Not many race directors get to preview their new course, especially mere weeks before the event. But John Huselton had that opportunity last weekend.

Huselton is race director of 5K XC Run for Fire Victims, a new race being held May 25 at 6 p.m. at Slippery Rock Dunes in Slippery Rock. His race will utilize the same cross country course as the May 11 Autism Speaks Slippery Rock U 5K Challenge.

Huselton had planned to alter the course if necessary, based on runners’ reviews following the Autism Speaks Challenge, but has decided against making any changes.

“I’m extremely happy with the course,” Huselton says. “I talked with as many runners as I could and they all enjoyed it.”

The course, run through the wooded trails and off-road vehicle course of Slippery Rock Dunes, is a challenging mix of terrains and surfaces. There’s everything from rocks and roots to sand and gravel, level to challenging hills.

Jessica Smithson, race director for the Autism Speaks event, agreed with Huselton’s assessment. “It was truly challenging — just what we wanted,” she said.

Based on this year’s run, Smithson hopes to use the same course for a second event next year.

Although most of the Autism Speaks Challenge runners enjoyed that event, John Huselton expects to attract a different set of participants for his run. Most of the 96 Autism runners were Slippery Rock University students or family members and school will be out this week. But Huselton still hopes for up to 200 participants for his 5K XC Run.

Run for Fire Victims offers more than a challenging race course. Following the awards ceremony with awards for overall winners and ribbons for age group winners in five classes, there will be live music and a fire and light show.

Slippery Rock Dunes offers free tent or RV camping that night. Shower facilities are available. Campers may set up anytime May 25. The park will be open for ATV riding that day until the race start. Slippery Rock Dunes also has a lake for picnicking and fishing.

Because the event includes all of the other amenities, this event charges an entry fee for race spectators as well as participants. Entry for runners is $20 while spectators pay $10. No pets are allowed.

This inaugural 5K XC Run for Fire Victims benefits the American Red Cross. A portion of the proceeds will be donated to the local Red Cross Fire Victims Fund which provides housing, meals, clothing and other necessities for those who have suffered loss by fire.

Day of event registration is welcome and registration opens at 4 p.m. for the 6 p.m. race start. For more information, call John Huselton at 724-482-2608 or visit www.slipperyrockdunes.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

Saturday, 8:55 a.m.: Mars Band on the Run 10K and 5K, Mars. Also 1k kids run, starts at Mars High School. racedirector@marsband5k.com

Saturday, 9 a.m.: Meet U in 5, Titusville. Begins at Drake Well Museum. 814-827-2797 or meetuinit@gmail.com

Saturday, 9 a.m.: Team Alex Fun 5K/ 5 Mile Run/ Walk, North Park. Starts at North Park Boathouse. 724-934-3672 or contact@teamalexfund.org

Sunday, 7:30 a.m.: Rite Aid Cleveland Marathon, Half Marathon and 10K, Cleveland, OH. Flat and fast. Register at clevelandmarathon.com

Sunday, 9 a.m.: MS Miles of Smiles 5 Mile and 5K Race and Walk, 1 mile handicapped accessible, North Park. Starts at Boathouse. 724-713-0934 or msmilesofsmiles.com

May 24, 7 p.m.: Fryburg Mayfest, Fryburg. 814-221-9807 or fryburgmayfest@gmail,com

May 25, 6 p.m.: 5K XC Run for Fire Victims, Slippery Rock. Run on Slippery Rock Dunes trails. Post race party with live music, overnight camping. 724-482-2608 or www.slipperyrockdunes.com

May 26, 10 a.m.: New Castle Arts Festival 5K, New Castle. Also kids race at 10:45 a.m. 412-980-0085 or tj.positivemovementz@gmail.com

May 26, 10 a.m.: Mark J. Sampson Memorial 5K Run/Walk, Titusville. 814-671-8455 or sampsoncrnp@gmail.com

May 27, 8 a.m.: Boalsburg Memorial Day Run, Boalsburg. Run 3.8 miles through historic Boalsburg. 814-238-4926 or adkraige@mqblaw.com

May 27, 8:50 a.m.: Mercer 5K Freedom Fun Run, Mercer. Starts at U.S. Post Office. Past and present military run for free. 724-699-4589 or pizzajoes@hotmail.com.

June 1, 7 a.m.: God’s Country Marathon and Team Relay, Galeton. 814-274-3365 or www.godscountrymarathon.com

June 1, 8 a.m.: God’s Country Half Marathon, Galeton. Starts at Denton Hill State Park. 814-274-3365 or www.godscountrymarathon.com

June 1, 9 a.m.: Beaver Volunteer Fire Department 5K & 10K, Beaver. Starts at Beaver Volunteer Fire Company. beavervfdrace@gmail.com or register online at www.beavervfd.org.

June 1, 9 a.m.: Freeport Flash 5K Run/ Walk, Freeport. Flat and fast course on Butler-Freeport Rail Trail benefits Freeport Cross Country team. www.freeportcrosscountry.com

June 1, 12 noon: Buffalo Stampede, Freeport. Choice of 5, 14.2 or 19.4 miles of rugged trails. Post race picnic. 814-397-4316 or www.americanadventuresports.com

June 2, 8:30 a.m.: Greenfield Glide 5K, Pittsburgh. Cross country run/ walk through Schenley Park. 412-255-2493 or register online at www.greenfieldglide.com

June 7, 7 p.m.: Rverview Park 5K Run and Fitness Walk, Pittsburgh. 412-255-2493, www.riverview5k.com.

June 8, 8:30 a.m.: Valley Points YMCA Run on the River 5K and 10K, Lower Burrell. Starts at Wolfpack Park. 10k starts at 9:20 A.M. 724-335-9191 or www.vpymca.org

June 15, 8 a.m.: Foam Fest 5K, Prospect. Run with obstacles and foam at Camp Lutherlyn. 5kfoamfest.com

June 16, 8 a.m.: Obediah Cole Foundation Father’s Day 5K/10K Run/Walk, Pittsburgh. Popular run for prostate cancer starts at Riverfront Park in front of Heinz Field. 412-572-6830, www.obcolefoundation.org or register online at www.race360.com/16822

June 22, 9 a.m.: Butler Road Race, Butler. Choice of 5 miles or 2K through downtown Butler. 724-284-4676 or www.butlerroadrace.org

Race results

Nature Fest 5K, May 5: Jeff McVay, 1st Overall M, 19:29; Nicole Boyles, 1st Overall W, 23:46; Rebecca Pennington, 2nd Overall W, 24:29; Christa Campbell, 3rd Overall W, 25:18; Mel Risinger, 1st Masters M, 23:56; Karen Carmichael, 1st 40-49 W, 28:14; Kim Weaver, 3rd 30-39 W, 28:16; Rachel Viertel, 1st 19 & Under W, 28:37; Angela Viertel, 2nd 40-49 W, 29:05; Carrie Wilson, 3rd 40-49 W, 30:03; Rob Pennington, 1st 40-49 M, 30:05; Rolbert Augustine, 3rd 40-49 M, 33:59; Debra Kuminkoski, 1st 50-59 W, 35:52; Nancy Carmichael, 3rd 50-59 W, 37:16; Jesse Allen, 3rd 60-69 M, 40:14; Pamela Carden, 31:55; Ann McNany, 32:03; Joan Allen, 32:12; Melissa Shearer, 32:36; Chrissy Shirey, 32:48; Valerie Snyder, 34:23; Sue Johnson, 41:03; Laurel Johnson, 41:03; Lea Stalker, 42:24; Nicole Kline, 42:24; Brenda Murray, 42:32; Chelsie Foust, 45:01; Ashley Kramer, 50:15; Kaitlyn Courtney, 50:35; Nancy Bartman, 51:11; Danelle Persic, 56:48; Nicole McCall, 1:02:13; Dixie Lipnichan, 1:07:49; Robert Lipnichan, 1:07:52

Race for the Cure 5K, May 12: Brandon Gillingham, 1st Overall M, 16:32; Stephanie Bonk, 1st Overall W, 17:38; Justin Gaydos, 1st 19 & Under M, 18:13; Timothy Wyant, 3rd 30-39 M, 18:38; Patricia Neubert, 2nd 60-69 W, 25:28; Patricia Wyant, 3rd 60-69 W, 28:26; Margretta Lutz, 3rd 70+ W, 39:34; Nathaniel Pettit, 19:08; Tyler Boozel, 21:13; T.R. Parry, 21:19; Christopher Ciccozzi, 22:20; Shaelyn Parry, 23:02; Bryan Kurp, 23:28; Tyler Gilbert, 23:34; Abigail Jones, 24:03; Michael Corcoran, 24:26; Brent Calvin, 24:31; James Woodhall, 24:47; Michael Schrock, 24:58; Jenna Tuttle, 25:12; Julia Strevcek, 25:15; Kent Denbow, 25:16; Kate Yeager, 25:18; Correne Jones, 25:33; Brett Bergman, 25:46; Tom Boozel, 26:04; Aimee Miller, 26:06; Cameron Balley, 26:19; Rick Bergnab, 26:21; Rebecca Woods, 26:28; Julie Bone, 26:42; Holly Sarver, 27:17; Lauren Neuhaeusler, 27:37; Alex Gasparovic, 27:42; Jacob Bruno, 27:50; Patti Doyle, 28:02; Ali Doyle, 28:02; Jeff Strevcek, 28:16; Alexander Bohr, 28:18; Heath Eckenrode, 28:29; John Harding, 28:31; Jeffrey Banyas, 28:41; Matthew Corcoran, 28:41; Colleen Kuciak, 28:53; Carol Bovan, 28:54; Tony Bruno, 29:07; Scott Gilbert, 29:09; David Sabol, 29:15; Linda Robash, 29:16; Erica Savannah, 29:34; Rachelle Savannah, 29:35; Thomas Collins, 29:54; Katelyn Jones, 30:03; Tena Pettit, 30:04; Valerie Wolenter, 30:10; Maxwell Harrison, 30:41; Melissa Dean, 30:44; Denise Calvin, 30:50; Adam Zaccari, 30:51; Ann Cheman, 30:52; Emily Larrier, 31:07; Annie Lefcakis, 31:08; Beth Anne Bergman, 31:14; Jennifer Roxbury, 31:16; Glennis Robash, 31:23; Julia Banyas, 31:27; Joann Banyas, 31:28; Lisa Bush, 31:33; Melanie Koester, 31:43; Carlie Kapres, 31:59; Rick Kapres, 32:08; Tony Davis, 32:33; Mike Koester, 32:50; Christy Ehman, 33:06; Megan Anderson, 33:08; Jonathan Cleek, 33:11; Tyler DiFrischia, 33:11; Morgan Cumberland, 33:16; Marcha Haley, 33:18; Nolan Cumberland, 33:20; Shannon Thompson, 33:23; Shawnee Denbow, 33:48; Bob Zaccari, 33:55; Pete Ferraro, 33:57; Alexia Vercelli, 34:22; Gina Broderick, 34:30; Tyler Trebilcock, 34:35; Jodi Trebilcock, 34:38; Jessica Kowatch, 34:44; Emily Ferraro, 35:01; Bobbi Flowers, 35:12; Adrienne Genova, 35:12; Brett Gadberry, 35:16; Gabrielle Mueller, 35:26; Katherine Mueller, 35:26; Kimberly Matz, 35:30; Lynn Berg, 35:33; Linda Pecyna, 35:52; Emma Wehrle, 35:56; Jason Wehrle, 35:56; David Calvin, 35:59; Brandon Balley, 36:03; Nicole Balley, 36:03; Jim Lefkakis, 36:03; Marcia Semple, 36:23; Brad Cumberland, 36:23; Evie Catanzarite, 36:43; Lindsay Catanzarite, 36:43; Tammy Schuey, 36:51; Barbara Berger, 37:27; Ashley Pernazza, 38:19; Michelle Zirckel, 38:20; Kelly Rape, 8:33; Brendan Peck, 38:44; Barb Peck, 38:46; Bridget Davis, 38:46; Amy Woodhall, 39:23; Joseph Woodhall, 39:24; Betsy Vuchinich, 39:25; Virginia Balderston, 39:25; Jake Hutto, 39:50; Dee Hutto, 39:52; Mary E. Pietrzyk, 40:16; Scott Decker, 40:47; Connie Stobert, 41:09; Kim McCrory, 41:10; Samantha Hennen, 41:17; Barbara Jones, 42:06; Cathy Edmiston, 42:38; Hannah Pecyna, 42:43; Lori Lehman, 45:58; Catrina Morgan, 46:15; Mark Conedera, 47:03; Ellen Conedera, 47:03; Connor Scalamogna, 47:10; Claire Schmieler, 47:38; Jamie Dannels, 53:26; Dawm Wise, 53:27; Laura Wise, 53:28; Christine Stirling, 1:04:06; Cheryl Stirling, 1:06:42; Saundra Biltz, 1:11:02;

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