Sunday was truly a great day for the 30th annual running of Pittsburgh's Great Race and the largest field of runners for the event in 16 years.

Temperatures registered in the 60s for the 8:30 a.m. start of the 5K with more than 4,000 runners registered. Sunny skies warmed the air to the low 70s by the 9:30 a.m. start for the more than 6,000 runners assembled in Frick Park for the 10K, but low humidity kept the heat bearable.

The Great Race events showcased some of Butler County's fastest runners. Heather Melzer of Mars won the women's division of the 5K with her time of 18 minutes, 17 seconds. While Pittsburgh's Joe DeMatteis won the men's race in 15:22, Brendan Reilly of Sarver finished close behind with a third-place finish of 15:48.

In the 10K, Daniel Mazzocco of Pittsburgh finished first in 30:37, while Russian Tatiana Chulakh, currently residing in Maryland, finished first in the women's race with a time of 34:22.

First Butler County finishers in the 10K were Louis Butler of Cranberry Township in 33:26, and Slippery Rock's Nicole Blaesser, who was second overall with a 36:01 finishing time.

Included in the nearly 9,000 finishers in this year's Great Race were two wheelchair athletes in the 10K division. Ian Rice of Pittsburgh won the wheelchair race with a time of 31:04.

The addition of a team category for various collegiate teams swelled the team registrations to more than 100.

Teams from Pittsburgh's Pharoah Hounds running club finished first in both the women's and men's open divisions, while West Penn Track Club's teams took top honors in the masters categories.

Butler County runners were well represented in the team competition as four teams from Up-N-Running in Valencia finished in the top three of their respective divisions.

Finishing in the midpack were two Butler County celebrities, Jim Walsh and Margretta Lutz. The runners appeared in separate pre-race stories on a Pittsburgh TV station about older Great Race participants.

Lutz topped the 70-and-over age group in the 10K with her 59:00 finish while Walsh completed the same distance in the men's division in 1:27:11.

Under the directorship of Mike Radley of CitiParks, the Great Race has evolved into a quality, large-city event with the atmosphere of a neighborhood race. Two presentations demonstrated the event's unique regional character.

David Caliguiri, son of the race's founder, ran the race and was on hand to present the Richard S. Caliguiri award to the first City of Pittsburgh finishers. The group of "perfect Great Racers," those who have run all 30 of the events, presented Radley with a handmade commemorative bowl for all of his efforts over the years.

Even a quality race has a few glitches. Once again, the detour away from construction at Point State Park put a few additional turns into the last mile of the course and made for crowded conditions in the finishing area.

Marathons piling up

Congratulations to Nick Minto of Lyndora on completing his 34th marathon. Minto, 34, finished the U.S. Air Force Marathon in Dayton, Ohio, on Sept. 15 with a time of 4:28.

Upcoming events

Saturday, 8 a.m.: Run Shadyside 5K, Pittsburgh. Benefits Ronald McDonald House. 610-554-5621 or csimitz@hotmail.com

Saturday, 8 a.m.: Chamber Classic Half Marathon and 5K, North Park. Long-sleeved T-shirts while supplies last. 724-934-9700 or www.nacc.com

Saturday, 8 a.m.: Up-N-Running Group Run, Valencia. 724-898-2525

Saturday, 9 a.m.: His Kids 5K, Butler. Run through Jefferson Township benefits His Kids Christian School. 724-352-0768 or KevinCorace@gmail.com

Saturday, 9 a.m.: Run for Dyslexia 5K, New Castle. 724-482-4700 or www.dyslexiawalk.org

Saturday, 10 a.m.: Franklin YMCA Applefest 5K for Any Pace, Franklin. 814-432-2138 or dkrizon@franklinymca.org

Sunday, 8 a.m.: Zoozilla 5K Gorilla Run, Pittsburgh. Run through Pittsburgh Zoo. 412-365-2537

Sunday, 8 a.m.: Oktoberfest Run, Hollidaysburg. Half marathon and 10K. 814-695-4467

Sunday, 8 a.m.: Steamtown Marathon, Scranton. Named one of the 10 fastest marathons in U.S. by Running Times and Runners World. 800-229-3526 or www.steamtownmarathon.com

Sunday, 9 a.m.: Good Samaritan Hospice Memorial 5K Run and Walk, North Park. Starts at North Park Boathouse, benefits Good Samaritan Hospice. 800-720-2557 or www.good-samaritanhospice.org

Sunday, 9 a.m.: Towpath Marathon, Cleveland. Also 5K and five-person relay. 216-520-1825

Sunday, 10 a.m.: Greater Pittsburgh Road Runners Fall Classic, Highland Park. Choice of 10K, 5K or 2 miles. 412-276-1800 or rhannon@amiscu.com

Wednesday, 6 p.m.: Running Wild Group Run, Hartwood Acres, Hampton Township. 724-444-5311

Oct. 13: Mahoning Shadow Shuffle Half Marathon and 5K, Punxsutawney. Run on Mahoning Shadow Rail Trail. 814-938-7700 or ataladay@earthlink.net

Oct. 14, 9:30 a.m. Peace Race 2 Mile, Youngstown, Ohio. The 10 K starts at 10:15. 330-758-8708

October 14, 10:15 a.m.: Peace Race 10k, Youngstown, OH. 330-758-8708

Oct. 20, 9 a.m.: Buffalo Creek Half Marathon, Cabot. Run on Butler-Freeport Rail Trail. 724-898-2525 or benronsax@zoominternet.net

Oct. 20, 3 p.m.: Monster Stomp 5K Race, Walk and Goblin Trot, New Castle. Also Monster Bash with food, drink and fun following the race, benefits National Multiple Sclerosis Society. 1-800-544-5250 or www.monsterstomp.com

Oct. 21: Columbus Marathon and Half Marathon, Columbus, Ohio. 614-421-7866

Race results

Buhl 5K, Sept. 3: Tim McNeil, 1st Overall M, 16:32; Jim Pitts, 3rd Overall M, 18:27; Glenda Haun, 1st Overall W, 20:12; Bill Hoffman, 2nd 40-49 M, 18:38; John Ciafre, 2nd 50-59 M, 20:11; Curt Grimm, 3rd 50-59 M, 20:16; Cindy Grimm, 1st 50-59 W, 21:11; Wayne Biddle, 20:44; Caleb Thrasher, 22:17; Tony Sunseri, 24:17; William Dundore, 26:47; Jennifer Dundore, 27:57

IKEA Half Marathon, Sept. 8: Matt Meurer, 1st Overall M, 1:12:35; Megan Duerring, 1st Overall W, 1:21:30; Malcolm East, 2nd 50-54 M, 1:26:56; Lawrence Ross, 1st 55-59 M, 1:32:45; Michelle Heinz, 2nd 30-34 W, 1:41:29; Cindy Grimm, 1st 55-59 W, 1:43:43; Ferdinando Saglio, 3rd 60-64 M, 1:47:30Brent Collins, 1:31:43; John Armstrong, 1:36:59; Robert Pawlowski, 1:41:13; Ashley Brooks, 1:43:26; Erin Kling, 1:43:35; David France, 1:44:44; Robert Pudlo, 1:45:37; Sharyl Relic, 1:47:31; Philip Mathew, 1:50:50; Wayne Toy, 1:51:10; Mark McCullough, 1:51:23; Bob Markovich, 1:52:45; William Marsh, 1:53:48; Sarah Shodi, 1:55:02; Tami Kennedy, 1:55:16; Carleen Czolba Latess, 1:55:19; Michelle Bamburak, 1:56:34Steve Diantonio, 1:57:36; Robb Fort, 2:04:16; Cyndie DeLucia, 2:04:42; Carl Hill, 2:07:20; Jerry Heinz, 2:07:30; Heather Cianfrocco, 2:10:02; Robert Dibella, 2:10:14; Michael Houston, 2:12:21; James Ignatuk, 2:13:55; Gary Golebiewski, 2:15:41; Valerie Checkeye, 2:15:58; Jim Checkeye, 2:15:58; Eric Grimm, 2:16:03; Craig Rogers, 2:16:08; Curtis Grimm, 2:17:58; Michael Beyer, 2:18:05; Hal Martin, 2:21:23; Nancy Miller, 2:21:24; Deborah Gallagher, 2:22:24; Brian Kirkpatrick, 2:24:12; Kathleen McHugh, 2:26:33; Jim Hardt, 2:32:02; Susan Hardt, 2:32:02

Montour Trail 5K, Sept. 8: Jay Doimage, 1st Overall M, 15:30; Jocelyn Smith, 1st Overall W, 18:30; Thomas Puskar, 3rd 50-54 M, 25:56; Megan Hulick, 3rd 20-24 W, 26:55; Lance Gray, 3rd 13-15 M, 27:16; Stacie Doughty, 25:08; Michael Gallagher, 32:23; Teresa Defalco, 35:12; Melissa Ignatuk, 35:49; Gunni Nixon, 38:28Adams Area Fire District 5K, Sept. 8: Jacob Montag, 1st Overall M, 18:49; Debbie Deddo, 1st Overall W, 23:05; Mitch Radella, 1st 40-49 M, 19:25; Lucas Gray, 1st 13-19 M, 21:28; Derek Smith, 2nd 40-49 M, 21:46; Matthew Getsay, 1st 30-39 M, 21:52; Scott Slaney, 2nd 13-19 M, 22:08; William Thompson, 3rd 40-49 M, 22:31; Steve Russell, 1st 50-59 M, 22:47Gino Lamantia, 1st 12 and under M, 23:21; Philip Madonna, 2nd 12 and under M, 24:07; Darren Allworth, 1st 20-29 M, 24:20; Bev Weston, 1st 50-59 W, 24:51; Katy Elwell, 1st 20-29 W, 25:16; Kyle Deddo, 3rd 12 & Under M, 27:02; Amanda Taddy, 2nd 20-29 W, 27:09; James Bolze, 3rd 13-19 M, 27:19; Suzanne Leobery, 2nd 50-59 W, 27:20; Nicole Bittner, 3rd 20-29 W, 27:09Kim Bell, 1st 30-39 W, 28:23; Patty Kitt, 2nd 30-39 W, 28:50; Erin Donaldson, 29:09; Amy Madonna, 1st 40-49 W, 29:11; Cheryl Ferraro, 2nd 40-49 W, 29:37; George Knaell, 1st 60 and over M, 30:27; Tina Kramer, 3rd 40-49 W, 34:20; Olivia Woerle, 1st 13-19 W, 35:17; Donald Cescon, 2nd 60 and over M, 37:30; Ada Rumberg, 3rd 50-59 W, 40:37; Jeffrey Bummer, 2nd 50-59 M, 44:28; Joyce Stephans, 1st 60 and over W, 49:36 Emma Maihle, 1st 12 and under W, 57:20Mark Lamantia, 23:01; David Meese, 23:04; David Mack, 23:48; John Pristas, 23:48; Steve Vrh, 25:15; Charles Darrell, 26:59; Peter Hyde, 27:11; Donald Ellenberger, 29:05; Eric Dugan, 29:31; Alex Madonna, 29:36; Lynn Dixon Stewart, 29:47; Christina Kralic, 29:50; Dana Hogue, 31:52; Tom Donaldson, 32:52; Mary-Alice Dolan, 34:02; Eric Duchess, 34:29; Brenda Havener, 34:56Jennifer Loeffler, 38:34; Ted Woerle, 39:37; Theresa Melaragno, 43:01; Amy Woerle, 43:27; Debbie Majetic, 43:35; Linda Jones, 43:45; Evelyn Slaney, 45:10; Jessica Shane, 48:52; Alicia Voll, 48:54; Megan Voll, 48:55; Brenda Briola, 49:29; Eric Stephans, 49:35; Colleen Harmon, 52:39; Jeanne Westerman, 54:23; Jodi Fleeger, 57:29; Tammy Maihle, 57:35; Marilyn Klein, 57:39Send comments and suggestions to: 435 Cherry Valley Road, Saxonburg, Pa. 16056. Phone or fax: 724-352-4395. E-mail: bigp16@connecttime.netPat Neubert is the running columnist for the Butler Eagle.