Athletic success can be costly in terms of travel, registrations, uniforms and more.

Saturday’s Pioneer Pursuit 5K raises money for the BC3 Foundation to lessen the financial burden of athletic competition at Butler County Community College. Organizers hope to raise more than $10,000 this year to offset the cost of competing on a high level.

Butler County Community College is annually listed among the top community colleges in the state and the nation based on affordability and academic quality.

BC3 also boasts five excellent intercollegiate sports teams, including nationally ranked basketball, volleyball and golf. This year, three athletes, golfers Jacob Marquardt and Taylor Voloch and volleyball standout Josie Russo, have been named All-Americans.

BC3’s campus is especially beautiful at this time of year. The Pioneer Pursuit 5K follows the paved Shaffer Trail for three scenic, slightly hilly loops of the campus. Isabella Bodnar, BC3 Foundation event support assistant, said the event will go on rain or shine but, of course, everyone prefers shine.

Bodnar said they are hoping for at least 150 participants and spectators for the event, which includes a 1-Mile Walk on the trail and a Kids 100-Meter Dash in the level parking lot for children 14-and-under. All are welcome, including dogs on leashes and kids in strollers.

Awards in the 5K include medals for first overall male and female and top three in age groups from 18-and-under through 50-plus. All kids finishing the dash earn ribbons and cookies.

The Pioneer Pursuit is spectator friendly. Since the run is a multi-loop course, competitors in the 5K pass through the start/finish area three times. And there’s day-of-event registration beginning at 9 a.m. if you decide to join in at the last minute. Spectators are welcome to share pre-race coffee and donuts and post-race breakfast sandwiches provided by Chick-fil-A.

All are welcome to participate in a basket raffle to win one of more than two dozen different baskets. Basket themes include Dave & Busters, Grist House, YMCA, a fall theme, candy, dog gifts and more. Note that raffle ticket sales are by cash or check only. If you can’t attend the festivities Saturday, raffle baskets will be on sale along with free Chick-fil-A from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Friday.

For more information or to register online, visit runsignup.com/Race/PA/Butler/PioneerPursuit.

The 20th Buffalo Creek Half Marathon has a “new and improved racecourse” for its Oct. 18 event.

The race will once again begin at Cabot Methodist Church and turn onto Helmbold Avenue. The course proceeds to Marwood Road, where it turns 180 degrees and enters Butler Freeport Community Trail for its journey to Freeport.

Runners will enjoy the same scenic course until they reach Laneville, where instead of climbing a hill and crossing a bridge to end in Freeport, they will continue on the newly completed portion of Butler Freeport Community Trail to its ending point at the former Butler Junction.

Finish line festivities can be accessed by road at Montrose Avenue, Buffalo Township. There is parking at the finish line and shuttle bus service for participants.

Take this as an opportunity to set a new course record. I hope to see some fast finishes from returning or new speedsters. And personally, I won’t miss that hill climb to the bridge and the traffic in the final half mile. The new finish will add more trail, always a win for me.

View the new course and register for the 20th Annual Buffalo Creek Half Marathon at runsignup.com/Race/PA/Cabot/BuffaloCreekHalfMarathon

Saturday, 6 a.m.: Rockin’ the Knob Trail Challenge, Claysburg. 50K starts at 6 a.m., half marathon at 9 a.m. and 10K at 10 a.m. at Blue Knob Four Seasons Resort. runsignup.com/Race/PA/Claysburg/RockNTheKnob

Saturday, 10 a.m.: Pioneer Pursuit 5K Race, 1-Mile Walk, Kids’ 100-meter Dash, Butler. Run at Butler County Community College benefits BC3 students and Pioneer Athletics. runsignup.com/Race/PA/Butler/PioneerPursuit

Sept. 20, 8 a.m.: FAAP Fall Classic, Gibsonia. Choice of 5K, 10K or 20K on North Park trails. Benefits Filipino American Association of Pittsburgh. runsignup.com/Race/PA/Gibsonia/FAAPFallClassicNorthPark

Sept. 20, 8:30 a.m.: Distant Area Volunteer Fire Dept. PB Festival Race/Fun Walk and Half Marathon, Distant. Hilly half marathon and mostly level 5K. runsignup.com/Race/PA/NewBethlehem/DistantAreaVolFireDeptPBFestival5KRaceFunWalkandHalfMarathon

Sept. 21, 8 a.m.: Harvest 5K, 10K and Half Marathon, Boston. Run on Yough River Trail. runsignup.com/Race/PA/Boston/BostonHarvest5k10k

Sept. 27, 10 a.m.: Tuff Tornado Run, Butler. Alameda Park obstacle run in heats benefits Golden Tornado Scholastic Foundation. runsignup.com/Race/PA/Butler/TuffTornadoRun

Sept. 21, 10 a.m.: Musicians of Steel 5K Run & 1-Mile Fun Run, Pittsburgh. Out-and-back from Millvale Riverfront Pavilion toward North Shore on Three Rivers Heritage Trail. runsignup.com/musiciansofsteel

Sept. 27, 9:30 a.m.: Dollar Bank Junior Great Race, Pittsburgh. Family Fun Run (ages 5-12 and parents), Tot Trot (ages 4 and under), Diaper Dash. www.rungreatrace.com/junior_great_race

Sept. 28, 1 p.m.: Wounded Warrior 5K, DuBois. Flat and fast course, post-race lunch. 814-371-3333 or secure.getmeregistered.com/get_information.php?event_id=141096

Sept. 28, 8 a.m.: 48th Richard S. Caliguiri City of Pittsburgh Great Race 5K and 10K Pittsburgh. Run from Oakland or Frick Park to Point State Park. www.rungreatrace.com

Oct. 4, 8:30 a.m.: 30th Annual Fineview Urban Step and Trail Challenge, Pittsburgh. Choice of 5- or 2-Mile with 12 public staircases over 1600 steps. runsignup.com/Race/PA/Pittsburgh/FineviewStepChallenge

Oct. 4, 9 a.m.: Tiny Hero 5K, 1-Mile Fun Run and Trek Family Fun Day, Beaver Falls. Run in Brady’s Run Park. runsignup.com/Race/PA/BeaverFalls/TinyHero5kandTrekFamilyFunDay

Oct. 4, 10 a.m.: Applefest 5K YMCA Race for Any Pace, Franklin. Also Jr. Jog 1-Mile and Tiny Tot 50-yard dash. 814-432-2138 or frgc.recliquecore.com/programs/38158/applefest-5k-races-fun-runs/?locations=-1

Oct. 11, 9 a.m.: Slippery Rock Community Library Halloween Hustle 5K Run and Walk, 1-Mile Kids Run/Walk, Slippery Rock. Run at Cooper’s Lake Campground. runsignup.com/Race/PA/SlipperyRock/SlipperyRockCommunityLibraryHalloweenHustle

Oct. 11, 9 a.m.: Mahoning Shadow Shuffle Half Marathon, 10K, 5K and Kids Fun Run, Punxsutawney. Run on Rail Trail starting at Little League Field. runsignup.com/Race/PA/Punxsutawney/PUNXSUTAWNEYMAHONINGSHADOWSHUFFLE

Oct. 12, 9 a.m.: 33rd Annual HAEE 5K and 1.5 Mile Walk, Allison Park. Run in Hampton Community Park. runsignup.com/Race/PA/AllisonPark/HAEE5k

Ford City 5K, July 5 (finishers under 40:00): Carter French, 1st Overall M, 16:37; Kara Shirley, 1st Overall W, 19:36; Ava Kidder, 3rd Overall W, 21:44; Brad Patsy, 2nd 40-49 M, 19:18; Finnley Kidder, 1st 10-14 M, 19:40; Lucas Bowser, 1st 15-19 M, 20:56; Timothy Wyant, 3rd 50-59 M, 21:06; Vernon Morrow, 1st 60-69 M, 21:20; Owen French, 3rd 10-14 M, 21:27; Melissa Conjack, 1st 30-39 W, 22:04; Kayla Pozderac, 1st 20-29 W, 22:47; Allison Sasala, 2nd 30-39 W, 23:38; Rod Groomes, 1st 70+ M, 24:12; Micci Hutterer, 1st 60-69 W, 29:02; Finley Griffith, 3rd 9 & Under W, 29:08; Bill Swanik, 3rd 60-69 M, 29:22; Patricia Wyant, 1st 70+ W, 33:39; Janette Clark, 2nd 70+ W, 43:55; Hudson Kidder, 21:42; Jaxson Smith, 22:28; David Ursiak, 22:32; George Little, 22:38; Travis Domhoff, 22:48; Cliff Brison, 24:46; Lee Sasala, 24:48; Alaina Ursiak, 25:02; Parick Hoyt, 25:30; Chelsea Custer, 25:35; Jason Green, 26:11; Daniel French, 26:44; Joshua Charles, 26:53; Cayden Quinn, 27:02; Liam Breska, 27:19; Jason Griffith, 27:29; Bruce Soule, 27:33; Cameryn Booher, 27:33; Samson Wyant, 28:14; Hayden Morrow, 28:24; Owen Danka, 28:40; Tabitha Bowser, 29:00; Dianna Craig, 29:07; Terra Griffith, 29:08; Susan Landgraf, 29:12 Michael LeClaire, 29:48; Jocelyn Ursiak, 30:11; Addison Johns, 30:29; Marlee Reitler, 30:44; Alex Dirsmith, 31:04; Weston Transue, 31:11; Christian Winter, 31:30; Brianna Bailey, 31:43; Rachael Mong, 31:50; Tyler Kalnik, 31:53; Terry Wingfield, 31:53; Camryn Bowser, 31:57; Kerrienne Danka, 32:05; Damon Andring, 32:15; Jennifer Fleming, 32:21; Brian Mong, 33:06; Luke Corace, 33:06; Myla Hileman, 33:07; Chuck Houser, 33:26; Melody Grant Flick, 33:51; Brad Transue, 34:11; Brady Green, 34:11; Jaysa Capone, 34:36; Danielle Boback, 34:52; Jack Giancola, 34:54; Leeann Parsi, 35:31; Julie Eckman, 35:48; Ashley LeClaire, 35:51; Kaitlyn Reesman, 35:51; Steve McLafferty, 37:25; Emily Arnold, 37:38; Randy Bowser, 38:19; Shannon Balla, 38:26; Shaylee Capone, 39:25; Maria Cosme, 39:32; Becky Clouse, 39:48; Christian Green, 39:48; Emily Buriak, 39:58

Horsetrading Days Hot to Trot 5K, July 19: Phillip Silvis, 1st Overall M, 18:20; Lucas Cain, 2nd Overall M, 18:43; Cameron Cramer, 3rd Overall M, 18:59; Meghan McNabb, 1st Overall W, 19:32; Brooke Molde, 3rd Overall W, 21:38; Jon McMillan, 1st 30-39 M, 19:18; David Wilt, 1st 50-59 M, 20:15; Kevin Cramer, 2nd 40-49 M, 20:28; Mark Lamison, 3rd 50-59 M, 21:25; Kevin Lupo2nd 30-39 M, 21:37; Emily Keir, 1st 20-29 W, 21:54; Eddie Nicotra, 1st 20-29 W, 22:02; Olivia Drohan, 2nd 20-29 W, 22:03; Emma Nicotra, 1st 19 & Under W, 23:19; Malaya Azarcon, 2nd 19 & Under W, 23:58; Jeffrey Gardner, 3rd 20-29 M, 24:23; Michelle Burgess, 3rd 20-29 W, 24:35; Addison Portman, 3rd 19 & Under W, 25:45; Robin Portman, 2nd 30-39 W, 26:18; Erin Hart, 1st 50-59 W, 26:23; Sheryl Brenner, 2nd 50-59 W, 26:45; Jill Takach, 3rd 50-59 W, 27:35; Chuck Houser, 3rd 60-69 M, 32:59; Anthony Sunseri, 1st 70+ M, 33:43; Jennifer McCurdy, 3rd 60-69 W, 36:54; Kevin May, 20:52; William Humphries, 21:17; Ronald Sparks, 22:08; Matt Drohan, 23:36; Greg Brenner, 24:06; Alex Zowacki, 24:41; Jace Roth, 24:48; Evan Conrad, 25:18; Emily Sassaman, 26:16; Mark Sassaman, 26:17; Cody Dowling, 26:43; Elizabeth Linton, 26:54; Dawson Beach, 26:59; Lucy Miller, 27:49; Rachel Miller, 27:49; Phillip Johnson, 28:10; Maria K Barron, 28:24; Lizzie Colton, 29:48; Chris Robinson, 29:52; Ella Romza, 30:12; Andrea Platt, 30:58; Joe Grieves, 32:03; Rebecca Rawlings, 32:40; Kaylin Mazzetti, 34:03; Todd Neely, 34:04; Olivia Scaglione, 34:53; Chuck Scaglione, 34:53; Emil Mandigo, 35:27; Brent Becker, 35:48; Gypsy Dreveniak, 36:03; Svetlana Tarassov, 36:04; Rob Azarcon, 36:51; Katherine Metcalfe, 37:35; Michael Alleruzzo, 38:22; Kaleesha-Teres Moffat-Jackson, 39:38; Grayson Edwards, 40:15; Allison Takac, 40:17; Kathi Burgess, 41:18; Frank Lombardi, 42:55; Kelli Hillwig, 43:41; Ezekiel Yoder, 50:02; Nathan Platt, 50:30; John McCall, 51:02; Jennifer Fuchs, 51:02; Ian Luxton, 52:58; Sydney Luxton, 53:01; Heidi Fletcher, 54:06

Pat Neubert is a running columnist for the Butler Eagle. Send comments and suggestions: Patricia Neubert, phone 724-352-4395, email lotzak@consolidated.net