Running feels good. But running to do good feels even better.

Sunday’s KW 5k Run Like a Mother is a new event dedicated to helping our community. Race sponsor Keller Williams, an international real estate franchise, has committed to giving back to the communities it serves. In Butler, real estate agents Brandy Kight and Erin Sellinger were happy to organize a community 5k.

Brandy, who calls herself a finisher, not a runner, has chosen a scenic, beginner-friendly course for the inaugural race, It begins at Lakeview Beach, Pavilion 4 in Moraine State Park and runs out-and-back on the gently rolling bike trail. She says all are welcome, including walkers, strollers, and dogs on leashes, a requirement of the park.

This portion of the trail is one of the less traveled, but Brandy assures that the course will be well marked and park road crossings monitored for traffic control. Race day festivities begin at 7 A.M. at Lakeview Beach with registration and packet pickup.

Burn Boot Camp will lead runners in a warmup before the 9 A.M. start. Competitive awards for KW 5k include medals for top three men and women overall and in age groups from 10 and Under through 60+. There will also be $50 cash prizes awarded to the first male and female finishers ages 18 and under from the Family of Donny Bayne.

Post race refreshments include water, fruit and snacks. Isaiah 117, the benefitting charity, will also have a lemonade stand. Isaiah 117 offers kids who are entering foster care a safe and friendly space until they are placed with a foster family. For more information, visit https://isaiah117house.com/.

Keller Williams has committed to supporting the Butler chapter of Isaiah 117 for at least the first three years of the race. They will then re-evaluate community needs. For more information or to register for KW 5k, visit runsignup.com/Race/PA/Portersville/RunLikeaMother5kMoraineStatePark.

On May 19 at 9 A.M., Butler’s Back the Blue 5k is back for its third year. The event supports K9 officers of the Butler Police Department. Race director Herb Cratty expects 150-200 participants for the 5k run and 2-mile walk. The event is staged from the carousel pavilion in Alameda Park.

The 5k promises a fast course. It starts at the top of Alameda Hill, runs toward downtown Butler on the park road and turns around to finish at the carousel. The 2-mile walk is an out-and-back from the flagpole on the nearly level road. Both events are suitable for strollers, wheelchairs, and dogs on leashes.

Back the Blue 5k rewards top three overall men and women with crystal trophies. Age group awards include top three in 10-year increments from 10 & Under through 60+. Top three men and women walkers will also win awards. Herb promises “tons of food” for the after-race picnic in the park including hot dogs, BBQ, pasta salad, pierogies and fruit.

DJ Jeff Dunn, who also plays the national anthem before the race, provides musical entertainment. The event has great support from the police department. Herb says that last year, five police cars with lights flashing greeted runners on the course. And all were impressed by an informative and entertaining demonstration of K9 officers in action. Back the Blue is a fun event with a serious purpose.

Butler’s Police Department has two K9 officers on its force. Both are housed with police officers and their families who are responsible for all their canine companion’s needs at their personal expense. Funds raised by Back the Blue 5k directly contribute to the cost of keeping and training these valuable K9 officers and companions.

You may register online until May 18 at runsignup.com/Race/PA/Butler/ButlersBacktheBlue5k or sign up on race day at the carousel pavilion in Alameda Park.

Upcoming Events

Saturday, 6 a.m.: Glacier Ridge 50-Mile and 50k Ultramarathons, 50-Mile 5-person relay and 20-Mile Trail Run/Endurance Hike, Portersville. Out and back on trails in Moraine State Park and Jennings Environmental Center. runsignup.com/Race/PA/Portersville/GlacierRidgeTrailUltramarathonTrailRace?rsus=100-200-6dff5639-1ebf-4085-b431-3ce41e70b137

Saturday, 8 a.m.: Diamond Dash 10k, 6k Run and 5k Walk Race, Hollidaysburg. Starts at the Diamond for a tour of Hollidaysburg. runsignup.com/Race/PA/Hollidaysburg/HollidaysburgDiamondDash

Saturday, 9 a.m.: Thrifty 5k, Allison Park. Starts at North Park’s Harmar Pavilion. Earn GCXC medals and shirts from past races. runsignup.com/Race/PA/AllisonPark/Thrifty5KPittsburgh

Saturday, 9 a.m.: Color Run 5k Run/ 1 Mile Run/Walk, Dubois. Benefits Cohen’s Purpose and Habitat for Humanity. 814-603-4151 or givebutter.com/JKOmhb Saturday, 11 A.M.: Western PA Orienteering, New Alexandria. Cross country orienteering event in Keystone State Park for beginner through expert. www.wpoc.org, 814-255-6606 or jlwolfe@atlanticbb.net

Sunday, 9 a.m.: KW 5k Run Like a Mother Run/ Walk, Portersville. Starts at Lakeview Beach Road in Moraine State Park. runsignup.com/Race/PA/Portersville/RunLikeaMother5kMoraineStatePark

May 17, 7 p.m.: Elderton 5k, Elderton. USATF certified course. runsignup.com/Race/PA/Elderton/Elderton5KRunWalk

May 18, 6:30 a.m.: Mighty Moraine Man Spring Multisport Festival, Portersville. Triathlon, Relay, and Aquabike events for youth and adults at Moraine State Park. runsignup.com/Race/PA/Portersville/MightyMoraineSpringMultiSportFestival

May 18, 7 a.m.: Oil Creek Stacked Trail Races, Titusville. Run 5-mile, 13-mile or both on Gerard Hiking Trail in Oil Creek State Park. www.runrace.net/findarace.php?id=22141PA&fbclid=IwAR0J14fEJvxYb2XxPKJbQCt6PBbJG6FNP3JwyrejcNCAMIAn87kZSlvZBGQ

May 18, 8:30 a.m.: Rails-to-Trails 5k, Barnesville, OH. Unique railroad spike awards, post-race buffet. runsignup.com/Race/OH/Barnesville/BarnesvilleRailsToTrails5k

May 18, 9 a.m.: Where the River Runs, Transfer. Point-to-point 10-miles on Shenango Trail. Shuttle provided. 724-977-2958 or runsignup.com/Race/PA/Greenville/WhereTheRiverRunsTrailRace

May 18, 10 a.m.: Patti J Nelson 5k and 1 Mile, Evans City. Benefits Evans City Library. runsignup.com/Race/PA/EvansCity/PattiJNelsonFoundationMemorialRunWalk

May 19, 9 a.m.: Butler’s Back the Blue 5k, Butler. Fast course starting at Alameda Park’s carousel pavilion, post-race food. runsignup.com/Race/PA/Butler/ButlersBacktheBlue5k

May 19, 9 a.m.: Sweatbar Fitness Cross Country Trail Run, Pittsburgh. Choice of 15k, 10k, 5k (10:30 start), Kids Fun Run (11:30 start), 1-Mile Fun Run (11:45 start) in Settlers Cabin Park. runsignup.com/Race/PA/Pittsburgh/SweatBarFitness66TrailRun

May 24, 7 p.m.: Fryburg Mayfest Fun Run/Walk 5k, Fryburg. runsignup.com/Race/PA/Fryburg/FryburgMayfestFunRun5K

May 25, 9 a.m.: Memorial Day Remembrance 5k/10k Run & 1-Mile Walk, Allison Park. Starts at Pearce Mill Road in North Park. runsignup.com/Race/PA/AllisonPark/MemorialDayRemembranceRun

May 26, 9 a.m.: Dahoga Dash, Wilcox. 814-512-1374 or randylindberg@hotmail.com June 1, 7 A.M.: God’s Country Marathon, Half Marathon and Relay, Galeton. 814-558-5353 or rungcm.com/godscountrymarathon/

Race results

Shamrock Shuffle Half Marathon, March 23: Jimmie Couch, 1st Overall M, 1:23:44; Bonnie Smerk, 1st Overall W, 1:48:24; Melissa Good, 2nd Overall W, 1:53:18; Dillon Burkarth, 1st 30-34 M, 1:38:24; Brian Stein, 2nd 30-34 M, 1:38:24; Brock Gresock, 3rd 20-29 M, 1:44:55; Chris Gilman, 2nd 40-44 M, 1:47:27; John Armstrong, 1st 55-59 M, 1:56:54; Jeff Smith, 2nd 55-59 M, 1:59:49; Micci Hutterer, 1st 65-69 W, 2:00:21; Roberto Da Silva, 3rd 30-34 M, 2:00:22; Alyssa Da Silva, 1st 30-34 W, 2:00:22; Vanessa Johnson, 1st 35-39 W, 2:04:15; Dana Nicklas, 2nd 50-54 W, 2:06:28; Rebecca Lutz, 2nd 40-44 W, 2:09:46; Anna Toplak, 2nd 35-39 W, 2:10:18; Nellie Zuba, 3rd 50-54 W, 2:12:28; Melissa Dykstra, 2nd 45-49 W, 2:12:41; Janel Edwards, 3rd 35-39 W, 2:16:01; David Murray, 3rd 55-59 M, 2:38:11; Annie Hall, 2nd 55-59 W, 2:39:27; Phil Sonson, 1st 60-64 M, 3:00:50; Jonathan Sosa, 1:58:54; AJ May, 2:05:27; Samantha Voynik, 2:21:27; Brad Gresock, 2:30:10

Shamrock Shuffle 5k, March 23: Sam West, 1st Overall M, 16:44; Bella Schaller, 1st Overall W, 19:33; Justin Kuszavele, 1st 40-44 M, 19:45; Brian Gengler, 1st 35-39 M, 21:59; Levi Fowler, 1st 13-15 M, 22:04; Andrew Gengler, 1st 30-34 M, 22:58; Michael Deem, 2nd 40-44 M, 23:12; Shields Fowler, 2nd 11-12 M, 23:28; Lindon Fowler, 2nd 45-49 M, 23:47; Haley Cramer. 1st 20-24 W, 24:14; Vanessa Johnson, 2nd 35-39 W, 24:29; Kara Shuty, 1st 45-49 W, 24:47; Andrew Kalivas, 3rd 45-49 M, 24:53; Anna Wishart, 3rd 11-12 W, 25:38; Shannon Wishart, 1st 40-44 W, 25:51; John Armstrong, 1st 55-59 M, 26:07; Gypsy Dreveniak, 1st 50-54 W, 26:11; Danielle Myers, 3rd 35-39 W, 26:13; Michael Dreveniak, 3rd 40-44 M, 26:13; Toby Myers, 1st 10 & Under M, 26:14; Jesse Burris, 3rd 30-34 M, 26:41; Charles Hatheway, 3rd 25-29 M, 26:57; Erin Stonebraker, 3rd 40-44 W, 27:03; Scarlett Blair, 2nd 10 & Under W, 27:34; Reneea Spirk, 3rd 45-49 W, 27:37; Scott Baker, 2nd 50-54 M, 27:38; Courtney Devries, 3rd 25-29 W, 27:38; Luke Dye, 3rd 10 & Under M, 27:43; Cindy Waltemire, 1st 65-69 W, 29:58; Madison Hersman, 2nd 13-15 W, 29:59; Lennyn Polinsky, 3rd 13-15, W, 30:34; Lisa Myers, 1st 60-64 W, 30:42; Dan Fazio, 2nd 55-59 M, 31:01; Lindsay McKissick, 2nd 30-34 W, 31:31; Vicki Brendlinger, 2nd 60-64 W, 31:34; Alena Rosenzweig, 3rd 16-19 W, 32:33; Rebecca Gannon, 1st 70+ W, 33:47; Carol Miller, 3rd 60-64 W, 35:57; Robert Sands, 2nd 70+ M, 37:09; Carol English, 2nd 65-69 W, 38:32; Valerie Sands, 2nd 70+ W, 40:39; Wyatt Bowman, 2nd 13-15 M, 41:36; Deborah Takacs, 2nd 55-59 W, 41:37; Ron Bennett, 3rd 70+ M, 42:37; Cheryl Chalmers, 3rd 65-69 W, 50:53; Nathan Ezykowsky, 1st 16-19 M, 54:35; David Toole, 23:21; Ben Edmondson, 25:37; Glenn Sharrar, 26:12; Morgan Verba, 27:00; Donald Super, 27:21; Megan Fowler, 27:28; Sanjay Dixit, 27:54; Kemper May, 28:01; Edwardo Martin, 28:30; Danielle Beitko, 28:40; Amy Polinsky, 28:40; Nick Hersman, 28:46; Kelsey Burris, 28:49; Carley Stoy, 28:56; Maura Dye, 28:56; Rebecca Rawlings, 28:59; Amanda Rhoads, 29:11; Ed Amrheih, 29:30; Edward Giorgetti, 29:36; Zoey Ulewicz, 30:33; Katie Shuty, 31:31; Andrew Fornadel, 31:40; Jeff Shuty, 32:01; Christopher Robinson, 32:41; Nellie Zuba, 32:42; Katie Forse, 33:12; Ben Gross, 33:58; Dan Miller, 34:06; Renee Miller, 34:06; Lucas Patton, 34:14; Tyler Balbierer, 34:32; Rosa Sinclair, 34:35; Isabella Shaffer, 34:36; Haley Yost, 34:36; Karen Hatheway, 34:44; Kathlene Toole, 35:10; Gemma Mitchell, 35:10; Madison Sharrar, 35:17; Brian Molcan, 37:50; Angela Hersman, 38:15; Sayde Wagner, 39:04; Ken Wagner, 39:04; Svetlana Tarassov, 39:25; David Murray, 39:40; Alyxzandria Gaydosik, 39:48; Tyler Gaydosik, 42:00; Maria Galat, 42:48; Barbara Nanna, 44:50; Laura Shandick, 46:20; Joe Betro, 48:12; Heather Efaw, 49:04; Jodi Kerr, 49:42; Craig Klingler, 50:53; Dawn Hansen, 50:53; Natalie Balbierer, 52:52; Ashley Super, 53:03; Samantha Smith, 54:35

Send comments and suggestions: Patricia Neubert, phone 724-352-4395, Email lotzak@consolidated.net

Pat Neubert is a running columnist for the Butler Eagle