The Butler Road Race, presented by Butler Health System, celebrates its 35th year Saturday and its status as the longest continuous road race in Western Pennsylvania.

To mark the occasion, BRR president Mike Franko said competitors will receive a keepsake.

The ChampionChip, a device secured through an athlete's shoelace that automatically records number, information and time at the finish line, won't have to be returned.

In past years, those not returning the chip after the race were later charged a fee.

"This is our 11th year with the ChampionChip timing device and the first year we have a sponsor (Irene Stacy Community Mental Health Center) for it," said Franko.

"Mark Courtney (owner of The Runner's High timing service) calls them disposable, but I call it a commemorative chip. I don't think anyone will throw them away. It has a nice logo on it.

"I think it will be the wave of the future," he added. "People will be keeping these like they used to keep their race numbers."

The only other change from past races is how prizes are distributed.

"The reason why we used to have the random prizes for merchandise before the awards was it took time following the race to do the results," said Franko.

"Now, with the world of computers, it's quickly done, so we decided to do the merchandise prizes in advance. Anyone who registers is eligible.

"During the race, we'll pick tickets and when you finish the race, you go back and see if you won a prize.

"It used to be time consuming to call a ticket number three or four times," Franko added.

And when there are more than 130 competitive awards, saving a little time can be beneficial, especially if spectators and racers want to do a little shopping downtown.

Even with the changes, there's still plenty of things that will remain the same.

For example:

• Every participant 11 and under will receive a certificate that states they finished the Butler Road Race.

• The Texas Roadhouse at the Clearview Mall again will offer its Family of 4 or More promotion in which a family of at least four members that enters the race will receive one $25 dining certificate.

• Proceeds from the race support academic scholarships. This year's race will benefit the graduating seniors of the class of 2011 who compete in cross country.

This year, $13,500 was distributed to 25 student athletes. In 17 years, 537 scholarships totaling $281,5000 have been awarded.

"That's what it's all about," Franko said.

Early packet pickup is available from 4 to 6 p.m. Friday at the Cubs Hall, 113 S. McKean St.

Saturday registration and packet pickup is from 7:30 to 8:30 a.m. at Diamond Park, across from the Butler County Courthouse, where the 5-mile race will begin at 9. The 2K event starts at 9:05.

"We want to continue to put on a first-class event, which we have done the past 34 years," Franko said

Here are the winners of the Butler Road Race 2010 academic scholarships:<B>$1,000 scholarshipsTop Girl:</B> Samantha Brandon, Mars<B>Top Boy:</B> Jackson Udy, Slippery Rock<B>$500 scholarships</B><B>Butler:</B> Renee Clouse, Rachel Ferguson, Emily Petrak, Grant Barron, Christopher Miller<B>Freeport:</B> Julie Thomas<B>Karns City:</B> Sarah Young<B>Knoch:</B> Caitlin Miller, Chris Cetnar, Ethan Hacker, Paul Kletzli, James Reich<B>Mars:</B> Kaylyn McDonnell, Rebekah Parsons, James Garrity<B>Moniteau:</B> Phillip Kristufek<B>Seneca Valley:</B> Jessica Glas, Erin Lopresti, Lauren McKinney, Grace Saluga, Nicolas Panos, Andrew Razanaukas<B>Slippery Rock:</B> Katelyn Brozenic