Where will you be this Saturday at 9 a.m.?

I hope to see all of my friends at the longest consecutively held running event in the area — our own Butler Road Race 5 Mile Run and 2 Kilometer Run and Health Walk.

Butler Road Race has been held on the last Saturday in June for the past 38 years. This year marks the first event without co-founder Rick Davanzati, Sr. who passed away in March. This year’s Road Race is dedicated to Davanzati with a special commemorative t-shirt designed in his honor and the first male and female finisher’s awards renamed the Rick Davanzati, Sr. Memorial Award.

Rick’s wife, Lois, will present the first place awards this year. The first Butler County male and female finishers earn the Donnie Bayne Memorial Awards, named for the late longtime Butler Road Race supporter and presented by his son and daughter.

As always, prior to the competitive awards presentation, there will be special recognition of former Butler Road Race Scholarship recipients. And in addition to the more than 150 competitive awards in the 5 mile and 2K, all kids ages 11 and under who complete either event will receive a certificate of completion.

Rick Davanzati, Sr. and Dr. Lou Shapiro founded the Butler Road Race in 1976 as a competitive 10K which included a daunting climb up Alameda Hill. The hill was eliminated in 1992, making the 5 mile course much faster and an accompanying 2k accessible to more participants.

Last year for the first time, there were more participants in the 2K than the 5 mile distance. Road Race president Mike Franko credits younger runners and an increased number of walkers for the 2K’s success.

Franko says that registrations are up slightly from last year’s numbers, possibly due to availability of online registration for the first time.

“People like the convenience,” Franko says.

Also for runners’ convenience, Butler Road Race holds a registration and packet pick-up at Cubs Hall, McKean Street, Butler on Friday from 4 to 6 p.m. There will be day-of-event registration on Saturday morning in Diamond Park beginning at 7:30 a.m.

Diamond Park will feature an expanded staging area with more food vendors and samples, community and business information tables and a t-shirt sale of past Butler Road Race commemoratives. There will also be plenty of water, sports drinks and bananas for all finishers.

In its history, Butler Road Race has been the site of 11 national single age records. Lou Lodovico will return this year to attempt his eighth national record at age 90. Tammy Slusser, three-time winner of the 10K and seven-time 5 mile winner will also attend this year’s race. Tammy is the current female masters record holder with a time of 30:43.

Course records in the 5 mile distance are held by Jake Walker with a finishing time of 24:32 and Nicole Blaesser, 29:04. Although Mike Franko believes these records may stand for many years, he says that, “you never know who might show up on any day.”

Butler Road Race has a long history of serving the community. Although it offers area residents an annual fitness challenge, its main purpose is to serve young Butler County runners. In 21 years, the Road Race has presented nearly $360,000 in 672 scholarships to county high school cross country scholar-athletes.

In order to receive a Butler Road Race Scholarship, students must have run cross country for two years, including their senior year, maintain a 3.0 grade point average, be recommended by their coach and write an essay on what running means to them.

This year, 35 students earned $500 awards while Freeport’s Rebecca Dudek and Alexander Taylor of Seneca Valley were awarded $1,000 each.

For more information about this Saturday’s Butler Road Race, visit www.butlerroadrace.org or phone 724-284-4676.

Upcoming events

Friday, 7 p.m.: Latrobe 4th of July Celebration 5 Mile Run and 2 Mile Walk, Latrobe. 724-537-8417 or www.latrobe4thofjuly.com

Saturday, 8:30 a.m.: Treasure Lake Triathlon and 13.8 Mile Challenge, DuBois. Minimum age 15 years old. Pldubois1@comcast.net

Saturday, 9 a.m.: Butler Road Race 5 Mile Run and 2 Kilometer Run and Health Walk, Butler. Run for scholarships with more than 130 competitive awards. 724-284-4676 or www.butlerroadrace.org

Saturday, 9 a.m.: Parkinson Awareness Memorial 5K Run and Walk in Memory of Jerry Maher, Uniontown. Gently rolling course, good prizes. 412-629-9292 or www.jerrymahermemorial5k.com

Saturday, 10 a.m.: Wilderness Trail Run, Wattsburg. Choice of 2K/ 10K/ 20K on cross country ski trails at Wilderness Lodge. Mike.vieyra1@gmail.com

July 2, 7 p.m.: Groundhog Jog 5K, Punxsutawney. Part of Groundhog Festival events. 814-938-1008 or www.punxsutawneycommunitycenter.org

July 4, 7:45 a.m.: Whiskey Rebellion 5K, Canonsburg. 724-575-6047 or www.eteamz.com/whiskeyrebellion

July 4, 8 a.m.: Firecracker 5K, Zelienople. Parade and Community Days following race. 724-321-4265 or www.getfitfamilies.com

July 4, 8:30 a.m.: Freedom 5K, Greensburg. Online registration www.signmeup.com/100735. 412-205-3579 or Freedom5k@comcast.net

July 5, 9 a.m.: Ellwood City Ledger 10K, Ellwood City. 724-752-1583

July 12, 7:30 a.m.: Community Chase 5K Run & Walk, Cranberry Township. 724-316-7044 or communitycase@gmail.com

July 12, 8 a.m.: Cross Country Crusade 5K, Saxonburg. First race in Saxonburg Distance Series. 724-898-2525 or tjp@yahoo.com

July 12, 11 a.m.: ORTC Gear and Cheer Music Festival 5K Run/ Walk, Beaver Falls. Part of outdoor fitness festival in Brady’s Run Park. 724-728-2625 or drvtroia@ohiorivertrail.org

July 12, 1 p.m.: Hills and Thrills 30K, 10K and 5K, Freeport. Trail run starting at Birdsfoot Golf Club. 10K and 5K start at 3 p.m. 724-295-3656 or tomparenti@yahoo.com

July 13, 6 p.m.: Hoodlebug 5K Run & Fun Walk, Homer City. 724-541-0013 or fulmer_cd@yahoo.com

July 19, 8 a.m.: Where’s Our Water 10K & 2 Mile Run/ Walk and Minnow Run, Saxonburg. Run to benefit Glade Run Lake restoration begins at Glade Run Lake. 724-898-2525 or shoes@runpa.com

July 19, 8 p.m.: Race to the Moon 5K and 5 Miler, Apollo. All participants must carry or wear a light for this twilight run on Roaring Run Trail. Swamper11@verizon.net

July 20, 6:30 a.m.: Presque Isle Half Marathon, Erie. 814-881-0600 or suzannec@erie-runnersclub.org

July 26, 8:30 a.m.: 7th Annual Rube’s Run 5K, Prospect. 724-865-9582 or jtgallagher@zoominternet.net

July 26, 9 a.m.: Run with the Big Dawgs 5K Run and 2 Mile Walk, Elwood City. Fast course through Ewing Park. 724-336-5646 or bigbeaverbigdawgs.com

July 26, 9 a.m.: Freeport International Baseball 5K, Freeport. www.fortheloveofthegame.org or 724-295-5511

July 27, 8 a.m.: Run With the Deer Flies 15K & 25K Trail Runs, Penn Run. www.indianaroadrunners.com or 724-349-8797

Race results

Strawberry Days 5K, June 18: Logan Steiner, 1st Overall M, 15:48; Jaron Martin, 3rd Overall M, 16:41; Lindsay Snyder, 1st Overall W, 19:04; Leslie Kramer, 3rd Overall W, 19:54; Kimberly Hohman, 4th Overall W, 20:52; Ryan Budnik, 1st 16-19 M, 17:02; Josh Jones, 2nd 16-19 M, 17:11; Joseph Cortez, 2nd 25-29 M, 17:56; Anthony Miller, 3rd 20-24 M, 18:59; Timothy Wyant, 3rd 40-44 M, 19:09; Christopher Block, 2nd 55-59 M, 19:40; Elijah Depew, 3rd 12-15 M, 19:47; Dean Rippee, 3rd 55-59 M, 19:53; TJ Pynos, 2nd 50-54 M, 20:11; Nathan Depew, 3rd 45-49 M, 20:46; Holly Bova, 1st 35-39 W, 21:45; Cael McEwen, 1st 10-11 M, 22:59; John Ciafre, 3rd 60-64 M, 23:01; Olivia Lowe, 1st 12-15 W, 23:05; Debbie Burry, 3rd 40-44 W, 23:09; Hannah Sanford, 2nd 12-15 W, 23:23; Gary Bell, 1st 70+ M, 24:12; Marie Depew, 3rd 12-15 W, 24:39; Benjamin Anastasi, 3rd 10-11 M, 24:53; Gage Probst, 1st 8-9 M, 25:13; Cynthia Johnston, 1st 50-54 W, 25:49; Debbie Courtney, 3rd 50-54 W, 26:09; Jen Nemet, 3rd 30-34 W, 26:44; Diane Sanford, 3rd 45-49 W, 26:46; Alayna Lowe, 1st 10-11 W, 27:02; Ferninando Saglio, 3rd 65-69 M, 27:04; Hunter Hohman, 2nd 8-9 M, 27:16; Ethney Anastasi, 2nd 10-11 W, 27:21; Lucy Hartle, 1st 6-7 W, 31:00; Laurie Beech, 3rd 55-59 W, 33:07; Gracie Hartle, 1st 5 & Under W, 4322; Aaron Benka, 17:26; Ryan Thompson, 19:23; Noah Bowser, 19:31; John Paul Depew, 19:32; Evan Miller, 19:42; Bryce Lowe, 19:57; Adam Lowe, 19:57; Jake Taciuch, 20:06; Mark Courtney, 20:47; Casey Shay, 21:12; John Armstrong, 21:18; Aaron Depew, 21:31; Nicholas Shea, 21:36; Benjamin Patterson, 21:43; Sebastian Anastasi, 21:48; Nathaniel Nuss, 22:12; Clint Hartle, 22:34; Dennis Shea, 22:37; Kelly Campbell, 22:53; Ethan Depew, 22:58; Eliza Lowe, 23:04; David Suber, 23:06; Donald Wallace, 23:22; Lindsey Fratto, 23:30; Sarah Koontz, 23:36; Thomas R. Coyer, 23:42; Brady Anderson, 24:35; Cloey Wallace, 24:36; Jackie Shakley, 24:37; Robert Audia, 24:48; Dirk Shakley, 24:50; Brandon Fratto, 24:57; Jeff Mrozek, 24:59; Brittany Vogel, 25:08; Dan Harris, 25:08; Joe Hunt, 25:21; Greg Kingston, 25:22; Holly Depew, 25:39; John Snyder, 25:44; Kara Montanile. 25:44; Elizabeth Morris, 26:15; Amanda Marie Mock, 26:21; Rachel Hemmerlin, 26:25; Cindy Suber, 26:35; Brittni Geibel, 26:36; Mercedes Wallace, 26:36; Mark Aloisio, 26:38; Phillip Schneider, 26:39; Melissa Krenzer, 26:43; Eric Bishop, 26:44; Jen Beachem, 26:45; Matthew Beilstein, 26:48; Evan Lowe, 27:02; Amy Augustine, 27:03; Stephanie Saylor, 27:09; Ann Himes, 28:12; Derek Charlier, 28:13; Samantha Bassani, 28:21; Richard Beech, 28:25; Jerry Smith, 28:40; John Siegfried, 28:53; Tedd Nesbit, 28:55; Bev Lowe, 29:09; Mark Perrine, 29:19; Ben Hogg, 29:33; Connor Sevin, 29:42; Stephanie McCreary, 29:44; Janet Pudlo, 29:44; Michelle Brochetti, 30:07; Joann Gordon, 30:14; Amanda Schubert, 30:21; Victor Stalman, 30:48; Morgan Sanford, 31:17; Tony Sunseri, 32:17; Laurie Degraaf, 32:22; Mark Isacco, 32:42; Debra Kuminkoski, 32:52; Courtney Bassani, 32:57; Kyle Bell, 32:58; Danielle Haney, 33:00; Shelly Bell, 33:24; Angela Treiber, 33:43; Jael Funte, 33:54; Benjamin Smith, 34:11; Jordan Anderson,34:41; Heidi Wolanin, 34:53; Dezso Csizmadia, 35:07; Jeremy Saylor, 35:55; Kimberly Bassani, 36:31; Susan Brower, 38:01; Jamie Beilstein, 38:09; Renee Eakin, 38:16; Becky Farren, 38:28; Amy Molloy, 38:44; Carey Wallace, 38:49; Rachel Aloisio, 38:53; Kimberly Van Guilder, 40:43; Bridget Casteel, 41:03; Marissa Fleeger, 41:47; Janet Tarr, 42:53; Sandy Anderson, 50:25

Send comments and suggestions: Patricia Neubert, 435 Cherry Valley Rd., Saxonburg, PA. 16056. Phone or fax 724-352-4395. Email bigp16@connecttime.net

Pat Neubert is a running columnist for the Butler Eagle