Change can be a necessary evil or a pleasant surprise. Race organizers of the 47th Annual Butler Road Race will find an answer as the race takes place next Saturday, Sept. 3.

Spring and summer construction of the Sullivan Run Bridge Project closed the familiar 5-mile and 2k course on Penn Street for Butler Road Race’s traditional late June running. Butler YMCA organizers faced the choice of canceling the popular event, laying a new course or changing the race date for 2022. They opted for keeping the historic course, but moving the date to September 3.

Butler Family YMCA Executive Director Sandy Ihlenfeld says that after much discussion, the board decided that changing the race date was the most workable option. They chose the Labor Day weekend date since the holidays are when many families gather and the race offered an opportunity for families to participate or spectate together.

As Sandy says, “The race and the YMCA always put the community first.”

Race organizers were unsure if runners would come out for the event on a new date. They planned to return to the traditional late June date for 2023, but with registration numbers of close to 300 two weeks before the event, Sandy says they may rethink that decision since last year’s race saw approximately 500 total finishers.

Sandy credits sponsor Butler Health System for their great support of the road race. “At least half of our early registrations are from Butler Hospital employees and family members,” she says.

There’s plenty of time to register for this year’s Butler Road Race, though you may not receive a commemorative t-shirt. You may register by mail or online at bcfymca.org/Butler-Road-Race. There will be registration and packet pick up at the Butler Y on Sept. 2, 3 to 6 p.m. Day of event registration opens in Diamond Park at 7:30 a.m. on race day. Kids ages 12 and under may register at a discounted cost of $10.

Despite the change in date, Butler Road Race has retained most of its favorite traditions. Sandy says that the giant footprints on Penn Street are a little late in appearing due to the recent construction and the Sullivan Run Bridge will be completed for pedestrians-only by race day.

As in past years, both races start and finish on Butler’s Main Street in front of the Butler Courthouse. The 5-mile race starts at 9 a.m. with the 2k starting when all 5-milers have cleared the start line at approximately 9:05. Walkers and strollers are welcome at either distance, but the course will reopen to auto traffic at 10:30 a.m.

Wheelchair racers are also welcome. David Convery returns for his fourth Butler Road Race and will deliver an opening prayer at the start.

Water is served at aid stations on the course and light refreshments in Diamond Park follow the event. There will not be a formal awards ceremony since, as Sandy Ihlenfeld says, “People don’t want to wait after the race.”

Top three male and female finishers, masters and top three in age groups from 9 and Under through 70+ earn certificates. First male and female YMCA members earn special recognition and the first Butler County male and female finishers earn the Donny Bayne Memorial Award, named for one of the original organizers, longtime BRR supporter and distance runner, the late Donald D. Bayne. Winners may pick up awards at the finish area or at the Butler YMCA or awards will be mailed later.

Butler Road Race is one event in the YMCA’s Annual Support Campaign which makes YMCA programs available to those in the community who otherwise could not afford to attend and funds programs and services like the free Reach and Rise youth mentoring program. Other fundraisers include a golf scramble in September, Turkey Trot in November, Giving Tuesday in December, Bowl for Kids in March, Rally for the Y indoor bike challenge in April.

For more information about Butler Road Race, YMCA’s Annual Support Campaign events or Butler Family YMCA’s programs, visit www.bcfymca.org or call 724-287-4733.

Upcoming events

Saturday, 8 a.m.: Hyner Half, North Bend. Run 14 miles on trails in PA Wilds. Post-race meal, 4.5 hour time limit. Registration closes August 5. ultrasignup.com/register.aspx?did=96058

Saturday, 8:30 a.m.: Towanda Riverfest 5k, Towanda. Also Kids’ mile at 10 a.m. runsignup.com/Race/PA/Towanda/TowandaRiverfest5k

Saturday, 9 a.m.: Run Around the Square, Pittsburgh. Choice of 5k run or 1.5-mile fun run through Regent Square neighborhood and Frick Park. 412-780-7802 or runaroundthesquare.com

Sunday, 9 a.m.: Festival of Miles, Allison Park. Run 1 mile on Pie Traynor loop in North Park. Categories for open, masters, high school, 12 and under, doggie dash, strollers, non-competitive walk. runsignup.com/Race/PA/AllisonPark/GCXCFestivalofMiles

Sept. 3, 7:30 a.m.: FAAP Fall Classic, Allison Park. Choice of 20k, 10k or 5k trail runs in North Park and on Rachel Carson Trail. ultrasignup.com/register.aspx?did=95653

Sept. 3, 8 a.m.: Steelers 5k Run and Walk, Pittsburgh. Also kids 160 foot fun run for ages 9 and under. p3r.org/races/steelers-run-and-walk-2022

Sept. 3, 9 a.m.: Butler County Road Race 5 Mile and 2k, Butler. New date for this 47th annual event. 724-287-4733 or bcfymca.org/Butler-Road-Race

Sept. 4, 8 a.m.: New Ken 5k and Fitfest, New Kensington. Choice of run, walk or ruck. Kicks off New Kensington Fitness Festival. runsignup.com/Race/PA/NewKensington/NewKensingtonFitFest5k

Sept. 5, 9 a.m.: Buhl Day 5k, Hermitage. runsignup.com/Race/PA/Hermitage/HERMITAGEBUHLDAY5K

Sept.10, 8 a.m.: Barber Beast on the Bay 10 Mile, Erie. 814-480-6810 or www.barberbeast.org

Sept. 10, 8:30 a.m.: 13th Annual Run for Their Lives 5k, Allison Park. Run starts at North Park Pool Area. runsignup.com/Race/PA/AllisonPark/RunForTheirLivesPA

Sept.10, 9 a.m.: Duff Park Hill Buster 10k and 20k, Murraysville. runsignup.com/Race/Info/PA/Murrysville/DuffParkHillBuster

Sept. 10, 9 a.m.: Lee Foster Memorial 5 Mile, St. Marys. runsignup.com/Race/PA/SaintMarys/LeeFosterMemorial5Mile

Sept. 11, 7 a.m.: Erie Marathon @ Presque Isle, Erie. 814-504-2631 or runsignup.com/Race/PA/Erie/ErieMarathon

Sept. 11, 4:30 p.m.: Hoodlebug 5k Run & Walk, Homer City. Flat and fast course. 412-289-6299 or runsignup.com/Race/PA/HomerCity/hoodlebug5k

Sept. 17, 7:30 a.m.: Bull Run 5k, Freeport. Starts at Jr. High School, finishes on James Swartz Memorial Field. localraces.com/events/freeport-pa/bull-run-5k

Sept. 17, 8 a.m.: Rockin’ the Knob Trail Challenge 10k and 22 Miler, Claysburg. Marathon, half marathon and 10k run on trails at Blue Knob Four Seasons Resort. runsignup.com/Race/PA/Claysburg/RockNTheKnob

Sept.18, 8 a.m.: Boston Harvest Half Marathon, 5k and 10k, Boston. Run on Yough River Trail. runsignup.com/Race/PA/Boston/BostonHarvest5k10k

Sept. 18, 8 a.m.: Green Cathedral Half Marathon, 5k and Kids Fun Run, Youngstown, OH. Run through Mill Creek Metro Park. runsignup.com/Race/OH/Youngstown/GREENCATHEDRALHALFMARATHON5KKIDSFUNRUN

Sept. 24, 9:30 a.m.: Junior Great Race Family Fun Run, Tot Trot and Diaper Dash Pittsburgh. For kids ages barely-walking through 12-years old. www.rungreatrace.com/junior_great_race

Sept.25, 8 a.m.: Richard S. Caliguiri City of Pittsburgh Great Race 5k, Pittsburgh. www.rungreatrace.com

Sept. 25, 9:30 a.m.: Richard S. Caliguiri City of Pittsburgh Great Race 10k, Pittsburgh. www.rungreatrace.com

Race results

Ellwood City Ledger 10k, July 2: Colton Ginsburg, 1st Overall M, 38:10; Natalie Lape, 1st Overall W, 41:35; Todd Roberts, 2nd 51-55 M, 42:10; Pat Byrd, 1st 20-26 M, 45:20; Matt Bernardi, 1st 46-50 M, 49:48; Duran Ecalono, 3rd 34-40 M, 54:21; Toni Zona, 3rd 41-45 W, 55:45; Corinne Savena, 1stt 20-26 W, 56:41; David Adams, 1st 70+ M, 1:01:24; CJ Ecalono, 52:24; Peter Eilenfeldt, 53:04; Vasilii Survov, 55:39; Bill Swanik, 56:20; Michael Capalbo, 58:52; Melissa Zundel, 1:01:18; Kathleen Bruno, 1:03:13; Garrett McCullough, 1:03:26; Shawna Hardy-Emerson, 1:10:42; Megan Ammons, 1:12:53

Hampton Rotary Firecracker 5k, July 4: Aiden Sawyer, 1st Overall M, 18:21; Elizabeth Perry, 1st Overall W, 21:35; Michal Kawecki, 1st 40-59 M, 20:05; Alan Wolfe, 2nd 16-24 M, 19:54; Jerry Kosar, 1st 60+ M, 23:07; Landon Russell, 3rd 9-15 M, 24:24; Ryan Russell, 2nd 40-59 M, 24:32; Greg Huth, 2nd 25-39 M, 24:33; Juliana Watenpool, 1st 25-39 W, 25:20; Rebecca Parker, 2nd 40-59 W, 26:36; Trista Huth, 2nd 25-39 W, 26:50; Catie Parker, 2nd 9-15 W, 27:57; Jon Kaples, 3rd 60+ M, 28:19; Sue English, 2nd 60+ W, 31:58; Vincent Slatcoff, 3rd 8 & Under M, 38:00; Joni Clemente, 3rd 60+ W, 40:46; Sydney Slatcoff, 1st 8 & Under W, 41:56; Jeremy Pott, 25:30; Sam Slatcoff, 25:52; Andrew Parker, 27:57; Diane Scott, 28:01; Lucas Pott, 28:21; Stacy Govi, 29:16; Eamonn Clements, 31:04; Maria Anderson, 32:29; Laura Kawecki, 32:45; Joe Mulqueen, 32:52; Katie Misiura, 34:16; Nikki Slatcoff, 37:59; Quinn Perry, 39:06; Brendan Myles, 39:17; Kevin Myles, 39:19; Rose Cardamone, 40:35; Janet Lochner, 40:58; Mike Slatcoff, 41:56; Marcha Albright, 46:43; Joe Taylor, 46:53; Jacqlyn Boggs, 46:55; Heather Cully, 59:41

Get Fit Families Firecracker 5k, July 4: Zach Leachman, 1st Overall M, 14:31; Owen Schessler, 2nd Overall M, 15:55; Alex Urling, 3rd Overall M, 16:29; Maddie Gagnon, 1st Overall W, 18:53; Alyssa Urling, 2nd Overall W, 19:26; Julia Zalenski, 19:55; Ben Capozzi, 1st 15-18 M, 17:05; Samuel West, 2nd 15-18 M, 17:26; Layne Haught, 3rd 15-18 M, 18:12; Phillip Silvis, 1st 12-14 M, 19:13; Zachary Baker, 2nd 19-29 M, 19:21; Caitlin Rushlander, 1st 30-39 W, 20:02; Teagan Yurocko, 1st 12-14 W, 20:43; Adam Ranalli, 1st 30-39 M, 20:59; Abby Kreber, 1st 15-18 W, 21:09; Anna Getz, 2nd 12-14 W, 21:45; John Bielewicz, 2nd 30-39 W, 21:56; Karen Lyle, 1st 40-49 W, 22:10; Mark Lamison, 1st 50-59 M, 22:23; Connor Lamison, 3rd 19-29 M, 22:23; Grace Vensel, 2nd 15-18 W, 22:41; Megan Marley, 3rd 12-14 W, 22:47; Justin Zackal, 2nd 40-49 M, 23:23; Peter Eilenfeldt, 3rd 30-39 M, 23:24; Glen Getz, 3rd 40-49 M, 23:29; Keelin Schessler, 3rd 15-18 M, 23:42; Dianne Zalenski, 2nd 40-49 W, 23:53; Bill Schessler, 3rd 50-59 M, 24:31; Aislyn Schessler, 1st 9-11 W, 25:26; Erin Hart, 3rd 40-49 W, 25:53; Shannon Wishart, 3rd 30-39 W, 26:11; James Gascoine, 1st 60-69 M, 27:04 Cindy Waltemire, 1st 60-69 W, 29:27; Davin Guo, 1st 70+ M, 30:53; Paul Johnson, 2nd 70+ M, 30:59; Laurie Schessler, 3rd 50-59 W, 31:27; Ty Swingle, 1st 8 & Under M, 31:37; Mia Casker, 2nd 9-11 W, 32:25; Gavin Fleeher, 3rd 9-11 M, 34:53 11:15; J P Casker, 2nd 8 and Under M, 34:54; Katelyn Fleeher, 3rd 9-11 W, 34:55; Luke Dye, 3rd 8 & Under M, 35:20; Aria Harcar, 2nd 8 & Under W, 38:43; Michelle Baxa, 3rd 19-29, 40:54; Pam Mathews, 2nd 60-69 W, 44:58; Thomas Pichieri, 20:32; Kaden Schlichtkrill, 20:44; Mitch Radella, 25:47; Lauren Schwoeble, 26:00; Freya Davis, 26:00; Pamela Zackal, 26:35; Renee Yost, 27:12; Scott Baker, 27:14; Kurt Fowler, 27:14; Brittany Bielewicz, 27:35; Shane McIntire, 28:03; Melissa Morrison, 28:25; Jennifer Eckenrode, 28:27; Ann Snyder, 28:46; Emily Fullerton, 28:58; Brian Fuller, 30:19; Mark Bushey, 31:20; Kathryn Morrison, 33:18; Ginny Lamison, 34:05; Mathew Yurocko, 34:09; Joe Swingle, 34:47; Lisa Fleeher, 34:52; Steve Casker, 34:55; Isabella Shaffer, 34:55; Haley Yost, 34:55; Ron Fleeher, 34:56; Kari Sanders, 35:07; Maura Dye, 35:20; Chelsea Lyngarkos, 35:28; Peyton Swingle, 37:24; Whitney Swingle, 37:27; Michael Baxa Sr., 40:54; Brian Molcan, 43:21; Elli Swingle, 44:58; L Harcar, 47:24; Clinton Warner, 50:33; Kim Kenetz, 52:4

Send comments and suggestions: Patricia Neubert. Phone 724-352-4395. Email lotzak@consolidated.net

Pat Neubert is a running columnist for the Butler Eagle