High school cross country season is more than a month away, but this is their prime fundraising season. Two area cross country organizations will be doing just that Saturday.

At 8:30 a.m., the third annual Junkyard Jaunt 5K, named for sponsor Tomson Scrap Metals, runs through Natrona Heights to benefit Highlands cross country boosters. Funds raised from this event supplement school district support, paying transportation and entry fees to invitational meets and buying equipment and uniform items as needed for the growing team of 29 members in grades seven through 12.

Race co-director and Cross Country Boosters president Bill Groves said that the additional funding offers Highlands High School runners an opportunity to compete at a higher level in meets like the Boardman Invitational, an Ohio regional state qualifier that attracts more than 1,000 runners.

Junkyard Jaunt 5K features an unusual double out-and-back course, which makes it a great race for spectators. Runners cover one mile, then return and pass by the start for a half mile in the other direction. The USATF-certified course is fairly level and ends with a downhill finish.

For information about Junkyard Jaunt 5K, Saturday at 8:30 a.m., call 724-991-3003 or 724-772-7239.

The Laurel High School mascot is a Spartan, but Saturday's fundraising run is named for the cross country team's unofficial mascot —- the buffalo. Run with the Buffalo 5K at 9 a.m. benefits a scholarship fund for graduating seniors of the program.

Coach and race director Tom Altman said that bison from a farm adjacent to the cross country trail graze and sometimes run alongside his team of 18 varsity and 11 junior high school athletes.

"I didn't plan it," Altman said, "but at last year's race, the whole herd stampeded over the hill just before the start."

Altman hopes for at least 100 participants at this second-annual event. The cross country course is grassy and fairly level, which perfect for those new to off-road running.

Overall winners earn hand carved buffalo-head plaques while second- and third-place overall and the top three masters men and women take home commemorative beach blankets.

Day-of-event registrations are welcome, but T-shirt supplies are limited. Registration opens at 7 a.m. at the Laurel High School football field for the 9 a.m. race start.

For information about Run with the Buffalo 5K Cross Country Race, contact Altman at 724-924-9239 or by email at altmantom@yahoo.com

Saturday, 8 a.m.: Up-N-Running Group Run, Valencia. 724-898-2525Saturday, 8 a.m.: Horse Trading Days 5-Mile Run and 1- Mile Run-Walk, Zelienople. 724-321-4265 or www.horsetradingdays.infoSaturday, 9 a.m.: Freeport 5K, Freeport. Run in conjunction with Freeport International Baseball Invitational. 724-295-5511 or marathonmetal@comcast.netSaturday, 9 a.m.: 10 Miles to Cure Thirst, Youngstown, Ohio. Also a 5-mile run, supports providing safe drinking water for African villages. 330-758-8085 or www.socialactionrepublica.comSaturday, 9 a.m.: River Run-Walk, East Brady. 724-756-0720 or thelucky6@earthlink.netSaturday, 9 a.m.: Kane Fest 5K, Kane. 814-837-7360 or chuckandpeg@verizon.netSunday, 3 p.m.: Gold Medal Camp Alumni 5K, California, Pa. 412-310-2381.July 28, 8:30 a.m.: Stampede in the Park 5K Run and Walk, Plum Borough. Starts at Boyce Park Ski Lodge. 412-795-6902 or rmax@hughes.netAug. 1, 6 p.m.: Leukemia and Lymphoma Society Team in Training meeting, Butler. 800-482-TEAM or www.teamintraining.org/mailAug. 4: Kinzua Country Tango Adventure Race, Warren. Individual or team competition in running, cycling, swimming, orienteering and canoing. 814-726-0110 or thad@warrenymca.orgAug. 11, 8:30 a.m.: Roebling's 5K Run-Walk, Saxonburg. 724-586-6118 or tmelis@zoominternet.netAug. 18, 8 a.m.: Parkersburg News and Sentinel Half Marathon, Parkersburg, W.Va. 304-485-1891 or www.NewsandSentinel.comAug. 25, 9 a.m.: Run Around the Square 5K, Pittsburgh. Run through Regent Square neighborhood and Frick Park trails. 412-422-6562 or runaroundthesquare@yahoo.com

<B>Chase at the Lake 5K, June 6:</B> Kevin Pool, 1st Overall M, 15:07; Becky Eby, 1st Overall W, 20:03; Susan Dreves, 2nd Overall W, 20:44; Mark Courtney, 1st Masters M, 17:56; Tom Bollinger, 1st 16-19 M, 17:52; Jacob Kildoo, 2nd 13-15 M, 18:21; Adam Stillwagon, 2nd 16-19 M, 18:59; Brent Collins, 1st 45-49 M, 19:31; Richard Stewart, 1st 40-44 M, 19:49; Charles Casalnova, 2nd 45-49 M, 20:00Craig Caylor, 2nd 30-34 M, 20:27; John Ciafre, 1st 55-59 M, 20:37; Christopher Bloch, 3rd 45-49 M, 20:48; Callahan Spigler, 3rd 16-19 M, 20:56; Hana Casalnova, 1st 13-15 W, 21:08; Sarah Davis, 1st 13-15 W, 21:37; Lou Alaksin, 1st 65 and over M, 21:51; Bob Gracie, 3rd 55-59 M, 21:52Elizabeth Witmar, 2nd 25-29 W, 22:33; Carol Donahey, 1st 40-44 W, 23:59; Mary Blom, 2nd 45-49 W, 24:44; Samuel Archibald, 1st 11 and under M, 24:50; Wendy Recio, 3rd 45-49 W, 25:32; Adam Lowe, 2nd 11 and under M, 25:41; Kalie Davis, 1st 11 & Under W, 25:52; Debbie Courtney, 3rd 40-44 W, 26:00; Holly Depew, 3rd 35-39 W, 26:11 Lou Lodovico, 3rd 65 and over M, 26:36; Olivia Lowe, 2nd 11 and under W, 29:43Rick Black, 22:24; Greg Sines, 22:43; Bill Swanik, 22:49; Jason Shannon, 23:28; John Scott-Somora, 23:41; Ron Hartle, 23:43; Caleb Thrasher, 23:44; Jim Thrasher, 23:44; Ruth Perry, 24:12; Eliza Lowe, 24:14; Robert Cook, 24:34; Stacey Sada, 25:32; Amanda Cagno, 26:06; Stacie Doughty, 26:06; Devon Rock, 26:18; Patty Peirce, 26:25; Tony Sunseri, 26:40; Jen Henderson, 26:43; Cynthia Johnston, 27:05; William Dundore, 27:18Bethany Stillwagon, 27:33; Margy Somora, 27:53; Gail Shannon, 27:56; Mimi Haney, 28:15; Corey Haney, 28:18; Jennifer Dundore, 28:20; Tim Sestak, 29:20; Joseph Bishop, 29:24; Terry Reeher, 29:30; Heather Oros, 29:31; Evan Lowe, 29:51; Katie Herman, 30:10; Tedd Nesbit, 32:27; Susan Herman, 45:01<B>Dayspring Harvest Ministries 5K, June 16:</B> Jake Walker, 1st Overall M, 15:15; Dustin Smith, 2nd Overall M, 17:48; Evan Miller, 3rd Overall M, 18:05; Bethany Walker, 1st Overall W, 19:21; Bonnie Lathom, 2nd Overall W, 20:50; Cindy Grimm, 3rd Overall W, 21:44; Emmett Santillo, 1st 45-49 M, 18:39; Sean Butler, 1st 15-19 M, 19:33; Frank D'Ambrosio, 1st 40-44 M, 19:44; Jeff Wiley, 2nd 45-49 M, 20:08; Jim Gallagher, 2nd 40-44 M, 20:46Andrew Razanauskas, 2nd 15-19 M, 20:49; Gregory Schleicher, 1st 9 & Under M, 20:51; Jeff Scheicher, 3rd 40-44 M, 20:52; Tim Weil, 3rd 45-49 M, 20:57; Robert Walker, 1st 60-64 M, 21:36; Lou Alaksin, 1st 65-69 M, 22:00; David Crowl, 1st 50-54 M, 22:21; Veronica Kirish, 1st 25-29 W, 22:30; Mikko Tervo, 2nd 50-54 M, 22:31; David McKinney, 1st 35-39 M, 22:44; Eugene McClain, 1st 55-59 M, 22:55; Evan Schleicher, 2nd 8 and under M, 22:57John Antinossi, 2nd 60-64 M, 23:01; Jeff McCullough, 2nd 55-59 M, 23:06; Weatherly Boone, 3rd 50-54 M, 23:20; Bruce Hall, 2nd 35-39 M, 24:11; Lori Thomas, 1st 35-39 W, 24:19; Michael Poff, 3rd 60-64 M, 24:27; Gale Mussey, 3rd 55-59 M, 24:30; Amanda Cagno, 2nd 25-29 W, 25:00; Catie Butler, 1st 16-19 W, 25:21; Tammy Brown, 1st 45-49 W, 25:40; Marcy Rudolph, 1st 40-44 W, 25:45; Ted Venn, 1st 70 and over M, 25:47; Emily Bell, 2nd 16-19 W, 25:55; Ann Cheman, 1st 55-59 W, 26:22; Lou Lodovico, 2nd 70 and over M, 26:37Bill Moore, 2nd 65-69 M, 27:26; Trey Razanauskas, 3rd 9 and under M, 27:30; Erin Wiley, 1st 20-24 W, 27:52; Laura Chevalier, 2nd 35-39 W, 27:53; Justin Kuczynski, 1st 20-24 M, 27:54; Jackie Betke, 1st 50-54 W, 27:59; Terry Burnsworth, 1st 25-29 M, 28:16; Shakira VanGorder, 2nd 20-24 W, 28:49; Helen Walker, 2nd 45-49 W, 28:53Jenna Barry, 3rd 20-24 W, 28:58; Grant Anderson, 3rd 65-59 M, 29:28; Monica Bastow, 3rd 25-29 W, 30:18; Maura Razanauskas, 1st 10-12 W, 30:27; Sherree May, 3rd 45-49 W, 32:40; Kathy Shoaf, 60-64 W, 37:20; Sue Naugle, 3rd 35-39 W, 43:52 Mary Ellen McShea, 1st 70 and over W, 50:06; Art Joachim, 3rd 70 and over M, 52:37;Randy Brown, 21:12; Scott Brown, 21:53; Phil Barner, 22:56; Jeff Syphrit, 23:22; Dan Reed, 23:37; Ed Leymarie, 23:50; Len Yensull, 24:38; Ted Kroll, 26:25; Daniel Kendra, 26:32; Dan Miller, 27:34; Harry Green, 28:29; Jared Thomas, 38:42Send comments and suggestions to: 435 Cherry Valley Road, Saxonburg, Pa. 16056. Phone or fax: 724-352-4395. E-mail: bigp16@connecttime.net