Saturday was a day of records for the annual run through downtown Butler.

Ellwood City's Jake Walker broke his own course record by two seconds with his time of 24 minutes, 32 seconds in the Butler Road Race 5 Mile.

Tammy Slusser of Monroeville continued her reign as queen of the Butler Road Race with her sixth win and a finishing time of 31:26.

I set my own record of sorts with possibly my slowest Butler Road Race finish. Although that means a trip to the chiropractor before beginning a new training plan, I can't be too disappointed. That's not what my Butler Road Race is all about.

On the drive to the starting line on Saturday, Mom and I half-jokingly commented that we were just attending the race for appearance. Neither of us felt in racing shape, but we wouldn't think of missing the event that seems more like a family reunion than a race.

The 33rd Butler Road Race didn't disappoint. Although I didn't have time to greet everyone that I knew (more than 20 percent of the finishers) and still warm up, I did manage to catch up on news of runners who I might only see once a year.

This event is all about friendship and longevity. Race director Mike Franko acknowledged the dozen or so participants in this year's event who remembered running the event as a 10K back in the 1970s. Many of the race organizers also have a three-decade history with the race, both as runners and as volunteers.

Franko also recognized the newest Butler Road Racers taking their first steps into running history. All finishers 11 and under in Saturday's 5-mile or 2K run received certificates to commemorate their achievements.

Some of these young runners could be future Butler Road Race winners. In my years of running, I've seen plenty of youngsters grow taller, stronger and faster.

Some of this year's much of youngsters will compete for their high school cross country teams and earn Butler Road Race scholarships. But those days are still many years and many miles away.

It's up to us as participants, volunteers and sponsors to see that these scholarships will be available to them when they are ready eight to 10 years or more from now.

Mark your calendar for the last Saturday in June of 2009. Whether it's your first or 31st running, it's not too late to make Butler Road Race history.

Upcoming events

Wednesdays and Fridays, 12:15 p.m.: Lunchtime run, Cabot. Run 6 to 7 easy miles with me from St. Luke Church. 724-352-2777 or pneubert@stlukecabot.org

Saturday, 8 a.m.: Up-N-Running Group Run, Valencia. 724-898-2525 or www.runpa.com

Friday, 8 a.m.: Race for Virginia and Friends, Cranberry Township. 724-772-7499 or www.raceforvirginia.org

Friday, 8 a.m.: July 4th Race, Altoona. Choice of 15K, 10K, 5K or fun run. 814-695-4467 or laurandt@hollidaysburgareaymca.org

Friday, 8:15 a.m.: Whiskey Rebellion 5K Run and Walk, Canonsburg. Also 5K walk at 8. 724-745-8084 or www.eteamz.com/whiskeyrebellion

Friday, 8:30 a.m.: Freedom 5k, Greensburg. 724-837-5468 or freedom5k@comcast.net

Friday, 9 a.m.: Brentwood Firecracker 5K Run, Brentwood. Great post race party, discount for families of three or more. 412-882-5694.

Friday, 9 a.m.: Hampton Rotary Firecracker 5K, Hampton Township. Challenging course, post race party. loudangelo.com

Saturday, 9 a.m.: Ellwood City Ledger 10K, Ellwood City. 724-752-1583

Saturday, 9 a.m.: Ford City Heritage Days 5K Run-Walk, Ford City. 724-763-3986 or jsolak@iup.edu

Sunday, 9 a.m.: YMCA of Corry 5K, Corry. clintaltman@yahoo.com

July 12, 8:30 a.m.: Cross Country Crusade 5K, Saxonburg. Cross country race on Knoch High course, first race in Saxonburg Distance Series. 724-898-2525 or shoes@runpa.com

July 12, 9 a.m.: Elk County Classic 5K, Johnsonburg. 814-776-2413 or bczappa@penn.com

July 16, 7 p.m.: Fredonia 5K, Fredonia. Part of Twilight QUAD series. 724-662-1776 or smc@runhigh.com

July 19, 8:30 a.m.: Rube's Run, Prospect. 5K run or walk followed by old-fashioned baseball breakfast." 724-865-9582 or jtgallagher@zoominternet.net

July 19, 8:30 a.m.: Stampede in the Park 5K Run and Walk, Monroeville. Starts at Boyce Park Ski Lodge. 412-795-6902 or Kevin.dowdell@us.abb.com

July 20, 8 a.m.: Thorn Hill County Line 5K Race, Cranberry Township. Run through Thorn Hill Industrial Park benefits area high school scholarships. 724-776-4949

July 20, 9 a.m.: Wilcox 5K and 2-Mile Walk, Wilcox. 814-929-5929 or pamanderson17@alltel.net

July 26, 8:30 a.m.: Raider Maze 5K Run-Walk and 1-Mile Fun Run, Harmony. 724-538-8940 or raidermaze@yahoo.com

Aug. 2, 9 a.m.: St. Barnabas 5K, Valencia. 724-444-5512 or www.stbarnabas5k.com

Race results

Beaver Fire Department 5K, May 31: Max Goldcamp, 1st Overall M, 17:22; Chelsea Hanne, 1st Overall W, 22:21; Mark Knapp, 1st 45-49 M, 19:48; Jim Heltzell, 1st 30-34 M, 22:49: Lance Grable, 2nd 35-39 M, 23:25; Dan Christo, 2nd 50-54 M, 24:30; Phil Barner, 23:49; Al Colorito, 9:26; Bob Pellegrini, 29:42; Nigel Esterhuizen, 35:16; Alexandra Knapp, 38:37; Irna Deleon-Knapp, 53:19; Aubrey Knapp, 54:10

Beaver Fire Department 10K, May 31: Tim Snyder, 1st Overall M, 34:25; Matt Montellanico, 2nd Overall M, 34:54; Bonnie Lathom, 1st Overall W, 42:00; Curt Grimm, 1st 55-59 M, 43:08; Michael Finikiotis, 1st 40-44 M, 43:38; Cindy Grimm, 1st 55-59 W, 47:33; Louis Lazzara, 2nd 65-69 M, 51:57; Rachel Lunn, 3rd 25-29 W, 52:10; Gale Mussey, 3rd 55-59 M, 56:02; Len Yensull, 53:07

Twin Boro 5K, June 21: Matt Springer, 1st Overall M, 16:34; Sean Gallagher, 16:53; Melissa Shaeffer, 1st Overall W, 19:19; Tim Monfre, 1st Masters M, 17:49; Timothy Wyant, 2nd 30-39 M, 17:50; Ryan Frankowski, 2nd 16-19 M, 18:30; Jon McCullough, 1st 50-59 M, 18:50; Mark Courtney, 2nd 50-59 M, 19:41; Mark Knapp, 2nd 40-49 M, 19:45; Dorothy Moxie, 1st 40-49 W, 22:52; Ryan Alan, 19:08; Bob Cunningham, 20:18; Chuck Sarver, 20:54; Tim Walters, 23:00; Michael Sutton, 23:58

Sharpsville 5k, June 25: Barry McLaughlin[space] Jr., 1st Overall M, 15:41; Danielle Cerroni, 1st Overall W, 19:49; Mitch Radella, 2nd Masters M, 19:12; Rich Makin, 3rd Masters M, 19:18; Brian Forester, 1st 35-39 M, 18:42; John Antinossi, 2nd 60 and over M, 22:36; Dez Csizmadia, 3rd 60 and over M, 23:22Send comments and suggestions: Patricia Neubert, 435 Cherry Valley Rd., Saxonburg, PA. 16056. Phone 724-352-4395. Email bigp16@connecttime.netPat Neubert is the running columnist for the Butler Eagle.