After 34 years of the Butler Road Race, you'd think there could be nothing new. But last Saturday's big event held some surprises.

Two records fell in this year's 5-mile race. Nicole Blaesser of Oxford, Pa., broke Tammy Slusser's long-standing women's course record by 40 seconds with a finishing time of 29 minutes, 4 seconds. Slusser still holds the women's masters course record of 30:43.

Lou Lodovico of Ellwood City showed why he is ranked No. 1 in the nation by Running Times in the 85- to 89-year-old category. Lodovico set a new national record for age 85 on Saturday with his 45:38 finish.

Butler Road Race has been good for Lodovico over the years. He previously set age 73 and age 79 records on the course.

Former Butler Road Race scholarship recipients showed their appreciation by returning to run the race or volunteer. Butler Road Race president Mike Franko called 19 recipients to the stage following the event.

"This is what it's all about," Franko said. In the past 17 years Butler Road Race has awarded more than 500 scholarships totaling more than $270,000.

Butler Road Race is only one of a number of races with long histories in the Western Pennsylvania region. This year's slate of races is more crowded than usual because the 4th of July falls on a Saturday.

The Brentwood Firecracker 5K is in its 26th running and typically attracts more than 1,200 participants.

The entire borough of Brentwood and surrounding neighborhoods turn out to watch. .

Closer to home, the popular Race for Virginia and Friends 5K runs through Cranberry Township Community Park. Although this event is part of the township's daylong festivities, it has a serious purpose. In its eight year history, Race for Virginia and Friends has raised $272,500 to fight pediatric cancer.

A few of the area's races have been bumped into competition with these holiday races by virtue of the calendar. The Ellwood City Ledger 10K has run through this nearby town on the Saturday following the Butler Road Race for 29 years.

Although no longer a commonly contested distance, this 10K is usually well attended, with close to 200 participants. This year's race might attract more runners and certainly more spectators to the finish in Ewing Park as the race is part of the Ellwood City Arts, Crafts and Food Festival.

The Ford City Heritage Days 5K, usually held on the Saturday following the Butler Road Race, is another popular race with ties to a community festival. The event is known for its flat course and hot weather cooled by a firehouse shower.

The race usually attracts a field of more than 400 to this walker-friendly event.

Upcoming events

Saturday, 8 a.m.: Up-N-Running Group Run, Valencia. 724-898-2525 or shoes@runpa.com

Saturday, 8:30 a.m.: Race for Virginia and Friends 5K, Cranberry Township Community Park. 724-772-7429 or www.raceforvirginia.org

Saturday, 8:30 a.m.: Freedom 5K Run, Walk and Fitness Walk, Greensburg. 724-837-5468 or freedom5k@comcast.net

Saturday, 9 a.m.: Hampton Rotary 5K, Allison Park. 412-486-0400 or clochner@consolidated.net

Saturday, 9 a.m.: Ford City Heritage 5K Run-Walk, Ford City. 724-763-3986 or jsolak@iup.edu

Saturday, 9 a.m.: Ellwood City Ledger 10K, Ellwood City. Starts at Ewing Park. 724-752-1583

Saturday, 9 a.m.: Brentwood Firecracker 5K Run, Brentwood. Discount for family of three. 412-882-5694 or morgan.mcw@verizon.net

Sunday, 8:30 a.m.: Corry Fest 5K, Corry. Also half mile kids run at 8:45. 814-664-7757 or clintaltman@yahoo.com

July 11, 7:30 a.m.: Faith in Action Caregivers Triathlon-Duathlon, Wheeling, W.Va. Triathlon of 400-meter swim, 25K bike ride, 5k run; duathlon of 3K run, 25K bike ride, 5K run. 304-243-5420

July 11, 9 a.m.: Quality Life Cup Series 5K, Chicora. Starts at Chicora Medical Center, also pet showcase. 724-431-0770, ext. 2104 or mikel@qualitylifeservices.com

July 11, 7:30 a.m.: Butler Adult Triathlon, Moraine State Park. Quarter-mile swim, 7-mile bike ride, 5K run. 724-287-4733 or jknauff@bcfymca.org

July 12, 6 p.m.: Hoodlebug 5K Run and Fun Walk, Homer City. 724-541-0013 or jswauger@comcast.net

July 18, 8:30 a.m.: Rube's Run 5K, Prospect. 724-865-9582 or jgallagher@agrutl.com

July 18, 9 a.m.: Cross Country Crusade 5K, Saxonburg. Run on Knoch High cross country course, part of Saxonburg Distance Series. 724-898-2525 or register online at www.saxonburgdistanceseries.com/register

July 19, 3 p.m.: Gold Medal Camp Alumni Race 5K, California, Pa. Race on California (Pa.) University cross country course with individual and team awards, serves as USATF Three Rivers open and masters cross country championship. 724-464-2222.

July 22, 7 p.m.: Chase at the Lake 5K, Mercer. . Part of Mercer County Twilight QUAD. 724-866-1374 or smc@runhigh.com

July 25, 8:30 A.M.: Run for Rock 5K, Pittsburgh. Run on Mount Washington benefits Slippery Rock University scholarship. 412-980-9785

Race results

Freeport Flash 5K, May 30: Ryan Kennedy, 1st Overall M, 17:16; Bradley Cubbage, 2nd Overall M, 17:33; Shannon Evanchec, 1st Overall W, 20:50; Melanie Lutz, 2nd Overall W, 21:13; Nick Gentile, 1st 16-19 M, 18:31; Chris Grooms, 2nd 16-19 M, 18:33; Kevin Keppel, 1st 12-15 M, 18:49; Tim Wyant, 1st 30-39 M, 18:59; Tony Stark, 2nd 20-24 M, 19:16; Jon McCullough, 1st 50-59 M, 19:34; Eric Snyder, 3rd 12-15 M, 19:43; Brent Collins, 1st 40-49 M, 19:56; Stephen Posney, 3rd 16-19 M, 20:23; Stephen Hepler, 2nd 40-49 M, 21:03; Larry Lutz, 3rd 50-59 M, 21:19; Kristen Prazenica, 1st 20-24 W, 21:22; Bob Clark, 1st 60-69 M, 22:40; Eric Church, 3rd 30-39 M, 23:01; Holly Bauer, 1st 30-39 W, 23:05; Joshua Schmidt, 3rd 25-29 M, 23:31; Becky Schmoll, 3rd 30-39 W, 23:53Lauren Screen, 3rd 16-19 W, 24:16; David Adams, 2nd 60-69 M, 24:28; Bill Abbott, 3rd 60-69 M, 24:40; Laurn Potesky, 3rd 20-24 W, 25:09; Amanda Crocker, 2nd 25-29 W, 25:12; Kris Keppel, 1st 11 and under M, 25:21; Dez Csizmadia, 1st 70 and over M, 25:30; Laura Will, 1st 12-15 W, 27:12; Logan Armitage, 1st 60-69 W, 27:47; Janis Hackett, 3rd 50-59 W, 31:08; Emily Zappi, 1st 11 and under W, 33:09; Pat Wyant, 2nd 60-69 W, 33:17; Ariana Clark, 2nd 11 and under W, 35:48; Donald Cescon, 2nd 70 and over M, 38:08; Autumn Trempus, 3rd 11 and under W, 53:43; Dorothy Wyant, 1st 70 and over W, 1:02:01Trey Neveux, 19:55; Ethan Hacker, 20:29; Brendan Camp, 20:31; Dean Rippee, 21:24; Colton Schmoll, 21:37; Chuck Sarver, 21:52; Zach Will, 22:19; Bruce Barnes, 23:04; Ken Long, 23:10; John Reichenbaugh, 23:29; Ryan Armitage, 23:33; Wayne Toy, 24:11; Tom Williams, 24:15; Buddy Turner, 24:18; Tyler Long, 24:31; Paul Gentile, 24:43; Joey Sadecky, 24:44; Ron Schmoll, 24:52; Andrea Ferko, 24:54; Sam Wyant, 24:57; Rhonda Schmoll-Kuminko, 25:04; Joe Scott Meade, 25:05; Lee Wagner, 25:24; Kyrene Haynes, 26:05; Sean Carnahan, 26:06; Susie Giovengo, 26:08; Judy Keppel, 26:10; Nathan Williams, 26:20; Jennifer Bushee, 26:22; Angelo Quaranta, 26:34; Patrick Reitz, 26:42; Marc Miller, 27:07; Frank Prazenica, 27:39; Jennifer Chelko, 27:50; Robert Peterson, 27:53; Stephanie Gentile, 28:23; Joe Zboran, 28:36; Rachel Thomas, 28:36; Madeline Bartos, 28:40Jim Fritz, 28:45; Erin Conley, 28:48; Korey Kuminkoski, 28:50; Debra Kuminkoski, 28:54; Hunter McDonald, 28:59; David Kradel, 29:03; Nicole Miller, 29:08; Fontaine Rittelmann, 29:13; Bill Rittelmann, 29:13; Bryan Tague, 29:15; Lisa Moss, 29:26; Sara Fritz, 29:31; Glenn Lang, 29:53; Heather Dines, 30:03; Beth Zboran, 30:06; Tammy Sarver, 30:20; Julie Thomas, 30:42; Rebecca Beck, 30:44; Traci Schmoll, 30:54; Kim Zappi, 31:17; Lori DiFilippi, 31:27; Trace Trempus, 31:44; Doug Zappi, 32:48; Rachel Sadecky, 32:49; Gabrielle Anthony, 33:12; Jill McDonald, 33:28; Karen Bartos, 33:38; Christina Winters, 34:23; Jennifer Blattenberger, 34:25; Alicia Grabiec, 35:47; Ada Rumberg, 38:10; Emily Goettler, 39:40; Nicole Zedreck, 39:48; Shayne Zappi, 41:12; Brandon Zappi, 41:12; Craig Moss, 42:48; Lisa Dodler, 43:25Andrea Wyant, 45:51; Donna Wyant, 45:52; Tret McElfresh, 47:18; Diana Toy, 48:11; Deborah Daniluk, 50:33; Amy Sunday, 50:35; Gloria Schwartz, 52:42; John Fleishman, 52:44; Amy Trempus, 53:45; Susan Neal, 54:20; Krista Fennell, 54:21; Courtney Hornberger, 54:23; Mark Wyant, 1:02:03; Chrystal Wells, 1:02:37; Mindy Wells, 1:02:39; Carol Wells, 1:02:45; Jack Wells, 1:02:48Send comments and suggestions to: 435 Cherry Valley Road, Saxonburg, PA 16056. Phone: 724-352-4395. E-mail lotzak@consolidated.netPat Neubert is the running columnist for the Butler Eagle.