Three runners have made it their mission to make an invisible problem in Butler County visible.

Director Al Lane, Heidi Christy and Buddy Turner of Catholic Charities are part of a committee that directs Run for Shelter 5K, which takes place at 9 a.m. Saturday. The event's mission is "to raise awareness of homeless and housing issues and to eliminate barriers to safe, accessible, affordable housing; therefore, promoting dignity, hope and stability in our community."

Catholic Charities offers assistance to more than 10,000 clients annually, providing rent assistance, help in securing housing and emergency shelter. Catholic Charities is but one of eight organizations under the umbrella of Local Housing Options Team, which meets monthly to strategize ways to serve an area that doesn't have the benefit of a homeless shelter.

Organizations providing services under the LHOT include Catholic Charities/Diocese of Pittsburgh, Lighthouse Foundation, Salvation Army, Center for Community Resources (The Hope Project), VOICe, Butler Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Butler Housing Authority and the Department of Public Welfare.

"We all work together," Lane said.

Run for Shelter 5K is the final event of Homeless Awareness Month. This third annual race expects to attract 80 runners and walkers for the 5K and the kids fun runs of between 50 and 400 meters for ages 12 and under following the 5K event.

Run for Shelter 5K features an out-and-back slightly rolling course entirely within the grounds of Veteran Affairs Medical Center campus.

Preregistered runners can pick up their race numbers and bags at Catholic Charities, 407A W. Jefferson St., Butler. from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday.

Day-of-event registrations are welcome on Saturday at the pavilion on the VA Medical Center grounds on New Castle Road beginning at 7:30 a.m.

The registration fee is $17 for the 5K and $7 for kids 12 and under. For information, contact Al Lane of Catholic Charities at 724-287-4011 or alane@ccpgh.org

Upcoming eventsSaturday, 6:30 a.m.: Baker Trail Ultra Challenge, Schenley. Run 50 rugged miles on Baker Trail, individual or teams of up to five members. 412-512-4544 or ultrachallenge@rachelcarsontrails.orgSaturday, 8 a.m.: Up-N-Running Group Run, Valencia. 724-898-2525 or www.runpa.comSaturday, 8:30 a.m.: Tom Murray Cranberry Township Aquathlon, Run 3 miles, swim 400 meters, run 2 miles within North Boundary Park. Benefits Habitat for Humanity in Southwest Butler County. 724-774-5746 or jkercovich@yahoo.comSaturday, 9 a.m.: Run Around the Square 5K, Regent Square, Pittsburgh. Run through neighborhood streets and Frick Park cross country trails. Also 1.5-mile fun run-walk at 8:15 a.m. 412-422-6562, ext. 5 or runaroundthesquare@yahoo.comSaturday, 9 a.m.: New Alexandria Lions Club 5K, New Alexandria. 724-668-7420 or tedimitchelljr@comcast.netSaturday, 9 a.m.: Southern Venango County Community Days Hamstring Hustle, Grove City. Choice of 2.5K or 5K starts at Clintonville Community Park. 814-385-6515 or sandrock@zoominternet.netSaturday, 9 a.m.: Run for Their Lives 5K Run and 2-Mile Benefit Walk, Ellwood City. Benefits Childrens Hospital. Dssmith2@zoominternet.netWednesday, 6 p.m.: Running Wild Group Run, Hartwood Acres. Run 40 to 50 minutes on park roads and trails. 724-444-5311Wednesday, 6:30 p.m.: Stoneboro Fair Mile, Stoneboro. Run two laps on dirt track, includes admission to fair. 724-458-4435Sept. 1, 7:30 a.m.: Charleston Distance Run 15 Miler, Charleston, W.Va. Also three-person relay and 5K. www.CharlestonDistanceRun.comSept. 2, 9:30 a.m.: Gatorade-Steelers 5K Race, Fitness Walk and Kids Kickoff Run, Pittsburgh. Level course, great prizes. Benefits Art Rooney Scholarship Fund. 412-697-7713 or www.steelers.comSept. 3, 9 a.m.: F.H. Buhl Club Day 5K on Labor Day, Sharon. 724-981-3700 or www.fhbuhlclub.orgSept. 8, 8 a.m.: IKEA-Montour Trail Half Marathon and 5k, Robinson Township. 724-695-2638 or www.montourtrail.orgSept. 14, 6 p.m.: Run for Liberty 5K, Moraine State Park. 724-368-9078 or echeman02@yahoo.com

Race results

Ellwood City Ledger 10K, June 30: Jake Walker, 1st Overall M, 30:49; Kacey Gibson, 1st Overall W, 39:49; Jerry Maher, 1st 41-45 M, 36:10; Matt Montellanicico, 1st 14-19 M, 37:30; Phil O'Hara, 1st 27-33 M, 41:32; Curt Grimm, 1st 56-60 M, 41:58; Leslie Kramer, 1st 27-33 W, 44:04; Juliet Smith, 1st 14-19 W, 45:07; Brittany Lyons, 2nd 14-19 W, 45:17; Kristen Kelosky, 1st 34-40, 49:00; Beth Lehman, 2nd 34-40 W, 51:19; Kathy Kelly, 1st 51-60 W, 54:17; Cindy Grimm, 2nd 51-60 W, 55:26; Frank Sassaman, 43:31; Tim Weil, 43:58; Brian Connell, 45:39; Dennis Hamilton, 50:37; William Kelly, 50:45; Steve Beck, 54:38; Stacie Doughty, 56:02; David Bates, 58:40; Corin Newton, 59:57; Dana Hogue, 1:08:33

Run with the Buffalo 5K, July 21: Evan Miller, 1st Overall M, 17:54; Tom Bollinger, 2nd Overall M, 18:06; Bethany Walker, 1st Overall W, 20:34; Jolene Kunkel, 2nd Overall W, 20:51; Jacob Kildoo, 1st 12-15 M, 18:47; Mike Fugate, 3rd 16-19 M, 18:56; David Fugate, 1st 45-49 M, 20:19; Roger M. Murray, 3rd 45-49 M, 22:56; Sarah Robb, 1st 16-19 W, 22:57; David Crowl, 1st 50-54 M, 23:19; Jenn Shanahan, 2nd 16-19 W, 23:48; Stephanie Verdecchia, 1st 30-34 W, 24:13; Kristen Kelosky, 2nd 40-44 W, 24:31; Shannon Evanchec, 2nd 12-15 W, 25:10; Steve Beck, 2nd 30-34 M, 26:34; Tara Gilson, 1st 25-29 W, 27:07; Debbie Fugate, 3rd 40-44 W, 27:19; Cindy Shuber, 1st 45-49 W, 29:54; Christine Kunkel, 2nd 45-49 W, 31:08; Ryan Sestak, 19:32; Joshua Larry, 20:30; Ehren Reffner, 20:36; Christopher Papp, 20:45; Jonathan Cortez, 22:33; Phil Barner, 23:58; John Scott Somora, 24:17; Cydney Butler, 30:16; Tedd Nesbit, 32:41; Mary Butler Ehmann, 36:54

Freeport 5K, July 21: Shane Sarver, 1st Overall M, 14:56; Brenden Reilly, 2nd Overall M, 16:07; Sergei Dines, 3rd Overall M, 18:09; Brynn Aljoe, 1st Overall W, 19:44; Kristen Prazenica, 2nd Overall W, 20:19; Jessica Sarver, 3rd Overall W, 20:51; John Van Gehuchton, 1st 20-29 M, 18:36; Dillon Schwertz, 1st 15-19 M, 19:14; Paul Kletzli, 2nd 15-19 M, 19:32; John Dunn, 2nd 40-49 M, 19:45; Stephen Hepler, 3rd 40-49 M, 19:50; Tyler Singer, 1st 14 and under M, 20:32; Chuck Sarver, 2nd 50-59 M, 21:23; Stephen Posney, 3rd 14 and under M, 21:28; Justin Beck, 3rd 20-29 M, 21:32; Jordan Dunn, 1st 15-19 W, 22:09; Amy Sue Amadee, 1st 40-49 W, 22:26; Wendy Recio, 2nd 40-49 W, 23:06; Tom Williams, 3rd 50-59 M, 23:12; Kayla Zboran, 1st 14 and under W, 23:25; Beth Zboran, 3rd 40-49 W, 24:34; Frank Prazenica, Jr., 1st 60-69 M, 25:51; Samantha Boroski, 3rd 15-19 W, 25:59; Tammi Landgraf, 3rd 30-39 W, 26:49Patrick Kerr, 20:18; Patrick Reitz, 20:57; Kenneth Long, 21:38; Chuck Huth, 21:46; Casey Crytzer, 21:52; Sean Carnahan, 22:57; Joey Sadecky, 23:09; Daniel Kelly, 23:24; Ryan Miller, 23:30; Marc Miller, 23:31; Rich Landgraf, 24:33; Tyler Long, 24:33; Nathan Williams, 24:39; Edd Myers, 24:49; Kelly Dunn, 25:04; Gregory Huth, 25:43; Kaiti Pullan, 26:18; Kim Zappi, 27:56; Julie Thomas, 28:05; Don Pastoria, 28:06; Kelly Pastoria, 28:06; Nicole Miller, 28:10; Doug Zappi, 28:53; Ashley Pernazza, 29:28; John Mazurowski, 30:30; Tori Hesidence, 31:40; Karen Roudybush, 34:57; Alexis Whitfield, 37:26; Cora Crytzer, 37:39; Cayla Fuher, 37:45; Laurie Williams, 48:20; Patricia Romzy, 48:22

Horsetrading Days 5 Mile, July 21: Doug Basinski, 1st Overall M, 29:07; Eric Kelly, 2nd Overall M, 30:03; Bonnie Lathom, 1st Overall W, 34:29; Veronica Kirish, 2nd Overall W, 36:20; Jake Montag, 2nd 13-18 M, 31:49; Mitch Radella, 1st 40-49 M, 32:09; Jim Gallagher, 2nd 40-49 M, 32:56; Russ Olshenhirt, 1st 30-39 M, 33:23; Ken Elias, 2nd 30-39 M, 33:26; Mike Covert, 3rd 40-49 M, 33:28; Jeffrey Platt, 1st 19-29 M, 34:07; Michael Weaver, 3rd 30-39 M, 34:47; Nick Hoover, 2nd 19-29 M, 35:33; Lou Alaksin, 1st 60-69 M, 35:44; Dan Nagel, 1st 50-59 M, 35:46; Jim Nagel, 2nd 60-69 M, 35:47; Alex Ussia, 2nd 50-59 M, 37:15; John Antinossi, 3rd 60-69 M, 37:47; Avery Lawson, 1st 30-39 W, 39:09; Heather Hay, 2nd 30-39 W, 39:11; Lee Anderson, 3rd 19-29 M, 39:29; Gale Mussey, 3rd 50-59 M, 40:02; Tami Kennedy, 3rd 30-39 W, 40:08; Barbara Nagel, 1st 60-69 W, 42:17; Lou Lodovico, 2nd 70 and over M, 42:47Phil Lope, 42:51; John Vagias, 42:57; Julia Murray, 3rd 40-49 W, 44:41; Dana Hoover, 1st 19-29 W, 45:55; Mandy Derlassic, 2nd 19-29 W, 51:06; Tim Weil, 33:49; Phillip Matthew, 34:59; Eric McCandless, 35:32; William Marsh, 35:34; Jeff Smith, 35:48; Carl Hill, 39:08; Dave Anney, 40:40; Len Yensull, 40:51; Barb McCandless, 41:03; Kristen Magdelinic, 43:20; Buddy Turner, 44:43; Stacie Abraham, 47:41; Sandy Ussia, 56:39; Randy Wise, 1:05:42

Horsetrading Days 1 Mile, July 21: Scott Stileler, 1st Overall M, 6:53; Matthew Griffen, 3rd Overall M, 7:39; Amy Rouse, 1st Overall W, 7:42; Zac Cowell, 3rd Overall M, 8:26; Owen Marsh, 1st 12 and under M, 8:57; Matthew Austin, 2nd 12 and under M, 9:23; Ryan Marsh, 3rd 12 and under M, 9:27; Ally Cowell, 3rd 12 and under W, 9:33; Angela Hall, 1st 19-29 W, 10:40; Cathy Palmer, 1st 30-39 W, 12:11; Tracie Ponchek, 2nd 30-39 W, 12:12; Joella Baker, 3rd 30-39 W, 15:51; Tyler Flood, 9:53; Lane Palmer, 10:29; Abigail Palmer, 10:30; Maribeth Marsh, 10:42; Dylan Marsh, 10:44; Bridget Klein, 13:27; Zachary Baker, 15:50

Parkersburg Half Marathon, Aug. 18: Alene Reta, 1st Overall M, 1:02:39; Sharon Cherop, 1st Overall W, 1:12:26; Christopher Bloch, 1:37:30; Bob Gracie, 1:40:56

Hamot 10K, Aug. 19: Matt Robson, 1st Overall M, 34:01; Jennifer Martin, 1st Overall W, 38:48; Cindy Grimm, 1st Masters W, 45:19; Gary Bell, 1st 60-64 M, 48:17; Eric Grimm, 59:39Send comments and suggestions to: 435 Cherry Valley Road, Saxonburg, Pa. 16056. Phone or fax: 724-352-4395. E-mail: bigp16@connecttime.netPat Neubert is the running columnist for the Butler Eagle.