Challenges are everywhere. Like apples on a tree, you just reach out and pick one.

At a recent gathering for the June 26 Butler Road Race, the veteran runners in the group recounted some of our experiences.

One of my most distinct BRR memories involves the challenge of running up Alameda Hill when I was a newbie runner and the event was a 10K. On my first attempt, the hill beat me badly. It was a beastly hot day and I was so spent by the time I reached the top that I sat down at the water station to regroup before heading back down to the finish.

Over the years I met the hill's challenge with varied success. I never really conquered the hill, but I outlived it. The Butler Road Race now is a 5-mile event and Alameda Hill a mere spectator to the race's turnaround point.

Not all of those classic challenging climbs have disappeared. While 2010 marks the 35th year of the BRR, The Ogden Newspapers 20K in Wheeling, W.Va., celebrated its 34th birthday last Saturday.

Formerly the Elby's 20K Classic, this event continues to challenge runners with its mountainous terrain.

For top runners, the lure of Ogden Newspapers 20K might be its cash awards. First place earns $1,125 while masters and age-group winners earn lesser amounts.

But the prize structure doesn't explain the continued popularity of the event. Nearly 500 runners and 175 walkers challenged themselves on the 20K course, which includes a climb of more than a mile beginning in the third mile of the race and a half-mile steep ascent at the 11-mile point.

I've run the event four times with mixed results, facing the challenge of the hills but never conquering the course.

I'm not sure it's possible to conquer the Ogden 20K course, though familiarity has tamed it a bit. While running the event for the first time, I was horrified when I viewed the appropriately named Chicken Neck Hill.

But what amazed me most wasn't the wind-sucking, thigh-burning steepness. It was the dogged determination of runners to meet the challenge and chug to the top.

My quads still ached on Sunday as I hit the trail to practice for my next challenge: a nationally advertised race with Butler County ties. At 1 p.m. Saturday, American Adventure Sports brings the Buffalo Stampede to the wilds of Buffalo Township. This race is a Trail Runner Magazine Points Series Race and is advertised as a "butt-kicking trail run."

The trails and terrain of Buffalo Stampede will be familiar to anyone who ran the Run for Hunger Race at Birdsfoot Golf Course last summer. A portion of Buffalo Stampede, including one of the creek crossings, is part of the Run for Hunger course.

Buffalo Riders, a Butler County mountain bike group, and trail runners have spent hours clearing and marking trails for this challenging event.

Buffalo Stampede includes a 5-mile distance for beginners and sprinters, a 14.4-mile sport category and a 19.4-mile distance for experts and trail running crazies.

Trail runner and Run for Hunger race director Tom Parenti said the goal for many participants is to finish the 14.4 miles before being caught and passed by mountain bikers. The Dash for Cash Mountain Bike Race starts an hour after the trail run and uses the same rugged course.

Most participants choose to stop at the 14.4-mile point. For those continuing on, the biggest challenge might be to leave the staging area to complete the final 5-mile loop. The post run party includes a barbecue, live entertainment and cold beer. It finishes with a huge raffle at 7 p.m.

If you're up to the challenge, Buffalo Stampede accepts day-of-event registration from 11 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. Saturday. Runners should bring their own water bottles and supplies.

There will be two bottle fill-up stations along the course. I would also advise carrying a cell phone in case of emergency.

Nonrunners are welcome to attend the party for an additional fee and are encouraged to bring a covered dish to share.

For information about Buffalo Stampede, call 814-397-4316 or e-mail doug@americanadventuresports.com.

Upcoming eventsSaturday, 8 a.m.: Step for your Heroes 5K, Pittsburgh Mills, Tarentum. Also 1-mile fun walk. 877-498-4332Saturday, 9 a.m.: Freeport Flash 5K Run-Walk, Freeport. Held on Butler Freeport-Community Trail, starts at Buffalo Township Fire Hall. N3wav@aol.com or www.freeportcrosscountry.comSaturday, 9 a.m.: Beaver Volunteer Fire Department 5K-10K Race, Beaver. Also fun walk. 724-987-9941 or bellink@gmail.comSaturday, 9 a.m.: Parkinson Awareness Jerry Maher, Sr. Memorial 5K, Uniontown. 412-629-9292 or jermaher@zoominternet.netSaturday, 10 a.m.: Dale Pokorney 5K Run-Walk, Buhl Park, Hermitage. 724-962-1477 or mielecki@fnb-corp.comSaturday, 11 a.m.: Punxsy Phil Fighters 5K Run and 1-Mile Walk, Punxsutawney. 814-938-0495 or kellyferrent@yahoo.comSaturday, 1 p.m.: Buffalo Stampede, Freeport. Choice of 5 miles, 14.5 miles or 19.4 miles on rugged trails. Bring your own water bottle. 814-397-4316 or doug@americanadventuresports.comSunday, 8:30 a.m.: Greenfield Glide 5K, Pittsburgh. Run through Schenley Park. 412-422-7800June 9, 7 p.m.: Strawberry Days 5K, Grove City. First event in 27th annual Mercer County Twilight QUAD. Also half-mile kids fun run at 7:45. 724-866-1374 or smc@runhigh.comJune 11, 7 p.m.: Riverview Park 5K Fitness Run-Walk, Pittsburgh. 412-255-8984June 12, 8:30 a.m.: Middlesex Mad Dash 5K Run-Walk, Valencia. 724-473-1198.June 15, 7 P.M.: Quality Life Cup Fair Winds 5K, Sarver. Second in series that helps residents in long-term care facilities begins at Fair Winds Manor. 724-431-0770, Ext. 2104 or mikel@qualitylifeservices.comJune 19, 5:30 a.m.: Rachel Carson Trail Challenge, Springdale. Rugged noncompetitive trail run-hike starts at Harrison Hills for 8 miles, 18 miles or 34 miles to finish in North Park. challenge@rachelcarsontrails.orgJune 19, 9 a.m.: Chardonnay 5K, Mercer. Flat and rolling on country roads. 724-662-1910 or dennis@coolspringsfitness.comJune 20, Father's Day 5 and 10K, Pittsburgh. Race benefits Obadiah Cole Foundation to fight prostate cancer. 412-572-6830 or www.fathersday5k.comJune 25, 7 p.m.: Blazing 5K Run-Walk, Penn Hills. Starts at Rosedale VFD, post race pasta dinner. 412-798-0412 or rosedaleblazing5k@yahoo.comJune 26, 9 a.m.: Butler Road Race 5 Mile and 2K, Butler. 724-284-4676 or butlerhealthsystem.org/brr/brrhome.htmJuly 3, 9 a.m.: Ford City Heritage Days 5K, Ford City. 724-763-3986 or jsolak@iup.eduJuly 4, 8:30 a.m.: Race for Virginia and Friends, Cranberry Township. 724-772-7429 or bmarkovich@zoominternet.net

Race results

Moraine Preservation Fund 5K, May 8: Josh Denny, 1st Overall M, 19:46; Bob Clark, 3rd Overall M, 23:26; Ashley Shook, 1st Overall W, 23:37; Julia Murray, 1st 40-49 W, 27:12; Dan Gallagher, 1st 15-19 M, 27:47; Kim Eckberg, 1st 20-29 W, 28:07; Ken McFarland, 2nd 50-59 M, 28:46; Mary Blom, 2nd 50-59 W, 29:09; Rita McClelland, 3rd 40-49 W, 29:10; Brendyn Baptitse, 1st 14 and under M, 30:09; Lily Murray, 1st 14 and under W, 31:47; David Murray, 2nd 40-49 M, 31:48; Lachlan King, 2nd 14 and under M, 32:05; Jesse Allen, 3rd 50-59 M, 33:44; Ronald Seesox, 3rd 40-49 M, 36:14; Anastasia Rekich, 2nd 30-39 W, 44:11; Rachel Rekich, 3rd 30-39 W, 44:12; Trudy Neff, 31:40; Christine Holt, 31:41; Emilia Phetteplace, 32:50; Laura Warmbrod, 34:32; Elena Flores-Noel, 36:13

Moraine Preservation 2-Mile Walk, May 8: Kristen Keck, 29:38; Janice Brinker, 29:39; Lisa Himes, 32:28

Komen Race for the Cure 5K, May 9: Pat McGuire, 1st Overall M, 15:40; Michelle Corkum, 1st Overall W, 18:36; Scott Slaney, 3rd 15-19 M, 18:02; Patricia Neubert, 2nd 55-59 W, 23:15; Margretta Lutz, 1st 70 and over W, 33:22; Jeffrey Platt, 20:10; Justin Jackovac, 20:36; Frank Bogacz, 21:10; Dorothy Moxie, 22:25; Patrick Miller, 22:53; Lindsey Stonebraker, 22:54; Brent Calvin, 23:28; Jenna Banyas, 23:32; Tyler Gacek, 23:58; Michael Schrock, 24:04; Nate Simon, 24:16; Tom Berexa, 24:22; Kate Yeager, 24:32; Rob Morrow, 24:37; Cyndie DeLucia, 24:37; Zack Daugherty, 24:57; Kelly Bergman, 24:58; Chuck Lenns, 25:05; Madison Guthrie, 25:10; Jordan Banyas, 25:13; Nathan Obringer, 25:35Lauren Boris, 25:36; Joshua Stonebraker, 25:36; William Herman, 25:43; Derrick Lutz, 26:11; Jay Swope, 26:28; Cory Myers, 26:36; Lucy Moore, 26:38; Paul Patrick, 26:55; Tom Boozei, 26:58; Margaret Birmingham, 27:04; Andrew Hodgson, 27:04; Tyler Boozei, 27:06; Elizabeth Gerschultz, 27:09; Timothy Corcoran, 27:26; Tena Pettit, 27:31; Andrew Shaffer, 27:44; Stacy Woods, 27:45; Carolyn Dietrich, 28:05; Sarah Burroughs, 28:17; Jeffrey Kopinski, 28:19; Denise Calvin, 28:20; Brian Shuttleworth, 28:26; Jodi Guthrie, 28:30; James Woodhall, 28:36; Ann Cheman, 28:37; Brian Rankin, 28:44; James Rolfe, 29:03; Emily Ault, 29:06; Linda Robash, 29:10; Casey Newmeyer, 29:12; Carol Bovan, 29:13; Lydia Schmittel, 29:26; Keith Wargo, 29:26Melissa McClure, 29:28; Kellie Gillespie, 29:34; Bridget Newman, 29:46; Amy Lutz, 29:47; Bruce Woods, 29:57; Joann Banyas, 30:00; Regina Miller, 30:03; Julie Banyas, 30:08; Ricky Myers, 30:15; Jeffrey Banyas, 30:15; Rick Myers, 30:17; Nathan Neelan, 30:20; Nicolette Lovett, 30:27; Lara Essey, 30:35; Lisa Moss, 30:35; Lisa Myers, 30:41; David Brady, 30:47; Rob Welch, 31:04; Laura Calanzaro, 31:18; Bethany Calanzaro, 31:20; William Osche, 31:29; Rachel Winterhalter, 31:29; Emily Winterhalter, 31:30Marilyn Lapiska, 31:31; Jessica Johnston, 31:34; Jeffrey Sved, 31:43; Emily Croll, 31:54; Joshua Hindman, 31:55; William Dundore, 31:59; David Tallarico, 32:01; Zach Smith, 32:02; Crystal Gillialand, 32:08; Gayle Shubert, 32:09; Katie Herman, 32:16; Melanie West, 32:18; Aaron Muscatello, 32:28; Katie Raykovics, 32:46; Kristen Werner, 32:52; Desiree Atkinson, 32:58Daniel Newmeyer, 33:02; Jennifer Himes-Smith, 33:06; Joseph Rogers, 33:16; Melissa Bamonte, 33:16; Marcia Semple, 33:17; Katie Morrissey, 33:34; Katie Mueller, 33:53; Aldear Deanney, 34:01; Shawnee Denbow, 34:30; Melissa Long, 34:40; Kimberly Matz, 35:00; Tracey Smith, 35:45; Desiree Winterhalter, 35:48; Michael Wirz, 35:50; Amy Miller, 36:13; Laura Wise, 36:13; Pamela Wild, 36:15; Linda Rakers, 36:15; Corrine Satriano, 36:19; John Lowrey, 36:20; Susan Herman, 36:25; Melissa Miller, 36:28; Albert Shubert, 36:28; Melinda Carpello, 36:45; Susan Carnahan, 36:55; Timothy Byrne, 36:56; Shawn Doty, 37:28; Lindsey Jewart, 37:32; Lisa Bogacz, 38:08; Mary Pietrzyk, 38:48; Mason Koma, 38:51David Calvin, 39:20; Jake Hutto, 39:28; Dee Hutto, 39:29; Greta Carpello, 39:35; Rita Kastner, 39:47; Bob Zaccari, 39:50; Nicole Olshanski, 39:59; Margaret Kimpel, 40:21; Sandra McConnell, 40:39; Kathy Schnarre, 42:12; Amy Woodhall, 44:14; Mary Schnapp, 45:16; Craig Moss, 49:39; Shannon Duncan, 55:49; Wendelin Burgess, 58:50; Erin Smith, 1:00:26; Jane Graham, 1:25:35; Sarah Thompson, 1:41:03Send comments and suggestions to: 435 Cherry Valley Road, Saxonburg, PA 16056. Phone: 724-352-4395. E-mail: lotzak@consolidated.netPat Neubert is the running columnist for the Butler Eagle.