Runners take off in the 44th Butler Road Race, on June 29, 2019. The Butler County Family YMCA is bringing the race back this year, on June 19.

The Butler County Family YMCA is planning to have the Butler Road Race take place on city streets this year.

The annual race went virtual last year because of COVID-19, and while the 46th annual event will offer a virtual option for runners to benefit the YMCA, the real draw of the race is the trip around the city that takes runners and walkers around some of the city's most famous landmarks.

“The fact that it's through downtown Butler is a big draw,” said Christina Dreher, development and marketing specialist for the Y. “It starts on Main Street and goes around Diamond Park and the courthouse, the historic apartments, then it loops by the flag pole at Alameda and heads back up Main Street.”

The race is scheduled for June 19 with a time to be announced, but early bird registration is open until April 18 for a reduced registration fee for the five-mile race, the 2K walk and the 2K kids walk.

Preregistered participants get T-shirts as part of their fee. Proceeds from the event help pay for low-income individuals to get memberships at the Butler YMCA.

“The money goes to our annual support campaign, which benefits the community to gain access to the Y,” Dreher said. “Because of the campaign, we're able to provide scholarships for the Y for programs like free swim lessons and classes for seniors.”

Dreher said the YMCA took over organization of the event several years after its beginning, and it has become a tradition for many in and outside the city.

In 2019, 459 people signed up for the event, and despite last year's event being only virtual, 92 people signed up for the five-mile race, according to Dreher.

Dreher said her first time running the race was an enjoyable experience as well because it gave her a new perspective on her city and its architecture.

“I ran the race in 2019 before I worked for the Y, and I loved it,” Dreher said. “You get to see a view of the city you don't normally see.”

For information on the Butler Road Race and to register for the event, visit bcfymca.org/Butler-Road-Race.