It’s been said that “It takes a village to raise a child.”

Sometimes that village includes a caring parent teacher organization, nearby nature conservancy, and a group of runners willing to run for a good cause.

The Audubon Society at Succop Conservancy is partnering with Penn Christian Academy of Butler this year to provide 210 students in grades K through 6 with enhanced science and environmental education.

Students in each grade will walk from Penn Christian to nearby Succop Conservancy three times during the next school term for special projects and will enjoy visits from conservancy environmentalists.

Sally Woller, Penn Christian’s Vice President of Administration and Fund-raising has been challenged with finding a way to fund this new program. In response to that challenge, Woller became a first-time race director of the first-ever PCA 5K scheduled for Sept. 14 at 9 a.m.

Woller, a former runner who has turned to road cycling, says that her biggest challenge has been in getting everything done in time to make PCA 5K a success. Although planning began only three months ago, the event has met its fund-raising goal through sponsorships and more than 100 5K runners and 60 kids have registered for the event.

All preparations have been made, including measuring a new 5K course.

Sally enlisted the help of Butler area runner and fellow Penn Christian parent Aaron Depew for guidance in race planning, calling him “informal co-race director.” She says that Depew has measured the double loop 5K course probably eight times with GPS and bicycle to ensure accuracy.

In addition to the chip timed flat and fast 5K route near Butler Airport, PCA offers a half-mile run for kids ages 13 and under starting at 10 a.m. The entire kids run will be visible to parents and all kids will receive a finisher’s ribbon.

In the 5K event, the top three men and women earn awards along with awards for top three age group winners. All preregistered participants receive a goody bag full of donated items from local businesses and all participants will enjoy traditional post race refreshments of bananas, water and other snacks.

One of Sally’s concerns about the first-time race is that people will be able to follow the course route without getting lost. She says that the course will be well marked with spray paint and staffed by volunteers acting as course monitors.

She has recruited parents and students who aren’t running in the events as volunteers. Butler County Community College Physical Therapy students will also be on hand to help and gain experience in the community.

There’s still time to register for the PCA 5K or Kids Run. Download an application at pennchristianacademy.org. Those who have plenty of commemorative t-shirts already or who don’t care about finishing times may opt out of receiving a short sleeved t-shirt or timing chip, giving the organization an additional donation.

You may also register on the day of the event at Penn Christian Academy beginning at 7:30 a.m. For more information, contact Sally Woller, 724-761-0502 or email sasulfaro1@yahoo.com.

Upcoming events

Saturday, 8 a.m.: Montour Trail Half Marathon and 5K, Robinson Township. Out and back on level Montour Trail. 412-490-0881 or www.montourtrail.org

Saturday, 8 a.m.: Saxonburg Festival of the Arts 5K, Saxonburg. 724-898-2525 or mlkletzli@embarqmail.com

Saturday, 9 a.m.: Adams Area Fire Department Herb Kaufman Memorial 5K Run/ Walk, Mars. reneehayes@zoominternet.net

Saturday, 9 a.m.: Lee Foster Memorial 5-Mile Run, St. Marys. 814-834-2470

Sunday, 8a.m.: New Wilmington Sesquicentennial, New Wilmington. Free fun run/ walk. Random drawing prizes, unofficial timing. 150fest.newwilmington.info

Sunday, 9 a.m.: FAAP Fall Classic 5K and 10K Race/Walk, North Park. attorneymarkknapp@yahoo.com

Sunday, 12:30 p.m.: ORTC 5K, Beaver Falls. Trail run through Brady’s Run Park. 724-728-2625 or drvtroia@ohiorivertrail.org

Sept. 14, 7:30 a.m.: Grandparents Race 10 Mile, 5K and 1 Mile Kids Fun Run, Zelienople. Starts at Passavant Retirement Complex. 724-321-4265 or joella@zoominternet.net

Sept. 14, 8 a.m.: Springdale Library Road to Knowledge 5K, Springdale. Out and back through Springdale and Cheswick. 724-274-0361 or skdicello@hotmail.com

Sept. 14, 8:30 a.m.: Rock’n the Knob, Claysburg . Challenging 30K trail run at Blue Knob Ski Resort. Flatter 5 mile run starting at 9:30 A.M. www.alleghenytrailrunners.com/rockn-the-knob

Sept. 14, 9 a.m.: Stepping Forward for Down Syndrome 5K/ 1K Run/ Walk, Butler. Family fun run though Alameda Park. 724-290-5244 or nsequite@gmail.com

Sept. 14, 9 a.m.: PCA 5K, Butler. First annual 5K run/walk to benefit Penn Christian Academy. 248-761-0502 or www.pennchristianacademy.org

Sept. 14, 9 a.m.: Buffalo Township Parks and Recreation 15K Race and 5K, Sarver. Flat, out and back course. tjt@salsgiver.com

Sept. 15, 7 a.m.: Erie Marathon @ Presque Isle, Erie. Also half marathon and 5K. 814-504-2631 or eriemarathon.org

Sept. 21, 7 a.m.: Mighty Moraine Man Triathlon, Moraine State Park. Half Ironman or Olympic distances. 724-321-4265 or joella@getfitfamilies.com

Sept. 21, 8:30 a.m.: Peanut Butter Festival 5K, New Bethlehem. www.newbethlehemarea.com

Sept. 21, 9 a.m.: Pineapple Classic 5K Obstacle Race, Hartwood Acres. Hawaiian themed obstacle course 5K for individuals or teams of up to four people benefits Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. 412-395-2883 or www.pineappleclassic5k.org/wpa

Sept. 21, 9 a.m.: Sixth Annual Patrick J. Madden Memorial 5K, Slippery Rock. Run through Slippery Rock Park benefits American Cancer Society. 724-504-6338 or www.patmadden5k.org

Sept. 21, 9 a.m.: United Way of Clarion 5K/10K, Clarion. Run through downtown with cash prizes. 814-226-8760 or uwclarionco.org

Sept. 21, noon: Dollar Bank Junior Great Race, Pittsburgh. One Mile Fun Run for kids ages 5 through 12; 50-yard Tot Trot for ages 4 and under; Diaper Dash for toddlers. All kids receive a commemorative medallion. www.rungreatrace.com

Sept. 22, 9 a.m.: 8th Annual Elorapalooza Memorial 5K, 1 Mile Run, Walk or Lollygag, North Park. Starts at Boathouse, post race picnic. 412-608-2134 or www.elorashope.com

Sept. 29, 8 a.m.: Richard Caliguiri/ City of Pittsburgh Great Race 5K, Pittsburgh. Run from Oakland to Downtown. www.rungreatrace.com

Sept. 29, 9:30 a.m.: Richard Caliguiri/ City of Pittsburgh Great Race 10K, Pittsburgh. This event is sold out. www.rungreatrace.com

Oct. 5, 9 a.m.: Applefest Race a Race for Any Pace 5K, Franklin. 814-432-2138 or www.franklinymca.org

Race results

Run for Hunger Half Marathon, Aug. 17: Jim Trautman, 1st Overall M, 1:42:56; Amy Heben, 1st Overall W, 2:17:06; Mark Casteel, 1st 40-49 M, 2:12:38; Michael Kawecki, 1st 30-39 M, 2:18:46; Jim Duncan, 2nd 20-29 M, 2:35:50; Ken Zellars, 1st 60-69 M, 2:37:47; Patricia Neubert, 1st 60-69 W, 2:45:53; Lori McCLafferty, 1st 40-49 W, 2:48:27; Laura Moul, 2nd 30-39 W, 2:50:54; Julia Murray, 3rd 40-49 W, 2:51:33; David Murray, 2:28:40; Steven Gaghan, 2:54:42; Robert Crawford, 3:27:06

Run for Hunger Trail 8K, Aug.17: Tom Moul, 1st Overall M, 39:01; Jody Lobert, 2nd Overall M, 41:25; Adam Peterson, 3rd Overall M, 42:46; Michelle Ellery, 1st Overall W, 47:36; Megan Ellery, 2nd Overall W, 49:26; Kayla Beale, 3rd Overall W, 50:13; Philip Kletzli, 1st 20-29 M, 47:36; Paul Kletzli, 2nd 20-29 M, 49:17; Wendi Lincoln, 1st 40-49 W, 51:15; Delaney McCarthy, 1st 15 & Under W, 52:44; Jason Kelps, 3rd 30-39 M, 53:10; Mary Ella McCarthy, 2nd 15 & Under W, 53:25; Shannon McCarthy, 1st 40-49 M, 53:54; Melissa Beale, 1st 30-39 W, 57:31; Laura McCarthy, 1st 20-29 W, 1:01:40; Katie Peterson, 2nd 30-39 W, 1:01:41; Sherree May, 1st 50-59 W, 1:03:46; Jimmy Parenti, 2nd 40-49 M, 1:17:28; Aleena Parenti, 3rd 15 & Under W, 1:22:12; Matthew Ziegler, 3rd 20-29 M, 1:28:22; Diane Burns, 2nd 40-49 W, 1:28:29; Michele Lobert, 52:05; Luke Laboda, 56:14; Trisha McCarthy, 1:21:16

LHOT Run For Shelter 5K, August 31: T. Mobb, 1st Overall M, 19:00; Brent Collins, 2nd Overall M, 19:28; Jennifer Bole, 1st Overall W, 20:08; Dana Dantonio, 3rd Overall W, 23:47; Aaron Depew, 1st 40-44 M, 20:31; Jon McCullough, 1st 55-59 M, 20:50; Jim Gallagher, 1st 45-49 M, 21:11; Ethan Depew, 1st 12-15 M, 23:04; Nico Campagna, 2nd 12-15 M, 24:14; Ryan Bickford, 1st 25-29 M, 24:16; Christina Beaver, 1st 40-44 W, 24:32; Margaret Hollobaugh, 1st 11 & Under M, 24:45; Lindsay Herr, 1st 30-34 W, 24:55; Scott Haberberger, 2nd 40-44 M, 24:58; Holly Depew, 2nd 40-44 W, 25:01; Billy Wolfe, 3rd 12-15 M, 25:57; Ian Llewellyn, 1st 11 & Under M, 26:14; Claire Valentine, 1st 12-15 W, 26:17; Frank Macefe, 1st 60-64 M, 26:27; Jamie Knauff, 2nd 30-34 W, 26:57; Darren Carpenter, 2nd 11 & Under M, 27:08; Amy Augustine, 3rd 30-34 W, 27:10; Tina Hicks, 1st 20-24 W, 27:11; Holly McCausland, 1st 35-39 W, 27:16; Jim Hrabosky, 2nd 45-49 M, 27:20; Mike Bauer, 2nd 25-29 M, 27:37; Travis Keen, 1st 30-34 M, 28:14; Glenn Brennen III, 2nd 60-64 M, 28:41; Elizabeth Kuhn, 2nd 1-15 W, 29:07; Sonja Carpenter, 1st 35-39 W, 29:11; Dana Greenblatt, 2nd 35-39 W, 29:13; Tasha Werner, 3rd 40-44 W, 29:15; Laura Warmbrod, 1st 55-59 W, 29:17; Julia Muray, 1st 45-49 W, 29:37; Brian Beals, 2nd 30-34 M, 29:39; Erica Savannah, 2nd 25-29 W, 29:42; David Murray, 3rd 45-49 M, 29:42; Rebecca Hollobaugh, 3rd 12-15 W, 30:12; Michael Crissman, 1st 50-54 M, 30:30; Thomas Hollobaugh, 3rd 40-4 M, 30:31; Dan Borchert, 1st 35-39 M, 30:49; Lisa Moss, 2nd 45-49 W, 30:51; Duke Snyder, 1st 65-69 M, 31:55; Carol English, 2nd 55-59 W, 32:21; Aden Llewellyn, 3rd 11 & Under M, 32:34; Shirley Macefe, 1st 60-64 W, 32:47; Al Lane, 2nd 65-69 M, 34:49; Christen Negich, 3rd 25-29 W, 35:43; Elizabeth Green, 1st 65-69 W, 35:58; Rachelle Llewellyn, 3rd 35-39 W, 36:39; Devin Cunningham, 1st 20-24 M, 39:44; Tom Turner, 3rd 55-59 M, 40:21; Jennifer Dearth, 3rd 45-49 W, 43:43; Jane Wolfe, 3rd 55-59 W, 52:07; Linda Savannah, 2nd 60-64 W, 52:08; Zack Boggs, 29:09; Rachelle Haberberger, 30:23; Karen Walzer, 30:35; Rachel Hollobaugh, 30:46; Chris Diamond, 30:55; Jaxon Llewellyn, 32:40; Brian Llewellyn, 32:43; Kristin Kemper, 36:50; Kaila Deal, 36:54; Craig Moss, 41:51; Michelle Benko, 52:06; Jacqlyn Boggs, 52:11; Jeremy Borchert, 53:18; Dyane Bratkovich, 53:41

Send comments and suggestions: Patricia Neubert, 435 Cherry Valley Rd., Saxonburg, PA. 16056. Phone or fax 724-352-4395. Email bigp16@connecttime.net

Pat Neubert is a running columnist for the Butler Eagle