I planned to write this column about a small Butler event in contrast with the gargantuan City of Pittsburgh Great Race this coming weekend. Unfortunately, citing low participation, Butler Lion's Club Scoot and Toot 5k will not be held in Alameda Park on Saturday for the first time in ten years.

Jennifer Bindernagel, Executive Director of Blind Association of Butler and Armstrong counties, says that those who did participate had an enjoyable experience, but the race's biggest challenge has always been its conflict with Pittsburgh's Great Race held on the same weekend. Toot and Scoot 5k traditionally was held in conjunction with the Blind Association's Chili Festival in Alameda Park.

Although neither the race nor the Chili Fest will take place this Saturday, Jennifer encourages supporters of the Blind Association's mission to help the Lion's Club by purchasing a broom or leaf bags at their Alameda Septemberfest booth. Septemberfest takes place in Alameda Park from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. with a car cruise, youth fishing derby, petting zoo, crafts, food and more.

This Sunday, the region celebrates the 42nd running of the Richard S. Caliguiri City of Pittsburgh's Great Race. The event includes a 5k Run/Walk from the Oakland area of Pittsburgh at 8 a.m. and a 10k Run starting in Frick Park at 9:30 a.m. Both races finish near Point State Park.

The Great Race is the largest race in Pennsylvania and one of the largest in the country. Over its history, the event has seen more than 250,000 participants with a record field of 12,807 finishers in 1987.

Whether or not you're attending Sunday's 42nd Annual City of Pittsburgh Great Race 5k or 10k, you may want to encourage your kids to get involved in running at Dollar Bank's Junior Great Race this Saturday at 11 a.m. in Point State Park. The event, now in its 25th year, celebrates a milestone with more than 500 kids aged 12 years and younger registered for various distances.

There's an event for every age at the Junior Great Race. Kids can challenge themselves on a level route on Pittsburgh's downtown streets at the 1-Mile Family Fun Run. Parents do not have to register, but can run or walk the course with their little ones.

The Tot Trot is open to all kids ages four and younger who can run or walk the 50-yard walled chute course. And those toddlers who are a little unsteady on their feet can dash across a protective mat in the Toddler Trot.

All registered kids receive a finisher's medal, Junior Great Race t-shirt, goodie bag and post-race hot dog and Smiley Cookie. There will be plenty of activities at Point State Park beginning at 9:30 a.m. including face painters, crafts, refreshments, raffles and family photo opps. Kids can also meet mascots including McGruff the Crime Dog, Riverhounds AMO, Freddy the Flame and more.

While the Great Race 5k and 10k event registration is a hefty $45 to $50, the Junior Great Race is a bargain at $10 per child in advance or $12 on race day. Register your kids online at www.rungreatrace.com or at the Great Race Expo at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center on Friday, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Day of event registration/ and packet pickup opens this Saturday at 9:30 A.M.

For more information and a course map of the new Junior Great Race course, visit www.rungreatrace.com/Junior_Great_Race.

Saturday, 9 a.m.: River Run – Suicide Awareness Run Walk or Roll 5k and 1 Mile, Kittanning. 724-431-3761 or rtger@anrinfo.orgSaturday, 9 a.m.: United Way of Clarion County 5k and 10k Race, Clarion. Run through downtown. 814-226-8760 or clarionunitedway@verizon.netSaturday, 9 a.m.: 5k Foot Pursuit, Grove City. Starts in Memorial Park. 724-699-0349 or ptlmondo940@grovecitypd.comSaturday, 11 a.m.: Dollar Bank Junior Great Race, Pittsburgh. Events for kids ages 12 and under. www.rungreatrace.com/Junior_Great_RaceSunday, 8 a.m.: City of Pittsburgh Great Race 5k & 10k, Pittsburgh. Point-to-point 5k starts in Oakland with 10k start in Frick Park at 9:30 A.M. Both finish downtown. www.rungreatrace.comOct. 5, 8 a.m.: Run Shadyside 5k, Pittsburgh. Flat and fast course through Shadyside neighborhood. Also 1 Mile Walk. 610-554-5621 or runshadyside.comOct. 5, 8 a.m.: October Half Marathon, 10k Run and 5k Walk, Hollidaysburg. fkopriva@hollidaysburgymca.org or blairregionalymca.org/raceseries/race-series/Oct. 5, 8 a.m.: Fall Festival 5k, Butler. Run at Freedom Farms kicks off Fall Festival. Coffee, donuts and admission to the festival included in registration. 412-256-8020 or events@freedomfarmspa.comOct. 5, 9 a.m.: Freeport Girls Basketball 2nd Annual Halloween Hustle 5k, Freeport. Run on Butler-Freeport Rail Trail. ksoilis@zoominternet.netOct. 5, 10 a.m.: Applefest 5k Race for Any Pace, Franklin. Also Junior Joggers 1 Mile and Tiny Trot 50 Yards. 814-432-2138 or dkrizon@franklinymca.orgOct. 6, 8:30 a.m.: Wexford Ram 5k and 1 Mile Family Run/Walk, Allison Park. Starts at North Park's Harmar Pavilion. Kids activities, games, food and drinks, entertainment and music. 412-897-1309 or wexfordramrun@gmail.comOct. 12, 9 a.m.: Mahoning Shadow Shuffle Half Marathon and 5k, Punxsutawney. 814-938-7700 or sscdfin@comcast.netOct. 13, 8 a.m.: Ohiopyle Falls and Trails Trilogy, Ohiopyle. Choice of 10k, ½ or full marathon on single track, rugged trails. www.mtwatershed.com/ohiopyle_falls_trails_trilogy/Oct. 13, 8 a.m.: Pittsburgh Penguins 6.6k Run and 3.3k Family Walk, Pittsburgh. www.mariolemieux.org/pittsburgh-penguins-6-6k-run-family-walk/Oct. 13, 3 p.m.: Buffalo Creek 5k, Worthington. Also kids race following the 5k. 724-543-1120 or mruffaner@mechlingheller.comOct. 19, 9 a.m.: 14th Annual Buffalo Creek Half Marathon, Cabot. Downhill, point-to-point course on Butler-Freeport Rail Trail. runsignup.com/Race/Events/PA/Cabot/BuffaloCreekHalfMarathonOct. 20, 9 a.m.: Distinguished Young Women of Pennsylvania 5k and 1 Mile, Butler. Starts at Alameda Park's Carousel Pavilion. pennsylvania@distinguishedw.orgOct. 26, 9 a.m.: Habitat for Humanity of Indiana County 5k and 10k, Dilltown. Run on Ghost Town Trail. 724-388-1124 or r.a.perky47@gmail.comOct. 27, 2 p.m.: Heavenly Gaits Trick or Treat Trot, Knox. 814-203-9691 or hgtrickortreattrot@gmail.comOct. 27, 3 p.m.: 10th Annual Great Pumpkin 5k and 1 Mile, Zelienople. Mark7669@zoominternet.net

Kittanning Easter Seals 10k, Aug. 31: Mike Fagan, 1st Overall M, 40:42; Tina Seech, 1st Overall W, 42:17; Jinny Hertweck, 3rd 40-49 W, 49:44; Christina Dreher, 1st 20-29 W, 50:25; Wayne Toy, 1st 60-69 M, 54:04; Robert Crawford, 1st 70+ M, 1:02:11; Julie Eckman, 3rd 20-29 W, 1:13:15; Carrie Birckbichler-Smith, 56:38; Nastacia Mcgregor, 1:05:29; Amy Farr, 1:08:33; Kim Kenetz, 1:21:27Kittanning Easter Seals 5k, Aug. 31: Herb Cratty, 1st Overall M, 20:43; Kiera Boarts, 1st Overall W, 24:37; Mitch Radella, 1st 50-59 M, 23:35; Cameron Roofner, 1st 15-19 M, 25:03; Rain Royer, 3rd 15-19 W, 34:02; Lora Spohn, 2nd 30-39 W, 36:47; Valerie Cox, 3rd 40-49 W, 37:00; Dezso Csizmadia, 2nd 70+ M, 40:48; Debra Kuminkoski, 36:51; Michael Green, 47:06Sarah Kasunic Memorial 5k, Sept. 7: Stefan Carlsson, 1st Overall M, 18:25; Hannah Weber, 1st Overall W, 19:55; Paul Kasunic, 19:55; Christine Potsubay, 20:16; Preston Carlson, 20:24; Cordaryl Jones, 20:32; Jared Geist, 21:25; Tom Karenbauer, 21:27; Anthony Beilstein, 21:57; Sean Erskine, 22:21; Justin Stadelmyer, 22:21; Brandon Stadelmyer, 23:19; Chad Jeffries, 23:38; Christina Dreher, 23:45; Julie Kasunic, 24:01; Yuvraj Rathore, 24:02; Lauren Mcgarvey, 24:12; Nathaniel Morgus, 24:40; Michael Kasunic, 24:43; Denise Ejzak, 24:43; Alex Karlheim, 24:43; Denise Ejzak, 24:43; Alex Karlheim, 24:44; Caleb Keys, 24:44; Laconi Lexi, 24:44; Ashlyn Carlsson, 25:02; Dominic Sceski, 25:07; Josh Karlheim, 25:31; Dana Popovic, 25:53; Nick Brink, 26:46; Amy Plumley, 26:56; Gerard Vaerewyck, 27:20; Gary Reck, 27:25; William Patrick, 27:39; Mary Jo Sanks, 28:17; Gallagher Andy, 28:19; Nina Sexton, 28:23; Jacalynn Karenbauer, 28:37; Kayla Adornetto, 28:44; Melissa Karlheim, 28:47; Shane Mccaslin, 29:04; Chase Reck, 29:15; Sarina Kao, 30:06; Glenn Marcink, 30:10; Charles Tanner, 30:13; Ciara Boeltz, 30:25; Matthew Nocera, 30:36; Courtney Stover, 30:46; Monica Regis, 30:52; Bradley Regis, 30:52; Matt Buchwald, 31:25; Chris Rorabaugh, 31:29; Melissa Rorabaugh, 31:29; Alexandra Woloszyk, 32:13; George Karlheim, 32:28; Jim Hrabosky, 32:42; Jake Friel, 32:42; Ray Karlheim, 32:48; Olivia Black, 32:56; Michael Wissel, 33:29; Gabrielle Bunting, 33:33; Stacey Jonas, 33:43; Kenneth Karlheim, 34:28; Brandon Alexander, 34:36; Sam Kochis, 34:39; David Kochis, 34:40; Donna Friel, 34:49; Kristine Kenny, 35:04; Mofei Zhang, 35:11; Nicholas Kasunic, 35:11; Laurie Karlheim, 35:53; Clare Sceski, 36:59; Ryan Bair, 37:01; Aretta Hacker, 37:01; Patti Lilja, 37:19; Jasmine Medina, 38:17; Alaina Larson, 40:15; Joshua Larson, 40:15; Meghan Bright, 40:37; Minh Bright, 40:38; Darlene Karlheim, 41:28; Jack Driscoll, 41:28Erie Marathon at Presque Isle, Sept. 8: Israel Merkle, 1st Overall M, 2:27:47; Kristen Johnson, 1st Overall W, 2:54:30; Jack Kelley, 3:24:42; Hannah Carney, 3:33:55; Melissa Conjack, 3:36:04; T R Parry, 3:37:34; Emily Bell, 3:38:38; Michael Drzewiecki, 3:42:20; Joseph Beilstein, 3:46:57; Matthew Scoletti, 3:55:02; Angela Majkut, 4:07:00; Lori Fromlak, 4:16:40; Brittni Troyan, 4:20:02; Nancy Belz, 4:22:52; Eric Fencil, 4:24:35; Matthew Voynik, 4:34:03; Traci Hanna, 4:42:15; Bethany Sauers, 5:24:51; Wayne Toy, 5:28:43; Stefanie Whitmer, 5:29:42; Joe Birsa, 5:36:03Flyby 5k, Sept. 21: Andrew Zentgraf, 1st Overall M, 16:59; Eline De Jong, 1st Overall W, 18:14; Cole Bradley, 2nd 20-24 M, 19:03; Evan Olszak, 3rd 25-29 M, 20:17; Robert Pudlo, 1st 55-59 M, 20:25; Alexandra Gongas, 1st 10-14 M, 22:24; Sonja Crawford, 1st 70+ W, 34:33; Valerie Sands, 2nd 70+ W, 35:34; Darryn Zawitz, 21:15; Leonard Zuba, 23:54; Megan Kosar, 25:26; Thomas Lynch, 25:31; Bodey Balfour, 26:03; Scott Dibble, 26:09; Katie Mack, 27:19; Katie Kovacic, 28:15; Janet Pudlo, 28:39; Darrin Tarasovich, 28:47; Stacy Juchno, 29:39; Maria Branagan, 29:51; Brian Bradley, 30:11; Noah Wicks, 30:41; Craig Wicks, 30:42; Chris Smith, 30:46; Danielle Sheran, 32:17; Tim Tierney, 32:48; Janel Edwards, 32:55; Joe Houda, 33:14; Jennifer Houda, 33:26; Emerson Bowers, 36:11; Garrett Bowers, 36:11; Courtney Bowers, 36:11; Ian Schauer, 36:51; Nichole Schauer, 36:53; Stephanie Kardos, 37:14; Chrisi Harrison, 40:05; Wisam Guerriere, 41:26; Amy Nestor, 44:34; Christopher Patton, 45:28; Christine Patton, 45:28; Chrissy Smith, 47:09; Deneen Eisenhauer, 47:56; Jason Fulton, 51:25; Claire Campbell, 51:49; Nicole Campbell, 51:49; Nick Campbell, 51:50; Brenda Meeder, 54:17; Joni Tierney, 54:17; Richard Weber, 54:26; Jessica Gladstone, 57:10; Neil Gladstone, 57:11; Brentley Gladstone, 57:11.Send comments and suggestions to Patricia Neubert. Phone 724-352-4395. Email lotzak@consolidated.netPat Neubert is a running columnist for the Butler Eagle