With the large number of races in our area, one has to wonder if we need one more. But can there really be too many fitness opportunities that teach life lessons and support needy charities?

NexTier Junior Bank Board 5K Race joins the race schedule with this Saturday's 9 a.m. start in Alameda Park in Butler. The event is a community service project for the Junior Bank Board and benefits Butler County United Way.

This event may be the first running, but it's the fifth community service project for the Junior Bank Board. The Board, founded and overseen by Butler NexTier employee Jennifer Roxbury, teaches selected high school students about business, finance and what a bank does to serve in the community.

NexTier's Junior Bank Board is unique to Butler and includes juniors and seniors from six area high schools. Participating schools include Butler, Karns City, Mars, Seneca Valley, Slippery Rock and South Butler.

Students are appointed by their school's business teachers or guidance counselors based on interest in pursuing a career in banking, finance or business. Appointees must have at least a 3.0 grade point average and a clean disciplinary record to be eligible for membership for a single year term.

Junior Bank Board members must also exhibit a positive attitude, have self-confidence and have good communication skills necessary for success in the business world.

During monthly meetings, Junior Bank Board members learn about the workings of financial institutions, career planning and other selected topics. For one portion of the meeting, members simulate the workings of an actual bank board of directors. This teaches students how to work together to achieve a common goal for the community.

At least two of this year's Junior Bank Board members run for their high school's track teams. That's how the idea for the 5K event developed. But rather than run, all of the association's members will be working on Saturday to make this run a success.

Day of event registration for Junior Bank Board 5K opens at 8 a.m. for the 9 a.m. start at the Carousel Shelter in Alameda Park. There should be plenty of commemorative T-shirts, even for late registrants.

The 5K course is mostly level, running out and back on the park road with a small portion run on gravel and grass. Runners and walkers can feel safe as the course will be closed to automobile traffic during the event.

Competitive awards for the Junior Bank Board 5K include medals for men and women in age groups with 10-year increments beginning with 12 and under through 60+. Post race refreshments include drinks and fruit.

For more information, call Jennifer Roxbury 724-214-5844 or visit www.jbb5krun.

• Sunday: Brisk 20-30 minute walk.• Monday: Walk 5 minutes. 2 x 30 seconds run, 30 seconds walk; 2 x 3 minutes run, 2 minutes walk; 2 x 30 seconds run, 30 seconds walk. Walk 5 minutes.• Tuesday: Walk 30 minutes.• Wednesday: Walk 5 minutes. Run 2 minutes, walk 2 minutes; run 2 minutes, walk 90 seconds; run 2 minutes, walk 60 seconds; run 2 minutes, walk 30 seconds; run 2 minutes. Walk 5 minutes.• Thursday: Walk 30 minutes or rest.• Friday: Walk 30 minutes.• Saturday: Walk 5 minutes. Run 2 minutes, walk 2 minutes. Repeat for 20 minutes total. Walk 5 minutes.

Friday, 6:30 p.m.: Kilted Mile, Edinboro. Run around Edinboro University campus kicks off Highland Festival. Post race bonfire with Celtic music. 814-476-7648 or mcurtze@earthlink.netSaturday, 7:45 a.m.: Birdsfoot 5K, Freeport. Run on cart paths of Birdsfoot Golf Course.Saturday, 8 a.m.: Up 'N' Running group run, Valencia. 724-898-2525 or www.runpa.comSaturday, 8 a.m.: Family Services 5K Run, Altoona. 814-944-3583Saturday, 8:30 a.m.: Run Around Town 5K, Clays724-309-7897 or wagz33@yahoo.comville. 724-663-5262Saturday, 9 a.m.: NexTier Junior Bank Board 5K Race, Butler. Starts at Carousel Shelter, paved course with some grass and gravel. 724-214-5844 or www.jbb5krun.comSaturday, 9 a.m.: Charlotte's Run XVIII, Monaca. Starts at Beaver Valley Mall, 5K individual or 3-person team. 724-774-5128 or charlottesrun@comcast.netSaturday, 9 a.m: Run for NF 5K, Pittsburgh. Starts at Schenley Park Skating Rink, runs on Schenley Oval and trails. 412-795-3029 or www.nfpittsburgh.org 412-795-3029Saturday, 9 a.m.: Tiger Trot 5K, Robinson Township. Run through Settlers Cabin Park benefits Holy Trinity School XC team. 412-216-7279 or bobrunbike@aol.comSaturday: Dirty Dog 15K Trail Run, Charleston, WV. Run through Kanawha State Forest. 304-741-3531Sunday, 7 a.m.: Rite Aid Cleveland Marathon and 10K, Cleveland, Ohio. Also half marathon. 1-800-467-3826Sunday, 9 a.m.: Girls on the Run 5K Event, Homestead. Timed non-competitive event starts at Sandcastle Riverplex. 412-641-6636 or www.girlsontherun.magee.eduMay 26, 9 a.m.: Heritage Valley/ Beaver Fire Truck Cruise 5K, Beaver. Starts at Beaver Cazebo. 724-773-2046 or www.heritagevalley.orgJune 2, 8:30 a.m.: The Romp 5K, Penn Hills. Benefits Penn Hills High School track and field and cross country scholarships. 412-795-4053 or lzelko@phsd.k12.pa.usJune 2, 9 a.m.: Freeport Flash 5K Run/ Walk, Freeport. Flat and fast, out and back on Butler-Freeport Rail Trail. N3wav@aol.comJune 6, 7 p.m.: Strawberry Days 5K, Grove City. Starts at Grove City Middle School. First race in Mercer County Twilight QUAD series. 724-458-4435 or smc@runhigh.com

Grove City YMCA 5K, April 28: Doug Basinski, 1st Overall M, 18:32; Sue Dreves, 1st Overall W, 21:48; Jacob Kildoo, 1st 10-14 M, 19:00; Scott Pearson, 1st 40-49 M, 19:28; John Stewart, 1st 30-39 M, 19:57; Angela Blood, 1st 20-29 W, 22:06; Christopher Bloch, 3rd 40-49 M, 22:13; Beth Sciullo, 1st 30-39 W, 22:33; Jason Bonner, 2nd 30-39 M, 22:54; Mark Eschenfelder, 1st 50-59 M, 23:44; Sean Wright, 3rd 30-39 M, 24:35; Rachel McFeely, 1st 10-14 W, 24:48; Mpitulo Kala-Lufulwabo, 1st 20-29 M, 24:59; Mary Blom, 1st 40-49 W, 25:08; Lindsey Rhoads, 1st 15-19 W, 25:37; Jessica Richards, 2nd 30-39 W, 26:10; Elizabeth Morris, 3rd 30-39 W, 26:35; Matt Owrey, 1st 9 & UnderM, 27:41; Thomas Somora, 2nd 9 & Under M, 27:45; Abigail Casalnova, 2nd 10-14 W, 28:54; Isaac Wilson, 3rd 9 & Under M, 30:42; Elizabeth Donaldson, 1st 9 & Under W, 32:29; Stefani Wendelschaefer, 3rd 10-14 W, 35:54; Kimberley Wendelschaefer, 2nd 9 & Under W, 37:36; Kelly Somora, 3rd 9 & Under W, 47:47; Linda Bennett, 1st 50-59 W, 54:00; Donna Siegfried, 2nd 50-59 W, 1:27:56; Roger Murray, 22:33; Sam Archibald, 23:33; Patrick Shaw, 24:35; Andrew McCracken, 25:36; Thomas Ekas, 26:40; Dan Miller, 27:22; Wendy Recio, 27:54; Margaret Somora, 28:39; Don Owrey, 28:41; Patricia Barb, 28:47; Charles Casalnova, 28:56; A.J. Terwilliger, 30:39; Ross Wilson, 30:42; Merle Hughes, 32:01; Dana Hogue, 32:11; Ted Nesbit, 32:30; Jordan Caldwell, 33:18; Jenny Faull, 34:48; Kellie Clemens, 35:08; Hailey Shaw, 37:49; Wendy Shaw, 37:49; Cathy Risden, 42:20; Nancy Powner, 43:56; Michelle Beck, 43:57; Scott Somora, 47:47; Brenda Eperthener, 50:09; Bruce Bennett, 54:02; Valerie Gross, 56:16; Bob Siegfried, 1:28:00Flying Pig 5K, May 5: Theo Shybut, 1sy Overall M, 17:00; Monika Deroussel, 1st Overall W, 19:13; Dana Moore, 36:24; Stephanie Moore, 37:10Flying Pig Marathon, May 6: Isaac Barnes, 1st Overall M, 2:33:36; Leah Peelman, 1st Overall W, 2:55:56; Leslie Kramer, 1st 25-29 W, 3:05:06; Dena Schmid, 3:41:25; Bob Gracie, 3:42:27; Tim Schmid, 3:46:55; Michael Baumgartel, 3:49:59; Dana Longwell, 3:58:10; Mary Morgan, 4:35:24; Barbara Schweitzer, 4:46:36; Michelle Minjock, 4:46:39; Steve Moore, 4:59:26Flying Pig Half Marathon, May 6: Thomas Lentz, 1st Overall M, 1:10:02; Olgd Senyk, 1st Overall W, 1:23:14; Holly Ward, 2:03:22; Lynne Frankowski, 2:27:58; Michelle Pobicki, 2:55:12Pat Neubert is a running columnist for the Butler EagleSend comments and suggestions: Patricia Neubert, 435 Cherry Valley Rd., Saxonburg, PA. 16056. Phone or fax 724-352-4395. Email bigp16@connecttime.net