Since its inception in 1976 as a celebration of our country’s Bicentennial, I’ve been a participant, committee member and, for the past 18 years, president of Butler Road Race Inc. Most of our board of directors are former runners and racers and have served on the committee for well over 30 years. A heartfelt thank-you goes out to this dedicated group.

Racing technology has come a long way since 1976. In the early years, the race was timed with a hand-held stop watch. Each finisher was given a tongue depressor with their finish place as they crossed the line. Establishing overall and division winners was painstaking and time consuming. Now each participant wears a running number on their shirt with a computer chip attached to the back containing their name, gender and age. Results are instantaneous.

The race and its academic scholarship program have become a partnership among the all-volunteer board, Butler City, Butler Township, Butler County and more than 30 sponsors. Thanks to our primary sponsor, Butler Health System. Thanks also go out to Butler County Board of Commissioners, Butler Ambulance Service, those providing liquid refreshment, vendors in Diamond Park, and the 100 or so volunteers. The city police and CB Rangers do a super job controlling traffic.

Over 42 years, world-class athletes and the everyday walker and runner alike have traveled the Butler Race course — 28,365 participants to be exact!

I want all to know how much we, the board of directors, appreciate the donations of time, product, services or money that make this race possible. Much takes place behind the scenes without a great deal of fanfare. Please know we could not have conducted the race without you all.

Cross country runners in eight Butler County High Schools, graduating from 1994-2017, have received 780 academic scholarships val ed at $410,050. These numbers exist because of the donations of sponsors, as well as additional money offered by walkers and runners of the race. I would like to thank previous scholarship recipients who were able to participate this year. It should also be noted that this year’s rac will fund scholarships for the class of 2018.

As has been publicized, this year’s race was the “grand finale” conducted by Butler Road Race Inc. We are proud of the legacy established and have all the confidence in the world that the Butler Y will continue the tradition.