I’ve run for more than 30 years, but I’d never run an event like last Saturday’s Runnin’ Outta Our Mine 5K in Wampum.

More than 500 runners completed the run through the limestone mines of the Underground Archives storage facility.

The idea for the race developed from a discussion between two runners: Jim Pitts, who wanted to run a winter race, and Michael Wish, the facility’s owner.

Pitts and Wish enlisted the expertise of Ellwood City’s Herb Cratty to lay out and measure the course, and to time the event.

Cratty said it wasn’t easy to lay out the course which wound through the underground streets of the mine and around giant limestone pillars.

“I remeasured it four times,” Cratty said.

Cratty’s course began with a paved and well-lighted quarter-mile straightaway, which thinned the field before entering the dim interior of the mine, the winter home of more than 8,000 boats and trailers.

The final half-mile of wide and straight pavement allowed for some competitive jostling before the finish line just outside the mine entrance.

The race ended outside because the high metal content of the mine would have interrupted the timing system.

After Herb set the route, Underground Archives made several improvements to the course to make it more easy to use. Workers filled potholes and packed the uneven surface. They also hung caution tape between the pillars of the mine to ensure that no one got lost —- one of my biggest fears in running this event.

After the race, we basked in the 55-degree windless weather of the mine while winter blustered just down the hall and enjoyed footed as we waited for the awards ceremony.

Since logistics prevent expanding the field beyond 500 runners, alternatives such as holding separate men’s and women’s starts have been suggested.

Check www.smileymiles.com for a future date.

Marathon closing soon

Don’t wait. Registration for the Pittsburgh Marathon, Half Marathon and Team Relay is 90 percent filled. If you wish to be one of the 18,000 runners and walkers on May 15, visit www.pittsburghmarathon.com.

When all the spots are taken, a limited number will be available through one of the partnering charities. A 5K also will be announced Saturday of marathon weekend to include more participants who might be shut out of the main events.

Upcoming events

Saturday, 8 a.m.: Up-N-Running Group Run, Valencia. 724-898-2525 or shoes@runpa.com

Saturday, 10 a.m.: Spring Thaw, North Park. Choice of 10, 15 or 20 miles. Great post race food. 412-490-0881 or ksmith@eliterunners.com

March 5, 11 a.m.: Ellport Borough Winter Wonderland 5K, Ellwood City. 724-758-2506 or bonnherb@yahoo.com

March 6, 8:30 a.m.: Athletic Trainer River Run, Pittsburgh. Choice of 5K or 1-mile runs, starts at UPMC Sports Medicine Center, South Side. 412-432-3770 or sanchioligi@upmc.edu

March 6, 8:45 a.m.: Mill Creek Distance Classic Half Marathon and 5K, Youngstown, Ohio. 330-726-6070 or ytownrunners.org

March 12, 9 a.m.: Leprechaun Leap Distance Festival, Erie. Choice of 10K or 5K in Presque Isle State Park. 814-580-8330 or jimlang@bigwhitetrailer.com

March 12, 9 a.m.: St. Paul’s March Mad Dash, North Park. 412-585-2361

March 12, 9:30 a.m.: St. Patrick’s Day 5K Run, New Brighton. 724-495-9417 or hilfinger@newbrightonborough.org

March 19, 7:30 a.m.: Lt. J.C. Stone 50K Ultra Marathon, North Park. 412-366-8740 or www.jcstone50k.com

March 19, 8 a.m.: The Shamrock Challenge 10 Mile Run, Harmony. 724-321-4265 or joella@zoominternet.net

March 19, 10:15 a.m.: The Shamrock Challenge 5K Run and Walk and 1-Mile Family Fun Run and Walk, Harmony. 724-321-4265 or joella@zoominternet.net

Race results

Cupid’s Chase 5K, Feb. 12: Brandon Gillingham, 1st Overall M, 16:35; Anne-Marie Alderson, 1st Overall W, 21:37; Sarah Gill, 3rd Overall W, 22:25; Mitch Radella, 1st 45-49 M, 20:08; Katie Lutz, 1st 13-15 W, 23:04; Justin Stirling, 3rd 30-34 M, 23:29; Michael Lacey, 3rd 25-29 M, 27:53; Christina Dugan, 1st 30-34 W, 28:40; Theresa Montag, 2nd 50-54 W, 49:24; Henry Bernacki, 26:53; Manal Jordan, 28:38; Sarah Waldenville, 29:41; Keenan Sukits, 30:32; Heidi Wolanin, 30:50; Amy Yurocko, 31:27; Robin Lutz, 33:20; Lawrence Han, 33:33; Jenni Loeffler, 34:11; Kimberly Salancy, 37:30; Kimberley McBryar, 39:48; Jocelyn Couch, 45:10; Stephanie Haase, 46:34

Runnin’ Outta Our Mines 5K, Feb. 19: Joshua Hayden, 1st Overall M, 16:26; Gianna Guerino, 1st Overall W, 19:46; David Snyder, 3rd 30-34 M, 18:48; Dean Rippee, 1st 55-59 M, 20:26; Holly Bauer, 1st 35-39 W, 21:58; Curt Grimm, 2nd 60-64 M, 22:10; Dorothy Moxie, 2nd 45-49 W, 22:26; Ronald Schoentag, 3rd 55-59 M, 23:27; Patricia Neubert, 1st 55-59 W, 24:00; Kelli Hartman, 2nd 20-24 W, 24:20; John Antinossi, 2nd 65-69 M, 27:47; Cindy Grimm, 2nd 55-59 W, 27:51Jason Brehm, 19:00; Jeffrey Platt, 19:20; Rich Makin, 19:49; Mitch Radella, 20:00; Greg Schiller, 21:14; Scott Brown, 22:03; Rich Landgraf, 22:12; Mark Shipley, 22:18; Aaron Depew, 22:50; Quentin Jorgerson, 25:02; Pamela MacMurdo, 25:44; Robert MacMurdo, 25:45; Lynn Brehm, 26:00; Angela Mencer, 27:05; Scott Baker, 27:23; Mark VandeWater, 27:38; Heather Oros, 28:07; Summer Fowler, 28:07Tammi Landgraf, 28:33; Sherrie Mazurek, 28:48; Dan Borchert, 28:49; Joan Schilling, 28:51; Michael Bertucci, 29:07; Karey VandeWater, 29:14; Sherrie May, 29:23; Mary Morgan, 29:31; Jason Wisniewski, 29:48; Daniel Morgan, 29:53; Rebekah Simmons, 30:04; Autumn Heinz, 30:34; Kelley Davis, 31:15; Stacie Doughty, 31:25Laura Augustine, 31:41; Patrick Mencer, 32:03; Heidi McLaughlin, 32:24; Ben Houston, 32:27; Kirstie Priester, 32:47; Gina Taliaferri, 32:53; Randy Simmons, 33:59; James Mentzer, 34:49; Kate Murray, 34:59; David Murray, 34:59; Carla Priester, 35:04; Lynn Stewart, 35:48; Mary Johnson, 35:55Jared Kronstain, 36:19; Zac Baker, 36:49; Aleena Parenti, 38:08; Tom Parenti, 38:09; Debra Kuminkoski, 38:59; Grace Morgan, 42:11; Gabrielle Anthony, 42:27; Denise Gerard, 42:45 Lily Murray, 47:34; Al Lane, 47:37; Julia Murray, 47:37; Angela Hall, 53:18Send comments and suggestions to: 435 Cherry Valley Road, Saxonburg PA 16056. Phone: 724-352-4395. Email:lotzak@consolidated.netPat Neubert is the running columnist for the Butler Eagle.