For the fifth time since 2022, our own Butler County Community College has been named Best Community College in Pennsylvania by Niche.com.

This ranking site considers academics, value, teacher quality, student satisfaction and more in their decision. BC3 is not only a great choice for high school graduates, it offers lifelong learning for all Butler County residents.

“It’s our community college for the whole course of life,” Tricia Pritchard, director of donor and community engagement for BC3 Education Foundation, said.

Pritchard is also director for this year’s fourth annual Pioneer Pursuit 5K Race, 1-Mile Fun Walk and 100-meter Kids Dash on BC3’s scenic main campus beginning at 10 a.m. Saturday. The event raises funds in support of collegiate athletes. BC3 fields five interscholastic sports teams, including women’s volleyball and men’s and women’s golf and basketball. Last year, three of these teams were nationally ranked.

The Pioneer Pursuit 5K and 1-Mile start on College Drive at Founders Hall and continue onto Shaffer Trail, a popular paved 1-mile trail that loops the entire campus. The 5K follows this loop three times, and both 5K and 1-mile events end at a new finish line at the quad, the center of BC3’s scenic campus. The 100-meter dash for kids ages 14 and under will also be run in the area.

Pioneer Pursuit is spectator and family friendly. There’s a cheer tent for the 5K and water stops on the course. Tricia Pritchard encourages all ages and abilities to walk the untimed 1-mile loop. That includes dogs on leashes and kids in strollers.

All kids in the dash receive a medal for their efforts. There are no competitive awards for the 1-mile walk. BC3 President Megan Coval will award medals to top three male and female finishers overall and in age groups from 18U through 50-plus. Post-race refreshments include donuts, pretzels, bananas, cookies, popsicles and more. Vintage@BC3 Bistro will serve coffee and offer food specials, as well.

This year, the Pioneer Pursuit has expanded to include a finish-line festival that welcomes the whole community. There will be yard games, Kids’ Corner activities and crafts, and a basket raffle with more than 30 baskets from local businesses and donors, some valued at more than $200. (Raffle tickets are cash or check only on race day.)

There is also a raffle presale Thursday and Friday, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., at Vintage@BC3 Bistro at Founders Hall. Tickets are $20 for 25 tickets. Proceeds pay for travel expenses and support for BC3 athletic teams.

Register online at runsignup.com/Race/PA/Butler/PioneerPursuit. Day of event sign up begins at 9 a.m. for the 5K at 10 a.m., 1-mile walk at 10:30 and kids dash at 11 a.m. For more information, call Tricia Pritchard, 724-287-8711, ext. 8696.

And check out two other local events to be held Sept. 12. John Cossy Constantino Memorial 5K and 10K at 9 a.m. returns to Freeport for a run/walk around town ending on James Swartz Memorial Field. This year’s event coincides with Autumn on the Allegheny community festival along the river.

Farther upstream, the East Brady River Run 5K Run and 1-Mile Walk is a scenic, flat out-and-back that supports scholarships for local students. The run and walk both start at 10 a.m. There are awards for the 5K, but the 1-mile walk is just for fun.

Saturday, 8 a.m.: Youngstown Ultra Trail Classic 25K and 50K, Youngstown. Trail runs in Mill Creek Park. runsignup.com/Race/OH/Youngstown/YoungstownUltraTrailClassic

Saturday, 9 a.m.: Lee Foster Memorial 5 Mile, St. Marys. runsignup.com/Race/PA/SaintMarys/LeeFosterMemorial5Mile

Saturday, 10 a.m.: Pioneer Pursuit 5K Race and 1-Mile Walk, Butler. Also Kids’ 100-Meter Dash. runsignup.com/Race/PA/Butler/PioneerPursuit

Sunday, 7 a.m.: Erie Marathon, Erie. Run at Presque Isle State Park. runsignup.com/Race/PA/Erie/ErieMarathon

Sunday, 9 a.m.: Jonathan’s Forever Young 5K, Allison Park. Starts at North Park Boathouse. runsignup.com/Race/PA/AllisonPark/JonathansForeverYoung5k

Sunday, 4:30 p.m.: Hoodlebug 5K Run and Fun Walk, Homer City. Run on Hoodlebug Trail. runsignup.com/Race/PA/HomerCity/hoodlebug5k

Sept. 19, 8:30 a.m.: Distant Area Volunteer Fire Dept. Peanut Butter Festival Half Marathon and 5K Race/Fun Walk, Distant. runsignup.com/Race/PA/NewBethlehem/DistantAreaVolFireDeptPBFestival5KRaceFunWalkandHalfMarathon?_gl=1*1w9yo0i*_ga*MjYzMDE3OTM3LjE3ODQyMDc1Mjg.*_ga_QKEVS8BTWC*czE3ODc0MjM4MzgkbzIkZzEkdDE3ODc0MjQwMDMkajYwJGwwJGgw

Sept. 19, 8:30 a.m.: Run for their Lives 5K, Allison Park. Run starts at North Park Pool area, benefits Western PA Bleeding Disorders Foundation. runsignup.com/Race/PA/AllisonPark/RunForTheirLivesPA

Sept. 19, 9 a.m.: John Cossy Constantino Memorial 5K and 10K, Freeport. Starts at Freeport Junior High School, finishes on James Swartz Memorial Field. runsignup.com/Race/PA/Freeport/JohnCossyConstantinoMemorial5K

Sept. 19, 10 a.m.: East Brady River Run 5K and 1-Mile Walk, East Brady. Scenic and flat course along Allegheny River. runsignup.com/Race/PA/EastBrady/EastBradyRiverRun

Sept. 20, 8 a.m.: Harvest Half Marathon, 5K and 10K, Boston. Run on Yough River Rail Trail. runsignup.com/Race/PA/Boston/BostonHarvest5k10k

Sept. 26, 9:30 a.m.: Dollar Bank Junior Great Race, 1-Mile Run, Diaper Dash and Tot Trot, Pittsburgh. www.rungreatrace.com/junior_great_race

Sept. 26, 10 a.m.: Tuff Tornado Run, Butler. Obstacle and mud run in Alameda Park. Run in heats from 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m. All ages welcome. runsignup.com/Race/PA/Butler/TuffTornadoRun

Sept. 27, 8 a.m.: Great Race 5K Run & Walk, Pittsburgh. Run from Oakland to Downtown. www.rungreatrace.com/5k

Sept. 27, 9:30 a.m.: Richard S. Caliguiri City of Pittsburgh Great Race 10K, Pittsburgh. Run from Frick Park to Downtown. www.rungreatrace.com/10k

Oct. 3, 8 a.m.: Coop’s Loop Endurance Run, Beaver Falls. Individual or relay event at Brady’s Run Park. Run as many 2.1-mile loops as possible in 6 hours. runsignup.com/Race/PA/Butler/TuffTornadoRun

Oct. 3, 7:30 a.m.: October Half Marathon, 10K Run and 5K Walk, Hollidaysburg. Part of Hollidaysburg YMCA Race Series. runsignup.com/Race/PA/Hollidaysburg/BlairRegionalYMCAOctoberHalfMarathonDistanceRaces

Oct. 4, 9 a.m.: FAAP Fall Classic 20K, 10K and 5K, Gibsonia. Trail runs beginning at North Park’s Harmar Pavilion. runsignup.com/Race/PA/Gibsonia/FAAPFallClassicNorthPark

Oct. 10, 8:30 a.m.: Lyndora Historical Walk, Run, Roll 5K and 1-Mile Runs, Lyndora. Begins at new Lyndora Blue Fields. runsignup.com/Race/PA/Lyndora/LyndoraHistoricalWalkRunRoll5KAnd1MileFunRun

Oct. 17, 9 a.m.: 21st Annual Buffalo Creek Half Marathon, Cabot. Point-to-point on Butler-Freeport Rail Trail. runsignup.com/Race/PA/Cabot/BuffaloCreekHalfMarathon

Dam Race 5K (QUAD II), July 15: Matt Beuermann, 1st Overall M, 16:05; Quintin Weaver, 3rd Overall M, 16:50; Rebecca Pennington, 1st Overall W, 19:01; Leslie Kramer, 1st Masters W, 22:46; Eagon Molnar, 2nd 16-19 M, 17:39; Dan Sabella, 2nd 12-15 M, 21:04; Joe Franze, 3rd 30-34 M, 21:14; Sarah Sabella, 1st 20-24 W, 21:42; Melissa Conjack, 1st 35-39 W, 21:57; Scott Choura, 2nd 55-59 M, 22:35; Bob Dummer, 2nd 35-39 M, 22:51; Corinne Petrus, 1st 45-49 W, 23:00; S. Mark Courtney, 1st 70-74 M, 23:22; Melissa Sabella, 2nd 45-49 W, 23:24; Karyn Senith, 1st 50-54 W, 24:07; Michael Brown, 2nd 70-74 M, 24:35; Dominick Degilio, 3rd 40-44 M, 24:51; Nicholas Sicilian, 3rd 10-11 M, 25:35; James Stewart, 3rd 60-64 M, 27:03; Jen Beachem, 2nd 40-44 W, 27:24; Kelsey Burris, 2nd 30-34 W, 29:51; Debbie Courtney, 1st 60-64 W, 31:12; Tony Sunseri, 2nd 75+ M, 34:04; Alex Loxterkamp, 3rd 60-65 M, 34:08; Victoria Brendlinger, 3rd 65-69 W, 35:23; Tim Sabella, 22:09; Aaron Smith, 24:04; Morgan Stull, 24:35; Olivia Heckman, 26:01; Addison Stewart, 26:20; Tina Hoobler, 26:38; James Edmonds, 26:54; Brianna Craig, 27:01; Bell Geiser, 27:11; Kyle Smith, 27:23; Jase Palmer, 27:58; Greg Faulconbridge, 29:21; Lisa Leonhard, 29:34; Landon Winner, 30:41; Mandy James, 31:41; Nate Nuss, 32:14; Brittany Pope, 32:24; Stephanie McCreary, 35:36; Chrissy Dummer, 36:25; John Sestak, 36:56; Lisa Jamison, 39:36; Amanda Choura, 39:54; Gina Moen, 40:37; James Lakin, 40:46; Rich Honsaker, 44:49; Jennifer Diegan, 48:57

All Saints Parish Twilight 5K, July 24 (finishers under 29:00): Brendan Eicher, 1st Overall M, 16:05; Alex Motonis, 2nd Overall M, 17:13; Michael Braun, 3rd Overall M, 17:39; Nora Norwood, 1st Overall W, 21:15; Olivia Murphy, 2nd Overall W, 21:18; Malaya Azarcon, 3rd Overall W, 22:22; Mike Motonis, 1st Masters M, 21:15; Lisa Ewing, 1st Masters W, 22:38; C J. Singleton, 1st 19-29 M, 17:39; Stefan Carlsson, 1st 30-39 M, 18:07; Gavin Gardner, 1st 15-18 M, 18:08; Justin Sellinger, 2nd 15-18 M, 18:48; Mateo Saspe, 3rd 15-18 M, 19:08; Preston Carlsson, 2nd 19-29 M, 19:56; Jaxson Llewellyn, 3rd 19-29 M, 20:30; Braylen Werner, 2nd 13-14 M, 21:11; Patrick Reddick, 2nd 30-39 M, 21:21; Cooper Rauschenberger, 3rd 13-14 M, 21:36; Jack White, 1st 50-59 M, 22:54; Jared Geist, 3rd 30-39 M, 22:56; Joe Mullen, 2nd 50-59 M, 23:26; Emerson Henry, 1st 11-12 M, 23:58; Kim Platt, 1st 40-49 W, 24:08; Carrie Birckbichler-Smith, 2nd 40-49 W, 24:09; Sara Young, 1st 19-29 W, 24:33; Lexie Miller, 1st 13-14 W, 25:05; Jason Steyer, 3rd 50-59 M, 25:05; Megan Galey, 1st 30-39 W, 25:29; David Czifra, 2nd 60+ M, 25:36; Jen Beachem, 3rd 40-49 W, 26:13; Alecia Leo, 2nd 30-39 W, 26:13; Christina Dreher, 3rd 30-39 W, 26:16; Joseph Perhacs, 3rd 40-49 M, 26:45; Joseph Hauser, 3rd 11-12 M, 26:53; Madelyn Miklavic, 3rd 13-14 W, 27:35; Rilee Broadhead, 1st 9-10 W, 27:59; Joey Titler, 1st 8U M, 28:40; Lincoln Henry, 1st 9-10 M, 29:02; Gus Boda, 2nd 8U M, 29:37; Brody Smith, 2nd 9-10 M, 30:11; Luke Skiwirut, 3rd 9-10 M, 30:46; Ella Monday, 1st 5-6 W, 32:53; Kim Miller, 2nd 50-59 W, 33:14; Benjamin Hauser, 3rd 8U M, 33:22; Cynthia Reddick, 1st 60+ W, 33:41; Lily Sherman, 1st 15-18 W, 34:11; Susan Morgus, 3rd 50-59 W, 34:38; Aspen Henry, 1st 7-8 W, 34:52; Hannah Weston, 1st 11-12 W, 34:56; Julia Warnick, 2nd 11-12 W, 35:30; Olivia Yeager, 3rd 11-12 W, 35:35; Meghan McGee, 2nd 15-18 W, 37:15; Laura Warmbrod, 3rd 60+ W, 43:54; Jake Kauffman, 19:09; Drew Diamond, 19:22; Jackson Stewart, 21:30; Jude Perhacs, 21:59; Kian Leyland, 22:08; Kameron Warheit, 22:34; Michael Roman, 22:39; Jax Geibel, 22:39; Nathaniel Morgus, 22:44; Atticus English, 22:44; Colten English, 22:46; Evan McGarvey, 23:37; Matt Galante, 23:54; Aaron McAfee, 24:42; David Sommers, 24:54; Derek Burk, 24:59; Tyler Friel, 25:01; Martin Howard, 25:08; Jace Stutz, 25:12; Joshua Grell, 25:44; David Thompson, 26:09; Harley Plugh, 26:32; Jennifer Hammonds, 26:46; Russ Harper, 26:51; Mason Krill, 26:55; Mike Dreher, 27:09; Patrik Pellegrino, 27:13; Rocco Pellegrino, 27:14; Ashley Trott, 27:25; Jonathan Valentino, 27:45; Mike Legacy, 28:24; Rachel Legacy, 28:25; Alice Sommers, 28:30; Monica Regis, 28:32; Jessica Green, 28:35; Jereme Buffington, 28:37; Jessica Titler, 28:40; Brad Regis, 28:40; Joseph Titler, 28:41; Connor McGee, 28:43

Pat Neubert is a running columnist for the Butler Eagle. Send comments and suggestions: Patricia Neubert, phone 724-822-1577, email lotzak@consolidated.net