ZELIENOPLE — The Butler County Half Marathon is gaining momentum.

The 13.1-mile race — which also features a 5K and Fun Run — is part of the United States Running Association (USRA) Half-Marathon Series. That series features 32 events in 23 states this year.

The Butler County Half Marathon is slated for April 17, a month in front of the Pittsburgh Marathon. It will begin and end at Seneca Valley High School.

“We’ve already had 20 to 30 inquiries about that race,” series director Dean Reinke said. “If we get 500 to 700 runners, that’d be fine, but I wouldn’t be surprised if we hit 1,000.”

The Pittsburgh Marathon is May 15 with a record-high 18,000 runners anticipated there. Last year’s marathon set an event record with 16,000 runners.

The Pittsburgh Marathon also offers a half-marathon which has sold out the past two years. Pittsburgh Marathon race director Patrice Matamoros anticipates it selling out again.

“Half-marathons are the hottest races in the world right now,” she said. “It’s an easier attainable goal than a full marathon. People prepare and train for it with more confidence of succeeding.”

Joella Baker, a member of the Rose E. Schneider Family YMCA board of directors in Cranberry Township who formed a running club there, is the local director of the Butler County Half Marathon. She designed the course.

“There’s some rolling hills, but no major climbs along the course,” Baker said. “It’s a good training race for the Pittsburgh Marathon.”

Butler, Cranberry and Moraine State Park were other sites considered for the Butler County race before Zelienople was selected.

Reinke said the easy access off Route 79 and relatively flat course through a small town were the determining factors.

Baker has designed race courses before, including the Shamrock Shuffle scheduled for March 19, a grandparents race Sept. 20 and other smaller races.

“This is a tremendous opportunity to showcase our area,” Baker said.

The Pittsburgh Marathon pumps an estimated $30 million into that area’s economy.

“I imagine a good number of our runners will go up there to run that half,” Matamoros said. “That race will provide a good indicator of where runners are at in their training.

“If they can do that half in two hours, there’s a good chance they’ll finish our race in just over four.”

The 2005 Pittsburgh Marathon drew 6,000 runners before folding its tent for four years. Now its size is nearly triple that number.

The USRA Half Marathon Series had 14 events last year before coming up with its 32 this year.

“We have a lot of markets that come to us wanting to have a race,” Reinke said. “Sixty percent of half marathoners are women. Thirty years ago, only five percent were. That explains many of the increased numbers right there.

“Butler County was attractive to us because there’s a tremendously large population within five hours of there.”

Matamoros said increased awareness of health and wellness, coupled with the economic recession, have contributed to the running boom.

“It’s an inexpensive way to stay fit,” she said. “All you need is a pair of running shoes, shorts and a shirt and you’re out the door.

“Running is therapeutic, too, in that it relaxes tension.”

Registration for the Butler County Half Marathon is $60. The 5K costs $25 and the Fun Run $10.

More information is available at the website butlerhalf.com.