groups earned cash prizes of $124 each for their efforts.

No one claimed the cash prize for setting a course record, but Drew Steffler of Ellwood City bettered his 2024 winning time by almost 40 seconds with a 15:55 finish.

Friday-Sunday: Visit Beaver County Rabid Raccoon 100, Beaver Falls. Challenging half marathon, 100K or 100-mile trail runs in Brady’s Run Park. www.rabidraccoon100.com

Saturday, 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/ShamrockShuffleZeienopleRotary

Saturday, 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

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

Saturday, 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. Race No. 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 29, 8:30 a.m.: Just a Short Run, Allison Park. Choice of 5K, 8.1 Mile, Half Marathon or 30K starting at North Park Boathouse. runsignup.com/Race/Info/PA/AllisonPark/JASR

March 29, 9:15 a.m.: Barnesville Park/Rotary Lake Trail 5K Walk/Run and Fun Run, Barnesville, OH. Half road, half trail with hand-crafted trophies, hooded sweatshirts, free fun run. 740-310-2117 or runsignup.com/Race/OH/Barnesville/BarnesvilleParkRotaryLake5KTrailWalkRunKidsFunRun

March 30, 10:30 a.m.: Sweat Bar Fitness Withrow Memorial 5K and 1 Mile Family Fun Walk, Oakdale. Out-and-back run on Panhandle Trail starting at Helicon Brewing. runsignup.com/Race/PA/Oakdale/SweatBarFitnessWithrowMemorialKAndMileFamilyFunWalk

April 5, 8 a.m.: Eagleton Trail Race 10K/ 25K/ 50K, Lock Haven. Loop course on singletrack Eagleton Trail. ultrasignup.com/register.aspx?did=112661

April 5, 10 a.m.: Fool’s Run 5K and 10K, Black Lick. Run on Ghost Town Rail Trail at Saylor Park. 814-749-8556 or runsignup.com/Race/PA/Blairsville/FoolsRun10K5K

April 12, 10 a.m.: Butler’s Best Buddies Easter Egg Dash 5K, Bunny Hop 1 Mile and Kids Easter Egg Hunt, Butler. Staged at Butler Senior High School’s Art Bernardi Stadium. runsignup.com/Race/PA/Butler/BestBuddiesEasterEggDash

April 12, 9 a.m.: Boston Trail 1/2 Marathon and 5K Run/Walk, Elizabeth Township. Run on Yough River Trail. 412-780-7802 or runsignup.com/Race/PA/ElizabethTownship/BostonTrail12Marathonand5KRunWalk

Seneca Valley Turkey Chase 5K, Nov. 28 (finishers under 30:00): Dylan McBride, 1 st Overall M, 15:58; Karsyn Spears, 1 st Overall W, 19:33; Anna Morris, 3 rd Overall W, 21:05; Ben Capozzi, 1 st 20-29 M, 17:11; Andrew Maxwell, 3 rd 20-29 M, 17:28; Riley McGee, 1 st 15-19 M, 17:54; Julian Varlotta, 2 nd 15-19 M, 17:56; Jacob Marshall, 3 rd 15-19 M, 17:57; Michal Kawecki, 1 st 40-49 M, 19:13; Rick Colonello, 2 nd 40-49 M, 20:05; Lee Marshall, 2 nd 50-59 M, 20:34; Jacob Hanselman, 20:58; Madeline Gagnon, 1 st 20-29 W, 21:08; Emma McDonald, 2 nd 20-29 W, 21:09; Cameron Cramer, 2 nd 4 & Under M, 21:11; Ian Maloney, 3 rd 14 & Under M, 21:15; Samantha Moury, 1 st 15-19 W, 21:46; Mary Beth Spang, 2 nd 30-39 W, 22:28; Graci Gordon, 1 st 14 & Under W, 22:44; Olivia Hennon, 2 nd 15-19 W, 23:02; Emma Nicotra, 3 rd 15-19 W, 23:33; Andra Titus, 3 rd 40-49 W, 24:01; Brent Collins, 1 st 60+ M, 24:16; Ava Sparacino, 3 rd 4 & Under W, 24:11; Noah Petersen, 17:56; Niel Skinner, 18:08; Hunter Petersen, 18:27; Andrew Drozynski, 19:48; Sawyer Shoup, 20:20; Phillip Silvis, 20:23; Jackson McClune, 20:44; Max Weaver, 21:19; Dillon Kessy, 21:30; Henry Collins, 21:36; Brady Marshall, 21:50; Colton Winslow, 22:10; Hans Noel, 22:16; Russ Giancola, 22:33; Ryan Purvis, 22:54; Nick Berger, 23:02; Drew Hartman, 23:24; Adam Shoup, 23:36; Connor Gibson, 23:45; Cole Behrens, 23:47; Violet McKinney, 23:57; Anjelica Lewis, 24:00; Ethan Barnett, 24:05; Lucas Boyle, 24:15; Brent Baldauf, 24:26; Giulia Pologruto, 24:32; Kate Marshall, 24:32; A. Cilik, 24:41; Allen Gilliland, 24:48; Ava Kidder, 24:49; L. Baldauf, 24:54; Matthew White, 24:55; Brooke Griffith, 25:01; Lucas Baldauf, 25:03; Carly McKenna, 25:03; Jeff Wolfe, 25:06; V. Pefferman, 25:08; Lauren Breski, 25:12; Vasilii Surov, 25:14; K. Ashead, 25:25; Carter Mcgee, 25:36; Val Mcgee, 25:39; O. Paese, 25:40; M. Rhenish, 25:40; Matt Rhenish, 25:43; Erik Stitt, 25:46; Maxwell Moore, 25:49; Cael Waltemire, 25:50; Richard Paese, 25:50; Siena Varlotta, 25:54; Paige Damico, 25:54; Elyse Cilik, 25:55; Mark Sassaman, 25:58; James Erfort, 26:06; Tristan Moeslein, 26:07; Mac Wilson, 26:12; Joyce Harrell, 26:12; Kaden Tuell, 26:13; Tessa Satriano, 26:13; John Perelman, 26:13; C. Rauschenberger, 26:21; Ethan Spirk, 26:24; Ryan Crawford, 26:41; Jack Crawford, 26:41; Gino Biondi, 26:48; Brian Dittmer, 26:49; Shane Kelleher, 26:54; Timothy Botti, 27:00; Kelly Noel, 27:01; B. Bassaly, 27:07; Mitchell Weaver, 27:09; D. McKenna, 27:15; K. Leroy, 27:22; Annelise Dykstra, 27:22; Peter Houdek, 27:29; Garrick Barnett, 27:31; David Uram, 27:48; Jenny Aprile, 27:56; M. Mcgee, 27:58; E. Shoup, 27:59; Mike McEvilly, 28:00; Kurt Fowler, 28:15; Peter Breski, 28:18; Everly Harrell, 28:21; Ryan Connolly, 28:23; David Gagnon, 28:24; V. Manfredi, 28:24; Annabella Policella, 28:26; Cristen Breski, 28:30; Mark Breedlove, 28:32; Christian Ehrman, 28:32; Bella Gros, 28:35; Noah Connolly, 28:45; Isabel Giancola, 28:47; Katie kasper, 28:47; Braden Jackson, 28:48; Meghan Pohl, 28:50; Samantha Porter, 28:53; Mike Bal, Jr., 28:53; David Kochis, 28:54; Natalia Colonello, 28:56; Leah Damico, 28:56; Marci Smith, 29:02; Brittany Grasha, 29:10; Z. Ashead, 29:10; Dave Stoner, 29:15; Alex Hennon, 29:18; Hannah Ptak, 29:20; K, Leadmon, 29:25; Amanda Hardt, 29:35; Gary McClintock, 30:00

Frigid Five Mile, Jan. 12 (finishers under 1 hour): Ethan Wymer, 1 st Overall M, 27:45; Jimmie Couch, 2 nd Overall M, 30:12; Amy O’donnell, 1 st Overall W, 33:03; Jeremy Jarrell, 37:17; Josh Gretz, 37:23; Colin Stevens, 39:01; Gerard Danosos, 40:49; Mark Casteel, 41:00; Brett Nesbitt, 43:02; Emily Keir, 44:33; Skyllar Spears, 44:49; Jessica Niemeier, 44:52; Krista Geagan, 45:07; Jen Beachem, 45:42; Mitch Radella, 45:59; Jeff Smith, 46:15; Brian Apel, 47:08; Oscar Montanez, 47:53; Sara Young, 48:15; Alana Jensen, 48:39; Gypsy Dreveniak, 48:39; Nellie Zuba, 48:51; Jarret Rinkunas, 49:00; Alexa Smith, 49:00; Chris Robinson, 49:00; Jamie Kemper, 49:35; Kristin Kelly, 50:06; Cael Waltemire, 50:51; Mandy James, 52:04; Erin Kohlmeyer, 53:10; Andrea Platt, 53:56; Suzette Cappola, 54:05; Kathy Hensler, 54:18; Darren Klaum, 54:27; Jessica Irwin, 55:13; Keith Burka, 57:03; Robert Beahm, 57:39; Tasha Werner, 59:02; Talor Lichty, 59:05; Renee Lichty-Bodnar, 59:06; Laura Potoski, 59:15; Alfed Schnabel, 59:51

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