This weekend, two area races celebrate the joy of running in completely different ways.

At 8 a.m. Saturday, the Saxonburg Festival of the Arts 5K takes its 21st tour of the small town. Its friendly, casual atmosphere recalls the vanishing rural way of life.

The run assembles at Saxonburg's Roebling Park, named for town founder John Roebling. Runners will want to save the free doughnut and coffee for after the race and also save time after finishing to tour the park's museum of local history.

The nearly level Saxonburg Festival 5K winds through a thoroughbred horse farm, where four-legged racers sometimes join the run from behind their rail fence. The course then loops back toward town for a short jaunt on flag-lined Main Street before a downhill dash to the finish at Roebling Park.

Although most of the 100 or so Saxonburg Festival 5K finishers are neighbors, newcomers are welcome. Participants represent a cross section of the community, with first-timers and walkers possibly outnumbering the experienced racers. Many make the run an annual family event and Knoch High school cross country coach Wes Brahler incorporates the Saxonburg Festival run into the team's training regimen.

Brahler took over coaching duties for the Knights from Festival 5K race director Les Shoop, a local sports icon, having coached varsity cross country, track and field and basketball over decades as a teacher at Knoch. Shoop also is a running legend with a streak of daily runs for decades and counting.

It's not too late to join the friends and neighbors at Saxonburg Festival 5K. Shoop said that many people wait until Saturday morning to sign up — after they check the weather report. Race-day registrants are welcome. Commemorative T-shirts might be limited on race day, but there will be plenty of doughnuts for everyone.

For information, call Shoop at 724-352-9325.

Sunday's Elorapalooza Memorial 5K-1 Mile Run, Walk, or Lollygag in North Park celebrates a different joy of running. The event marks the love of running in a life cut way too short.

Elora Geier, a seventh grader in the North Allegheny school district, lost her battle with leukemia in April. Elorapalooza celebrates Elora's love of running and participating in 5K races.

Elora was no stranger to fighting adversity and facing challenges. As a toddler, she was struck by a car and suffered a brain injury. Still, Elora loved school and her adaptive education.

She also loved running, completing her first race at the 2002 St. Barnabas 5K. According to her dad and race director Dan Geier, Elora wasn't concerned with her finishing time. She was happy just to run and to encourage fellow race participants along the way.

Elorapalooza seeks to continue Elora's joyful encouragement by opening the course to runners, walkers and physically challenged runners and walkers. Strollers and well-behaved dogs are also welcome on the out-and-back 5K or one-mile course which begins at North Park Boathouse.

Proceeds from the event benefit the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society and its fight against cancer or Elora's Memorial Scholarship Fund. The fund will award its first scholarship in 2007 to an area high school student who plans to major in special education in college.

Dan Geier reports that more than 250 runners have pre-registered for this first event, but participants are welcome to sign up on Sunday at the North Park Boathouse beginning at 7 a.m. for the 8 a.m. start.

For information, call 412-608-2134 or email geierhaus2000@yahoo.com. Visit www.ElorasHOPE.com.

Saturday, 7:45 a.m.: IKEA-Montour Trail Half Marathon, 5K Run and 5K Fun Walk, Robinson Township. Scenic half marathon on Montour Trail. 724-695-2638 or race@montourtrail.orgSaturday, 8:15 a.m.: Charleroi Little Great Race 5K Run-Walk, Charleroi. Each finisher receives a towel and gloves, and every 20th finisher receives a jacket. 724-489-4435 or www.littlegreatrace.comSaturday, 9 a.m.: Festival in the Woods 5K Run-Walk, Bradford Woods. Level to rolling, wooded course, post race festival with food, games & entertainment. 724-935-3135Saturday, 9 a.m.: Pizza Joe's 5K, New Castle. Starts at Pearson Park. arcdisaster@verizon.netSunday, 7:30 a.m.: Erie Marathon at Presque Isle, Erie. Also half marathon. 814-898-4472 or djcomi@adelphia.netSunday, 8 a.m.: Health America Half Marathon, Harrisburg. 717-232-9622 or chad.krebs@ymcaharrisburg.orgSunday, 9 a.m.: CCFA Guts & Glory Walk-Run, Pittsburgh. Non-competitive 5K to benefit Crohn's & Colitis Foundation of America. 800-627-6467 or www.GutsandGlory.orgSept. 15, 6 p.m.: Run for Liberty 5K Run and 2-Mile Walk, Moraine State Park. Benefits veterans' services. 724-368-9078 or echeman02@yahoo.comSept. 16, 8 a.m.: Run Shadyside 5K Run & Walk, Pittsburgh. Run through Shadyside neighborhood benefits Ronald McDonald House Charities and Chamber of Commerce. 412-683-2309 or www.thinkshadyside.comSept. 24, 9 a.m.: Richard S. Caliguir-City of Pittsburgh Great Race 10K, Frick Park, Pittsburgh. A classic for 29 years. A 5K run starts at 8. 412-255-2493 or online registration at www.RunGreatRace.comOct. 1, 9 a.m.: Johnstown YMCA Marathon and 10K, Johnstown. 814-535-8381

<B>St. Barnabas 5k, Aug. 4:</B> John Balouris, 1st Overall M, 15:46; Kristie Domis, 1st Overall W, 19:21; Katherine Reinhart, 2nd Overall W, 19:54; Cody Kier, 3rd 15-19 M, 16:54; Jerry Maher, 1st 40-44 M, 17:16; Tim Monfre, 2nd 45-49 M, 18:00; Rich Makin, 3rd 45-49 M, 18:18; John Neff, 1st 30-34 M, 18:29; Leslie Kramer, 1st 25-29 W, 20:14; Jim Neigh, 1st 55-59 M, 20:18; Bill Schmidt, 3rd 50-54 M, 20:24; Justin Achezinski, 3rd 20-24 M, 21:07; Sharyl Relic, 1st 45-49 W, 21:36; Joelle Scarnati, 2nd 15-19 W, 21:37; James Nagel, 2nd 60-64 M, 21:51; Shirley Macefe, 1st 55-59 W, 21:57; Lori Piedimonte, 2nd 40-44 W, 22:01Patricia Neubert, 2nd 50-54 W, 23:41; Erin Sondej, 2nd 20-24 W, 23:48; Ray English, 1st 70+ M, 23:52; Debbie Deddo, 3rd 45-49 W, 23:53; Ashley Brooks, 3rd 20-24 W, 24:08; Pam Kristoff, 3rd 35-39 W, 25:51; Lou Lodovico, 2nd 70+ M, 26:14; Ann Cheman, 2nd 55-59 W, 26:24; Barbara Nagel, 2nd 60-64 W, 27:43; Nancy Miller, 3rd 55-59 W, 28:23; Ruth Rubi, 1st 70+ W, 31:52; Virginia Hall, 3rd 60-64 W, 41:43; Margretta Lutz, 2nd 70+ W, 42:32; Janet Vensel, 1st 65-69 W, 47:20Nathan Achezinski, 18:05; Brian Forester, 18:19; Cameron Stauffer, 19:03; Jon McCullough, 19:09; Logan Elias, 19:11; Wayne Dailey, 19:15; Steel Flynn, 20:39; Steven Tehovnik, 20:49; Jake Montag, 20:51; William Knox, 20:55; John Millea, 21:01; Jeff Smith, 21:30; Eric Milasincic, 22:05; Sean Fox, 22:19; John Antinossi, 22:21; John Hackworth, 22:31; Tom Grame, 22:31; Beth Roitz, 22:31; Kristen Prazenica, 22:38; Roger Murray, 22:45; Lance Casler, 22:47; Bernard Flynn, 22:47; Adam Sondej, 22:56; Jim Osborne, 23:03; Bob Brown, 23:07; Adam Brockett, 23:12; Tom Henry, 23:19; Andrew Starr, 23:23; Emily Reinhart, 23:28; Buddy Turner, 23:35; Katie Roitz, 23:37; Brandon Gold, 23:44; Brian Sondej, 23:47Thomas Reinhart, 23:53; Kelli Hartman, 24:04; John Wetzel, 24:07; James Mortimer, 24:12; Tori Gressang, 24:12; Ed Doyle, 24:12; Susie Giovengo, 24:14; Dan Christo, 24:42; Kerri Allen, 24:51; Adam Milasincic, 24:53; Samantha Barley, 25:10; Jessie Desantis, 25:24; Dale Hockenberry, 25:26; Michelle Bamburak, 25:29; Kyle Deddo, 25:31; Shawn Hall, 25:40; Chris Sutton, 25:41; Brian Llewellyn, 26:17; Lee Mohan, 26:19; Joseph Spehar, 26:25; Stephen Roitz, 26:42; Michael Falvo, 26:48; Frank Piedimonte, 26:50; Jordan Barley, 26:52; Kelly Roitz, 27:07; Steve Beck, 27:08; Morgan Mary, 27:10; Ben Pfeiffer, 27:12; Mary Bickley, 27:24; Dennis Acon, 27:27; David Drake, 27:36; Robin Salisbury, 27:47; Luke Nelson, 28:09; Jake Nelson, 28:10; Beverley Heasley, 28:29; Frank Prazenica, 28:29Gary Golebiewski, 28:30; Corinne Gressang, 28:39; Dan Snyder, 28:43; George Wargo, 29:00; Kurt Stridinger, 29:05; Lisa Moss, 29:21; Bonnie Doyle, 29:23; Carla Osborne, 29:31; Rusty Pfeiffer, 29:42; Tom Sherer, 29:53; Michael Kerr, 30:04; Amy Barrett, 30:09; Ellen Hartman, 30:13; Carolyn Sabo, 30:41; Tom Vandling, 30:45; James Hodgson, 30:45; Terry Defalco, 30:58; Dean Pogas, 31:28; Kiley Pogas, 31:28; Jeanette Barley, 32:04; S. Christo, 32:05; Emily Wilkinson, 32:25; James Pfeiffer, 32:33; Jodi Hey, 32:44; Brenda Kronstain, 32:47; William Hartman, 32:48; Ron Bennett, 33:18; Amanda Ahlers, 33:33; Leslie Uriss-Spehar, 33:59Sonya Schmeider, 34:18; Ashley Pernazza, 34:43; Scott Kennedy, 34:56; Ken Deddo, 34:57; Evan Deddo, 34:57; Matthew Fennell, 35:22; Matt Fennell, 35:23; Nathan Piedimonte, 35:45; Sandra Wargo, 35:54; Lori Mortimer, 35:55; Fran Fuhrer, 36:40; Karen Monday, 38:32; Brandy Huff, 39:29; Molly Barrett, 40:09; Conor Barrett, 40:09; James Duchak, 42:21; Hannah Miller, 42:22; Michael Radella, 44:09; Karen Milasincic, 45:11; Rachel Milasincic, 45:11; Janet Bennett, 45:16; Cindi Hockenberry, 45:17; Karen Snyder, 45:18; Carol Green, 46:21; Debbie Reeping, 46:33; Marion Marty, 46:58; Lynda Thayer, 47:20; Lisa Vensel, 47:20; Michael Thayer, 47:21; Lisa Buchanan, 47:32; Virginia Sondej, 48:13; Robert Sondej, 48:13; Denny Barrett, 48:19Annetta Hardt, 48:32; Arda McAndrew, 51:44; Michaela Buchanan, 51:45; Alexandra Thayer, 52:44; Samantha Thayer, 52:44; Michele Mushinsky, 52:50; Tiffany Duster, 52:50; Becky Brandon, 53:27; Janice Clark, 53:45; Lisa Lynch, 53:46; Pamels Mohan, 55:34; Ingrid Tallarico, 55:40; Sam Tallarico, 55:41; Michele Fennell, 56:35; Laurie Jones, 58:29; Cindy Workman, 58:45; Andrea Workman, 58:46Send comments and suggestions to: 435 Cherry Valley Rd., Saxonburg, Pa. 16056. Phone or fax: 724-352-4395. Email: bigp16@connecttime.net