Earlier this week, my 5-year-old grandson shared his knowledge of seasonal weather by describing in depth the difference between lion and lamb weather and how the two impact the spring calendar.

For runners, the seasonal weather change is marked by long vs. short, as in, “March comes in wearing long pants and goes out in shorts.”

However you mark the change, even the most dedicated outdoor exercisers feel an energy boost when spring arrives. Warmer weather and longer days make spring the perfect time to get the whole family out for fun and exercise.

On April 1, Butler’s Best Buddies offers a variety of running, walking and family fun activities all staged at Butler Area High School’s Art Bernardi Stadium. Festivities begin at 10 a.m. with Eggstravaganza Easter Egg Dash 5k, followed by Bunny Hop 1-Mile Family Fun Run/ Walk at 11 a.m. and finishing with a Kids’ Easter Egg Hunt at noon.

This year marks the fourth year for the Eggstravaganza, which included more than 500 participants in 2022. Kaitlyn Reges, co-race director with fellow teacher Michelle Yeager, hopes to top that this year. “It’s a really great event for families,” she says, “and all the money raised goes to students.”

All the day’s events are staged from the Bernardi Stadium area. The 5k and 1-Mile courses, which start and finish on the stadium’s track, are completely contained within Vo Tech, Intermediate and High School grounds. Caitlyn, an experienced runner, describes them as “rolling.”

Wheelchairs are permitted anywhere on the course, but strollers are not allowed inside the stadium. Caitlyn says that parents may park the strollers outside for the runs’ finishing loop of the track, then retrieve them for use after the finish. Eggstravaganza events are not dog-friendly.

Easter Egg Dash 5k offers competitive awards for top overall male and female finishers and age groups from 14 & Under through 60+. Any registered 5k finishers who want more mileage are welcome to run or walk the 1-mile course for free. Caitlyn says that many parents run the 5k, then run or walk the 1-mile with their kids.

There are no competitive awards for the 1-Mile Bunny Hop, but all participants can enjoy post-race snacks of fruit, crackers, juice and water. All are welcome to participate in family-friendly activities such as face painting and free photo-ops with the Easter Bunny.

The Easter Egg Hunt for kids 10 and under begins at noon. All kids must register for the event and bring their own bag for collecting eggs. Kids hunt in groups beginning with 2-years old and under followed by groups in 2-year increments. Some eggs contain candy while others include gifts from local sponsors and grand prizes such as tickets to Pittsburgh Zoo or Keystone Safari.

Caitlyn says Butler’s Best Buddies aims to keep Eggstravaganza affordable for families. Registration for either running event is discounted $5 for those 65 and older and kids from ages 4 to 10. Kids 3 and under are free. Although all kids must be registered for the Easter Egg Hunt, the $5 fee is waived for kids who have registered for either running event. If kids 3 and under have already registered for a running event (for free,) they will be charged the $5 Egg Hunt fee.

Online registration is open at runsignup.com/Race/PA/Butler/BestBuddiesEasterEggDash until March 31, but shirts and goodie bags for runners are not guaranteed. There’s also day-of-event registration on April 1 beginning at 8 a.m., but it’s cash only. Exact amount is appreciated.

Best Buddies is an international non-profit which creates opportunities for one-on-one friendships to develop between those with and without intellectual and developmental disabilities. Butler’s chapter currently includes 150 members and 33 student pairs.

Eggstravaganza is Butler Best Buddies’ only fundraiser for the year and allows the organization to offer all club membership and activities to Butler High School students for free. Monthly activities include bowling, holiday parties, trip to Kennywood, and various community events.

Upcoming events

Saturday, 7:30 a.m.: Shamrock Shuffle Half Marathon, 5k and 1 Mile Run/Walk, Harmony. Challenging, hilly course. 5k starts at 10 A.M., 1-Mile at 11 A.M. runsignup.com/Race/PA/Harmony/ShamrockShuffleZeienopleRotary

Saturday, 8:30 a.m.: Just a Short Run, Allison Park. Choice of 5k, 8.1 Mile, Half Marathon or 30k in North Park. The 8.1 mile race is part of USATF Three Rivers Grand Prix Series. No race day registration as this event may be sold out. runsignup.com/Race/Info/PA/AllisonPark/JASR

Saturday, 9:30 a.m.: Barnesville Park/Rotary Lake Trail 5k Walk, Run and Fun Run, Barnesville, OH. Hand-crafted trophies, food, commemorative hooded sweatshirt or long-sleeved t-shirt, free fun run. 740-310-2117 or runsignup.com/Race/OH/Barnesville/BarnesvilleParkRotaryLake5kTrailWalkRunKidsFunRun

Saturday, 10 a.m.: Kiski Area Shamrock Run 5k, Apollo. Out and back from Kunkle Park. runsignup.com/Race/PA/Apollo/KiskiAreaShamrockRun5K

Sunday, 8:30 a.m.: 33rd Annual Mill Creek Distance Classic Half Marathon and 5k, Youngstown. runsignup.com/Race/OH/Youngstown/MillCreekDistanceClassicHalfMarathon

April 1, 10 a.m.: Easter Egg Dash 5k, Bunny Hop 1 Mile and Kids Easter Egg Hunt, Butler. Start and finish at Butler High School’s Art Bernardi Stadium. runsignup.com/Race/PA/Butler/BestBuddiesEasterEggDash

April 1, 10 a.m.: Helicon Brewing Food Truck 5k Run and 1 Mile Walk, Oakdale. Flat, fast, out-and-back on Panhandle Trail. Post race party with free pint of beer and food truck voucher. runsignup.com/Race/PA/Oakdale/HeliconBrewingFoodTruck5K

April 1, 10 a.m.: Fool’s Run 5k and 10k, Black Lick. Run out-and-back on Ghost Town Trail from Saylor Pavilion. runsignup.com/Race/PA/Indiana/FoolsRun10K5K?remMeAttempt=

April 1, 11 a.m.: Cook Forest Half Marathon and 5k, Cooksburg. Gently rolling out-and-back along Clarion River. 724-554-9511 or secure.getmeregistered.com/get_information.php?event_id=137976

April 8, 10 a.m.: MKG Half Marathon, Sandy Lake. Run on paved bike path around Lake Wilhelm, Race #3 of MCTA 26.2 Series. 724-301-6775 or races@mctrails.net

April 8, 9 a.m.: Dirty Kiln Trail Races at Canoe Creek State Park, Hollidaysburg. Choice of 10k or half marathon. This event is almost sold out. www.alleghenytrailrunners.com/dirty-kiln-trail-race/

April 15, 9 a.m.: Run Across Guatemala 5k, Allison Park. Starts at North Park’s Pool Area. runsignup.com/Race/PA/AllisonPark/RunAcrossGuatemala5k

April 15, 9 a.m.: Dyngus Day Dash 5k, Allison Park. Run from North Park Boat House, then eat Polish food. 412-327-6074 or secure.getmeregistered.com/get_information.php?event_id=137641secure.getmeregistered.com/get_information.php?event_id=137641

April 15, 9 a.m.: Boston Trail ½ Marathon and 5k, Boston. Run on Yough River Trail section of Great Allegheny Passage. 412-780-7802 or Donna.bour@bourassociates.com

April 16, 9 a.m.: Run to Breathe Half Marathon and 5k, Portersville. Out and back course on Moraine State Park paved bike trail starting at McDanel’s Boat Launch. Register by March 23 to guarantee a race shirt. runsignup.com/Race/PA/Portersville/RunToBreatheHalfMarathon5K?rsus=100-200-1ada957e-dc69-4f10-add1-b4e5c55e6cae

April 22, 10 a.m.: Phenomenal Hope 5k and Kids’ Runs, Pittsburgh. Run on Pittsburgh’s North Shore. Kids’ runs start at 9:30 A.M. runsignup.com/Race/PA/Pittsburgh/phenomenalhope5k

April 23, 9 a.m.: 2.2 or 4.4 Tutu Race, Erie. Starts from Presque Isle State Park’s Beach One Pavilion. Cash awards for best tutus. Tutus encouraged but not required. erierunners.club/event/2-2-or-4-4-tutu-race/

Race results

Epicenter Eight(.5), Feb. 18: Seth Jenny, 1st Overall M, 53:38; Angie Jenny, 1st Overall W, 1:01:12; S. Mark Courtney, 2nd 60-69 M, 1:04:15; Michael Gildersleeve, 3rd 40-49 M, 1:11:16; John Armstrong, 2nd 50-59 M, 1:14:40; Quinn Adams, 1st 20-29 W, 1:19:03; Nichol Zaginaylo, 2nd 40-49 W, 1:26:04; Heidi Struble, 3rd 40-49 W, 1:41:48; Anthony Sunseri, 1st 70+ M, 1:41:48; Kathy Schnarre, 2nd 50-59 W, 1:45:18

Olde Girdled Grit Marathon, Feb. 25: David Peterman, 1st Overall M, 3:27:19; William Huber, 2nd Overall M, 3:29:13; Vilma Valaitiene, 1st Overall W, 3:42:51

Olde Girdled Grit Half Marathon, Feb. 25: Joshua Shoup, 1st Overall M, 1:26:27; Elaine Reedy, 1st Overall W, 1:44:06; Lori Fromlak, 2:34:00

Big One Run Mile, Feb. 25: Bob Teagarden, 1st Overall M, 5:10; Ainsley Allison, 1st Overall W, 5:59; Amber McClelland, 2nd Overall W, 6:50; Brian Mathieson, 6:47; Jay Williams, 7:36; Siven Bhattacharya, 8:24; Paul Johnson, 8:42; Pat Calmbacher, 8:53; Shawna Hardy-Emerson, 8:58; Harrison Rhodes, 9:17; Ray Wooten, 9:59; Debbie Calmbacher, 10:45; Annie Rhodes, 10:47; Amy Pisano, 14:14; Tom Pisano, 14:15

Ellport 5k, March 4: Wyatt Foster, 1st Overall M, 17:16; Leah Anne Weaver, 1st Overall W, 17:43; Drew Stteffler, 1st 15-19 M, 19:02; Matthew Reagle, 1st 35-39 M, 20:33; Matt Bernardi, 2nd 45-49 M, 20:49; Joseph Molinaro, 2nd 60-64 M, 22:27; Jazelle Mozzocio, 2nd 14 & Under W, 23:27; Vanessa Johnson, 1st 30-34 W, 23:37; Gianna Rocco, 3rd 14 & Under W, 24:06; Arthur Boring, 1st 30-34 M, 24:13; Steve Lodovico, 2nd 35-39 M, 24:24; Holly Palmer, 2nd 45-49 W, 24:29; Scott Rodenbeck, 1st 55-59 M, 26:40; Corinne Savena, 2nd 25-29 W, 27:22; John Karpacs, 3rd 60-64 M, 28:31; Maegan Johnston, 3rd 40-44 W, 29:11; Rhonda Maloney, 2nd 55-59 W, 30:06; David Adams, 3rd 70-74 M, 30:39; Karen Bernardi, 2nd 50-54 W, 31:10; Sherree May, 1st 65-69 W, 32:39; Joel-Jacob Flores, 1st 20-24 M, 32:39; Debra Kuminkoski, 3rd 60-64 W, 46:41; Dezso Czizmadia, 3rd 80+ M, 47:05; Samantha Rocco, 27:51; Sam Panizales, 29:18; Valerie Sands, 2nd 75-79 W, 39:18; Amy Lutz, 29:50; Shannon Weber, 30:55; Shawna Hardy-Emerson, 32:06; Anthony Sunseri, 32:50; Guiseppe Mascari, 37:32; Kristen Rocco, 38:57; Lindsay Keller, 40:29; John Antinossi, 44:50

South Park Half Marathon, March 4: Jedidiah Christiansen, 1st Overall M, 1:10:30; Michaela Kizershot White, 1st Overall W, 1:26:28; Traci Hanna, 3rd 50-59 W, 1:53:42; Bella Alampi, 1:46:36; Dana Nicklas, 1:58:16; Matt Locke, 2:12:48; Suzette Cappola, 2:20:56; Maritza Cable, 2:53:20

Shamrock ‘N’ Run 5k, March 11: Matt Reagle, 1st Overall M, 20:14; Elaine Reedy, 1st Overall W, 20:25; Herb Cratty, 1st 55-59 M, 21:36; Eli Cooley, 1st 45-49 M, 23:26; Jonathan Sosa, 1st 20-24 M, 24:43; Evan Ihlenfeld, 3rd 30-34 M, 25:53; Susan Stigliano, 1st 35-39 W, 26:37; Anthony Sunseri, 2nd 70+ M, 30:29

Trout Island Tromp 4.6 Mile, March 18: Scott Shannon, 1st Overall M, 27:52; Jamie Clark, 1st Overall W, 35:21; John Armstrong, 1st 50-59 M, 36:26; Michael Esser, 2nd 50-59 M, 37:33; Karyn Senita, 2nd 40-49 W, 40:04; Nichol Zaginaylo, 3rd 40-49 W, 43:00; Anthony Sunseri, 2nd 70+ M, 48:43; Kathy Schnarre, 1st 50-59 W, 52:12; Heidi Struble, 48:42

Erie Runners Club St. Patrick’s Day Distance Festival 5k, March 11: Caleb Mandel, 1st Overall M, 16:35; Cait O’Rourke, 1st Overall W, 19:51; Daniel Bender, 1st Masters M, 19:09; Leslie Kramer, 1st Masters W, 22:22; Justine Keene, 1st 25-29 W, 36:40; Lori Eastman, 40:47; Tracie Keene, 43:29; Traci Slease, 52:09

Burning Empty Calories 2.5 Mile, March 19: Caitlin Lawlor, 1st Overall W, 14:40; Brian Berestad, 1st Overall M, 15:55; S. Mark Courtney, 1st 60+ M, 17:53

Send comments and suggestions: Patricia Neubert. Phone 724-352-4395. Email lotzak@consolidated.net

Pat Neubert is a running columnist for the Butler Eagle