Slippery Rock University distance runner Jeff Weiss has conquered the WPIAL, the PIAA, the PSAC and the NCAA.

On Saturday, he'll try his luck at the Butler Road Race.

Weiss, who will be a sophomore for The Rock this fall, has committed to running the 31st annual race, which will begin at 9 a.m. Saturday in front of the Butler County Courthouse in downtown Butler.

"Jeff has agreed to come," said Butler Road Race president Mike Franko. "I was telling him, 'All I need you to do is run (4 minutes, 55 seconds) per mile to break the record.'"

The record for the men's 5-mile race is 24:48, set in 1993 by Steve Parker. It was the first year that distance was contested after switching from the original 10K (6.1 miles) format.

"Isaid 'Hey, won't you come to my race and break the record,'" said Franko. "He said 'OK.'"

Weiss certainly has the credentials to do it. As a senior at McGuffey High School, he won the WPIAL and state cross country championships as well as the 3,200-meter run during track season.

As a freshman at SRU last season, he earned All-America honors by placing fourth in the 10,000 meters at the NCAADivision II Outdoor Track and Field Championships. He was the PSACchampion in the 5,000 and 10,000 runs.

Last fall, Weiss was an All-American in cross country, placing third at the national meet after winning the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference and NCAAEast Regional titles.

He captured the PSACAthlete and Rookie of the Year honors and was a U.S. Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association Regional Athlete of the Year.

At last year's Butler Road Race, Kevin Doyle won the men's competition, with Seneca Valley graduate Chris Geddis finishing second. Geddis, who will be a senior at SRU, is a teammate of Weiss and is coming back to the race.

"We might have a good one and someone might break that doggone record," said Franko.

The race's all-time champion, Tammy Slusser of Monroeville, also will be back to defend her women's 5-mile title.

Slusser, 41, has won seven races in all, including the past four 5-mile runs. She won three consecutive 10K titles from 1984-86. She now has the women's open (29:44 in 2002) and masters records (40 and older, 30:44 in 2005).

"She told me she's excited for next year because it will be her 20th wedding anniversary," said Franko. "She ran the race, then got married that afternoon."

As usual, there so is a 2K (1.24 mile) health walk-run. While there has been an increase in that event in past years, the 5-mile is showing signs of life.

"We're 30 people ahead of last year for the race and the majority are in the 5-mile race," said Franko.

Money from this year's race will be earmarked for the 2007 graduating class of cross country seniors looking to go to college. They must also meet various qualifications.

"Ultimately, the scholarships for kids is so unique and I'm in a unique spot because I get to go to the cross country banquets and present MVPawards, which is sponsored by the Butler Eagle.

"You hear the 'oohs' and 'aahs' from the parents when they hear we've given out 394 scholarships for more than $220,000.

"The grade-point average is 3.78. These kids are top-notch students. We even have three valedictorians this year,"Franko added.

For those still interested, the cost of the race is $20 for ages 17 to 59 and $12 for 16 and under and 60 and older.

Texas Roadhouse will continue its Family of Four or More promotion, which the restaurant will give a $25 dining certificate to each family with four or more participants following the race.

There will also be door prizes, random drawings and refreshments after the race.

Pre-registered runners can pick up their packets from 4 to 6 p.m. Friday at Penn Telecom, 212 S. Main St., Butler, or beginning at 7:30 a.m. on race day at Diamond Park. Registrations will be accepted as well.