Our own Butler Road Race celebrates its 41st year with this Saturday’s 5-mile run start in front of the Butler Courthouse at 9 a.m. The 2K Run and Health Walk begins shortly after.

If you haven’t registered for this historic event to benefit local cross country athletes, there’s still time. You may register at the Cubs Hall on McKean Street in Butler on Friday from 4 to 6 p.m. You are also welcome to register on Saturday morning at Diamond Park beginning at 7:30 a.m.

For more information, including this year’s special awards, check butlerroadrace.org, the Butler Road Race Facebook page, call 724-284-4676 or e-mail brrmail@butlerroadrace.org.

Butler Road Race may be the oldest consecutively run race in the region, but on the following Saturday, July 2 at 9 a.m., runners can celebrate with the Ford City 5K as it marks its 28th year of running through downtown.

Although the Ford City 5K has been on the race calendar for nearly three decades, this is the fourth year in which race proceeds have benefitted the local high school football team, now the Armstrong River Hawks. The River Hawks will enter their second season this fall as a team forged from the merger of Kittanning and Ford City high schools.

Race director Casey Gilbertson says many of the football players volunteer on race day. They’ll be found at water stops for the usually hot race and at the registration desk where 400 runners and walkers are expected.

Gilbertson, a River Hawks football parent, has been race director for four years.

“When the football boosters decided to start a race,” she says, “I was the only runner in the organization, so they called on me.”

Gilbertson has run for about five years, but only recreationally for exercise and stress relief.

Much of the Ford City 5K will be familiar to anyone who has run the event before. The race course, an almost level tour of downtown Ford City, has been the same for 28 years. And the Ford City firefighters still provide a cooling shower in front of the firehouse midway through the race.

Gilbertson calls the race “walker-friendly” and as always, there will be a large contingent of non-competitive walkers. Strollers are welcome, but no dogs, please.

Ford City offers trophies for the first three overall male and female finishers and medals for top three men and women in age groups from 11 and under through 70-plus.

Gilbertson says that the 70-plus is currently one of the largest age groups and there is consideration of creating an 80-plus category in the future.

This year, Ford City 5K goes international as the 518th Brigade stationed in Afghanistan will run a shadow event on July 1. Army Reserve Master Sergeant Michael Dobrosky, a Ford City native serving with the 518th Brigade, was disappointed that he would have to miss this year’s 5K.

Through donations from Ford City VFW, Cowansville American Legion and CBJ Development, 300 Ford City 5K commemorative shirts have been sent to Afghanistan for finishers of the shadow 5K.

Unlike the 518th Brigade runners, participants in Ford City 5K may enjoy food, music, crafts and various vendors at Ford City’s Summerfest. This annual festival is held near the race start in Ford City Park from July 1 to July 4 with fireworks that evening.

Runners may register online at getmeregistered.com/fordcity5k for $15 ($20 after June 25.) Race day registrations are welcome.

For more information, contact Gilbertson at 724-954-9065 or e-mail fordcity5k@yahoo.com

Upcoming eventsSaturdays, 8 a.m.: Up-N-Running Group Runs, Valencia. Run on rolling country roads. 724-898-2525 or shoes@runpa.comWednesdays, 6:30 p.m.: Mojo Running Group Run, Cranberry Township. Run various distances and paces.Thursdays, 9:30 a.m.: Mojo Trail Nuts Group Runs, North Park. Run on North Park trails. 724-772-2808 or info@mojorunningpittsburgh.comSaturday, 8:30 a.m.: Hope for your Future 5k and 10k Run, 2 Mile Walk and 25 Mile Bike Race, Rimersburg. Also Superhero Run for Kids ages 11 and under at 9:30 A.M. Hopeforyourfuture13@gmail.comSunday, 7 p.m.: Strawberry Days 5k, Grove City. First race in Mercer County Twilight QUAD series. Register online at runhigh.com. 724-866-1374 or smc@runhigh.comJune 29, 7 p.m.: Strawberry Days 5k, Grove City. First race in Mercer County QUAD series. 724-866-2374 or register online at register.runhigh.comJuly 2, 8:15 a.m.: Karns City High School Gremlin Gridiron 5k, Karns City. Jdailey1266@gmail.comJuly 2, 9 a.m.: Ellwood City Ledger 10k, Ellwood City. 724-752-1583July 2, 9 a.m.: Heritage Day 5k, Greenville. Jas26mrun@msn.comJuly 2, 9 a.m.: Butch’s Bucket Brigade 5k, Worthington. 724-464-3420 or smechling64@yahoo.comJuly 2, 9 p.m.: Race to the Moon 5k and 5 Miler, Apollo. Run on Roaring Run Trail. Participants must wear or carry light. Swamper11@verizon.netJuly 3, 10 a.m.: Canadohta Lake 5k/10k, Union City. 814-462-0444Tanderson0648@gmail.comJuly 4, 8 a.m.: Ultimate Freedom 5k Run/Walk, Meadville. Run on Ernst Rail Trail. 814-724-5074 or www.theultimatefreedomevent.comJuly 4, 8 a.m.: Zelienople Firecracker 5k and 1 Mile, Zelienople. Also 1 mile kids run. 724-321-4265 or getfitfamilies.comJuly 4, 9 a.m.: Hampton Firecracker 5k, Allison Park. Run starts at Hampton Community Center. Hamptonrotaryfirecracker5k.yolasite.comJuly 6, 7 p.m.: Groundhog Jog 5k, Punxsutawney. Part of Groundhog Festival. 814-938-1008 or www.punxsutawneycommunitycenter.orgJuly 9, 8 a.m.: Cross Country Crusade 5k, Saxonburg. Run on Knoch HS cross country course. 412-603-1999 or ap2426@zoominternet.netJuly 9, 8:30 a.m.: Community Chase 5k, Cranberry Township. Also kids fun run.724-316-7044 or communitychase@gmail.comJuly 10, 7:30 a.m.: Trail Blazer 5k and 15k, Meadville. Run on Ernst Rail Trail. 814-853-8572 or info@ernsttrail.orgJuly 13, 7 p.m.: UPMC Horizon 5k, Greenville. Second race in Mercer County QUAD series. 724-866-2374 or register online at register.runhigh.comJuly 16, 8 a.m.: Hot to Trot 5k, Zelienople. 412-445-5828 or stehle.matt@principal.comJuly 16, 9 a.m.: East Brady Riverfest 5k, East Brady. Also 1 Mile Walk and Kids’ Fun Run on Armstrong Rail Trail. mistera@zoominternet or www.smaileymiles.comJuly 23, 8:30 a.m.: Stampede in the Park, Monroeville. Also 1 Mile Fun Run starting at Boyce Park Ski Lodge.412-795-6902 or www.stampedeinthepark.com

Race resultsStride for Pride 5K, June 12: Charlie Janini, 1st Overall M, 18:03; Jennifer Bigham, 1st Overall W, 18:37; Jill Takach, 3rd Overall W, 23:15; William Marsh, 3rd 20-29 M, 20:56; Sara Grove, 1st 50-59 W, 30:20; Carmine DeCarlo, 1st 60-69 W, 31:00; Rachel Singer, 30:06; Mike Singer, 38:23Sandcastle 5K, June 12: Peter Gianaros, 1st Overall M, 17:44; Susan Gray, 1st Overall W, 19:38; Michael Bryner, 25:13; Michael Canonaco, 27:55; Andrew Dick, 28:58; Jessica Neverett, 34:27God’s Country Marathon, June 4: Bryan Morseman, 1st Overall M, 2:30:16; Karen Dunn, 1st Overall W, 3:26:08; John Armstrong, 3:41:30; Wayne Toy, 6:26:39;God’s Country Half Marathon, June 4: LeahAnne Wirfel, 1st Overall W, 1:21:47; Andrew Anderson, 1st Overall M, 1:25:57; Catherine Close, 1:57:04; Kyle Lehman, 2:01:46; Reuben Pink, 2:04:17; Gretchen Pink, 2:34:53; Jerry Burns, 3:09:13Freeport Flash 5K, June 4: Tom Lipsie, 1st Overall M, 17:04; Noah Bowser, 2nd Overall M, 17:10; John Reed, 3rd Overall M, 17:15; Kylee Clements, 1st Overall W, 20:00; Kayla Zboran, 2nd Overall W, 21:19; Lurena Stewart, 3rd Overall W, 23:35; Johnathan Asay, 1st 16-19 M, 18:12; Alec Parker, 2nd 16-19 M, 18:40; Ben Brucker, 1st 30-39 M, 18:44; Nick Gentile, 1st 20-29 M, 19:18; Tim Wyant, 1st 40-49 M, 19:18; Joshua McCoy, 1st 12-15 M, 20:29; Steven Hepler, 1st 50-59 M, 22:21; Alan Peters, 2nd 30-39 M, 23:00; Jim Stewart, 3rd 50-59 M, 23:14; Chuck Sarver, 1st 60-69 M, 23:57; Keith Tarbi, 3rd 40-49 M, 24:38; Mario DeVivo, 2nd 12-15 M, 24:52; Laney Pastoria, 1st 20-29 M, 25:36; Addison Stewart, 3rd 12-15 M, 25:38; Megan Palko, 1st 16-19 W, 25:44; Kaitlyn Ritter, 1st 12-15 W, 26:02; Audrey Shandick, 2nd 12-15 W, 26:13; Stacy DeVivo, 1st 40-49 W, 26:40; Trina Barkley, 2nd 40-49 W, 26:40; Danielle Weber, 1st 30-39 W, 27:41; Nathaniel Tarbi, 1st 11 & Under M, 28:17; Kelly Pastoria, 1st 50-59 W, 28:43; Tammy Sarver, 2nd 50-59 W, 28:59; Maria Asay, 3rd 40-49 W, 29:02; Joe Zboran, 2nd 60-69 M, 29:51; Alison Gregori, 2nd 16-19 W, 30:14; Penny Ward, 3rd 50-59 W, 30:42; Patricia Wyant, 1st 60-69 W, 30:46; Mia DeVivo, 1st 11 & Under W, 30:56; Frank Prazenica, 3rd 60-69 M, 31:27; Taylor Lichty, 3rd 16-19 W, 31:29; Dezso Csizmadia, 1st 70+ M, 32:19; Carla Schreckengost, 3rd 30-39 W, 33:33; Kaydence Stivenson, 2nd 22 & Under W, 36:47; Gabriella Zuccolotto, 2nd 20-29 W, 40:35; Ada Rumburg, 3rd 60-69 W, 41:05; Luke Tola, 2nd 11 & Under M, 44:14; Donald Cescon, 2nd 70+ M, 44:30; Alex Walters, 3rd 20-29 M, 44:51; Mike Shaffer, 20:38; Andrew Nigra, 22:02; Logan Ziemkiewicz, 24:12; Paul Gentile, 24:13; Jonathan Nigra, 24:49; Patrick Reitz, 25:09; Patrick Reitz, 25:15; Sawyer Parks, 25:15; David Malecki, 25:19; Anthony Zuccolotto, 26:45; Ben Goldinger, 26:51; Eli Lindsay, 26:52; Pete Gregori, 27:06; Paige Stivenson, 28:02; Christy Gregori, 29:04; Ryan Foust, 29:12; Travis Domhoff, 29:16; Milind Lele, 29:27; Isabella Parks, 29:30; Owen Parks, 29:39; Tanner Lichty, 29:57; Eric Poole, 31:08; Katie Fuhrman, 31:27; Renee Lichty-Bodner, 31:30; Debra Kuminkoski, 31:50; Tim Hamm, 32:11; Abby Mason, 32:27; Anuj Lele, 32:30; Brian Kepple, 33:09; Paige Barkley, 34:04; Caitlin Bjalobok, 34:05; Madison Stivenson, 34:08; Alex Matter, 34:08; Kate Stieg, 34:56; Brandy Hageter, 34:56; Susan Affrica, 35:35; Tracey Hughes, 36:02; Hailey Fryer, 36:17; Heather Mason, 37:03; Kara Hageter, 37:39; Judy Fox-Fair, 39:40; Brianna Tola, 40:00; Anagha Lele, 41:05; Miheer Lele, 41:15; Noah Golgan, 41:33; Katie Asay, 42:28; Barbara Reeser-Smiesko, 43:23; Mary Tola, 44:16; Edward Walters, 48:45; Terry Wiley, 55:15; Sallie Lucchino, 55:16Send comments and suggestions to: Patricia Neubert, 435 Cherry Valley Rd., Saxonburg, PA. 16056. Phone 724-352-4395. E-mail bigp16@connecttime.net.