Sharon Mechling recalls fondly those days growing up in the town of Worthington in nearby Armstrong County.

With four sisters and a brother, there were always bikes of various sizes in the yard when the fire whistle sounded, calling her dad to action.

“Dad would grab whatever bike was handy and head down the hill to the firehouse” she said.

Her dad, Larry “Butch” Cypher, was a lifetime member of Worthington Volunteer Fire Company. He began as a firefighter and first responder, then, due to injury, drove the firetruck and served several terms as Fire Chief.

“We even had a Dalmatian named Pepper that Dad taught to ride on top of the truck,” Sharon says. “He was the hit of the local fireman's carnival parades.”

When Butch passed away in 2012, Sharon and her sister, both runners, decided to hold a 5k run in his honor and to help pay back what the fire department and its faithful members had done for their family over the years.

Butch's Bucket Brigade 5k celebrates its seventh running at 9 a.m. Saturday with an out-and-back run/walk from Worthington Fire Department and a short (half mile or less) bike race/ride for kids ages 10 and under.

With many of her family and friends participating, Sharon says there will be plenty of walkers, baby strollers and dogs on hand, too, with a separate start for the non-competitive group after the 5k racers.

In the 5k, top three male and female finishers and top three in age groups from 13 and Under through 60+ earn awards. For the first time, the bike race will also award trophies to the first three finishers in the 6-10 year-old race. All kids receive a finisher's ribbon and a ride ticket for the Worthington Fire Department Carnival which starts at 6 p.m.

First 75 registered in the 5k and first 25 kids registered for the bike race also receive commemorative shirts. Everyone can enjoy post-race refreshments of chocolate milk, fruit and water and a chance to win random drawing prizes of gift certificates, lottery tickets and more.

Sharon expects higher participation than the usual 85 or so. In past years, the race date conflicted with other established events like Butler Road Race and Ford City Heritage Days. The date for Butch's Bucket Brigade always coincides with Worthington's Fire Department Carnival. She also credits the new online signup option for boosting preregistration numbers past 50.

Online registration is available at www.bikesignup.com/Race/PA/Worthington/ButchsBucketBrigade until Friday. You may sign up for either event at the Fire Department Carnival any evening this week or on race day beginning at 7:45 a.m. for the run and 10 a.m. for the bike ride. Race day registration costs an additional $5.

For more information about Butch's Bucket Brigade 5k Run/Walk and Kids' 10U Bike Race, phone or text Sharon Mechling, 724-464-3420 or email smechling64@yahoo.com.

Are you ready? Butler Road Race 5 Mile and 2k follows the giant footsteps painted on Main Street at 9 a.m. June 29. It's not too late to be a part of the oldest race in the region. Register online at bcfymca.org until June 26. Sign up or pick up your race packet at the Butler Family YMCA on Friday, 3:30 to 7 p.m or sign up on race day in Diamond Park beginning at 7:30 a.m.

Friday, 7 p.m.: Hope for Your Future 2 Mile Walk, 5k and 10k Color Run and Children's Superhero Run, Rimersburg. 2 mile run starts at 7, 5k and 10k at 8 P.M. hopeforyourfuture13@gmail.comSaturday, 8:30 a.m.: Rockwood Rotary 5k, 10k, Half Marathon Freedom Race, Rockwood. Run on The Great Allegheny Passage. 814-352-3207 or trunet@zoominternet.netSaturday, 9 a.m.: Butch's Bucket Brigade 5k, Worthington. Also Kids' Bike Race (ages 12 and under) at 11 A.M. 724-464-3420 or smechling64@yahoo.comSaturday, 3 p.m.: The Dam Tri Jr., Meadville. Youth triathlon for ages 8-15. Bike/fun race for kids 7 and under. 814-336-2196 or www.thedamtri.comSunday, 9 a.m.: The Dam Tri XI, Meadville. Sprint and Olympic distance triathlons at Woodcock Creek Lake. 814-336-2196 or www.thedamtri.comJune 26, 7 p.m.: Strawberry Days 5k, Grove City. Race #1 in 36th Annual Mercer County QUAD series. 724-866-1374 or smc@runhigh.comJune 29, 8 a.m.: Steel City Road Runners Sandcastle 5k and Kids Fun Run, Homestead. stacey@steelcityrrc.orgJune 29, 9 a.m.: Butler Road Race 5 Mile and 2k, Butler. Run through downtown Butler. joella@zoominternet.netJune 29, 9 a.m.: Ellwood City Ledger 10k, Ellwood City. 724-752-1583June 30, 9 a.m.: Yuengling Gold Rush 5k, Pittsburgh. Run on Pittsburgh's North Shore and post-race party with beer, music, entertainment. 765-729-0691 or www.yuenglinggoldrush.comJuly 4, 7:45 a.m.: Whiskey Rebellion 5k, Canonsburg. Also walk starting at 8 A.M.: mamarama4@yahoo.comJuly 4, 8 a.m.: Zelienople Firecracker 5k and 1 Mile, Zelienople. Starts at Community Park. joella@getfifamilies.comJuly 4, 8 a.m.: Ultimate Freedom Run 5k, Meadville. Run on Ernst Trail. 814-724-5074 or www.theultimatefreedomevent.comJuly 4, 9 a.m.: Hampton Rotary Firecracker 5k, Hampton Township. Starts at Hampton Community Park. Chris.lochner@hampton-pa.orgJuly 4, 9 a.m.: Independence Day 4k and 1k, Mars. 724-831-9485 or info@wolfcreektrackclub.comJuly 6, 9 a.m.: St. Joseph's Liberty 5k Run/Walk, Lucinda. Run on scenic Rail 66 trail, part of 80th Annual 4th of July Celebration with entertainment, games, food. 814-226-8192 or www.st-josephlucinda.org/fourthofjulyJuly 13, 9 a.m.: Elk County Classic 5k, Ridgway. Run on Clarion-Little Toby Trail and nearby roads. 814-776-2413 or bczappa504@comcast.netJuly 13, 9 p.m.: Roaring Run Race to the Moon, Apollo. Night run on Roaring Run Trail. Bring a light. 724-681-6317 or ken7199@gmail.comJuly 14, 7:30 a.m.: Trail Blazer 15k, 5k Run and Walk, Meadville. Run on Ernst Trail. 814-853-8572 or www.ernsttrail.orgJuly 14, 8:30 a.m.: Hermitage Arts Festival 5k and 2 Mile, Hermitage. Post-race breakfast buffet. 724-981-0800, ext. 1320 or bgriffin@hermitage.netJuly 21, 6:45 a.m.: ERC Presque Isle Half Marathon, Erie. Start at Beach 1 Pavilion in Presque Isle State Park, run one loop of the peninsula. 814-881-0060 or davecomi@gmail.com. Online registration at runsignup.com/Race/PA/Erie/PresqueIsleHalfMarathonJuly 20, 8 a.m.: Hot-to-Trot 5k and 1 Mile, Zelienople. Part of Horse Trading Days festival. hottotrot@horsetradingdays.com or online registration at www.active.com

Freeport Flash 10k, June 1: Daniel Berkenpas, 1st Overall M, 36:52; Melissa Conjack, 1st Overall W, 42:38; Joel Schaeffer, 3rd Overall M, 44:20; Melissa Schaeffer, 3rd Overall W, 46:58; Matt Opkyke, 1st 40-49 M, 44:24; Mike Shaffer, 2nd 40-49 M, 44:56; Chuck Sarver, 1st 60-69 M, 47:18; Kevin Condon, 1st 50-59 M, 47:54; Taylor Amerson, 1st 20-29 M, 49:39; Nicole Prioletti, 1st 30-39 W, 49:58; Patrick Reitz, 3rd 50-59 M, 51:30; Kevin Hixon, 3rd 40-49 M, 52:30; Carrie Birckbichler-Smith, 2nd 40-49 W, 57:25; Kelly Pastoria, 1st 50-59 W, 59:20; Patricia Wyant, 1st 70+ W, 1:01:33; Sophia Reitz, 1st 19 & Under W, 1:05:25; Natalie Martin, 51:58; Allison Martin, 52:11; Jim Henry, 55:45; Nick Barker, 56:28; Joe Sutara, 1:00:54; Lana Kramer, 1:01:51; Erin Kohlmeyer, 1:03:25; Briget Lojak, 1:03:26; Dawn Brennan, 1:05:59; Lenny Brennan, 1:12:08; Rebecca Brown, 1:15:08; Amy Farr, 1:18:40Freeport Flash 5k, June 1: Joshua McCoy, 1st Overall M, 18:44; Blair Beck, 2nd Overall M, 19:38; Josh Brestensky, 3rd Overall M, 19:48; Ashley Bramble, 1st Overall W, 21:23; Nora Mahan, 3rd Overall W, 25:03; Jacob Schaeffer, 1st 12-15 M, 19:58; Timothy Wyant, 1st 40-49 M, 20:33; Erik Bodily, 1st 16-19 M, 21:15; Isaac Linhart, 2nd 12-15 M, 21:47; Benjamin Perka, 3rd 12-15 M, 21:50; Brandon Bodily, 2nd 40-49 M, 21:58; Richard Stewart, 1st 50-59 M, 22:15; Matt Wass, 2nd 16-19 M, 22:58; Stephen Hepler, 2nd 50-59 M, 23:04; David Drane, 2nd 30-39 M, 23:54; Brian Trudgen, 3rd 40-49 M, 24:35; Jinny Hertweck, 1st 40-49 W, 25:29; Dawson Gaillot, 1st 11 & Under M, 25:33; Corinne Livengood-Schnur, 2nd 40-49 W, 25:45; Beth Davis, 3rd 40-49 W, 25:50; Katie McCoy, 1st 12-15 W, 26:11; Erin Schaeffer, 3rd 12-15 W, 26:20; Kaleb Bodily, 2nd 11 & Under M, 26:47; Tammy Sarver, 1st 50-59 W, 30:08; Kristen Kramer, 1st 20-29 W, 30:23; Frank Prazenica, Jr., 1st 70+ M, 32:05; Joy Beck, 1st 11 & Under W, 32:12; Hailey Fryer, 1st 16-19 W, 32:18; Nicole Defeo, 2nd 20-29 W, 33:38; Briana Smith, 3rd 20-29 W, 35:13; Debra Kuminkoski, 3rd 50-59 W, 37:52; Carol Crytzer, 2nd 60-69 W, 40:31; Barbara Reeser-Smiesko, 3rd 60-69 W, 40:31; Dezso Csizmadia, 1st 70+ M, 41:58; Alison Gregori, 2nd 16-19 W, 43:25; Lainey Blattenberger, 2nd 11 & Under W, 48:17; Violet Casella, 3rd 11 & Under W, 51:50; Ben Trudgen, 22:51; James Hower, 23:09; Luke Hassler, 23:58; Travis Domhoff, 24:14; Tyler Moretti, 24:50; Jesse Hilko, 25:02; Noah Linhart, 25:32; Bode Fair, 25:34; Ross Hassler, 25:55; Ben Brestensky, 25:59; Barry Leicher, 26:41; Sean Vashie, 27:05; Russ Walker, 27:12; Cliff Brison, 27:16; Rico Johnson, 27:20; Luke Birckbichler, 27:45; Tyler Bodily, 27:59; Erika Clark, 28:17; Colton Chodkowski, 28:28; Craig Chodkowski, 28:34; Mikayla Bodily, 28:45; Grant Hassler, 28:49; Jason Colonello, 28:52; Matthew Deacon, 28:54; Tyler Deacon, 28:55; Lesley Bachman, 29:11; Matt Domachowski, 31:10; Ryan Foust, 31:19; Heather Venderlic, 31:24; Olivia Sutara, 31:43; Bill Cress, 32:09; James Beck, 32:15; Beth Beattie, 32:26; Michael Atkinson, 32:30; Alisha Roudebush, 32:33; Patrick Linhart, 32:48; Olivia Stonebraker, 33:03; Linsey Westerman, 33:03; Nicholas Cyphert, 33:05; Marisa Jakubovic, 33:16; Shane Jakubovic, 33:16; Katie Fuhrman, 33:17; Mario Lesko, 33:22; Sarah Drane, 34:11; Annette Domachowski, 34:54; Kenton Buchanan, 34:56; Heidi Fleming, 35:09; Sandra Stover, 35:45; Kyle Bodily, 36:16; Julie Eckman, 36:46; Luke Brison, 37:45; Mary Tola, 37:46; Rochelle Bowen, 40:22; Leslie Leicher, 40:42; Manuela Branem, 41:34; Bridget Beck, 42:21; Nicholas Goehring, 43:26; Kristy Fundark, 44:05; Andria Henry, 45:29; Jennifer Blattenberger, 48:18; Donna Birckbichler, 48:28; Dana Colonello, 49:24; Mandy Johnson, 49:25; Heather Mason, 56:30; April Pavlina, 56:33; Brianna Tola, 57:30; Kim Westerman, 58:47; Ronice Bertoline, 58:58; William Lucas Franklin, 1:01:35; Brett Brison, 1:09:11; Lisa Franklin, 1:09:16;Send comments and suggestions: Patricia Neubert. Phone 724-352-4395. Email lotzak@consolidated.netPat Neubert is a running columnist for the Butler Eagle