Easter is a holiday of awakening, rebirth and joy for the Christian community. Although I'll worship at my home church this Sunday, some in our area will sit in a pew under the light of Running Jesus.

While most church windows illuminate pensive Jesus, majestic Jesus and kind Jesus, the round window above the altar in Holy Sepulcher Church in Valencia shows a joyous Jesus running from the open tomb, arms raised in victory.

At least that's my insight into the artwork.

The church secretary at Holy Sepulcher chuckled when I inquired about the design origins of Running Jesus.

"Actually, I think he's ascending," she explained.

Maybe it's just the power of suggestion, since the first time I saw Running Jesus in stained glass was at the wedding of two running friends. But Jesus running for joy makes sense.

If you've watched toddlers, you understand running for joy. Children who are learning to run don't need a purpose. They run because it feels good to be free, to watch scenery go by at a faster pace, to challenge someone to chase them.

And anyone who's seen fourth graders bolt from the school door to the recess playground understands running for joy.

In some ways, we never outgrow that childhood sense of running for joy. As soon as I get home from work, I can't wait to bolt from the door and run down the road. Although I usually have a plan, the destination isn't that important. The real goals is the feeling of freedom and power you get.

In running, as with many everyday activities, we can lose that sense of joy. We load our running with purpose —- weight-loss plans, cholesterol numbers, etc. The destination becomes the goal and we look past the activity.

Purpose isn't a bad thing — as long as it's not the only thing. Once in a while we need to forget the watch and the calorie counter and dash out the door like a fourth grader. We need to splash through puddles and laugh like toddlers. And we need to feel the victory in the freedom of doing, not the results on the clock.

Let's make this Easter a day of celebration. Run with joy.

Saturday, 8 a.m.: Up-N-Running Group Run, Valencia. 724-898-2525Saturday, 8 a.m.: Hot Harry's North Park Runners Group Run, North Park. Meet at Stone Field. Same on Sunday morning.Saturday, 8:30 a.m.: Martha's 10K Run and 2-Mile Fun Run, Mt. Lebanon. Starts at Mt. Lebanon High School, also 1- mile walk and children's races for ages 10 and under. 412-456-2859 or rfr@muslaw.comSaturday, 10 a.m.: Fool's Run 10K and 3-Mile Fun Walk, Indiana. First leg of Indiana County Triple Crown. 724-349-0501 or jswauger@comcast.netApril 14, 9 a.m.: Deloitte Run Your Heart Out 15K and 5K, South Park. Run through South Park benefits Highmark Caring Place grief center. 412-402-5012 or www.deloitte.com/us/15kApril 14, 9 a.m.: Great Shamokin Path 5K Run-Walk, Rural Valley. Out and back on a major native American trail. 814-938-2006 or mertzy@verizon.netApril 14, 9 a.m.: WPTLA President's Challenge 5K Run-Walk-Wheel, Pittsburgh. Benefits Pittsburgh Steelwheelers wheelchair sports for teens and adults. 412-487-7644 or www.wptla.orgApril 14, 10 a.m.: Sharon Speedway Battle on the Border 5-Miler, Sharon. Road race scored like a cross country event with runners from Pennsylvania and Ohio competing. 724-758-2506 or 724-962-0371April 14, 10:30 A.M.: A Rabbit Runs Through It 5k, Latrobe. Flat, fast course starts at Latrobe Memorial Stadium. 724-537-4331 or latroberecreation.orgApril 14: Yough River Trail Council Half Marathon and 5K, Connellsville. Run out and back on rail trail. 724-628-5500April 21, 8 a.m.: Second Annual Oak Hollow Park Cross Country Challenge, Irwin. Choice of 5K or 10K, challenging road and off-road course. No pre-registration. 412-303-8610 or holdercm@westinghouse.comApril 21, 9 a.m.: Riverside Band Boosters Band-Aid 10K, 5K or 5K Walk, Ellwood City. Starts at Riverside High School. 724-752-3029 or razkoz@yahoo.comApril 28, 10 a.m. Y Not Run 5K, Grove City. Run through countryside and Grove City College. 724-458-9781 or www.grovecityymca.orgMay 5, 9 a.m.: Walk, Run, Ride for Habitat for Humanity, West Deer Township. Your choice of events: 2K walk, 5K run, 15- or 30-mile bike ride. www.habitatav.org

<B>Just a Short Run 5K, March 31:</B> Charlie Ban, 1st Overall M, 15:45; Tammy Slusser, 1st Overall W, 19:23; Michael Dreves, 2nd 30-34 M, 18:25; Matt Marshall, 2nd 35-39 M, Luke Mesing, 2nd 14 & Under M, 20:45; Christopher Geordiadis, 3rd 14 & Under M, 20:56; Lou Lodovico, 1st 70 and over M, 27:40; Terry Ann Fuller, 1st 50-54 W, 29:02; Suzanne Leonberg, 3rd 50-54 W, 29:26Tim Vandall, 21:13; Michael Page, 21:29; Brian Jones, 22:04; Greg Rocco, 22:15; Tanner Mesing, 22:26; Alan Parrish, 22:51; Mark Blasinsky, 22:56; Jack Leslie, 23:01; Dave France, 23:02; Ryan Henrie, 23:05; Scalp Ozel, 23:17; Bryan Demyan, 23:25; Nick Scioscia, 23:25; Brandon Richards, 24:03; Phil Barner, 24:05; Michael Cratty, 24:08; Rick Myers, 24:24Mark Knapp, 24:52; Michelle Kochar, 24:44; Shawn Nettles, 24:39; Jeff Vandall, 25:27; Michael Redilla, 25:11; Steven Geordiadis, 26:03; Ryan Leonberg, 22:20; Robin Rishel, 26:17; Christopher Sutton, 25:47; Amy Lally, 27:03; Tanner Panza, 27:09; Tyler Irwin, 27:09; Jennifer Cadamore, 27:24; Eugene Scidscia, 27:53; Kris Poloyac, 27:19; Bryan Smith, 28:18Judy Sullivan, 27:52; Lynn McKinney, 28:42; Robb Fort, 27:43; Glenn Zugehar, 28:02; Brian Terrill, 27:44; Heather Cianfrocco, 28:04; Lisa Myers, 29:16; Ryan Dahl, 29:23; Marilyn Lapiiska, 29:34; Robert Zaccari, 29:34; Brad Zebra, 30:47; Mary Ann Allen, 29:24; Jennifer Tonini, 29:25; Peter Taube, 30:09; Joanna Nestler, 29:34; Jessica Brubach, 30:25; Kimberly Gambardella, 30:51; Michael Schalk, 30:11; Edward Imhof, 31:24; Erin Smith, 30:57Amy Redilla, 32:13; Karen Baker, 31:40; Janice Jene, 33:09; Nicole Maretta, 33:02; David Terrill, 35:47; Chayla Whaley, 36:57; Jennifer Barringer, 36:22; Pam Moore, 37:19; Dave Demyan, 38:53; Cassandra Smiley, 39:07; Neal Pinza, 40:43; Mary Taube, 40:54; Ajanta Sharron, 40:22; Alora Sharron, 40:22; Margaret Sargo, 45:57; Jean Baker, 48:41; Roger McCrary, 51:24; Christina Sullivan, 55:11; Lori Sullivan, 55:12; Michele Bowman, 55:26; Elaine Kazlauskas, 1:03:27; Nancy Richter, 1:03:28; Robert Richter, 1:03:29<B>Just a Short Run Half Marathon, March 31:</B> Ryan Bender, 1st Overall M, 1:12:45; Heather Parks, 1st Overall W, 1:23:57; Gayle Specht, 5th Overall W, 1:32:20; Andrew Musinguzi, 1st 30-34 M, 1:21:59; Mark Courtney, 1st 50-54 M, 1:22:55; Jeff Lynn, 3rd 35-39 M, 1:27:01; Mark Pugh, 2nd 50-54 M, 1:28:42; Curt Grimm, 2nd 55-59 M, 1:33:39; Cindy Grimm, 1st 55-59 W, 1:39:26; Lori Piedimonte, 3rd 40-44 W, 1:43:46; Sharyl Relic, 3rd 45-49 W, 1:46:27; Carol Bolen, 3rd 55-59 W, 1:56:05; Marcia Semple, 2nd 60-69 W, 2:49:47; Bonnie Demore, 3rd 60-69 W, 3:24:01Todd Ashbaugh, 1:41:01; Robert Malchano, 1:41:25; Robert Dibella, 1:42:22; Bob Gracie, 1:42:50; Michael Labarre, 1:43:29; Keith Schneider, 1:45:34; Cliff Thornberry, 1:46:08; Ryan Kennis, 1:47:03; Bob Direnzo, 1:48:44; Doug Saklad, 1:51:50; John Dannhardt, 1:51:53; Michael Kriznik, 1:51:55; Bob Stanionis, 1:52:19; Elizabeth Kolor, 1:52:54; Daniel Kolor, 1:52:55; Mary Grisnik, 1:55:19; Darryl Brandon, 1:55:21; Rachel Hunkele, 1:55:35; Michele Bamburak, 1:55:43Rick Fairbend, 1:55:24; J.R. Ellis, 1:54:39; Derek Smith, 1:54:39; Stacy Juchno, 1:56:28; Chris Cutone, 1:57:00; Brian Shuttleworth, 1:57:51; Shannon O'Neil, 1:58:21; Jim Villella, 2:01:09; Cyndie Delucia, 2:01:52; Mike Anderson, 2:02:35; Michael Winterhalter, 2:02:24; Larry Brubach, 2:01:38; Bob Mowry, 2:04:22; Chad Vittone, 2:05:20; Megan Spear, 2:04:57; Josh Smith, 2:05:41; Nicole Khoury, 2:07:28; Jason Logue, 2:08:19; Chrisie, Ambrass, 2:10:43; Thomas Murray, 2:12:30Christopher Raible, 2:13:45; Jeff Straub, 2:15:51; Michele Pekich, 2:16:02; Patricia Cloonan, 2:16:09; Sarah Keisel, 2:16:10; Kimberly Weary, 2:16:30; Jeremy Smith, 2:16:30; Susan Alstad, 2:17:27; Lindsey Monahan, 2:19:36; Denise Cervenyak, 2:22:59; Jennifer Shepperd, 2:25:50; Angela Mencer, 2:26:33; Lauren M. Super, 2:26:33; Biana Lisjack, 2:27:06; Joan Carol Nickerson, 2:29:36; Becky Alstad, 2:32:46; Debbie Stanionis, 2:40:48; Deborah Jackson, 3:19:18; Roxanne Moody, 3:19:32<B>Just a Short Run 30K, March 31:</B> Nathan Snider, 1st 1:56:26; Sabine Kane, 1st Overall W, 2:20:05; Scott Pearson, 1st 40-44 M, 2:16:15; John Armstrong, 3rd 40-44 M, 2:18:57; Lawrence Ross, 1st 55-59 M, 2:21:11; Jeff Yingling, 3rd 50-54 M, 2:32:42; Dorothy Moxie, 1st 40-44 W, 2:43:13; Christine Murray, 1st 50-54 W, 2:51:26; Dianne Zalenski, 1st 30-34 W, 2:52:18Bill Thompson, 2:35;08; Emily Gerega, 2:35:58; Bruce Barnes, 2:38:49; Stacy Kopchak, 2:38:49; Janine Marcoux, 2:39:44; Doug Sanders, 2:57:52; Carl Hill, 2:59:12; Mark Kay, 2:59:51; Mary Morgan, 3:21:18Send comments to: 435 Cherry Valley Road, Saxonburg, Pa. 16056. Email: bigp16@connecttime.net