North Park in nearby Allegheny County is popular with area runners. This Saturday, two separate 5k races take place on familiar park road courses at 9 a.m.

The first annual Dyngus Day Dash 5k runs from North Park Boathouse. The race, organized by the Pittsburgh Chapter of the Kosciuszko Foundation, commemorates the Polish Dyngus Day holiday.

Dyngus Day falls on Easter Monday and is a frivolous contrast to the somber Lenten season just past. Poles worldwide celebrate Dyngus Day with parades, parties, traditional Polish food and music. The largest Dyngus Day observance in the USA is in Buffalo, N.Y.,and lasts the entire week.

Michele Mrozek is co-race coordinator with her sister Jenene Cwalina. Both are members of the 35-40 member Pittsburgh Kosciuszko Foundation Chapter. The foundation was created in 1925 and named for Thaddeus Kosciuszko, military strategist, engineer and freedom fighter of the 1800s.

Kosciuszko fought for the American Revolution and donated his salary as General to freeing African slaves. He then returned to his Polish homeland to lead an uprising against the Russian Empire in 1794.

Michele credits the chapter president's daughter, Caroline Ellena, for the idea for the 5k.

“Caroline thought this would be a fun way to introduce younger people to Polish culture and to our chapter,” Michele says. “We usually promote our culture through concerts, movies and books, but want to reach out to the next generation.”

As of Monday, 167 participants had registered for the event. There will be registration and packet pickup on Thursday from 6-8 p.m. and on race day beginning at 7:30 a.m. at the Boathouse parking lot. Runners, walkers, kids and friendly dogs on leashes are welcome.

Race morning festivities include polka music and pierogis, what Michele refers to as “Polish comfort food” donated by Pierogis Plus. Special guest Pierogi Pete will be on hand for photos before and after the run.

Dyngus Day Dash 5k offers competitive awards along to first overall, youth 14 and under and masters male and female finishers. All youths receive commemorative ribbons and candy bars. Register online for this Saturday's Dyngus Day Dash 5k at secure.getmeregistered.com/get_information.php?event_id=133443. For more information about the Kosciuszko Foundation, visit www.thekf.org/kf/?.

On the other side of North Park at the same time, Run Across Guatemala 5k Run and 1 Mile Walk races help the more than 80 children of Patzun Orphanage. Funds raised through this event will pay for food, clothing, upkeep of the orphanage and medical treatments for the kids ranging in age from infancy through 17.

This is the fifth year for the 5k fundraiser, organized by a mission group of St. Richard's Church in Gibsonia. In 2000, the church group kept the orphanage from closing and has been its main support since then. Race director Jean Gabor has been a part of this group since its inception and has been to the orphanage 25 times to deliver supplies and to aid in work projects.

Jean credits church member Anna Marie Cerminera for the idea and success of the 5k.

“She was still in high school,” Jean recalls, “and she did an amazing job.”

Saturday's event starts at Harmar Pavilion in the North Park Pool area and runs a popular 5k course. Day of event registration opens at 8:15 a,m. T-shirts are available on first come, first served basis.

This is a family friendly event, including strollers and dogs on leashes. Participants must wear masks when not running. Water is available on the course as well as catered refreshments following the event.

There are competitive awards for first overall male and female finishers in the 5k and 1 Mile Walk with age group awards in the 5k for 19 and Under through 60+.

For more information, visit runsignup.com/Race/PA/AllisonPark/RunAcrossGuatemala5k

Saturday, 9 a.m.: Buck Ridge Burn Trail Half Marathon and 5k, Gardners. Challenging trail runs. falconracetiming.com/event/buck-ridge-burn-trail-half-marathon-5k-gardners-pa/Saturday, 9 a.m.: Run Across Guatemala 5k, Allison Park. Starts at Harmar Pavilion in North Park, benefits orphanage in Guatemala. runsignup.com/Race/PA/AllisonPark/RunAcrossGuatemala5kSaturday, 9 a.m.: Dyngus Day 5k, Allison Park. Run starts at North Park Boat House. 703-237-0085 or mmrozek@frpark.com. Online registration at secure.getmeregistered.com/get_information.php?event_id=133443Saturday, 9 a.m.: Dirty Kiln Trail Races at Canoe Creek State Park, Hollidaysburg. Choice of 10k or half marathon trail race. This event is sold out. www.alleghenytrailrunners.com/dirty-kiln-trail-race/Sunday, 8 a.m.: 10 Mile Drop, Fairport Harbor, OH. Run this point-to-point course individually, as a 2-person relay or virtually. runsignup.com/Race/OH/FairportHarbor/20MileDrop10MileDropApril 18, 8 a.m.: Run Ytown 5 and 10 Miler, Canfield, OH. Also virtual option. runsignup.com/Race/OH/Canfield/RunYtown5and10Miler?aflt_token=HrZcYWJT57TH3GH4vWg7QL584fEmdOnK&r=YApril 24, 9 a.m.: On the Dam Que Trail Relay, Hooversville. Scenic 34-milerun around Quemahoning Reservoir individually or as a relay for teams of 2 to 4 runners. 814-244-2270 or stephdaniels72@gmail.comApril 24, 9 a.m.: Warrior 5k Run/Walk, Monaca. Starts at Central Valley High School. 412-908-2769 or jchirico@centralvalleysd.net. Register online at https://runsignup.com/Race/PA/Monaca/Warrior5KWalkRunApril 24, 10 a.m.: Indiana Donut Dash 5k, Indiana. Starts behind Miller Stadium at IUP Campus. runsignup.com/Race/PA/Indiana/DonutDash2018?aflt_token=HrZcYWJT57TH3GH4vWg7QL584fEmdOnK&r=YApril 24, 10 a.m.: MKG Half Marathon (MCTA Marathon Series Race 3), Sandy Lake. Run on paved bike trail around Lake Wilhelm. 724-301-6775 or races@mctrails.net. Register online at www.mctrails.org/eventsMay 1, 7:30 a.m.: #ImpactRun 5k, Grove City. Held at Grove City Prime Outlets. 724-923-3022 or register online at https://secure.getmeregistered.com/get_information.php?event_id=135417May 1, 8:30 a.m.: Run to Breathe Half Marathon and 5k, Portersville. Starts at McDanel's Boat Launch, Pavilion #7 in Moraine State Park. Also virtual options. 724-841-6528 or bonnherb@yahoo.com. Online registration at runsignup.com/Race/PA/Portersville/RunToBreatheHalfMarathon5KMay 1, 10 a.m.: Warrior Battalion 5k Run/Walk and Ruck, Indiana. Out and back on Hoodlebug Rail Trail. runsignup.com/Race/PA/Indiana/Warrior5kMay 2, 7 a.m.: Latonka Marathon, Mercer. Run at Lake Latonka limited to 100 runners. 724-866-1374 or smc@runhigh.com. Online registration opens March 17 secure.getmeregistered.com/get_information.php?event_id=135356May 2, 8 a.m.: Ghost Creek Half Marathon, Black Lick. Run on Ghost Town Trail through scenic Blacklick Creek Valley. runsignup.com/Race/PA/BlackLick/GhostCreekHalfMarathonMay 2: Pittsburgh Marathon, Half Marathon and Relay. This is a virtual event this year. www.thepittsburghmarathon.comMay 12, 6:30 p.m.: Muskie 5k Mini Marathon and 2 Mile Walk, Jamestown. Scenic run at Pymatuning State Park. Also virtual option. Heather.harmon@jasdmuskies.com or register online at runsignup.com/Race/PA/Jamestown/Muskie5kand2MileWalkJune 19, 9 a.m.: 46th Annual Butler Road Race 5 Mile and 2k Run/Walk, Butler. Early bird discount registration now until April 17. https://bcfymca.org/Butler-Road-Race

Ellport 5k, March 13: Chase Waldschmidt, 1st Overall M, 16:31; Kaitland Schrantz, 1st Overall W, 19:25; Travis Ritenour, 1st 20-29 M, 21:17; Rich Sandala, 1st 50-59 M, 21:54; Jim Gallagher, 2nd 50-59 M, 21:54; Mitch Radella, 3rd 50-59 M, 22:36; Jamie Shouse, 3rd 20-29 W, 23:52; David Suber, 3rd 60-69 M, 23:55; Cindy Suber, 2nd 60-69 W, 28:02; Tony Sunseri, 2nd 70-74 M, 30:50; Marina Paradise, 3rd 50-59 W, 34:32; Dezso Csizmadia, 3rd 80+ M, 50:48John Armstrong, 25:19; Hattie Brasseur, 27:02; Riley Gallagher, 27:24; Sean Harcar, 27:51; Zachary Porter, 28:28; Lucas Porter, 28:37; Jerry Porter, 28:38; Angelica Mason, 28:52; Debra Kuminkoski, 44:23Kiski Area Shamrock 5k, March 20: Jacob Halasowski, 1st Overall M, 16:36; Kennedy Quinlan, 1st Overall W, 21:16; John Rhoden, 1st 15-18 M, 19:35; Jay Jones, 2nd 40-49 M, 21:26; Vanessa Snyder, 1st 30-39 W, 23:05; Alex Levandoski, 3rd 30-39 M, 23:19; Duncan Jones, 3rd 19-29 M, 32:30; Tyler Moretti, 22:44; Amanda Blough, 25:32; Kourtney Lampel, 29:12; Troy Stiffler, 34:27; Keti McKaskey, 36:09; Mason Hallstrom, 46:33; Katie Davis, 50:26; Rocko Hallstrom, 51:57; Campbell Curry, 57:01Best Buddies 5k, March 27: Mark Collins, 1st Overall M, 20:08; Nicole Corsi, 1st Overall W, 24:37; Reagan Donahue, 1st 15-19 M, 20:51; Jon Lauer, 1st 20-39 M, 22:10; Ethan Horne, 2nd 20-39 M, 22:36; Travis Ritenour, 3rd 20-39 M, 22:41; Kevin Condon, 1st 40-59 M, 24:28; Jeffrey Lineman, 3rd 40-59 M, 25:10; John Mckivigan, 1st 60+ M, 25:25; Jamie Shouse, 1st 20-39 W, 25:36; Alyssa Lawson, 2nd 40-59 W, 26:00; Nikki Sich, 2nd 40-59 W, 26:07; Logan Diaz, 2nd 14 & Under M, 30:26; Dakota Schnur, 1st 14 & Under W, 35:53; Aspen Schnur, 2nd 14 & Under W, 35:54; Katherine White, 1st 15-19 W, 41:56; Alex Tvaroha, 25:08; Cory Mulligan, 26:21; Justin McCandless, 27:01; Tricia Shaefer, 28:13; Carrie Birckbichler-Smith, 28:25; Hattie Brasseur, 28:46; Sean Harcar, 29:12; Brad Pontius, 30:16; Matt Nocera, 30:27; Amy Bodamer, 31:30; Kayla Yepez, 32:30; Kimberlee Dickey, 33:06; Andrew Moulton, 34:20; Robyn Holz, 35:20; Gabriel Jolly, 39:38; Jody Schnur, 45:33; Michael Green, 51:57Best Buddies 1 Mile, March 27: Camden Schaefer, 9:50; Chloe Schaefer, 10:30; Matthew Shaefer, 10:31; Mason Kraynik, 10:48; Carter Kraynik, 10:59; Jillian Clark, 11:49; Megan Baggetta, 11:48; Finley Werth, 12:33; Devyn Werth, 12:33; Liliana Milligan, 12:53; Aubrey Wilkinson, 13:02; Mollie Riggenbach, 14:00; Sam rown, 14:35; Justin Werth, 15:08; Julie Hobbs, 15:19; Savannah Colteryahn, 15:38; Jamie Colteryahn, 15:38; Michael Gehlmann, 15:38; Norah Gehlmann, 15:38; Tyler Fazio, 15:39; Max Gianneski, 15:39; John Mckivigan, 15:51; Connor Mckivigan, 15:51; Cole Amuske, 16:03; Bennett Ambuske, 16:04; Evie Ambuske, 16:38; Grace Ambuske, 16:39; Mike Ambuske, 16:42; Jennifer Moulton, 17:48; Jordan Gehlmann, 17:57; Braxton Long, 18:22; Cassidy Gizler, 18:32; Ashley Mccandless, 18:33; Tonya Green, 18:43; Dakota Radovitch, 18:58; Christen Negich, 19:44; Brando Negich, 19:49; Brittnee Hammonds, 20:03; Maddox Hammonds, 20:04; Denise Hobaugh, 20:08; 20:08; Jackson Froilan, 20:08; Keith Hobaugh, 20:09; Wayne Fazzino, 20:12; Angela Nini, 20:13; Eugene Tomsky, 20:40; Debbie Yeager, 20:40; Colleen Gianneski, 20:50; Ron Gianneski, 20:50; Shannon Fazio, 20:51; Patrick Hammonds, 21:04; Jack Hammonds, 21:-4; Keegan Riggenbach, 21:44; Elizabeth Moulton, 23:32; Luke Moulton, 23:32; Bill Cress, 28:39; Karen Cress, 28:39Send comments and suggestions: Patricia Neubert. Phone 724-352-4395. Email lotzak@consolidated.net<i>Pat Neubert is a running columnist for the Butler Eagle</i>