Each year, on the Saturday closest to the summer stolstice, you'll see a pack of people running and walking in the dark in the middle of Reichert Road in McKean wearing glow necklaces around their necks, race numbers on their chest and big grins on their faces.

It's the annual Moonshine Shuffle 5K Run/Walk put on by the folks at the Erie Runners Club and, it's a blast -- for the entire family. This is no serious competitive race (though there are always a few who take it seriously and run it in something ridiculously fast, like 17 minutes). Runners are competitive by nature. Even I have a hard time not racing in a race. We just can't help it. We're like Pavlov's dogs, racing out of the gate when we hear the starting gun (or siren blast).

But most participants do this race for fun. There are LOTS of walkers, lots of little kids, lots of families walking together, lots of people doing the race with a beer or glass of wine in hand. You'll find people of all sizes and ages at this race -- young, old, chubby, thin -- even beer-bellied, bearded men love this race.

Why? Because afterwards, there's beer -- and food -- lots of it. All of it prepared by my good friend, ERC V.P. and gourmet cook, Linda Huegel (with help from her wonderful hubby, John). Nicknamed "The Cheesecake Race" -- the highlight of the Moonshine Shuffle post-race festivities is the cheesecake -- more flavors and varieties than you can imagine and it's all homemade in the Huegel's kitchen. Every race participants gets a slice -- your choice.

There's also a DJ, dancing, games for the kids, popcorn and, of course, liquid refreshments including beer and wine donated by local beer distributors and wineries.

Despite the beer & wine -- it's no drunk-fest -- these are fitness-minded folks at the race and it's a family event. There is even a children's 1/2 mile race at 8:30 a.m. before the 5K kicks off.

The Moonshine Shuffle 5K Run/Walk is presented by the ERC and is held in McKean. Don't worry...it's not as far as it sounds -- it's only a few miles from the Millcreek Mall and I-90. It's not too late to sign up -- in fact, you can sign up that night. See www.erie-runnerclub.org for more details. Click on the button that says "Moonshine Shuffle (The Cheesecake Race)" on the left side of the home page.

It's a perfect way to spend a Saturday night together as a family. Yes, I know...it's late -- the race doesn't even start until 9 p.m., but...c'mon Moms & Dads....schools out for the summer and it's the weekend!

Hope to see you there.