Sometimes even a successful event can change for the better.

Last year's Raider Maze 5K fielded more than 200 runners and walkers. The popular event raises money for the Seneca Valley Cross Country Boosters to help support the team. But after 17 successful runs, race director and Boosters president Jim Scarnati announced major changes in the event.

"It's a risk, but we want to grow," Scarnati said.

The race's participation had been limited in past years by a late August date that clashed with high school cross country training.

Moving the event to 8:30 a.m. this Saturday allows high school runners to participate as part of optional pre-season training. Most of Seneca Valley's team of 40 high school and 40 junior high school runners compete while parents and boosters work at the event.

Another big change in Raider Maze 5K is the course. While the old run truly was a maze of twists and turns through the town of Zelienople, the new course run completely within the Seneca Valley campus eliminates the sharp corners.

Although the new course follows a slightly more rolling terrain, Scarnati predicts that it will be at least as fast as the old course because runners can keep a more even pace on the rounded turns rather than braking to negotiate the street corners.

Scarnati calls the new course "the most viewable 5K in the area." Spectators can watch 1½ to 2 miles of the race, including the finish on the track, from NexTier Stadium.

While the Raider Maze is spectator friendly, it also encourages participation. A 1-mile fun run takes place after the 5K is finished at about 9:45 a.m.

Although commemorative T-shirts, which are guaranteed for all those who preregister, will be in limited supply, day- of-event registrations are welcome for both the 5K and 1-mile events.

Registration begins at 7:30 a.m. Saturday at Seneca Valley's NexTier Stadium. Cost for the 5K is $15 while the 1-mile costs $3 to enter but does not include a T-shirt.

For information about event, call Jim Scarnati at 724-538-8940 or email raidermaze5k@yahoo.com

Saturday, 8 a.m.: Up-N-Running Group Run, Valencia. 724-898-2525 or www.runpa.comSaturday, 8 a.m.: Run with the Deer Flies 25K, Yellow Creek State Park, Penn Run, Indiana County. Challenging out-and-back trail run begins at Boy Scout Camp, sponsored by Indiana Road Runners Club. 724-541-3667 or gholsinger@yourinter.netSaturday, 8:30 a.m.: Stampede in the Park 5K Run and Walk, Plum Boro. Rolling course with downhill finish starts at Boyce Park Ski Lodge, benefits Plum Running Mustangs Scholarship and Hillman Cancer Center. 412-795-6902 or rmaxhughes.net.Saturday, 8:30 a.m.: Rube's Run 5K, Prospect. Gently rolling course followed by hot dog and lemonade "Old-fashioned Baseball Breakfast." Benefits Prospect Area Preservation Society. 724-865-9582 or jtgallagher@zoominternet.netSaturday, 8:30 a.m.: Indian Hills Trail Run, Ashtabula, Ohio. Challenging 8 miles or 5K through water. 216-752-5151 or hmapromotions.netSaturday, 9 a.m.: Shannock Valley Festival 5K, Rural Valley. Out-and-back course with rolling hills. 724-783-7993 or ascott716@aol.comSaturday, 9 a.m.: Oakmont-Verona Twinboro 5K, Oakmont. Tour of two boroughs starts at Riverside Park. 412-826-1452 or palmaost@aol.comSaturday, 9 a.m.: Trojan Trail 5K, Derry. Cross country run benefits Derry Area High School team. 724-787-3270 or jh10105@netscape.netSaturday, 9 a.m.: Rain Day 5K Waynesburg. Also 1-mile fun run. 724-627-9505Sunday, 8 a.m.: Thorn Hill County Line 5K, Cranberry Township. Benefits Thorn Hill Scholarship Fund. 724-776-4949Aug. 1, 6 p.m.: Leukemia and Lymphoma Society Team in Training info meeting, Butler. 800-482-8326 or www.teamintraining.org/mailAug. 1, 6:30 p.m.: Betty Zane Days 5K Run-Walk, Martins Ferry, Ohio. 740-633-5563 or bill@badimages.netAug. 5, 7 p.m.: Debbie Green Memorial 5K Run-Walk for Leukemia. RRCA National Championship, cash prizes and more than $1,300 in random drawing prizes. 740-859-0704 or www.debbiegreen5k.comAug. 11, 9 a.m.: Cookie Daze 5K, Rimersburg. 814-473-6427Aug. 15, 7 p.m.: Courtney's Ice Cream Race 5K, Grove City. Postrace ice cream buffet, final race in Mercer County Twilight QUAD. 724-458-4435 or smc@runhigh.comSept. 1, 7:30 a.m.: Charleston Distance Run 15-Miler, Charleston, W.Va. Also 3-person relay and 5K race. www.CharlestonDistanceRun.comSept. 1, 9 a.m.: Rockwood Rotary Half Marathon and 5K Run-Walk, Rockwood, Somerset County. Run on Allegheny Highlands Trail. 814-926-2469

<B>Chase at the Lake 5K, June 6: </B>Kevin Pool, 1st Overall M, 15:07; Beckey Eby, 1st Overall W, 20:03; Susan Dreves, 3rd Overall W, 20:44; Mark Courtney, 1st Masters M, 17:56; Tom Bollinger, 1st 16-19 M, 17:52; Jacob Kildoo, 2nd 13-15 M, 18:21; Adam Stillwagon, 2nd 16-19 M, 18:59; Brent Collins, 1st 45-49 M, 19:31; Richard Stewart, 1st 40-44 M, 19:49; Charles Casalnova, 2nd 45-49 M, 20:00; John Ciafre, 1st 55-59 M, 20:37Christopher Bloch, 3rd 45-49 M, 20:48; Calahan Spigler, 3rd 16-19 M, 20:56; Hana Casalnova, 1st 13-15 W, 21:08; Sarah Thompson, 2nd 16-19 W, 21:37; Lou Alaksin, 1st 65-59 M, 21:51; Bob Gracie, 3rd 55-59 M, 21:52; Elizabeth Witmer, 2nd 25-29 W, 22:33; Darlene Lenzi, 3rd 25-29 W, 22:45; Mary Blom, 2nd 45-49 W, 24:44; Sameul Archibald, 1sr 11 and under M, 24:50; Wendy Recio, 3rd 45-49 W, 25:32; Adam Lowe, 2nd 11 & Under M, 25:41; Kalie Davis, 1st 11 and under W, 25:52; Debbie Courtney, 3rd 40-44 W, 26:00; Holly Depew, 3rd 35-39 W, 26:11; Lou Lodovico, 3rd 60 and over M, 26:38; Olivia Lowe, 2nd 11 and under W, 29:51Mike Meehan, 19:13; Ryan Thompson, 21:12; Jacob Spurk, 21:25; David McKinney, 22:12; Rick Black, 22:24; Bill Swanik, 22:49; Jason Shannon, 23:28; John-Scott Somora, 23:41; Ron Hartle, 23:43; Caleb Thrasher, 23:44; Jim Thrasher, 23:44; Carol Donahey, 1st 40-44 W, 23:59; Ruth Perry, 24:12; Eliza Lowe, 24:14; Robert Cook, 24:34; Stacey Sada, 25:32; Amanda Cagno, 26:06; Stacie Doughty, 26:06; Devon Rock, 26:18; Patty Peirce, 26:25; Tony Sunseri, 26:40; Jen Henderson, 26:43Cynthia Johnston, 27:05; William Dundore, 27:18; Bethany Stillwagon, 27:33; Margy Somora, 27:53; Gail Shannon, 27:53; Mimi Haney, 28:18; Corey Haney, 28:20; Jennifer Dundore, 28:23; Tim Sestak, 29:20; Joseph Bishop, 29:24; Terry Reeher, 29:30; Heather Oros, 29:31; Beverly Lowe, 29:43; Evan Lowe, 29:52; Katie Herman, 30:10; Tedd Nesbit, 32:27; Susan Herman, 45:01<B>Father's Day 5K, June 17: </B>Luke Ryan, 1st Overall M, 15:40; Ann Mazur, 1st Overall W, 17:53; Dorothy Moxie, 3rd 40-44 W, 22:10; Carrie Snell, 2nd 35-39 W, 23:23; Roger Murray. 21:34; Clint Altman, 22:19; Joe Pohl, 24:18; Christy Gregori, 27:23; Carl Monsour, 27:40; Whitney Amoroso, 29:30; Kolby Ripper, 30:09; Matthew Ray, 30:10; Amy Pohl, 30:53; Jeffrey Schueler, 31:19; Andy McIntyre, 31:19; Richard Ray, 33:43; Jamie Guentner, 34:56<B>Father's Day 10K, June 17: </B>Gregory Byrnes, 1st Overall M, 34:09; Tristen Rankin, 1st Overall W, 39:52; Mark Lydon, 3rd 35-39 M, 38:42; Jeremy Bennett, 46:59; William Marsh, 47:26; Mark Eschenfelder, 48:21; Bob Markovich, 49:19; Avery Lawson, 50:23; Kristen Macey, 52:07; Wayne Toy, 52:16; Sara Keisel, 54:22; Heather Cianfrocco, 55:41; Patty Schmidt, 57:07; Melissa Mahood, 57:08; Andrew Super, 59:36; James Hodgson, 1:00:17<B>Chardonnay 5K, June 23: </B>Dan Dygert, 1st Overall M, 17:47; Glenda Haun, 1st Overall W, 21:42; John-Scott Somora, 1st 14 and under M, 22:54; Kristen Kelosky, 1st 40-49 W, 23:09; Linda Surgenor, 2nd 60-69 W, 32:26; Stacie Doughty, 26:00; William Dundore Jr., 27:14; Margy Somora, 27:31; Jennifer Dundore, 27:43; Jonathan Keller, 29:20; Kate Yeager, 31:53; Heather Desuta, 33:49; Dave Desola, 34:41<B>Emlenton Sumer Fest 5K, July 14:</B> Ben Mourer, 1st Overall M, 19:30; Tristen Rankin, 1st Overall W, 20:51; Fred Weaver, 1st 30-39 M, 22:44; William Marsh, 2nd 40 and over M, 23:33; Bob Crawford, 3rd 40 and over M, 24:04; Clint Hartle, 3rd 20-29 M, 27:16; Gerry Brown, 2nd 30-39 M, 27:56; Jen Henderson, 3rd 20-29 W, 28:59; Cory Kramer, 3rd 30-39 M, 30:18; Pam Eckert, 1st 40+ W, 30:34; Roger Murray, 24:41; Ron Hartle, 25:49; Erin Hartle, 35:09Send comments and suggestions to: 435 Cherry Valley Road, Saxonburg, Pa. 16056. Phone or fax: 724-352-4395. Email: bigp16@connecttime.net