Butler graduate Tim Patterson, 19, gets set to break the tape at the finish line to win the Butler Road Race 5-mile men's event Saturday morning. After running the race several times in the past, Patterson finally finished first.

Tim Patterson is no stranger to the Butler Road Race.

He grew up just miles from the course in downtown Butler and competed in the men's 5-mile event a number of times.

“I never finished better than 10th,” the 2020 Butler High graduate said shortly after winning Saturday's race with a time of 26 minutes, 54.81 seconds.

“This feels great. It's always been my goal to win here,” said Patterson. “I just didn't think it was going to happen today, but I'm glad it did.”

Patterson led with less than a half-mile to go, but he knew he still needed a good finishing kick.

“I turned and looked behind me when I was turning from Penn Street onto Main and the guy in second was still on me,” he said.

All that was left for Patterson was to withstand the field as he made his way up the incline toward the finish line in between Diamond Park and the county courthouse. He knew from competing here before that it's easier said than done.

“I'm glad the sun wasn't out today, but it's still pretty humid and that last stretch, it's rough,” he said.

Placing second, 15 seconds behind Patterson, was Andrew Mascio. Owen Schessler was third, 49 seconds off the pace.

Patterson competed on the cross country and track teams at Butler and is doing the same at Saint Vincent College in Latrobe.

Running is a release for him.

“It frees me,” he said. “It gives me a chance to be out there by myself. I tell myself that I'm strong and that I can do it.”

Leah Anne Weaver is a perfect 3-for-3 in the women's 5-mile race.Weaver, who lives in Mercer, led from start to finish and posted a time of 30:07.50, more than four minutes ahead of her nearest competitor.She previously won here in 2016 and 2017, also in dominating fashion.She finished fifth overall Saturday and was the only woman to place in the top 16.“I like coming into a race with the intent to win,” said Weaver. “I ran in the Lake Wilhelm Half-Marathon (in Mercer County) two weeks ago and won.“I wanted to go out with the first group of guys today and hang with them.”Weaver, 28, is a former member of the cross country team at Slippery Rock University. Running has remained one of her priorities.“There weren't many events to compete in until recently,” she said. “It's been nice to get back.”

<b>Men's Top 3</b>1-Tim Patterson 26:54.81, 2-Andrew Mascio 27:09.72, 3-Owen Schessler 27:43.38<b>Women's Top 3</b>1-Leah Anne Weaver 30:07.50, 2-Lia Bartholomew 34:13.15, 3-Tammy Slusser 35:38.64

<b>Men</b>Under 13: Logan Leskanic 38:28.3913-18: Tyler Paskowski 29:24.2119-29: Dominick Pusateri 31:31.1830-39: Zach Manuel 30:47.6940-49: Matthew Sudak 33:11.8550-59: Doug Basinski 32:28.8160-69: Rick McKain 40:06.7570 and over: David Adams 48:07.21<b>Women</b>Under 13: Aria Harcar 1:00.32.6513-18: Vanessa Drohan 40:27.8319-29: Rachel Legacy 38:14.7030-39: Erica Reinsel 37:28.3640-49: Connie Hoffer 39:33.7750-59: Nicole Khoury 42:08.7960-69: Suzan Draper 1:19:30.9970 and over: Shirley Macefe 46:00.65

Leah Anne Weaver, 28, finishes first in the women's division of the Butler Road Race 5-mile event. Weaver, who ran on the women's cross country team at Slippery Rock University, has now won the race three times. Weaver also finished fifth overall.