Two races are on the calendar for Saturday. It's too bad we can't do both.

At 9 a.m., the biggest road race in Butler starts in front of the courthouse for the 33rd time. The Butler Road Race 5-Mile Run and 2K Run and Health Walk is a traditional rite of summer for hundreds of area runners.

The course is a gently rolling out-and-back, but the uphill finish on Main Street adds a dimension of difficulty. The sometimes hot and steamy weather can make the 5 miles even more challenging.

The event has seen some fast times over its history, including five national age group records on the USATF certified course. Butler County's Jake Walker holds the men's course record with his 24-minute, 34-second finish while Tammy Slusser owns the women's overall and masters records of 29:44 and 30:43 respectively.

While event organizers hand out many awards, the real prizes are presented long after the race. In the past 15 years, the race has awarded nearly $250,000 in scholarships to Butler County high school scholar athletes.

It's not too late to be a part of this big event. Race-day registration opens at 7:30 a.m. Saturday. in Diamond Park. For information, call 724-284-4676 or email butlerroadrace@butlerhealthsystem.org.

If you prefer a smaller event, check out the Middlesex Mad Dash 5K at 8:30 p.m. Saturday in Valencia. The Mad Dash starts at Middlesex Township Municipal Building near Route 8 in Cooperstown and runs through the community's park and nearby roads.

After the event, a half-mile run for youngsters 11 and under will be held.

Middlesex Mad Dash 5K is the first event of Middlesex Community Day. Although the race begins early to avoid the late June heat, other Community Day activities, including tennis and golf lessons, Pinetree Performing Arts presentations and activities for young people, start at noon.

Proceeds from the race will be used to make major renovations to the township's community park.

Registration for Middlesex Mad Dash 5K opens at 7:30 a.m. Saturday in front of the municipal building. For information, call 724-473-1198.

Eight Weeks to Fitness Plan

It's important to get a good night's sleep tonight in case you toss and turn the night before your big event.

Wednesdays and Fridays, 12:15 p.m.: Lunchtime run, Cabot. Run 6 to 7 easy miles with me from St. Luke Church. 724-352-2777 or pneubert@stlukecabot.orgSaturday, 8 a.m.: Up-N-Running Group Run, Valencia. 724-898-2525 or www.runpa.comJuly 2, 7 p.m.: Groundhog 5K Run-Walk, Punxsutawney. 814-938-1008 or www.punxsutawneyphil.comJuly 4, 8 a.m.: Race for Virginia & Friends, Cranberry Township. 724-772-7499 or www.raceforvirginia.orgJuly 4, 9 a.m.: Brentwood Firecracker 5K Run, Brentwood. Great post race party, discount for families of three or more. 412-882-5694.July 4, 9 a.m.: Hampton Rotary Firecracker 5K, Hampton Township. Challenging course, post race party. loudangelo.comJuly 5, 9 a.m.: Ellwood City Ledger 10K, Ellwood City. 724-752-1583July 5, 9 a.m.: Ford City Heritage Days 5K Run/Walk, Ford City. 724-763-3986 or jsolak@iup.eduJuly 12, 8:30 a.m.: Cross Country Crusade 5K, Saxonburg. Cross country race on Knoch High course, first race in Saxonburg Distance Series. 724-898-2525 or shoes@runpa.comJuly 12, 9 a.m.: Elk County Classic 5K, Johnsonburg. 814-776-2413 or bczappa@penn.comJuly 20, 8 a.m.: Thorn Hill County Line 5K Race, Cranberry Township. 724-776-4949

<B>Strawberry Days 5K, June 4:</B> Kenneth Foster, 1st Overall M, 16:08; Jacob Kildoo, 2nd Overall M, 16:28; Christie Turak, 1st Overall W, 19:06; Leslie Kramer, 3rd Overall W, 20:23; Sarah Thompson, 5th Overall W, 20:38; Jacob Spurk, 1st 16-19 M, 17:55; Mike Dreves, 3rd 30-34 M, 18:01; Jackson Udy, 2nd 16-19 M, 18:12; Jeff Lynn, 1st 40-44 M, 18:18; Ben Hoffman, 2nd 12-14 M, 18:24; Mitch Radella, 2nd 40-44 M, 19:06; Mark Courtney, 2nd 50-54 M, 19:09; Ben English, 1st 20-24 M, 19:13; Bill Hoffman, 3rd 40-44 M, 19:21; W.C. Vance, 3rd 35-39 M, 19:42; Ryan Sestak, 3rd 16-19 M, 20:08; John Ciafre, 1st 55-59 M, 20:30Charles Casalnova, 3rd 45-49 M, 20:32; Ben Arnold, 2nd 20-24 M, 20:35; Curt Grimm, 2nd 55-59 M, 20:41; Susan Dreves, 1st 30-34 W, 21:05; Hana Casalnova, 1st 16-19 W, 21:17; Jessica Bennett, 1st 12-14 W, 21:42; Lou Alaksin, 3rd 65-69 M, 22:20; John Antinossi, 1st 60-64 M, 22:36; Becky Consbruck, 3rd 16-19 W, 22:45; Eliza Lowe, 3rd 12-14 W, 22:55; Cindy Grimm, 1st 55-59 W, 23:17; Tawney Murray, 2nd 30-34 W, 24:22; John Reed, 1st 9 & Under M, 26:05; Noah Kildoo, 2nd 10-11 M, 26:51; Beverly Lowe, 3rd 40-44 W, 27:12; Stacy Matz, 3rd 30-34 W, 27:27; Lou Lodovico, 1st 70 and over M, 27:57; Olivia Lowe, 2nd 9 and under W, 29:12; Linda Surgenor, 2nd 60-64 W, 31:26; Janet Tarr, 2nd 50-54 W, 33:14 Sandra McConnell, 3rd 60-64 W, 33:36; Michelle Robb, 3rd 50-54 W, 42:38; Otha Montgomery, 1st 70 and over W, 49:49Ryan Thompson, 20:02; Jim Gallagher, 20:06; Ethan Smith, 20:14; Christopher Bloch, 20:35; Nick Arnold, 21:12; Matt Owens, 21:13; Dean Rippee, 21:36; Tim Sestak, 21:45; Michael Labarre, 22:13; Caleb Thrasher, 22:33; Clint Hartle, 22:38; Emily Univerzagt, 22:55; Keith Quisenberry, 23:08; Ron Hartle, 23:11; Rachel Richter, 23:15; Casey Univerzagt, 23:19; John-Scott Somora, 23:31; Elizabeth Witmer, 23:32; Joshua Depew, 23:48; Adam Lowe, 23:53; Bruce Soule, 23:55; Andy Owens, 23:57; Alyssa Waryanka, 24:00; Mat Hoover, 24:11; Nicole Marshall, 24:14; Kim Keeley, 24:14; Cory Vernon, 24:17; Bill Swanik, 24:26Kelsey Brendlinger, 25:16; Sameul Archibald, 25:16; Alexis Reeher, 25:24; Jen Beachem, 25:39; Steve Maddalena, 25:53; John Hasychak, 25:55; Abby Casalnova, 26:00; Randy Long, 26:01; Marian Treiber, 26:01; Nathan Depew, 26:01; Joshua Hindman, 26:06; Gregory Reed, 26:06; Thomas Whittaker, 26:08; Jeff Bennett, 26:22; Elizabeth Depew, 26:41; Matthew Thrasher, 26:42; Debbie Courtney, 26:45; Margie Somora, 26:46; Amanda Cagno, 26:53; Jennifer Ciochetto, 27:02; Gail Shannon, 27:03; Holly Depew, 27:04Ruth Perry, 27:13; Tisha Boltz, 27:16; Taylor McConnell, 27:32; William Dundore, 27:51; Tony Sunseri, 28:48; Devon Rock, 28:50; Ben Burnett, 28:50; Jennifer Dundore, 28:53; Evan Lowe, 29:13; Tom Shannon, 29:13; Judy Culp, 29:14; Amy Frazier, 30:35; Sarahann Bordick, 31:37; Stacie Doughty, 31:44; Katrina Wolinski, 31:45; Amy Vernon, 31:51; Crystal Albert, 31:58; Edward Doughty, 32:02; Tedd Nesbit, 32:34; Kristy Thrasher, 32:38; Sharon Harrilla, 33:14; Sarah Whittaker, 33:54; Jodi Hines, 35:10; Phelan Robb, 36:26; John Sestak, 37:01; Ada Rumberg, 37:45; Donald Cescon, 38:36: Michael Robb, 40:24Send comments and suggestions: Patricia Neubert, 435 Cherry Valley Rd., Saxonburg, PA. 16056. Phone 724-352-4395. Email bigp16@connecttime.netPat Neubert is the running columnist for the Butler Eagle.