With 23 years of increasing participation numbers, many races would hesitate to make changes.

Last Sunday’s Gatorade/Steelers 5K Race, Fitness Walk and Kids’ Kickoff Run proves that even a successful event can change for the better.

Many runners have had a love/hate relationship with the Gatorade/Steelers 5K. The event offers an almost level course, dramatic finish on Heinz Field and great awards and random drawing prizes, including Steeler game tickets, apparel and autographed memorabilia. It’s also renowned for its hot and shadeless concrete, late starting time and dangerously crowded first few minutes.

Last year’s start offered some relief from the pushing crowd with the addition of starting mats for chip timing. But this year, organizers took the quality of the event to a higher level.

This year’s race started on time due in part to expanded packet pick-up opportunities. Participants were offered early packet pick-up at Heinz Field on Friday prior to the race.

Additional volunteers on race day expedited day of event registration and packet pick up in the Great Hall for preregistered runners.

The 2011 Gatorade/Steelers 5K retained the excitement of the finish on Heinz Field while making the course even faster. A new route eliminated some of the bends and turns from the original 5K by running on the Northshore’s Riverwalk instead of city streets.

Once the field spread out, it was easy to make the turn to head straight back toward the stadium on a parallel street.

The Riverwalk is narrow, but wave starts made its use practical this year for the 5K run and walk. The nearly 3,000 participants had plenty of room to stretch out, even on the single-lane Riverwalk.

In previous years the start of the Gatorade/Steelers 5K was a dangerous free-for-all as faster runners caught in the back of the pack pushed through slower runners and walkers in an attempt to find open running space.

And walkers, young children and parents with jogging strollers were nearly flattened by the crush of runners.

This year, runners were urged to line up in corrals based on anticipated finishing time. Walkers and strollers lined up appropriately in the back. Only those who legitimately had a chance to win the race toed the starting line with those who planned to finish in 21 minutes or less also starting in the first wave.

Although based on the honor system, most runners seemed to seed themselves in the appropriate corrals. The starter released each corral in three-minute intervals, insuring adequate running room for everyone.

Gatorade/Steelers 5K has more than doubled in size in the past ten years and continues to attract fast regional runners. Repeat overall winner Jed Christiansen of Greenville and women’s winner Cheryl Collins-Gatons of Greensburg posted excellent finishing times, 14:44 and 17:34, respectively.

Upcoming events

Saturday, 8 a.m.: Saxonburg Festival of the Arts 5K, Saxonburg. 724-898-2525 or mlkletzli@embarqmail.com

Saturday, 8 a.m.: UPMC Urgent Care Montour Half Marathon and 5K, Robinson Township. New start location. 412-490-0881 or www.eliterunners.com

Saturday, 9 a.m.: Lee Foster Memorial 5 Mile Run, St. Marys. 814-834-2470 or jenjoe92@yahoo.com

Sept. 10, 10 a.m.: Heritage Hustle 5K Run and 2 Mile Fun Walk, Slickville. Out and back on Westmoreland Heritage rail trail. 724-733-4259 or settler@comcast.net

Sept. 11, 5 p.m.: Run to Remember 5K, West Kittanning. 724-548-7536 or leighharvey@windstream.net

Sept. 13, 7 p.m.: Quality Life Services 5K, Worthington. Run at Sugar Creek Rest. www.qualitylifeservices.com

Sept. 17, 7:30 a.m.: Grandparents Race 10 Mile, 5K and 1 Mile, Zelienople. Also kids fun run. 724-321-4265 or joella@zoominternet.net

Sept. 17, 8 a.m.: Youngstown Ultra Classic 25K and 50K Trail Runs, Youngstown. Run consecutive loops though Mill Creek Park. The 25K distance is now sold out. 330-638-0814 or www.neotrail.org

Sept. 17, 8:30 a.m.: Peanut Butter Festival 5K, New Bethlehem. Also mountain bike race beginning at 10:30 a.m. rlhinda@yahoo.com

Sept. 17, 8:30 a.m.: Green River Trail Heroes 15K and 5K, Millsboro. Run along Greene River Trail. 724-627-5541 or arinehart@alltell.net

Sept. 17, 3 p.m.: Pittsburgh Hash House Harriers Red Dress Run/ Jog/ Hike, Pittsburgh. Starts at Church Brew Works, benefits Petrolia child suffering from a blood disorder. 724-234-3052 or www.pgh-h3.com

Sept. 18, 7 a.m.: Erie Marathon, Half Marathon and 5K. Run at Presque Isle State Park. 814-504-2631 or eriemarathon.org

Sept. 24, 9 a.m.: Madden Memorial 5K Run/ Walk, Slippery Rock. www.patmadden5k.org

Sept. 24, 9 a.m.: Pechin Red Dress 5K Run and 2 Mile Walk, Dunbar. Benefits American Heart Association. 724-626-8882, ext. 103

Sept. 25, 8 a.m.: ECD 5K by the Lake, Jamestown. Run at Pymatuning Lake. 440-812-1784 or harmon27@windstream.net

Sept. 25, 8 a.m.: Richard S. Caliguiri City of Pittsburgh Great Race 5K, Pittsburgh. New starting time. 412-255-2493 or www.rungreatrace.com

Sept. 25, 9:30 a.m.: City of Pittsburgh Great Race 10K, Pittsburgh. The original race from Frick Park to downtown. 412-255-2493 or www.rungreatrace.com

Oct. 1, 9 a.m.: Autumn Leaf Festival 10K and 5K, Clarion. 814-226-8760 or clarionunitedway@verizon.net

Oct. 1, 9 a.m.: Small and Mighty 5K in memory of Candice Berner, Portersville. Run at Moraine State Park. 724-504-7851 or daniellekelly@trulyyounique.com

Oct. 2, 8 a.m.: ZooZilla 5K Run/ Walk, Pittsburgh. Run through Pittsburgh Zoo and PPG Aquarium. 412-365-2536 or rentals@pittsburghzoo.com

Oct. 2, 9:30 a.m.: Oktoberfest Classic 10K, Minster, OH. Cash prizes for top 10 men and women, masters and grand masters. 937-441-1342 or okt10k@yahoo.com

Oct. 8, 9 a.m.: Applefest Race a Race for Any Pace, Franklin. 814-432-2138 or www.franklinymca.org

Oct. 8, 9 a.m.: Good Samaritan Hospice 5K, North Park. 724-352-1571, ext. 8363 or jmcintire@concordialm.org

Oct. 8, 9 a.m.: Crisis Shelter of Lawrence County 5K Run-Walk, New Castle. Run at Pearson Park. 724-758-8662 or www.crisisshelter.org

Oct. 8, 9 a.m.: Mahoning Shuffle Half Marathon and 5K, Punxsutawney. amytaladay@gmail.com

Race results

Gatorade/ Steelers 5K, Sept. 4: Jed Christianson,1st Overall M,14:44; Cheryl Collins-Gatons,1st Overall W,17:34; Dean Rippee,1st Masters M,18:06; Heather Melzer,1st Masters W,19:31; Sharyl Relic,3rd 50-54 W,21:04; Dorothy Moxie,3rd 45-49 W,23:07; Patricia Neubert,2nd 55-59 W,24:36; Margretta Lutz,1st 75+ W,33:40; Christopher Papp,18:17; Matthew Sudak,19:00; Bill Schmidt,19:50; Kevin Cramer,20:34; Sean Dolan,21:11; Christopher Barto,21:27; Seth Eismann,21:27; Lindsey Fratto,22:00; Dana Longwell,22:04; Nicholas Brosius,22:06; Jeffrey Gray,22:08; Ron Hartle,22:17; Laura Hatch,22:20; Nick Kijowski,22:29; John Daley,22:32; Alex Longwell,22:39; Brandon Fratto,22:51; Megan Kidder,23:04; Kasey Stewart,23:04; Jeff Hans,23:11; Jason Acerra,23:20; Franklin Wilson,23:31; Camden Seybert,23:33; Sara Coon,23:37; James Houser,23:46; Ashley Boyers,23:52; Shay Houser,23:52; Matt Heasley,23:53; Tavis Lommock,24:05; Steve Smith,24:06; Bill Snider,24:10; Rich Lommock,24:12; Dan Mitchell,24:22; Andrea Spratt,24:23; Jeff Hartzell,24:27; Jeff Mrozek,24:27; Darrell Smith,24:28;Daniel Christo,24:39; Jim Seles,24:42; Greg Fender,24:51; Carrie Smith,24:54; Landon Wood,25:05; Seth Willoughby,25:14; David Palascak,25:16; Mark Straub,25:25; Brendan Muckian-Bates,25:26; Brian Crescini,25:35; Mike Seybert,25:47; Buddy Turner,25:50; Mike McDonald,26:01; Courtney Shandick,26:10; Mark Longwell,26:17; Alysia Cagno,26:18; Rob Hudeck,26:21; Carter Shandick,26:30; Amanda Cagno,26:31; Michael Limbacher, 26:34; David Caldwell,26:37; Jim Csonka,26:37; Rose Caryl Brandberg,26:38; Kristen Oschenhirt,26:42; Derrick Lutz,26:42; Angie Stormer,26:49; Robert Lally,26:55; Eng Tan,27:00; Amy Leonard,27:03; Donna Latsko,27:03; Andrew Smith,27:06; Sean Pieszak,27:13; John Davis,27:15; Joseph Pronic,27:16; Chrissy Kaufman,27:20; Patricia Hudeck,27:27; Abby Burnsw,27:29; Everett Burns,27:30; Amy Blake,27:46; Dana Sabo,27:51; Gregory Silliman,27:52; Jake Longwell,27:54; Jay Dawson,28:05; Ronald Norton,28:22; Amy Lutz,28:24; Tim Cammisa,28:30; Chris Papp,28:39; Tara Gilson,28:50; Tyler Flood,28:53; Michael Flood,28:54; Adanm Benjamin,28:54; Ashley Benjamin,28:54; Kira Lyndon,29:00; David Bates,29:07; Eileen Wrubel,29:09; Dale Shandick,29:14; Samantha Maley,29:15; Sam Anderson,29:15; Kyle Anderson,29:15; Lori McClafferty,29:21; Sharon Barlow,29:27; Amy Beth Murray,29:30; Beth Graham,29:32; Kelly Gillespie,29:37; Melissa Limpert,29:40; Stephani MacCaglia,29:48; Sean Priore,29:48; Alexa Bolena,29:57; Karina Latsko,29:57; Edna Davis,30:03; Taryn Latsko,30:05; Vicki Fender,30:06; Cheryl Lommock,30:07; Brandy Kunsman,30:14; Richards Baron,30:35; Raymond Smith,30:36; Jim Klanica,30:42; Hank Mathlage,30:51; Angela Rothbauer,31:02; Tedd Nesbit,31:06; Linda Bolena,31:25; Lauren Sauer,31:31; Allison Kidder,31:32; John Kidder,31:32; Richard Foukes,31:32; Cindy Daley,31:53; Emily Kristoff,31:54; Pamela Kristoff,31:54; Justin Southwell,32:09; Jay Zitkovich,32:17; Lorrie Southwell,32:19; Bridget Morris,32:29; Amber Cable,32:42; Maria Cashdollar,32:43; Vickie Turner,32:46; Jack Harding,33:54; Michael Shutty,34:12; Michael Zatchey,34:29; Jennifer Zatchey,34:30; John Dillon,34:35; Elizabeth Ranella,34:57; Paul Dulski,34:57; Patricia Villalobos,35:54; Vanessa Villalobos,35:54; Chris Saxton,35:58; Fran Fuhrer,36:39; Jillian Zilcovich,36:50; Julie Zilkovich,36:50; Jake Zilcovich,36:50; Robbie Lipke,36:55; Richard Lipke,36:55; Suzanne Mrozek,37:40; Darla Meder,37:41; Fawne Thomas,37:46; Carleen Burns,37:49; Kate Burns,37:50; Gianna Petrella,38:08; Danielle Waters,38:08; Dena Petrella,38:08; Rebecca Zahora,38:09; Christy Welton,38:12; Timothy Cashdollar,39:08; Jessica Lynch,39:16; William Maxson,39:33; George Dillon,39:48; Crystal Lechien,41:14; Frank Gavula,41:20; Miranda Deffenbaugh,43:18; Jen Beachem,43:46; Steve Deffenbaugh,44:31; Michael Latsko,44:51; Donna Birckbichler,44:59; Tom Turner,45:20; Mike Radella,46:31; Sarah McMaster,47:03; Ethan McMaster,47:04; Amy Lynch,47:41; John Lynch,47:41; Joshua Shoemaker,47:50; Warren Alper,47:56; Sheri McMaster,48:16; Rachel Sandale,52:32; Debbie Sandala,52:58; Michele Connellan,53:44; Sarah Klanica,54:59; Cara Fratto,55:10; Stephanie Shoemaker,55:12; John Aldridge,55:22; Debra Aldridge,55:39

Send comments and suggestions: Patricia Neubert, 435 Cherry Valley Rd., Saxonburg, Pa. 16056. Phone 724-352-4395. Email lotzak@consolidated.net

Pat Neubert is a running columnist for the Butler Eagle