PITTSBURGH - Organizers of the Pittsburgh Marathon say they're revising the course of the May 3 race to provide more room for runners.

Race director Patrice Matamors said runners are most tightly packed at the beginning at the race. The new route announced Friday puts the starting line at the top of a long straightaway and eliminates several turns during the first six miles of the race.

Race officials initially capped registration at 9,000 participants but have since raised that limit to 10,500.

A series of six 5K races that will be run in Butler, Armstrong and Mercer counties starting in May will offer $800 in posted awards at each event.The Quality Life Cup Series will crown one male and one female runner at the series finale in October, using each entrant's five best times from the six events. Proceeds benefit the "Dream A Little Dream" program, which makes wishes come true for elderly nursing home residents.Quality Life Services, which provides long-term health care through nursing homes in four counties, is the host and sponsor of each race and will offer companion festivities on the same date at each location.Each event includes a complimentary breakfast buffet for all registered runners after the race. Spectators can enjoy the same morning bounty for a small donation to the "Dream A Little Dream" fund.All races will be professionally timed.For information, visit www.QualityLifeServices.com or contact event director Mike Lysakowski at 724-431-0770 or at mikeLQualityLifeServices.com<B>Quality Cup Series race schedule</B>n 9 a.m., May 2: Trinity Living Center, 400 Hillcrest Ave. Grove City• 9 a.m., June 13: Fair Winds Manor, 126 Iron Bridge Road, Sarver• 9 a.m., July 11: Chicora Medical Center, 160 Medical Center Road, Chicora• 9 a.m., Aug. 1: Countryside Care Home, 8221 Lamor Road, Mercer• 9 a.m., Sept. 12: Sugar Creek Rest, 120 Lakeside Drive, Worthington• Afternoon, Oct 25: Emlenton's Laurel Manor, 400 River Ave., Emlenton

BUTLER TWP - The Butler High swimming and diving team held its awards dinner recently and honored several team members.<B>Mary Ann Napora Academic Award: </B>Megan Morando<B>Steven Napora Academic Award: </B>Jason Clouse<B>Coaches Award: </B>Renee Clouse<B>Tough as Nails Award: </B>Alex Bauer and Morgan Morrison<B>Hustle Award: </B>Matt Goettler and Abby Merhaut<B>MVP: </B>Heath Calhoun, Erik Bergh and Brianna Keelan<B>Top Performance Diving: </B>Heath Calhoun and Brittney Grenet<B>Most Dedicated Divers: </B>Parker Campbell, Katie Pflugh and Makenzie Walker<B>200 Club Diver: </B>Meredith Harbison

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - Richard Petty will make his first foray into the Indianapolis 500 as an owner when he fields a car for John Andretti in next month's race. Petty will be joining fellow NASCAR team owners Roger Penske and Chip Ganassi at Indy.A news conference is scheduled Monday at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, but details were confirmed Friday by a person familiar with the arrangement. The person spoke on the condition of anonymity to The Associated Press because the deal has not been announced.Andretti drove for the now-defunct family-owned Petty Enterprises team in NASCAR from 1998 through the middle of the 2003 season. He has driven in nine Indy 500s, including the last two finishing 16th last year driving for Marty Roth and 10 NASCAR races at the famed Brickyard.

SEATTLE - Mariners star Ichiro Suzuki is being treated for a bleeding ulcer and was placed on the 15-day disabled list, sending Seattle into opening day minus one of baseball's best players.The Mariners said Friday the ulcer is no longer bleeding. Doctors have restricted the 35-year-old outfielder's activity but are optimistic he'll be ready to play when he's eligible to come off the DL April 15.

NEW YORK - One home run shy of 500, veteran outfielder Gary Sheffield reached a contract agreement with the New York Mets Friday, three days after he was released by the Detroit Tigers in a surprising move.Just hours before opening their beaming new ballpark with an exhibition game against Boston, the Mets made another splash by acquiring the outspoken Sheffield. The deal is contingent on him passing a physical, general manager Omar Minaya said.