The turnout for the 44th annual Butler Road Race should be a healthy one.

This is the second straight year that the Butler YMCA is directing the event, which will take place Saturday morning.

Registration will begin at 7:30 a.m. in Diamond Park. All races will begin and end on Main Street in front of the Butler County Courthouse.

“Last year, we had about 400 entrants and it went very well,” said Chelsy Olsen, development specialist for the YMCA. “We had 54 people sign up the day of the race and that was with storms coming through.

“We are very close to 400 right now (through Tuesday), so we're sure hoping to surpass last year's total.”

As usual, four separate races will be held, including a 2K and 5-mile run for both men and women. The 5-mile race will begin at 9 a.m. followed by the 2K at 9:05.

Of last year's four overall winners, only 5-mile women's victor Tina Seech was signed up to compete through Tuesday, though sign-ups will be accepted through Saturday morning.

Other winners from 2018 included Tim Flynn (men's 2K), Nick Edinger (men's 5-mile) and Emily Lamb (women's 2K).

Registration fee for the 5-mile race is $35 and the 2K is $25. Proceeds will benefit the YMCA's annual Support Campaign, which funds several ventures, including but not limited to youth summer camps and the youth mentoring program.

“Our goal is to raise $400,000 through the entire year,” said Olsen. “We brought in $15,000 through the road race last year.”

The Butler Road Race had been in danger of being discontinued before the YMCA announced it would take over its management, which it did following the 2017 event.

Five staff members from the YMCA will be joined by a number of volunteers who will assist in everything from taking registrations to working water stations to presenting of awards.

“It's definitely an honor to be involved with this event,” said Olsen. “We're excited to keep this going in the community. That's our goal.”

Following are Butler Road Race records entering Saturday: Men's 5-mile — Jake Walker (24:32 in 2008); 2K — Tim Flynn (6:04.5 in 2018); Women's 5-mile — Nicole Blaesser (29:04 in 2009); 2K — Danica Snyder (7:18 in 2011).