Last Saturday's cross country 5K at Butler County Community College featured tough hills, rough footing, an uncertified length and at least a half dozen golf balls scattered about the course.

The running was hard, but the event was easy.

Because the course consisted of three loops of an open field, the run was very spectator friendly. Competitors could also spy their competition throughout the course.

And most of the participants got to see the winner, Kevin Doyle, up close and personal as he completed three laps in the time it took most of us to do one or two.

The female winner, Slippery Rock's Leslie Kramer, led the women's field throughout the race as well.

The best part of the run was getting to reminisce with those who recalled the glory days of BC3's Cross Country team - the course, the competition and the team members.

The ghosts of the past certainly chased this year's younger runners who sprawled on the grass after their effort.

After last week's column I received an email from Bill Groft, the last cross country coach at Butler County Community College in 1983 and 1984. He reported that in the team's final year, it won the Pennsylvania State Community College cross country championship in Williamsport.

For his coaching services, Bill was paid with one pair of running shoes.

Two races, one old, one new, are set this Saturday.The NK-YMCA 10K Race, formerly NK-10K, runs through the flat downtown of New Kensington at 9 a.m.At the same time on Saturday, His Kids School attempts its second annual benefit run over the hills of Jefferson Township, south of Butler.Frank Diani of the New Kensington YMCA took over race directorship of the NK-10K from Rob Sanders, who is stepping down after a long tenure.Diani is no stranger to race directorship. In his 23 years at the New Kensington YMCA, he has been involved in many events, including directing the YMCA NK Spring 5K and assisting Sanders with the 10K.Although the new race retains some of the traditions of the old, Diani has made a few notable changes. Billed as "flat, fast, and furious," a new downtown course eliminates some of the turns and all of the brick streets.The new course offers returning participants the chance at a new personal best while giving beginning runners an easy introduction to the 10K distance.Being sponsored by the YMCA has definite perks. Runners can park in the YMCA lot and use shower facilities after the race.The event coincides with the YMCA Fall Festival and Open House. Runners and their families can stay after the race to swim, play games or learn arts and crafts for free.Day-of-event registrations begin at 8 a.m. at the Y.For information about the NK-YMCA 10K Race, call 724-335-9191 or email fdiani@newkeny.orgIn its second year, His Kids School 5K benefits Summit Presbyterian Church's His Kids School and its plans to add one grade per year to the school.This year saw the addition of first grade to the program that is expanding to fill the former Jefferson Elementary School building.Race director Sabrina Renfrew hopes to build on last year's race, which saw 60 finishers brave chilly and wet conditions to complete the challenging rural out-and-back course.Renfrew hopes for at least 100 participants for this year's event.New for this year is the Youth Relay Challenge for 4-person teams.His Kids School 5K is part of Summit Presbyterian Church's 14th annual Octoberfest. All runners and walkers are welcome to stay for the festivities including crafts, food and Chinese auction.For information about His Kids School 5K, call Sabrina Renfrew, 724-352-4521 or email drenfrew@zboom.net

Saturday, 9 a.m.: N.K. YMCA 10K Race, New Kensington. Traditional race under new management. 724-335-9191 or fdiani@newkeny.orgSaturday, 10 a.m.: Salem Township 5K, Greensburg. 724-668-8305Saturday, 10 a.m.: Steve Jerman Memorial 5K and 2-Mile Walk, Kane. Starts at Kane High School. 814-837-7360 or register online by emailing chuckandpeg@pennswoods.netSaturday: Punxsy Half Marathon, Punxsutawney. 814-371-7768Saturday: Run for Dogs and Cats 5K, South Park. Benefits area animal shelters. 412-835-3589

Roebling's Run 5K, Aug. 14:Kevin Doyle, 1st Overall M, 15:15; Shane Sarver, 2nd Overall M, 16:53; Sean Gallagher, 3rd Overall M, 17:06; Melanie Lutz, 1st Overall W, 20:52; Tim Monfre, 1st Masters M, 17:33; Jim Neigh, 2nd Masters M, 19:39; Bill Schmidt, 3rd Masters M, 19:40; Patricia Neubert, 2nd Masters W, 23:23; Ann Cheman, 3rd Masters W, 26:06; Christian Howes, 2st 20-24 M, 18:08; Artie Black, 1st 15-19 M, 18:15; Luke Snyder, 2nd 15-19 M, 18:21; Kyle Reeping, 3rd 15-19 M, 18:23Brian Tackett, 1st 10-14 M, 20:22; Bob Miller, 1st 45-49 M, 20:33; Curtis Pavlik, 2nd 10-14 M, 20:39; John Ciafre, 3rd 50-54 M, 20:57; Bernie Flynn, 2nd 55-59 M, 21:48; Scott Ekas, 1st 30-34 M, 21:54; Megan Prazenica, 1st 15-19 W, 22:17; Ron Hartle, 3rd 45-49 M, 22:18; Nicholas Pfeiffer, 3rd 10- 14 M, 22:30; Kristen Prazenica, 3rd 15-19 W, 23:28Joelle Scarnati, 1st 10-14 W, 23:58; Chad Lausberg, 3rd 20-24 M, 24:06; Scott Williams, 3rd 40- 44 M, 24:26; Andy Przybylek, 1st 35-39 M, 25:07; Dana McCarren, 2nd 10-14 W, 25:20; Lauren Williams, 3rd 10-14 W, 26:17; Caroline Monteleone, 1st 30-34 W, 26:56; Dana Hogue, 3rd 35-39 M, 26:59; Julia Murray, 3rd 35-39 W, 27:24; Manon Cypher, 2nd 20-24 W, 27:32; Wes Brahler, 3rd 30-34 M, 27:42;Lindsey Kelley, 2nd 25-29 W, 28:06; Margretta Lutz, 1st 60+ W, 28:08; Maria Franceschina, 1st 50-54 W, 32:48; Connie Riesmeyer, 1st 55-59 W, 39:28; Maggie Greer, 1st 40-44 W, 39:40; Emily Ekas, 1st 9 & Under W, 40:53; Derek Ekas, 1st 9 & Under M, 43:53; Tina Ekas, 3rd 25-29 W, 43:55; Christine Ekas, 3rd 30-34 W, 43:55; Suzanne Ekas, 2nd 55-59 W, 48:40; Joyce Hutterer, 2nd 40-44 W, 53:22Travis Hendell, 19:13; Ben Hutterer, 19:36; Scott Wetzel, 19:55; Chris Recio, 20:26; C.J. Burns, 20:34; Jeff Riley, 21:14; Rich Giustini, 21:54; Buddy Turner, 22:30; Eric Nebel, 22:45; Chuck Sarver, 22:56; Tyler Park, 23:14; Cody Wabiszewski, 23:17; Clint Hartle, 23:44; Nathan Gammell, 23:50; John Uleski, 23:52; Terry Tague, 24:34; Bob Rummel, 24:36; Stephanie Seibert, 24:36; Ryan McKinney, 24:40; Amber Wilks, 26:00; Erin Robb, 26:06; Cory Steinhagen, 26:07Michelle Riemer, 26:20; April Duncan, 26:36; Roger Sepich, 26:36; Kayla Bartell, 26:52; Maria Adler, 26:54; Al Lane, 27:17; Bryan Tague, 27:44; Bonnie Doyle, 28:02; Emily Spreng, 28:16; Van McCarren, 28:21; Mike McCarren, 28:21; Ashley Cetnar, 29:17; Scott Thomas, 29:27; Rusty Pfeiffer, 29:38; Arlin Rummel, 29:41; Suzanne Thomasmeyer, 30:04; Michelle Beamer, 30:04; Kristen Robb, 30:11; Shenoa Hendell, 30:39; Erin Black, 31:30; Richard Sefton, 32:42; Laura Winters, 34:23; Katie Sefton, 34:37Kim Kenetz, 34:51; Ashley Riemer, 38:05; Katie Rummel, 38:06; Megan Adkins, 40:11; Jeanne Sullivan, 40:11; Jessica Greiner, 40:12; Keriann Napora, 40:13; Brad Ekas, 40:56; Ian Adkins, 43:36; Ron Ekas, 43:53; Katelyn Hansen, 49:00; Kerri Melis, 49:00Beaver Break The Cycle 5K, Sept. 4:Jerry Maher, 1st 35-39 M, 18:56; Bob Miller, 2nd 45-49 M, 20:04; David Guo, 3rd 50-54 M, 20:40; James Nagel, 1st 60 and over M, 20:51; Bruce Hall, 1st 30-34 M, 23:24; Barbara Nagel, 1st 55-59 W, 24:45; Gale Mussey, 21:38; Joseph Fisher, 27:31Send comments and suggestions: to: 435 Cherry Valley Road, Saxonburg, Pa. 16056. Phone or fax: 724-352-4395. Email bigp@highstream.net