Even though the schedule is crowded this time of year, Mary Lou Tabisz, director of Running on Mars 5k is excited about the number of preregistrations she’s received so far. Its first year saw 86 participants with steady but slight increases annually. Tabisz anticipates breaking the 200 mark for this fifth annual event, Saturday, Aug. 18 at 9 a.m.

Running on Mars 5k is held each third Saturday of August in memory of Brandi Tabisz, Mary Lou’s daughter, who died unexpectedly following childbirth from a common and usually benign heart disorder, mitral valve prolapse, at age 18. Portions of the race proceeds will benefit American Heart Association and help those in the Mars community with heart related medical expenses.

Proceeds from Running on Mars 5k will also fund a scholarship endowment in Brandi’s name. The scholarship at Butler County Community College is awarded annually to a student who is a single parent.

Brandi’s daughter Hayleigh, now 11 years old, will act as race director for the new half-mile kids fun run held following the 5k. There is no age limit for the kids run and parents are encouraged to accompany their children. All kids in the kids run will earn a finishers medal and T-shirt.

Those who have attended this event in the past will notice a change in the course. Due to roadwork on the course route, a completely new course had to be measured on the other side of town. The new course starts at Marburger Field in Mars Borough near Beaver Street.

This new double-loop course, designed by race timer Herb Cratty, is slightly more challenging than the old course. Mary Lou plans to return to the old course next year, but says, “I’ll leave that to the runners. We’ll use which ever course they like better.”

All participants in the event will receive commemorative T-shirts and are eligible to win random drawing prizes and to enjoy refreshments contributed by local businesses.

Mary Lou credits community support from the running community, local business owners and borough officials for making Running on Mars a success year after year. “From the start,” she says, “the borough council and police were enthusiastic supporters of the race as a community event.”

Registration at Marburger Field opens at 7:30 a.m. on Aug. 18. There will be parking at a lot on Hazel Street, on Pine Street at St. John Lutheran Church and on the street.

For more information, visit the race website www.runningonmars.org or phone Mary Lou at 724-816-8038.

Another Aug. 18 race honors the memory of a beloved Butler citizen at the Jaime Rosellini Memorial 5k Race/Walk. Rosellini, a graduate of Butler High School and president of Dental Systems, Inc., died in 2010 of complications following surgery.

Jaime’s brother Lou Rosellini, president and CEO of All About Smiles, is the driving force behind the 5k and the Jaime V. Rosellini Healing Hearts Foundation which raises money for local charities dear to Jaime’s heart. One hundred percent of race proceeds will benefit the foundation and its supported charities: Children’s Miracle Network, Irene Stacy Community Mental Health Center, The Gaiser Center and American Heart Association.

The Jaime Rosellini Memorial 5k, now in its second year, was an immediate success last year with 107 finishers in the run and an additional 85 walkers on a Friday evening. This year’s event will be held on Saturday, Aug. 18 at 9 a.m.

The run and walk features a two-lap course completely within the boundaries of Butler County Community College grounds. Walkers and runners will have separate starts with walkers earning overall awards to top-three finishing walkers.

Unusual for a local event, the Jaime Rosellini 5k offers a $1,000 prize to the first man and woman to cross the finish line along with age group awards. Participants are encouraged to bring extra money to take part in a Chinese auction held following the run and all participants are eligible to win random drawing prizes and to enjoy the post race breakfast party complete with musical entertainment.

Race day registrations are welcome. Registration opens at 8 a.m. at Founders Hall for the 9 a.m. start. For more information, phone 724-431-6421, ext. 105 or email jbernstein@padentalsystems.com.

Upcoming events

Saturdays, 8 a.m.: Up-N-Running Group Run, Valencia. Post run coffee and snacks. 724-898-2525 or shoes@runpa.com

Wednesdays, 7 p.m.: MoJo Sports Group Run, Seven Fields. Run three to seven miles with friends. 724-772-2808

Thursdays, 6-7:30 p.m.: Good Form Running classes, Elite Runner and Walkers, Robinson Township. Free classes help runners improve form. Sign up at www.eliterunners.com. Call 412-490-0881 for more information.

Saturday, 8 a.m.: Roebling’s Run 5k, Saxonburg. Second in Saxonburg Distance Series. 724-898-2525

Saturday, 8 a.m.: Tionesta Indian Festival 5k, Tionesta. 814-755-4051 or hunter30@zoominternet.net

Saturday, 8:30 a.m.: Brookline Breeze 5k and 1 Mile Mini Breeze, Pittsburgh. Mini starts at 8:30 A.M., 5k Breeze at 9 A.M. 412-561-6786 or home1322@verizon.net

Saturday, 9 a.m.: Rimersburg Cookie Daze 5k, Rimersburg. 814-473-6427

Saturday, 9 a.m.: Lee Foster Memorial 5k, St. Marys. 814-776-1528

Saturday, 9 a.m.: Local Housing Options Team 5k, Butler. wturne@ccpgh.org

Sunday, 6 p.m.: Run for the Trail 7k, Dilltown. First half on rolling country roads, second half on Ghost Town Rail Trail. 724-479-0769 or tpajak@ffic.com

Aug. 15, 7 p.m.: Courtney’s Ice Cream Race 5k, Grove City. Kids race, all you can eat ice cream following the race. Part of Mercer County QUAD series. 724-866-1374 or smc@runhigh.com. Online registration at www.runhigh.com

Aug. 17, 7 p.m.: GNC Live Well Liberty Mile, Pittsburgh. Flat and straight mile on Liberty Avenue in six heats. www.libertymile.org

Aug. 18: Parkersburg News and Sentinel Races, Parkersburg, WV. Half marathon and two mile events. 304-485-1891, ext. 459

Aug. 18, 1 p.m.: Run for Hunger Trail Challege Half Marathon and 8k Trail Race, Freeport. Also 2 mile trail hike, challenging course with post race dinner. tomparenti@yahoo.com or 724-295-3656

Aug. 21, 7 p.m.: Don’t Stop Running 5k, Mercer. Part of Quality Life Services series. www.5k.qualitylifeservices.com

Aug. 25, 6:30 a.m.: Baker Trail UltraChallenge 50 Mile Ultramarathon and Relay, Summerville. Unique medal for all finishers, individual and team awards. www.rachelcarsontrails.org or ultrachallenge@rachelcarsontrails.org

Aug. 25, 9 a.m.: Run Around the Square, Pittsburgh. Run through Regent Square neighborhood. 412-780-7802

Sept. 2, 9 a.m.: Gatorade Steelers 5k Race, Fitness Walk and Kids Kick Off Run, Pittsburgh. Run at Heinz Field benefits Art Rooney Scholarship Fund. 412-697-7713 or 5k@steelers.nfl.com

Sept. 8, 9 a.m.: Music on the Hill Festival 5k Run/ Walk, Oil City. 814-673-9606 or debra.grove3@gmail.com

Sept. 11, 7 p.m.: Don’t Stop Runnin’ 5k, Apollo. Run at West Haven Manor, final run in series. www.5k.qualitylifeservices.com

Sept. 15: USA Air Force Marathon, Wright Patterson Air Force Base, Dayton, OH. Also half marathon and 10k. 937-257-4350

Race Results

Rose Schneider YMCA Youth Triathlon, July 21: (6-7 year olds): Elijah Doncevic, 5:40; Hannah Fetterolf, 5:50; Cole Kamarec, 6:27; Sam Hersick, 6:37; Lizzie Hunkele, 6:58; Julia Gagnon, 7:09; Haihan Xu, 7:14; Alaina Althouse, 7:19; Allison Sevin, 7:31; Angelica Glasgo, 7:38; Oliver Graham, 7:42; Vinny Colonello, 7:50; Ethan Myers, 8:23; Angelina Munkele, 8:29; Maddie Leachman, 10:32; Daniel Kane, 11:18 (8-9 year olds): Hunter Fetterolf, 5:21; Olivia Kamarec, 5:49; Zachary Baker, 6:04; Sarah Doncevic, 6:16; Vanessa Witt, 6:26; C J Gagnon, 6:52; Renhan Xu, 6:54; Kevin Donaldson, 6:59; Ian Bilger, 7:00; Owen Tekelenburg, 7:11; Autumn Maerkle, 7:15; Maddie Gagnon, 7:27; Avery Benko, 7:43; Mary Ella McCarthy, 7:48; Olivia Hillman, 8:04; Sophia Colonello, 8:05; Lauren Polk, 8:43; Sam Skeen, 10:37; Alexis Ropelewski, 10:46; Danielle Vactor, 12:32 (10-12 year olds): Marleah Schlick, 10:21; Sevryn Napora, 10:26; Cameron Knallay, 10:42; Katie Kamarec, 10:52; Norah Seibel, 11:15; Blake Benko, 11:30; Hannah Doncevic, 11:33; Max Bredl, 11:46; Ben Graham, 11:59; Ari Bilger, 12:00; Emily Tekelenburg, 12:06; Elise Lehman, 12:20; Zach Leachman, 13:00; Aryanna Napora, 13:16; Max Skeen, 13:33; Delaney McCarthy, 13:39; Jenna Reisdorf, 14:01; Matthew Donaldson, 14:08; Jared Ozias, 14:12; Rebecca Graham, 14:17; Austin Myers, 14:39; Justin Atta, 14:55; Gabrielle Maerkle, 14:57; Will Allison, 15:09

Freeport International Baseball 5k, July 21: Nick Minich, 1st Overall M, 15:59; Nick Gentile, 2nd Overall M, 16:59; John VelGuhuchton, 3rd Overall M, 18:17; Tori Sawhney, 1st Overall W, 20:15; Kayla Zboran, 2nd Overal W, 21:12; Kristen Prazenica, 3rd Overall W, 21:19; 21:19; Andy Dill, 1st 20-29 M, 18:4; Stephen Hepler, 1st 50-59 M, 19:54; Jared Kapustik, 1st 15-19 M, 20:22; Robert Reichenbaugh, 1st 11-14 M, 20:48; Brian Davis, 1st 30-39 M, 20:50; Raj Sawhney, 2nd 50-59 M, 20:54; Ryan Miller, 2nd 15-19 M, 21:14; Nick Milliron, 3rd 15-19 M, 21:22; Mitch Radella, 1st 40-49 M, 21:36; Nicole Miller, 1st 15-19 W, 21:42; Rebecca Carlson, 1st 20-29 W, 22:01; Hayley Davis, 2nd 15-19 W, 22:29; Chuck Huth, 3rd 50-59 M, 22:34; Paul Gentile, 2nd 22:53; Laura Weil, 3rd 15-19 W, 23:00; John Hansen, 2nd 20-29 M, 23:03; Seth Davis, 2nd 11-14 M, 24:05; Paul Manke, 3rd 40-49 M, 24:17; Gayle Fucer, 1st 30-39 W, 24:48; Amy Sue Amadee, 2nd 40-49 W, 25:23; Beth Zboran, 1st 40-49 W, 25:05; Bill Abbott, 1st 60-69 M, 25:14; Beth Davis, 2nd 30-39 W, 26:09; Stacy Cramer, 3rd 40-49 W, 26:25; Abby Ohl, 1st 11-14 W, 26:49; Cora Crytzer, 1st 10 & Under W, 26:59; Frank Prazenica, Jr., 2nd 60-69 M, 27:10; Taylor Sennett, 2nd 11-14 W, 27:31; Carla Schreckengost, 3rd 30-39 W, 30:12; Aleena Parenti, 2nd 10 & Under W, 35:34; Kyle Zboran, 23:35; Kara Huth, 23:45; Megan Manke, 24:02; Ben Goldinger, 24:04; Dava Jack, 24:13; Greg Defilippi, 24:20; Tyler Long, 24:20; Marc Miller, 24:31; Carol Amadee, 24:55; Rachel Sadecky, 24:58; Gregory Huth, 25:01; Chuck Sarver, 25:18; Alex Smith, 25:24; Kamri Brestensky, 25:31; Kevin Burke, 25:46; Joe Zboran, 26:15; Margaret Lynch, 26:29; Kelly Amadee, 26:33; Don Amadee, 26:34; Trista Graham, 26:37; Cassidy Graham, 27:00; Susan Affrica, 28:46; Tracie Bulka, 30:39; Jessica Landis, 31:13; Miranda Boring, 32:10; Wendy Lincoln, 32:16; Kristen Chodowski, 34:06; Craig Chodowski, 34:07; Sarah Mitch, 35:20; Cindy Ohl, 36:09; Kelli Young, 39:06,

Dam Race 5k, July 25: Job Christiansen, 1st Overall M, 16:04; Ryan Thompson, 2nd Overall M, 16:38; Lindsey Snyder, 1st Overall W, 19:09; Leslie Kramer, 2nd Overall W, 19:42; Jordan Hausladen, 3rd Overall W, 20:03; Kris Cornell, 1st Masters M, 17:36; Jason Anna, 1st 16-19 M, 17:29; Ryan Budnik, 1st 12-15 M, 17:38; Brandon Wise, 3rd 16-19 M, 17:53; Anthony Miller, 1st 20-29 M, 18:14; Brady Beech, 3rd 20-29 M, 19:16; Mark Courtney, 1st 55-59 M, 19:54; John Armstrong, 1st 45-49 M, 20:26; Aaron Depew, 3rd 40-44 M, 21:46; John Ciafre, 1st 60-64 M, 21:47; Debbie Burry, 1st 35-39 W, 23:23; Rebecca McClure, 3rd 20-29 W, 23:26; Kristen Kelosky, 1st 45-49 W, 23:38; Donna Eshenbaugh, 3rd 45-49 W, 25:59; Benjamin Anastasi, 1st 8-9 M, 29:07; Maggie Corey, 3rd 10-11 W, 38:59; Alexander Knaby, 17:58; Alex Edmonds, 18:57; Evan Miller, 19:35; Josh Jones, 20:03; Daniel Bertozzi, 20:33; Nick Wargo, 22:23; Robert Macmurdo, 22:53; Reuben Pink, 22:55; Anthony Colianni, 23:11; Thomas Coyer, 23:25; Michael Miller, 23:36; Dylan Myers, 23:41; Heather Porter, 24:00; Karl Hart, 24:30; Sebastian Anastasi, 24:37; Matt Beilstein, 25:36; Michael Bruno, 25:30; Steven Smiley, 25:40; Tyler Wilson, 25:51; Donald Wallace, 26:15; Jackie Shakely, 26:16; Tammy Myers, 26:20; Tedd Nesbitt, 26:21; Tina Hicks, 26:51; Robert Laverick, 27:15; Jamie Hackwelder, 27:20; Debbie Courtney, 27:37; Walter Patterson, 27:40; Scott Eshenbaugh, 27:49; Jonathan Stewart, 28:13; Tony Sunseri, 28:21; Cynthia Johnston, 28:32; Anna Himes, 28:33; Mercedes Wallace, 28:36; Vincent Anastasi, 29:07; Chris Minotti, 29:36; Sean Weber, 29:47; Amanda Cagno, 30:03; Sarah Mitchell, 30:04; Laura Cain, 30:20; Tina Myers, 31:03; Richard Beech, 31:37; Carol Callender, 31:52; Meg Chochola, 32:13; Michelle Brochetti, 32:26; Terry Reeher, 32:28; Kelly Somora, 33:47; Jennifer Grooms, 34:03; Margy Somora, 34:04; Dave Edwards, 34:29; Connie Laughner, 34:36; Joel Yudt, 34:38; Erin Fabry, 34:47; Erica Lynn, 35:35; Sally Smiley, 36:03; Tricia Corey, 36:14; Carlie Atwood, 36:17; Janet Tarr, 38:15; Dan Corey, 38:28; Steven Hykes, 39:32; Gretchen Pink, 39:52; Bridget Casteel, 40:00; Nancy Ejzak, 40:36; Jennifer Vogt, 41:30

Dam Race Kids Half Mile, July 25: Joel Kweder, 2:46; Ethan Depew, 2:58; Joejoe Somora, 3:01; Erica Puleio, 3:07; Evan Burry, 3:41; Chase Depew, 3:43; Camry Hamilton, 3:47; Ethney Anastasi, 4:03; Rachael Schilling, 4:08; Cody Hamilton, 4:12; Rebecca Grooms, 4:26; Grace Witmer, 4:34; Marybelle Nesbit, 4:40; Alex Hackwelder, 4:40; Anna Witmer, 4:57; Alex Depew, 4:58; Markel Hackwelder, 5:11; Aidan Anastasi, 5:35; Tucker Gosenberg, 5:39; Bobbie Lynn Depew, 6:04; Kaitlyn Courtney, 6:14

Send comments and suggestions: Patricia Neubert, 435 Cherry Valley Rd., Saxonburg, Pa. 16056. Phone 724-352-4395. Email lotzak@consolidated.net.

Pat Neubert is a running columnist for the Butler Eagle