We in Butler County live but a short drive from one of America’s designated National Wild and Scenic Recreation Rivers, the Allegheny.

This 315-mile meandering stream has also been named River of the Year by Pennsylvania Organization for Waterways and Rivers (POWR).

The Allegheny River is a destination for birders, kayakers, boaters and fishermen. It’s also a great place for runners and cyclists thanks to Rails-To-Trails Conservancy and its network of recreational trails along the Allegheny and other waterways.

At 9 a.m. this Saturday, East Brady Riverfest 5k celebrates its historical ties to the Allegheny River and the development of the Armstrong Rail Trail. The event starts at Graham Field, an athletic complex originally owned by an East Brady businessman and formally used as East Brady High School’s football field.

This weekend, Graham Field is celebration-central for the community’s Riverfest, a 32-year-old event featuring music, pageants, vendors, kids’ activities and more. The Riverfest 5k, now in its fourth year, is a recent addition to the festivities.

First-time race director Beth Smith says that she became involved in response to a Facebook post looking for some person or organization to take over the race for this year. She credits her employer, Justin Moore of Moore Physical Therapy, for stepping up to help the community. It seemed like a natural fit for the company which promotes health and wellness.

Justin, an avid cyclist, is also race director for Rimersburg’s 5k. He suggested Beth, also a physical therapist, to head the Riverfest race. Although not a racer, Beth is a recreational runner, currently resides in Kittanning and is a former Butler resident.

Beth says that taking over race directorship has been a smooth transition from previous Riverfest 5ks since trail marking, timing, awards format, etc. had already been in place for four years.

The Riverfest 5k starts at Graham Field and runs out and back on the Armstrong Trail. A one-mile walk and kids fun run will start soon after the 5k start.

Beth says her organization would be happy with 100 participants for the 2017 event. In the past three years, participation numbers have increased each year from 42 finishers in 2014 to nearly 100 last year.

In keeping with previous events’ traditions, Riverfest 5k offers awards to overall top three male and female finishers as well as top three in age groups for 9 & under through 70+ in 10-year increments. Riverfest 5k could be a course in which to set a personal best. It’s flat with a packed gravel surface.

Ean King, an East Brady resident, appears to be “king of the Riverfest 5k,” having won the event for the past two years, last year with a time of 17:45, and finishing second in 2014. Beth promises that there will be volunteers stationed at the turnaround of the race, unlike last year when runners missed the turn and ran an extra half mile to Phillipsburg.

Day-of-event registrations are welcome with registration opening at 7:30 a.m. in the parking lot near Graham Field. There will be plenty of commemorative T-shirts for late sign-ups or skip the shirt for a $5 discount.

For more information, email rsmith19288@gmail.com or visit sites.google.com/site/eastbradyriverfest1/ for a complete schedule of Riverfest activities.

Upcoming events

Thursdays, 6:30 p.m.: Shoes ‘n’ Brews, Valencia. Starts at Up-N-Running store with your choice of pace and distance followed by social hour with beer. 724-898-2525 or shoes@runpa.com

Saturday, 8:30 a.m.: 8th Annual Rubes Run 5k, Prospect. Race with a baseball theme and post race refreshments. 724-865-9582 or jtgallagher@zoominternewt.net

Saturday, 9 a.m.: East Brady Riverfest 5k, East Brady. Also untimed walk. Starts at Graham Field along Armstrong Rails to Trails. Rsmith19288@gmail.com

Saturday, 9 a.m.: John Cossy Costantino Memorial 5k, Freeport. Starts at Freeport Junior High School in conjunction with Freeport International Baseball. 724-766-4710 or www.fortheloveofthegame.org

Saturday, 9 a.m.: Shannock Valley Community Festival 5k, Rural Valley. 724-664-8893

Saturday, 9 a.m.: Oil City Firefighters 5k, Oil City. 814-671-3633 or sammcsparren@yahoo.com

July 26, 7 p.m.: UPMC Horizon 5k (QUAD III), Greenville. 724-866-1374 or runhigh.com

July 28, 7 p.m.: Liberty Mile, Pittsburgh. One mile race with heats for kids, open, masters and pros. Libertymile.org

July 28, 7 p.m.: The Brew Run, Venango. Cross country 1.5 mile run on grounds of Sprague Farm Brewery. 814-860-1495 or exercisemj@gmail.com

July 30, 8 a.m.: Run with the Deer Flies Trail Run. Penn Run. Rugged trail race with choice of 15k or 25k. 724-422-8388 or dwalker100k@gmail.com

July 30, 9 a.m.: Elorapalooza 12, North Park. Choice of 5 mile, 5k or 1 mile run/walk. New starting location at North Park Lodge. 412-369-8691 or elorashope.org

Aug. 5, 8 a.m.: Cranberry CUP 5k Run & Walk, Cranberry Township. Starts at Dick’s Sporting Goods Complex in Graham Park. 724-504-5110 or inko@zoominternet.net

Aug. 5, 9 a.m.: St. Barnabas 5k, Gibsonia. Come for the run, stay for the party. 724-625-3770 or online registration at www.freecare5k.com

Aug. 12, 8 a.m.: 17th Annual Roebling’s Run 5k Run/Walk, Saxonburg. Out and back from Knoch High School. 412-603-1999 or ap2426@zoominternet.net

Aug. 12, 9 a.m.: Brookline Breeze 5k Race and Fitness Walk, Pittsburgh. Challenging course starts at Brookline Rec Center. Also 1 mile fun run and dog walk. 412-523-3547 or brooklinebreeze@gmail.com

Aug. 12, 6 p.m.: Run for the Trail 7k, Dilltown. Run on back roads and Ghost Town Rail Trail.412-613-1167 or tmprrcih@yahoo.com

Aug. 13, 7:30 a.m.: Two Face 10k Races, North Park. Road race starts at 7:30 a.m., trail race starts at 9 a.m. Run either or both. Day of event registration at Boathouse, starts at North Park Skating Rink. 412-490-0881 or events@lightspeed-racing.com

Aug. 16, 7 p.m.: Courtney’s Ice Cream Run 5k, Grove City. Run, then eat ice cream. Also ½ mile kids’ race for ages 11 & Under. 724-866- 1374 or runhigh.com

Aug. 18, 7 p.m.: 8k Scrub Run/Walk, North Park. Run 2 loops (or 1 loop for 4k) around North Park Pool area. Strollers and pets welcome. 412-748-6648 or steinsdoerferj@ph.upmc.edu

Aug. 19, 9 a.m.: Growling Beaver 5k Challenge Run, DuBois. Starts at Wasson Elementary School, runs the Dubois Area Cross Country course. 814-591-8188 or dasdxbooster@gmail.com

Race results

Butler Road Race 2k, June 24: Seth Ketler, 1st Overall M, 6:19; Andrew Mascio, 2nd Overall M, 6:26; Cj Singleton, 3rd Overall M, 7:15; Krista Snyder, 1st Overall W, 8:30; Vanessa Drohan, 2nd Overall W, 8:52; Caitlin Peratt, 3rd Overall W, 9:00; Evan Gomez, 1st 20-29 M, 7:24; Micah Fabrizzi, 1st 12-15 M, 7:54; Michael Kasunic, 2nd 20-29 M, 7:57; Craig Hortert, 3rd 20-29 M, 8:15; Michael Fabrizzi, 1st 40-49 M, 8:16; Chad Pakozdi, 1st 16-19 M, 8:17; Michael Braun, 1st 11 & Under M, 8:19; Tommy Bayne, 1st 30-39 M, 8:20; Evan Maxwell, 2nd 16-19 M, 8:23; Adam Longdon, 3rd 16-19 M, 8:55; Kevin Allen, 1st 50-59 M, 8:56; Julie Kasunic, 1st 16-19 W, 9:09; Sheldon Deal, 2nd 12-15 M, 9:15; Samantha Cornell, 1st 12-15 W, 9:16; Benjamin Swigart, 9:00; Connie Ketler, 1st 40-49 W, 9:32; Jen Beachem, 1st 30-39 W, 9:50; Owen Dressler, 2nd 11 & Under M, 10:09; Melinda Wang, 2nd 40-49 W, 10:10; Michael Fiorina, 2nd 40-49 M, 10:19; Drew Menchyk, 3rd 11 & Under M, 10:26; Chiara Sloboda, 2nd 12-15 W, 10:35; John Grenci, 3rd 50-59 M, 10:38; Leah Jeffers, 2nd 30-39 W, 10:51; David Lockerman, 3rd 60-69 M, 11:04; Belinda Sloboda, 3rd 40-49 W, 11:12; Frank Prazenica Jr, 1st 70+ M, 11:26; Kerstyn Pomfret, 3rd 12-15 W, 11:33; Alexis Menchyk, 1st 11 & Under W, 11:38; Ashley Brewer, 2nd 16-19 W, 11:40; Nevaeh Chapman, 2nd 11 & Under W, 11:40; Robert Sands, 2nd 70+ M, 11:47; Maryellen Burns, 2nd 20-29 W, 11:48; David Drake Sr, 3rd 70+ M, 12:43; Kathleen Franko, 1st 60-69 W, 12:51; Debra Kuminkoski, 1st 50-59 W, 12:56; Cindy Reddick, 2nd 50-59 W, 12:59; Ann Cheman, 2nd 60-69 W, 13:23; Traci Soule, 3rd 50-59 W, 13:58; Judy Sankey, 3rd 60-69 W, 14:01; Jackelyn Hamilton, 3rd 20-29 W, 14:36; Anna Fabrizzi, 3rd 16-19 W, 14:49; Valerie Sands, 1st 70+ W, 15:07; Joyce Lesser, 2nd 70+ W, 21:20; Daniel Swanson, 3rd 30-39 M, 21:52; Margretta Lutz, 3rd 70+ W, 22:25; Travis Domhoff, 9:22; Alex McElhinny, 9:37; Nate Grossman, 9:45; Cooper McTighe, 9:50; Silvio Andreassi, 10:34; Ben Grossman, 10:45; Brandon Jeffers, 10:50; Jonathan Burns, 11:55; Lexi Soule, 12:01; Kathryn Ban, 12:05; Liam Throm, 12:07; John Swigart, 12:11; Dennis Clark, 12:20; Justin Parker II, 12:39; Art Black, 12:46; Angie Boggs, 13:01; Kaylee Pomfket, 13:16; Tracy Traggiai, 13:21; Ana Menchyk, 13:25; Katie Menchyk, 13:32; Rick Becker, 13:37; Patrick Hortert, 13:48; Rachelle Llewellyn, 14:05; Christine Grossman, 14:11; Kaden Eyth, 14:13; Brandon Eyth, 14:14; Madison Parker, 14:18; Finley McTighe, 14:21; Frank Macefe, 14:27; Janet Black, 14:49; Arabella Savannah, 15:02; Rachelle Haberberger, 15:09; Gary Aldrich, 15:20; Nick Russin, 15:20; Sharon Fabrizzi, 15:33; Christine Bagley, 15:43; Colby Bayne Imbrie, 15:43; Amy Hortert, 15:50; Lisa Miller, 16:01; Mara Davanzati, 16:09; Tom Turner, 16:12; Caleb Elder, 16:27; Amy Elder, 16:28; Lois Swigart, 16:34; Terri Isacco, 16:52; Amber Kijowski, 16:55; Kaitlin Nemec, 16:56; Shannon Albert, 16:57; Patti Schultheis, 17:00; Gabie Bigenho, 17:17; Debbie Smith, 17:34; Molly McTighe, 17:42; Rachel Spinetti, 17:46; Susan Bowser, 18:01; Ed Kellerman, 18:04; Kimberly Herstetler, 18:06; Michelle Davanzati, 18:11; Reegan Donaldson, 18:27; Scot Andreassi, 18:29; David Fisher, 19:01; Tracey Fisher, 19:05; Peter Donaldson, 19:11; Kristy Donaldson, 19:11; Theresa Baron, 19:24; Diane Lumley, 19:24; Connie Downs, 19:34; Joanna Unik, 19:34; Kris Bauser, 19:35; Karen Halstead, 19:47; Linda Carney, 19:48; Loretta Crawford, 20:14; Jean Lasichak, 20:16; Lindsey Wiltse, 20:44; Shawna Littlejohn, 20:54; Joyce Lesser, 20:54; Gail Hilton, 21:24; Lauren Morrow, 21:28; Angela Vandevander, 21:30; Deb Jack, 21:31; Ken Henry, 21:37; Deborah Henry, 21:39; Lauren Early, 21:52; Robert Waite, 21:52; Joanne Schwab, 21:57; Cindy McKain, 21:59; Stephen Karls, 22:00; Jim Nocera, 22:00; Daniel Defoggi, 22:08; Erin Slay, 22:17; Kim Snyder, 22:23; Judith Snyder, 22:23; Mark Neubert, 22:25; Zack Neubert, 22:25; Patricia Neubert, 22:25; Remington Ritenour, 22:27; Chelsea Schlifer, 22:39; Ashley Young, 22:40; Ashley Darrell, 22:52; Virgina Neff, 22:52; Shannon Hemphill, 22:52; Wendy Dillaman, 22:54; Terry Waite, 22:56; K Alan Dodd, 23:12; Michele Mustello, 23:12; Payge Kirmeyer, 23:13; Deb O’Malley, 23:18; Joan Szakelyhigh, 23:18; Michelle Carnicelli, 23:20; Grace Carnicelli, 23:21; Signora Kirmeyer, 24:03; Jacki Sloan, 24:23; Kathy Schweikart, 24:25; Charles Spirgula, 24:26; Diane Pelusi, 24:56; Kristie Martin, 24:56; Lisa Hock, 25:31; Mary Zaryboicky, 25:31; Kryssy King, 27:03; Dr Jason Clark, 27:03; Dayna Kubay, 27:04; Faith Anthony, 27:05

Pat Neubert is a running columnist for the Butler Eagle.Send comments and suggestions to: 435 Cherry Valley Rd., Saxonburg, PA. 16056. Phone 724-352-4395. Email lotzak@consolidated.net.