In these tough economic times, entry fees for weekend races can stretch the budget.

But Sunday's St. Valentine's Day Run at 10 a.m. in Mount Lebanon offers an event that anyone can afford.

The organizers of the event charge $3 to enter and Greater Pittsburgh Road Runners members can run the race for $1, which is in keeping with the club's primary goals of promoting "health, fitness, fun and adventure."

Because of the low fees, the St. Valentine's Day Run is a bare-bones race. It doesn't have T-shirts, awards or pre-registration. What you get for your money is a marked and monitored out-and-back course through the hills of Mount Lebanon, timing for a choice of three distances — 5 miles, 2 miles or 1 mile and the chance to run in the middle of winter with friendly competition.

Race director Bill Hoon expects about 80 runners and walkers, a mix of Greater Pittsburgh Road Runners Club members and non-members, mostly for the 5-mile distance.

"It all depends on the weather," Hoon says. "It seems like every year, the weather is terrible on race day but runners still show up."

The event will take place no matter what the weather brings. Although the Mount Lebanon High parking lot offers little shelter, hot chocolate will be part of the post race refreshments.

Bill Hoon and wife, Connie, have directed St. Valentine's Day run for at least the past 12 of the event's 33 year history. It is one of the area's oldest races and one of the oldest sponsored events for the Greater Pittsburgh Road Runners, a Pittsburgh tradition since 1974.

Bill Hoon is the last of the founding members of the club. Although many of the club's runners number among the area's strongest, the group emphasizes participation over performance.

Walkers also are encouraged to join in club events. Members who complete at least four club sponsored runs during the year and help in organizing at least one event during the year are elevated to the Championship Club and are honored at the annual banquet.

The club offers plenty of opportunities for participation by runners of all levels and preferences. Monthly events range from this weekend's hilly tour of Mount Lebanon streets to the more than 70-mile test of the Laurel Highlands Trail Challenge starting in Ohiopyle in June.

Find out more about Greater Pittsburgh Road Runners Club events and membership at www.thegreaterpittsburghroadrunnersclub.com or contact club president Bruce McGlothlin at bmcglothlin@hotmail.com or 724-348-6012.

Club information will also be available at the starting area of St. Valentine's Day Run in the upper parking area of Mount Lebanon High. If you're running the event, Sunday at 10 a.m., plan to arrive early as all participants will be registering on that day. Registration opens at 9 a.m.

For information about St. Valentine's Day Run, contact Bill or Connie Hoon at bchoon@verizon.net or 412-341-0684.

Saturday, 7 a.m.: Three Rivers Running Club Group Run, South Hills. 12 to 14 miles with marathon training group. 724-490-1881 or www.eliterunners.comSaturday, 8 a.m.: Up-N-Running Group Run, Valencia. Post-run 80th birthday party for Margretta Lutz. 724-898-2525 or www.runpa.comSaturday, 9 a.m.: Chili Bowl Classic 5K, Cleveland. 216-623-9933 or www.hermescleveland.comSaturday, 11 a.m.: Bulldogs Icebreaker 5K, Meadville. 814-807-0105 or americut@windstream.netSaturday, 10 a.m.: Valentine Prediction Race, Erie. Run at Presque Isle State Park. 814-774-3209 or dana@erie-runnersclub.orgSunday, 7:30 a.m.: Running Wild and North Park Road Runners Group Run, North Park. Starts at Boy Scout cabin. 724-444-5311 or www.runningwildpa.comWednesday, 6 p.m.: Running Wild and North Park Road Runners Group Run, North Park. Starts at J.C. Stone Field. 724-444-5311 or www.runningwildpa.comFeb. 28, 10 a.m.: Spring Thaw, North Park. Choice of 10, 15 or 20 miles. Post race soup buffet. 412-490-0881 or ksmith@eliterunners.comFeb. 28, 11 a.m.: Ellport Boro Winter Wonderland 5k, Ellwood City. This year's run celebrates Lou Lodovico's 85th birthday with post race pizza party. 724-758-2506 or bonnherb@yahoo.com

<B>James V. Snyder Resolution Run 5K, Jan. 3:</B> Steve Strelick, 1st Overall M, 15:25; Christine Strelick, 1st Overall W, 19:20; Mitch Radella, 1st 40-44 M, 19:05; Sean Gannon, 1st 10-14 M, 19:17; Mark Knapp, 1st 45-49 M, 19:45; Jon Snyder, 1st 30-34 M, 20:37; Kimberly Ebbert, 1st 35-39 W, 22:49; Ron Hartle, 3rd 50-54 M, 23:03; John Antinossi, 1st 60-64 M, 23:11; Dez Csizmadia, 2nd 65 and over M, 24:12; Valerie Jacobs, 3rd 30-39 W, 27:50; Mary Ehman, 3rd 40-44 W, 31:20; Gayle Satryan, 2nd 65 and over W, 56:21; Carl Hill, 25:19; Lou Lodovico, 26:59; Cydney Butler, 28:06; Lisa Myers, 28:56; Jim Erikson, 29:05; Debra Kuminkoski, 29:13; Mike Capsanbelis, 30:09; Karen Munsey, Jamie Munsey, 36:49; Shelle Jamieson, 1:01:12<B>Frigid 5-Mile, Jan. 11: </B>Steve Strelick, 1st Overall M, 29:09; Christina Strelick, 1st Overall W, 33:51; Malcolm East, 1st Masters M, 32:05; Matt Manna, 3rd 30-39 M, 33:32; Mark Courtney, 1st 50-59 M, 33:47; Sharyl Relic, 1st 50-59 W, 38:51; Dorothy Moxie, 2nd 40-44 W, 41:31; Mary Morgan, 3rd 45-49 W, 44:50; Scott Pearson, 37:29; Erica Nicotra, 40:43; Kimberly Ebbert, 40:57; Bob Dawson, 41:28; Kris Poloyac, 45:07; Carl Hill, 45:57; Katie Evans, 48:15; Neil Gregorio, 48:35; Alice Wiesner, 48:46; Heather Cianfrocco, 48:54; Gineen Jarnevich, 49:29; Robin Rishel, 55:15Send comments and suggestions to: 435 Cherry Valley Road, Saxonburg, Pa. 16056. Phone: 724-352-4395. E-mail: bigp16@connecttime.netPat Neubert is the running columnist for the Butler Eagle.