It’s time for spring training. Days are longer and warmer and dressing for running outdoors is easy — shorts, shirt, shoes.

Butler County residents have a great reason to train as the 44th Annual Butler Road Race 5 Mile and 2k is scheduled for 9 a.m. June 29. The race, presented by Butler YMCA and Butler Health System, is expected to draw more than 500 participants for the dash down Main Street beginning in front of the Butler Courthouse and following the painted footprints along the race course.

The footprints are one tradition the YMCA kept when they took over race management from Butler Road Race, Inc. two years ago. Chelsy Olsen, Development Specialist at Butler Family YMCA says that they’ve tried to keep all of the traditions of the event, one of the oldest in the region. That includes keeping the same course in both the five mile and 2k distances.

The current Butler Road Race offers awards to the first five male and female finishers in the five-mile and first three in the 2k distance. Overall winners in the five-mile race also earn the Donny Bayne Award, named for one of the race’s longest and strongest supporters, the late Donny Bayne.

Top three male and female finishers in age groups from 11 and Under through 70+ also earn awards presented in Diamond Park following the race.

What has always set the Butler Road Race apart from other events of its size is its dedication to the community. Butler Family YMCA and Butler Health System are proud to be a part of this tradition. As Julie Saeler, Healthy Living Director at the Y expressed, “The race is deeply rooted in the heart of Butler. We respect that.”

Proceeds from the Butler Road Race benefit the YMCA’s Annual Support Campaign. This campaign helps “ensure that everyone, regardless of age, income or background has the opportunity to learn, grow and thrive” by participating in YMCA community programming.

The Butler YMCA directly supports community fitness by offering training opportunities and advice leading to completion of the Butler Road Race.

Beginning in May, there will be a three-mile group run for all fitness levels from walk/joggers to seasoned runners leaving from the Y at 6 a.m. on Fridays. There will also be a three-mile group run on Thursdays at 6 p.m. beginning in June.

Julie Saeler also provides training plans for anyone unsure of how to start or improve fitness in time for the road race. Her plans typically include three days of running and are tailored to each individual’s fitness starting point and goals.

For additional fitness help, Saeler — now an endurance mountain biker who ran both track and cross country in high school — can suggest other available strength, cross training, or personal training opportunites at the Butler Y. Contact Julie at jsaeler@bcfymca.org or 724-287-4733, ext. 147 to find out more about training.

At Rose Schneider Family YMCA in Cranberry Township, the Get Fit Families Dawn Crackers Running Club meets Tuesdays and Thursdays from 5:30 to 6:30 a.m. at North Boundary Park and Tuesdays and Thursdays at 9 a.m. at the YMCA. Kathy Hensler, Healthy Living Director at the Rose Schneider location, also conducts an eight-week Couch to 5k class series on Mondays from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m.

For more information or to participate in the training runs or class, email Kathy at khensler@bcfymca.org or 724-452-9122, ext. 226.

Register for this year’s Butler Road Race at either YMCA or online at https://bit.ly/2CRt5ry until May 1 to take advantage of an Early Bird discount. Contact Chelsy Olsen, 724-287-4733, ext. 131 or colsen@bcfymca.org for more information.

Upcoming events

Saturdays, 8 a.m.: Up-N-Running Group Run, Valencia. Starts at All Fit parking area. 724-898-2525 or shoes@runpa.com

Saturday, 8:30 a.m.: Autism Speaks 5k, Sharpsville. 724-992-3234

Saturday, 10 a.m.: 4th Annual Patti J Nelson 5k and 1 Mile Run/Walk, Evans City. 724-272-7564 or pattijnelson5k@gmail.com

Sunday, 1 p.m.: Union All Sports Booster Club 5k, 10k and 2 Mile Walk, Sligo. Sjweaver02@yahoo.com

May 4, 8 a.m.: Pittsburgh Marathon 5k, Pittsburgh. Begins on North Shore, ends downtown. www.thepittsburghmarathon.com

May 4, 9:30 a.m.: Pittsburgh Kids Marathon, Pittsburgh. Begins on North Shore, ends downtown. www.thepittsburghmarathon.com

May 5, 7:05 a.m.: Pittsburgh Marathon and Half Marathon, Pittsburgh. Also marathon relay. Registration open until April 21. www.thepittsburghmarathon.com

May 8, 6:30 p.m.: Muskie 5k Mini Marathon and 2 Mile Walk, Jamestown. Run starts at Pymatuning State Park’s Main Beach. 724-932-3186, ext. 1319 or muskie5k@yahoo.com

May 11, 6 a.m.: Glacier Ridge Ultra (30k, 50k, 50 miles), Portersville. Run Moraine State Park trails starting at McDaniels Boat Launch on the North Shore. info@glacierridgetrailultra.com or dmurray@civildesign.org

May 11, 8 a.m.: Mud on the Mountain, Champion. Run 8 miles at Seven Springs Ski Resort. 814-352-7777 or krivers@7springs.com

May 11, 9 a.m.: Flying Pigs 5k, Grove City. Flat race through Memorial Park. 814-657-6722 or esax2002@yahoo.com

May 11, 9 a.m.: Masonic Miles for Heroes 5k, Punxsutawney. Run on rail trail. 814-939-9770 or Justin_mauk@yahoo.com

May 12, 8:35 a.m.: Komen Pittsburgh Race for the Cure 5k, Pittsburgh. 412-342-0500 or online registration at www.komengreaterpa.org

May 17, 7 p.m.: Elderton 5k, Elderton. 724-354-3779 or rfrailey@windstream.net. Online registration at runsignup.com.

May 18, 9 a.m.: Friends of Eccles Lesher Memorial Library Read and Run 5k and 2 Mile Fun Run, Rimersburg. sbtraister@comcast.net

May 19, 9 a.m.: UPMC St. Margaret 5k, Pittsburgh. Wilsonb2@upmc.edu

May 26, 9 a.m.: Dahoga Dash, Wilcox. 814-512-1374 or randylindberg@hotmail.com

May 26, 10 a.m.: Mark Jeffrey Sampson Memorial 5k, Titusville. Start and finish at Drake’s Well Museum. 814-671-8455 or sampsoncrnp@gmail.com

May 27, 8:30 a.m.: Pizza Joe’s Freedom Fun Run 5k, Mercer. 724-662-2433 or pizzajoes@hotmail.com

June 1, 9 a.m.: Hillside Hustle Trail Race, Polk. Run on grass and single track trails of Seneca Hills Camp and Conference Center. 216-496-7179 or www.senecahills.org/hillside-hustle

Race results

Dirty Kiln Trail Half Marathon, April 6: Lee Strappello, 1st Overall M, 1:42:22; William Huber, 3rd Overall M, 1:48:44; Meira Minard, 1st Overall W, 2:01:03; Jonathan Bost, 3rd 30-39 M, 2:11:25; Mark Knapp, 2:26:54; Gary Hayden, 2:32:01

Cook Forest Half Marathon, April 7: Mindy Sawtelle-Zottola, 1st Overall W, 1:23:04; Dino Montagna, 1st Overall M, 1:24:48; Jack Kelley, 1st 35-39 M, 1:28:22; Mike Fagan, 2nd 35-39 M, 1:30:37; Jeff Lynn, 2nd 50-54 M, 1:32:58; Jim Csonka, 1st 55-59 M, 1:43:12; Christina Beaver, 1st 45-49 W, 1:49:25; Vernon Kern, 1st 60-69 M, 1:51:13; Emily Unverzagt, 2nd 35-39 W, 1:52:14; Rebecca Klobuchar, 3rd 20-24 W, 1:52:47; Melanie Woods, 2nd 35-39 W, 1:53:04; Darla Ferraro, 2nd 45-49 W, 1:54:34; Lorna Williams, 3rd 25-29 W, 2:07:21; Judy Woodburn, 1st 60-69 W, 2:18:14; Michael Ferraro, 1:32:44; Tim Souders, 1:33:37; Bradley Kirkwood, 1:44:03; Chester Jonczak, 1:46:48; Brian Lasko, 1:46:49; Anthony Beilstein, 1:50:37; Leanna Anderson, 1:55:48; Rich Anderson, 1:55:49; Steve Wychock, 1:58:34; Randall Kruger, 1:59:20; Kristina Zack, 2:02:51; Erika Campbell, 2:04:54; Patrick Zapolski, 2:05:09; Stephanie McCreary, 2:06:43; Cheryl Fox, 2:07:50; Autumn Ziegler, 2:11:32; Andra Titus, 2:18:22; Shari Allen, 2:19:08; Kara McCall, 2:19:44; Bryan Harmon, 2:23:15; Monica Thompson, 2:24:35; Alice Wiesner, 2:24:37; Kelley Morrone, 2:24:46; Carly Thompson, 2:28:56; Lisa Jamison, 2:29:16; Shelly Wilmoth, 2:29:24; Christine Guthrie, 2:29:34; Hollie Stevenson, 2:31:11; Maud Mayemba, 2:31:30; Mary Zapolski, 2:39:13; Michael McNamara, 2:47:59; Bridget Casteel, 3:18:07

Cook Forest 5k, April 7: Dominic Wyzomirski, 1st Overall M, 19:19; Roxanne McFarland, 1st Overall W, 20:33; Mark Courtney, 1st 60-69 M, 20:36; Eric Peirce, 1st 25-29 M, 22:42; Eric Weiland, 1st 50-54 M, 23:08; Allison Harriger, 1st 20-24 W, 25:11; Brianna Kelly, 1st 25-29 W, 25:28; Sara Weiland, 2nd 14-19 W, 25:57; Debbie Courtney, 1st 55-59 W, 26:58; Hannah Kruger, 2nd 20-24 W, 27:55; Paige Ponteous, 3rd 13 & Under W, 30:48; Stephanie Weiland, 3rd 14-19 W, 31:03; Dez Csizmadia, 1st 70+ M, 39:46; Charles Sneeringer, 3rd 70+ M, 44:21; Cody Neely, 25:15; Russ Walker, 26:07; Victor Stahlman, 26:47; Leah Chambers, 27:52; Robert Taylor, 29:24; Alex Oakes, 31:05; Nicole Grove, 31:27; Peyton Ponteous, 38:18; Tasha Ponteous, 38:19; Debra Kuminkoski, 38:34; Barbara Stahlman, 48:31

National Tunnel 10k, April 14: Stu Bewick, 1st Overall M, 41:22; Ray Reinheimer, 3rd Overall M, 44:13; Nora Green, 1st Overall W, 45:32; Brant Purcell, 1st 19 & Under M, 46:23; Bob Gracie, 1st 60+ M, 52:52; Daniel Taylor, 3rd 40-44 M, 55:51; Sarah Donley, 2nd 35-39 W, 57:08; Bruce Rockwell, 3rd 55-59 M, 1:00:20; Timothy Smith, 2nd 25-29 M, 1:00:39; Rachel Carlsen, 1:02:46; Alessandra Jacobs, 1:04:45

National Tunnel 5k, April 14: Stu Bewick, 1st Overall M, 18:42; Dominic Sambuco, 2nd Overall M, 18:50; Brant Purcell, 3rd Overall M, 19:55; Jennifer Foster, 1st Overall W, 22:47; Sarah Donley, 1st 35-39 W, 23:07; Stush Sadowski, 2nd 60+ M, 23:29; Alessandra Jacobs, 1st 25-29 W, 27:41; Maryann Kern, 1st 60+ W, 29:49; Gary Chabala, 24:34; Lisa Waters, 34:33; Rich Kern, 37:32

Boston Marathon, April 15: Lawrence Cherono, 1st Overall M, 2:07:57; Worknesh Degefa, 1st Overall W, 2:23:31; Gar Bercury, 3:04:20; Mark Hunkele, 3:07:18; Kimberly Hohman, 3:22:10; Jason Sittler, 3:22:12; Rob Diloreto, 3:23:55; Melissa Conjack, 3:25:40; Amanda Devlin, 3:28:21; Mark Courtney, 3:30:45; Kevin Berger, 3:33:33; Leslie Kramer, 3:34:43; Andrew Chambers, 3:35:52; Jeff Lynn, 3:39:19; Tom Cavicchi, 3:41:18; Kristen Suvick, 3:45:50; Elizabeth Perry, 3:53:30; Lori Fromlak, 3:59:10; Meredith Heusey, 3:59:47; Chuck Sarver, 4:08:35; Marilyn Larocca, 4:18:59; John Armstrong, 4:30:12; Terence Ake, 4:32:39; Jinny Hertweck, 4:50:47; Mary Morgan, 5:03:20; Katherine Colton, 5:09:33

Send comments and suggestions: Patricia Neubert. Phone 724-352-4395. Email lotzak@consolidated.netPat Neubert is a running columnist for the Butler Eagle