Three-time winner Danica Snyder will be there along with the Masters record holder Tammy Slusser. Where will you be this Saturday morning?

The starting horn sounds at 9 a.m. in Butler’s Diamond Park for the 40th Annual Butler Road Race 5 Mile Run and 2 Kilometer Run and Health Walk, an event with a loyal following. More than 500 runners typically take part in the annual event to benefit scholarships for area graduating high school cross country runners.

Butler Road Race president Mike Franko is grateful to all who turn out to race or to complete a fitness goal at the event that benefits the community in so many ways.

Obviously, the race has assisted those 701 recipients of Butler Road Race scholarships, but Franko believes that the offer of the scholarship is incentive to young people to join their school’s cross country team and to maintain the 3.0 grade point average necessary to earn the grant.

“So many times we hear about youth involved in bad things, it’s refreshing to read letters from kids who are involved in so many positive activities,” he said.

“I’d like to see the race reach 1,000 participants,” Mike Franko said, “but I’d hate to lose that comfortable, friendly feeling in Diamond Park.”

In addition to providing ample space for socializing before and after the run, the mid-sized pack also allows runners plenty of room to run on the out-and-back course to Alameda Park. And it’s not so intimidating for first-time runners and families with young children or strollers.

One of this year’s first-timers represents a first for Butler Road Race. Dave Convery, a longtime resident of Butler, will be the first to enter the five-mile event as a wheelchair competitor. Convery, 57, has been confined to the wheelchair since last fall as a result of being struck by lightning in 1983.

Although this is Convery’s first running or walking event of any kind, he is confident in his ability to complete the five miles. He’s been doing three or four miles through Alameda Park at least five days per week and expects to average 15 minutes per mile as an overall pace.

Convery has the support of his daughter, Erin Stewart, who is also running the five-mile event on Saturday. “She wanted to run with me,” he said, “but she’s too fast for me.”

Convery trains in a specially equipped chair and powers with gloves. Even so, wheeling the miles has taken a toll on his hands. He faces hand surgery next month, which will impact his ability to train as he recovers.

Because Butler Road Race has never had wheelchair athletes in competition, race organizers considered a few changes to insure the safety of all participants.

Race director Mike Blessel says that they initially had reservations about safety, especially on the downhill portions of the course and on uneven pavement on Alameda Road, but Dave Convery reassured him that he had experience with both conditions.

“Dave was really determined and confident,” Blessel said. “We wanted to do everything we could to allow him to participate.”

The wheelchair race will begin five minutes prior to the start of the running event and a bicyclist will accompany Convery for the entire distance. Race organizers are still determining awards for the new race division.

It’s not too late to be part of Butler Road Race. Register online at www.butlerroadrace.org or sign up on Friday from 4 to 6 p.m. at packet pick-up at Cubs Hall, S. McKean Street, Butler.

Day-of-event registration begins at 7:30 a.m. in Diamond Park, though commemorative T-shirts may be in short supply. For more information or to download an application, visit www.butlerroadrace.org or phone 724-284-4676.

Upcoming events

Saturday, 6 a.m.: Hell Hath No Hurry Trail Runs, Settler’s Cabin Park, Pittsburgh. Choice of 50 miles, 50k, 30k, 10k run on consecutive 10k loops of challenging trails. Online registration at http://ultrasignup.com/register.aspx?did=31159 or peter_kozlowski@fastmail.fm

Saturday, 9 a.m.: Butler Road Race, Butler. Choice of 5 miles or 2k. 724-284-4676 or www.butlerroadrace.org

Saturday, 9 a.m.: Chardonnay 5k, Mercer. Run at Cool Springs Fitness Center. 724-662-1910 or www.coolspringsfitness.com

Saturday, 9 a.m.: Way Off Track 10k, Templeton. Run from Nautical Mile Campground on rail trail. 724-548-7485

Sunday, 8 a.m.: The Dam Tri, Meadville. Sprint and Olympic distances. 814-336-2196 or dambossman@zoominternet.net

July 1, 7 p.m.: Groundhog Jog 5k Run and 2 Mile Walk, Punxsutawney. Unique awards, part of Groundhog Festival. 814-938-1008 or punxsyaccenter@gmail.com

July 4, 8 a.m.: Angie Gioiosa Memorial 15k, 5k and 2 Mile Walk, Altoona. http://www.hollidaysburgareaymca.org

July 4, 9 a.m.: Ford City 5k, Ford City. 724-954-9065 or fcsabers12@yahoo.com

July 4, 9 a.m.: Ellwood City Ledger 10k, Ellwood City. Starts at Ewing Park Pool. 724-752-1583

July 4, 9 a.m.: Heritage Day 5k, Greenville. Part of Heritage Day Festival. 724-815-6983 or jas26mrun@msn.com

July 8, 7 p.m.: Fredonia 5k, Fredonia. Race #2 of Mercer County Twilight QUAD. Also half mile kids run. 724-866-1374 or smc@runhigh.com

July 11, 8 a.m.: 8th Annual Cross Country Crusade 5k, Saxonburg. Run on Knoch Cross Country trails. 412-603-1999 or ap2426@zoominternet.net

July 12, 7:30 a.m.: Trailblazer 15k and 5k, Meadville. Starts at Ernst Conservation Seed. 814-853-8572 or info@ernsttrail.org

July 12, 8:30 a.m.: Hermitage Arts Festival 5k, Hermitage. 724-456-4737 or mmckendry@hermitage.net

July 12, 6 p.m.: Hoodlebug 5k Run and Fun Walk, Homer City. Part of Indiana County Triple Crown. 724-465-8262 or jswauger@comcast.net

July 16, 7:30 p.m.: Waterford 5k, Waterford. Starts at baseball field. 814-450-3442 or Kimberly.lenart@yahoo.com

July 18, 8 a.m.: WOW 10k Race ND 2 Mile Run/walk, Middlesex Township. Benefits Glade Run Lake restoration. 724-898-2525 or www.RunGladeRun.org

July 18, 9 a.m.: Adventure Race, Laurel Hill State Park.2 mile canoe, 11 mile bike, 5k run. 814-352-8649 or laurelhillvc@pa.gov

July 18, 9 a.m.: East Brady Riverfest 5k, East Brady. Run on Armstrong Trail. mistera@zoominternet.net

July 18, 8 p.m.: Race to the Moon and Stars 5k and 10k, Apollo. Bring headlamps for this evening run on Roaring Run Trail. Swamper11@verizon.net

July 25, 8 a.m.: Run With the Deer Flies 25k and 15k Trail Run, Penn Run. Challenging run through Yellow Creek State Park. 724-349-8797 or wentom87@verizon.net

July 25, 9 a.m.: Freeport International Baseball 5k, Freeport. Starts at Freeport Junior High School. 724-295-5511 or freeport5k@hotmail.com

July 26, 8:30 a.m.: Pass the Pancakes 5k, Waterford. Starts at Picnicana Park, post-race pancake breakfast. 814-440-7275 or jeff_jones@lord.com

Race results

Peace, Love, Run Half Marathon, June 21: Michael Fatigante, 1st Overall M, 1:28:25; Alex Taylor, 2nd Overall M, 1:29:45; Adrienne Polaski, 1st Overall W, 1:37:20; Ashley Beam, 2nd Overall W, 1:37:53; Andrew Lingerfelter, 3rd 19 & Under M, 1:37:56; Andrew Willimas, 2nd 50-59 M, 1:39:48; Anthony Baldonieri, 1st 30-39 M, 1:39:58; Mariah Mack, 1st 19 & Under W, 1:40:28; Lori Fromlak, 1st 30-39 W, 1:41:39; Katie Roitz, 2nd 20-29 W, 1:43:18; Mark Shipley, 3rd 30-39 M, 1:43:25; Edna Spang, 2nd 40-49 W, 1:45:16; Jeff Lucas, 2nd 40-49 M, 1:45:16; Beth Roitz, 2nd 40-49 W, 1:47:24; Robyn Vandyke, 2nd 30-39 W, 1:49:55; Amanda Fleming, 3rd 30-39 W, 1:50:17; Michelle Wolf, 2nd 19 & Under W, 1:51:12; Rachel Martin, 3rd 19 & Under W, 1:53:40; Kate Hrach, 3rd 40-49 W, 1:54:56; Pam Taylor, 3rd 50-59 W, 2:18:17; Todd Allman, 1:46:06; David Spencer, 1:50:48; Stephen Arendosh, 1:51:33; Andy Clump, 1:52:07; Annelise Somma, 1:53:15; Julie Lamagna, 1:53:15; Jenna Snavely, 1:53:40; Jorge Balderas, 1:54:10; William Wickard, 1:54:10; Tom Minnock, 1:55:23; Tom Genevro, 1:55:26; Kate Meeof, 1:56:33; Michael Mezeivtch, 1:56:54; Nicholas Colvard, 1:57:39; Andre Fleming, 1:58:28; Nathan Giuliani, 1:58:57; Sarah Waszyn, 1:59:22; Erin Donahue, 1:59:30; Anthony Stockham, 1:59:36; Eric Huff, 2:01:41; Mark Eschenfelder, 2:02:04; Nellie Zuba, 2:02:18; Thomas Lynch, 2:03:10; Angelo Danis, 2:03:51; Jenna Laughlin, 2:04:03; Michael Boutwell, 2:08:05; Michael Berryhill, 2:09:32; Tricia Somerville, 2:10:10; Christina Moody, 2:14:33; Mary Moody, 2:15:37; Carl Good, 2:15:42; Emily Spencer, 2:14:56; Doug Maher, 2:18:54; Bethani Diulus, 2:19:06; Stephen Roitz, 2:19:19; Anna Dimeo, 2:19:27; Katherine Miller, 2:19:40; Casey Baker, 2:21:11; Kim Mangan, 2:21:43; John Ropelewski, 2:23:06; Jason Pergola, 2:25:30; Shelby Divoky, 2:27:44; Summer Fowler, 2:28:11; Heather Oros, 2:28:11; Michael Divoky, 2:29:20; Jennifer Wimer, 2:33:14; Margarita Samaras, 2:33:33; Melissa Blodgett, 2:36:27; Natalie Brahm, 2:43:23; Chuck Bergman, 2:44:48; Tonya Barnett, 2:46:56; Tony Kovatch, 2:47:14; Laurie Lynch, 3:02:00

Peace, Love, Run 5k, June 21: Dan Carlino, 1st Overall M, 17:21; Sam Owori, 2nd Overall M, 19:45; Brendan Lawlor, 3rd Overall M, 19:48; Angela Mignanelli, 1st Overall W, 19:57; Abigail Smith, 3rd Overall W, 22:26; Michael Smocer, 1st 40-49 M, 19:56; Michael Segulla, 1st 30-39 M, 20:49; Warren Smith, 1st 60-69 M, 21:30; Bryant Williams, 1st 20-29 M, 21:53; Steve Mote, 2nd 30-39 M, 21:58; Andrew Harrington, 1st 19 & Under M, 21:59; Katherine Fedko, 1st 19 & Under W, 22:51; Benjamin Erdahl, 2nd 20-29 M, 23:02; Chris Romito, 2nd 40-49 M, 23:05; Makara Smocer, 2nd 19 & Under W, 23:20; Adam Morrison, 2nd 19 & Under M, 24:40; Carlo Finotti, 3rd 40-49 M, 24:47; Micheal Haughey, 3rd 19 & Under M, 24:55; Mary Minnock, 2nd 20-29 W, 25:04; Mcdarragh Minnock, 3rd 20-29 W, 25:26; Pauline Davis, 2nd 40-49 W, 27:02; James Beachem, 2nd 60-69 M, 27:28; Gail Planz-Wachter, 3rd 40-49 W, 28:03; Thomas Donnelly, 1st 50-59 M, 29:20; Paris Stanfield, 1st 50-59 W, 29:39; Mark Prybyl, 2nd 50-59 M, 30:39; Lois Adams, 1st 60-69 W, 36:56; Mary Ann Slafka, 2nd 60-69 W, 37:53; Noreen Minnock, 25:42; Owen Sheridan, 25:47; Toby Perkins, 26:12; Marin Smocer, 26:45; Kilian Perkins, 26:47; Magen Engel, 28:14; Lidsay Ries, 28:48; Michael Monteir, 29:06; Tanner Planz, 29:16; Sarah Hudac, 29:17; Nick Mote, 29:20; Matthew Goehring, 30:04; Mia Petzik, 30:15; Steven Petzik, 30:15; David Mote, 30:16; Sara Prybyl, 30:40; Denise Traubert, 31:47; Barbara Ford, 31:50; Jim Constas, 31:50; Bill Haskins, 32:04; Emma MacIoce, 33:03; Gerard MacIoce, 33:04; Hugh Stanfield, 33:11; Justin Welton. 33:15; Silvana Giardini, 33:21; Jerry Haughey, 33:22; Megan Prybyl, 33:55; Samantha MacIoce, 34:15; Jessica Bednar, 34:22; Barbara Moeller, 34:44; Brian Erdah, 35:00; Tom Hahn, 35:04; Kelly Hahn, 35:04; Brian Kennedy, 35:18; Emily Haberman, 36:36; Jennifer Pro, 36:56; Marisa Nakel, 36:56; Allyson Reilly, 36:56; Amy Guiliani, 37:57; Payton Planz, 38:28; Erin Lochner, 38:43; Luke Grimes, 38:47; Caitlin Welton, 39:17; Alexsa Stewart, 40:34; Logan Haughey, 40:49; Jackie Stanfield, 40:52; Karen Minnock, 41:45; Kerrianne MacKowski, 41:55; Eileen Minnock, 45:25; Jamie Anskiewicz, 50:42; Pamela Berbach, 52:13

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.