If you've run the event in previous years, you've probably received your application for the 32nd Annual Butler Road Race, which will be run at 9 a.m. June 23.

It's time to send it in.

At a recent Butler Road Race Board of Directors event, board president Mike Franko recounted the history of "the oldest consecutively held race in Western Pennsylvania." The original Butler Road Race was born in 1976 during this country's first big running boom.

Although only 169 finished the inaugural event, Butler Road Race quickly earned a reputation as one of the toughest and most competitive 10K races in the area. Participation soared to more than 1,000 runners in the early 1980s, with prize money guaranteeing an elite field.

As road runners' focus changed, the race evolved. Diehards complained when race planners shortened the course to a gently rolling five miles, taking out the killer climb up Alameda Hill in response to runners' quests for faster finishing times and shorter distances.

Adding a beginner-friendly 2k run and walk boosted attendance further and made the event accessible to those interested in overall wellness, not just competitive racing.

One of the biggest changes in occurred off the course 15 years ago. Rather than offer appearance or prize money, the road race board decided to give back to the community. Since then, Butler Road Race has awarded nearly $235,000 in scholarships to 438 cross country team participants from the eight high schools in Butler County.

Butler Road Race has changed over the years in course and philosophy. One constant that keeps the event rolling is its dedicated board and corps of volunteers. Most of the board has been involved with the event in some capacity from the event's inception.

Current road race director Mike Blessel missed the first running but recalls completing the 10K the second year.

Local legend Rick Davanzati, Sr., and son Rick Jr., a distance running coach and former elite runner, also participated in early Butler Road Races.

Franko said this year marks a passing of the torch for the road race board. New board member Karen Nicodemus adds the unique perspective of being a recipient of a Butler Road Race scholarship. Franko foresees a building interest by former scholarship recipients. A growing Butler Road Race Alumni Association should add support in future years.

The event relies on support from individuals, organizations and corporations for continued success. Butler Memorial Hospital has been the major road race sponsor since the 25th running.

Seneca Valley Cross Country Booster president Jim Scarnati hopes that other organizations realize the importance of the road race and its scholarship program.

"The kids on the team all know about it. It's incentive to keep their grades up," he said. (Scholarship recipients must maintain a 3.0 grade point average.)

If you didn't get one, applications are available at many places in Butler or online at www.butlerhealthsystem.org/brr.htm.

For information or to become a race volunteer or sponsor, call 724-282-7977.

• <B>Sunday<I>:</I> </B>Walk 5 minutes; run 1 minute, walk 30 seconds; run 4 minutes, walk 1 minute; run 6 minutes, walk 1 minute; run 4 minutes, walk 5 minutes.• <B>Monday:</B> Walk 30 minutes.• <B>Tuesday:</B> Walk 5 minutes; run 1 minute, walk 1 minute; run 10 minutes, walk 5 minutes.• <B>Wednesday:</B> Walk 30 minutes.• <B>Thursday:</B> Walk 30 minutes or rest.• <B>Friday:</B> Walk 5 minutes; run 2 minutes, walk 30 seconds; run 4 minutes, walk 30 seconds; run 6 minutes, walk 30 seconds; run 4 minutes, walk 30 seconds; run 2 minutes, walk 5 minutes.• <B>Saturday:</B> Walk 30 minutes.

Friday, 7 p,m.: Hydetown 5K, Hydetown. Out and back course starts at Hydetown Firehall. 814-827-2563Saturday, 8 a.m.: Kennedy Township-Ohio Valley General Hospital 5K, McKees Rocks. 412-777-6313 or ohiovalleyhospital.orgSaturday, 8 a.m.: Up-N-Running Group Run, Valencia. 724-898-2525 or www.runpa.orgSaturday, 8 a.m.: Darlington Derby 5K, Darlington. Benefits American Cancer Society. 724-847-2034Saturday, 8:30 a.m.: The Romp 5K Penn Hills. Proceeds benefit Penn Hills High track and field and cross country scholarships. 412-795-4053 or lzelko@phsd.k12.pa.usSaturday, 9 a.m.: Freeport Flash 5K Run-Walk, Freeport. Flat-and-fast, out-and-back on Butler-Freeport Rail Trail benefits Freeport High Cross Country. N3wav@aol.comSaturday, 9 a.m.: Brant Cooper Benefit 5k Run and 2 Mile Walk, Fombell. Out-and-back course beginning at Marion Township Municipal Building. 724-843-6456 or www.beavercounty.comSaturday, 9 a.m.: Sarris Candies Run for Alex, Bentleyville. Choice of 5 miles, 2 miles or 1-mile fun walk. 724-239-2785 or www.fromalexwithlove.comSaturday, 10 a.m.: Dale Podkorney Memorial 5K Run, Buhl Park, Sharon. 724-962-1477 or mielecki@fnb-corp.comJune 6, 7 p.m.: Strawberry Days 5K, Grove City. Starts at Grove City Middle School, first race of Mercer County Twilight QUAD. 724-458-4435 or smc@runhigh.comJune 7, 7 p.m.: Peters Township 4K, McMurray. Starts at St. Benedict Church. 724-942-0386 or mindib@nauticom.netJune 9, 9 a.m.: Parkinson Awareness Memorial 5K Race and Walk in memory of Jerry Maher Sr., Uniontown. Starts at Uniontown Fire Hall, also half- mile kids run for ages 12 and under. www.serjracing.comJune 9, 9 a.m.: Kalajainen Klassic 5K Run-Walk, New Castle. Starts at Lawrence County Professional Building, benefits American Cancer Society, post race pizza. 724-652-4334June 16, 8:30 a.m.: Greater Clarksburg 10K, Clarksburg, W.Va. Major road race with $10,000 in prize money, also team competition and 2-mile run-walk at 10 a.m. 304-624-4100 or www.greaterclarksburg10k.orgJune 17, 7:45 a.m.: Father's Day 5K-10K Run-Walk, Pittsburgh. Starts at Heinz Field. 412-572-6830 or www.fathersday5k.comJune 23, 9 a.m.: Butler Road Race 5-Mile and 2K, Butler. Proceeds benefit area high school athletes. 724-282-7977 or www.butlerhealthsystem.org/brr.htmJune 30, 9 a.m.: Middlesex Mad Dash 5K Ru-Walk, Valencia. 724-473-1198.

<B>Sunset Sprint 5K, April 25: </B>Royce Hyland, 1st Overall M, 17:30; Mike Dreves, 2nd Overall M, 17:57; Cindy Grimm, 1st Overall W, 21:46; Susan Dreves, 2nd Overall W, 22:02; Sara Waugh, 3rd Overall W, 22:25; Mark Courtney, 1st 50-54 M, 18:07; Jim Pitts, 1st 35-39 M, 18:38; Emmett Santillo, 2nd 45-49 M, 18:53; Steven Abbott, 1st 16-20 M, 19:30; Kevin Gahman, 1st 20-24 M, 20:50; David Donahue, 2nd 50-54 M, 20:58; Tim Thurman, 2nd 35-39 M, 21:08; Mitchell Young, 2nd 16-20 M, 21:13; Curt Grimm, 3rd 55-59 M, 21:32Steve Kloter, 3rd 20-24 M, 22:06; Lou Alaksin, 1st 65-69 M, 22:34; Lori Thomas, 1st 35-39 W, 23:07; Cody Campbell, 2nd 21-24 M, 23:27; Lauren Howell, 1st 16-19 W, 23:39; David McImmis, 3rd 21-24 M, 24:42; Jennifer McFarland, 3rd 21-24 W, 24:49; Lori Hansell, 3rd 16-20 W, 25:08; Kathy Shoaf, 1st 60-64 W, 28:04; Mary Eschenfelder, 1st 14 and under W, 31:53; Scott Pearson, 19:33; Mitch Radella, 19:35; Mark Markins, 22:29; David McKinney, 22:36; Benjamin Allen, 22:55; Mark Eschenfelder, 23:05; Megan Illslley, 27:07; Lindsay Smith, 29:00; Adam Bright, 29:10<B>Adopt a Race 5K, April 28: </B>Dan Dygert, 1st Overall M, 18:15; Emmett Santillo, 2nd Overall M, 18:44; Leslie Kramer, 1st Overall W, 19:19; Cindy Grimm, 3rd Overall W, 21:45; Curt Grimm, 1st 55-59 M, 21:10; Lou Alaksin, 1st 60+ M, 22:28; Lori Thomas, 1st 35-39 W, 25:04; Stacie Doughty, 2nd 20-29 W, 28:04; Jared Thomas, 1st 11 and under M, 32:13; Kathy Shoaf, 1st 60 and over W, 32:15<B>Grove City YMCA 5K, April 28: </B>Doug Basinski, 1st Overall M, 18:32; Sue Dreves, 1st Overall W, 21:48; Jacob Kildoo, 10-14 M, 19:00; Scott Pearson, 1st 40-44 M, 19:28; John Stewart, 1st 30-39 M, 19:57; Jonathan Lauer, 2nd 10-14 M, 19:58; 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; Randy Byers, 2nd 50-59 M, 24:26; Rachel McFeely, 1st 10-14 W, 24:48; Jim Waldorf, 3rd 60-69 M, 24:54; Mpitulo Kala-Lufulwabo, 1st 20-29 M, 24:59Mary Blom, 1st 40-49 W, 25:08; Jessica Richards, 2nd 30-39 W, 26:10; Elizabeth Morris, 3rd 30-39 W, 26:35; Matt Owrey, 1st 9 and under M, 27:41; Thomas Somora, 2nd 9 and under M, 27:45; Abigail Casalnova, 2nd 10-14 W, 28:54; Isaac Wilson, 3rd 9 and under M, 30:42; Stefani Wendelschaefer, 3rd 10-14 W, 35:54; Kimberley Wendelshaefer, 2nd 9 and under W, 37:36; Kelly Somora, 3rd 9 and under W, 47:47; Linda Bennett, 1st 50-59 W, 54:00; Donna Siegfried, 2nd 50-59 W, 1:27:56Sean Wright, 24:35; Roger Murray, 22:33; Samuel Archibald, 23:33; Patrick Shaw, 24:35; Daniel Lauer, 25:17; 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, 30:42Merle Hughes, 32:01; Dana Hogue, 32:11; Tedd Nesbit, 32:30; Jordan Caldwell, 33:18; Jenny Faull, 34:48; Kellie Clemens, 35:08; Marci Dodds, 37:32; 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; Laurie Stoner, 56:17; Bob Siegfried, 1:28:00Send comments and suggestions to: 435 Cherry Valley Road, Saxonburg, Pa. 16056. Phone or fax: 724-352-4395. E-mail: bigp16@connecttime.netPat Neubert is the running columnist for the Butler Eagle.