Combining food and running is always good, but mixing an American staple with a small-town race is a great way to spend a Saturday.

Nearby New Bethlehem celebrates its 13th annual Peanut Butter Festival with a 5K race at 8:30 a.m. Saturday. The festival and race honors the product made by one of the largest employers in the area, Smuckers.

Veteran race director Lisa Hrinda said participation numbers have grown steadily since she took over five years ago. With the introduction of a 2-mile health walk, participants numbered close to 100 in 2007.

"We still have more runners in the 5K but the shorter distance is better for walkers," Hrinda says. "I want to encourage more people to come for the event and the festival. I love to see new faces."

The Peanut Butter Festival 5K or 2-mile is beginner-friendly for runners or walkers. The out-and-back course begins on Water Street at the center of the festival and crosses a bridge at the south end of town. It's scenic and almost level.

The 2-milers turn around while 5K participants head toward the small town of Seldom Seen.

The Peanut Butter Festival 5K Race has become a tradition for many in the area. A handful of people have run each of the races. A few also stay after the run to compete in a challenging 15-mile mountain bike race, part of the festival's full slate of events.

Because of the town's claim to fame, festival food vendors will sell several peanut butter products in addition to the usual carnival fare.

The Peanut Butter Festival runs from Friday evening through Sunday afternoon. Other festivities include carnival rides, games, a parade at 3 p.m. Saturday, a car cruise and a craft fair. Fireworks will close the Saturday evening festivities.

Day-of-event registrations are welcome, though T-shirts might be in short supply. Registration opens at 7:30 a.m. at the Chamber of Commerce Tent behind the festival stage.

The race and health walk share a start at 8:30. The Mountain Bike Challenge begins shortly after at 10:30.

Other festival events, including food and craft booths, should be open shortly after the running race ends.

For information, call 814-275-3929. For mountain bike race information, call 814-275-1718. And for information about events and history of New Bethlehem, visit www.newbethlehemarea.com

Wednesday, 6 p.m.: Up-N-Running Group Run, Valencia. 724-898-2525 or www.runpa.comSaturday, 8:30 a.m.: Peanut Butter Festival 5K, New Bethlehem. 814-275-3929Saturday, 9 a.m.: FAAP Fall Classic 5K Race-Walk, North Park. Inaugural event benefits the poor in the Philippines. www.thefaap.orgSunday, 7 a.m.: Erie Marathon at Presque Isle, Erie. Also half marathon, half marathon race walk and 5K fun run. 814-898-4472 or www.eriemarathon.orgSunday, 10 a.m.: Angela Huey Park 7K, Kersey. 814-885-6889Sept. 20, 9 A.M.: Brain Freeze 5K Run, 2Z\x-Mile Walk and Kids Half-Mile Race, West Kittanning. Free ice cream sundaes after the run. 724-548-7836Sept. 20, 9 a.m.: Green River Trail Run 5K and 15K, Millsboro. 724-627-5541 or arinehart@alltel.netSept. 20, 10 a.m.: Burger King 5K, North Park. Non-competitive walk benefits Cancer Caring Center. 412-622-1212 or www.cancercaring.orgSept. 20, noon: Junior Great Race, Point State Park, Pittsburgh. One-mile fun run or 50-yard tot trot for youngsters 12 and under. Parents accompany youth for free. 412-255-2493 or www.rungreatrace.comSept. 28, 9 a.m.: The Equalizer Age Graded 4-Mile Challenge, Boardman, Ohio. Results based on age grading factors. 330-480-5656Sept. 28, 8:30 a.m.: Richard S. Caliguiri-City of Pittsburgh Great Race 5K, Pittsburgh. The 10K race starts at 9:30 a.m. 412-255-2493 or www.RunGreatRace.comOct. 3, 5:30 p.m.: Run for Hunger 5K, 10K, Walk, Freeport. Post race spaghetti dinner. 724-295-3656 or tomparenti@yahoo.comOct. 3, 7 p.m.: Elderton Apple Butter Festival 5K Run-Walk, Elderton. USATF certified and sanctioned. 724-354-3779Oct. 4, 8:30 a.m.: His Kids School 5K Run and Walk, Butler. Hilly out-and-back race through Jefferson Township benefits His Kids Christian School. 724-352-0768 or Corace@gmail.comOct. 11, 9 a.m.: SuperKwik Challenge Half Marathon, Warren. 814-726-0110 or chris@warrenymca.orgOct. 18, 9 a.m.: Buffalo Creek Half Marathon, Cabot. Start training now for this fast downhill run to Freeport. 724-898-2525 or register online at www.active.com

<B>Roebling's Run 5K, Aug. 9: </B>Ben Hutterer, 1st Overall M, 15:56; Brian Tackett, 2nd Overall M, 17:05; Owen Venesky, 3rd Overall M, 17:17; Jeannie Bujdos, 1st Overall W, 18:35; Alyssa Kunkel, 2nd Overall W, 19:49; Rich Makin, 1st Masters M, 19:14; Mitch Radella, 2nd Masters M, 19:37; Dorothy Moxie, 1st Masters W, 22:52; Mary Jo Sanks, 2nd Masters W, 23:00; Cory Steinhagen, 1st 20-24 M, 17:26; Brian Forester, 1st 35-39 M, 18:13; Jacob Montag, 1st 15-19 M, 18:30; Chris Cetnar, 2nd 15-19 M, 19:04; Van McCarren, 3rd 15-19 M, 19:14; Alex Fertelmes, 1st 25-29 M, 20:14John Ciafre, 1st 55-59 M, 20:39; Matt Drohan, 2nd 35-39 M, 21:14; Kevin McCaslin, 1st 30-34 M, 21:29; Robert Sforza, 3rd 35-39 M, 21:32; Roger Murray, 1st 45-49 M, 21:43; Shannon Evanchec, 1st 15-19 W, 21:50; Ron Hartle, 1st 50-54 M, 22:06; Christopher Modro, 2nd 10-14 M, 22:38; Robert Dummer, 2nd 20-24 M, 22:48; Amy Formica, 1st 35-39 W, 23:17; Wayne Eakin, 1st 40-44 M, 23:18; Michael Bartos, 2nd 40-44 M, 23:27Larry Hall, 2nd 45-49 M, 23:42; Micci Hutterer, 1st 50-54 W, 23:58; Emilee Hertweck, 1st 10-14 W, 24:00; Eugene McClain, 3rd 55-59 M, 24:01; Tommy Steinhagen, 3rd 20-24 M, 24:17; Nicole Khoury, 2nd 35-39 W, 24:45; Kara Hoerth, 1st 25-29 W, 25:11; Jyri Gray, 3rd 10-14 M, 25:22; Katelyn Jones, 3rd 10-14 W, 25:28; Correne Jones, 3rd 35-39 W, 25:28; Ann Cheman, 1st 55-59 W, 26:04; Brook Brautigan, 1st 30-34 W, 26:28Amanda Cagno, 2nd 25-29 W, 26:29; Angela Mencer, 2nd 30-34 W, 26:30; Nicole Binnie, 3rd 15-19 W, 26:55; Barb Volek, 1st 45-49 W, 27:24; Frank Prazenica, 2nd 60-64 M, 28:15; Kim Zappi, 2nd 40-44 W, 28:31 David McConahy, 3rd 60-64 M, 29:04; Christine Kunkel, 3rd 45-49 W, 30:26; Ken Meissner, 2nd 70-74 M, 30:40; Margretta Lutz, 1st 75 and over W, 30:59; Carter Hoerth, 1st 9 and under M, 32:21; Amy Swarts, 3rd 40-44 W, 32:52; Ada Rumberg, 2nd 55-59 W, 35:04; Donald Cescon, 3rd 70-74 M, 36:22; Mary Tackett, 2nd 50-54 W, 46:56Matt Hall, 20:57; Chris Grooms, 21:19; Paul Kletzli, 21:51; Dave Hall, 23:03; Tim Van Tine, 23:53; Ethan Hacker, 23:54; Bob Clark, 24:12; Ethan Fritz, 24:33; Buddy Turner, 25:06; Jeff Kiley, 25:17; David Adams, 25:40; Bill Baldwin, 26:45; Jordan Swarts, 27:01; Katie Sefton, 27:02; Ann Lichius, 27:16; Jinny Hertweck, 27:43; Christine Mullen, 27:51; Ashley Burns, 28:01; Sara Fritz, 28:26; Tom Snyder, 28:50; Holly Rougreaux, 29:05; James Fritz, 30:07; Jake Rupert, 30:11; Caitlyn Miller, 30:18; Glenn Lang, 30:37; Laura Halligan, 35:44; Jenn Walker, 36:41; Annette Malecki, 41:10; Karen Robb, 46:57<B>Hamstring Hustle 5k, Aug. 23: </B>Andrew Brosius, 1st Overall M, 17:41; Jennifer Hoobler, 1st Overall W, 23:03; Jen Nemet, 3rd Overall W, 25:53; Ron Hartle, 1st 50-59 M, 22:57; Michael Sadler, 2nd 15-19 M, 23:56; Tedd Nesbit, 3rd 40-49 M, 27:21; Rebecca Swartzentruber, 2nd 30-39 W, 28:56; Kaitlyn Walter, 1st 15-19 W, 32:29; Cheri Walter, 1st 40-49 W, 54:40; Rusty Surrena, 1st 14 & Under M, 54:55; Terry Mack, 28:13; William Dundore, 29:19; Heather Venesky, 32:14; Debra Kuminkoski, 34:33;<B>Hamstring Hustle 2.5K, Aug. 23:</B> Andrew Brosius, 1st Overall M, 8:37; Jennifer Hoobler, 1st Overall W, 10:53; Michael Sadler, 2nd 15-19 M,11:00; Jen Nemet, 1st 20-29 W, 12:29; Teddy Swartzentruber, 1st 14 and under M, 12:55; Rebecca Swartzentruber, 1st 30-39 W, 14:57; Tedd Nesbit, 3rd 40-49 M, 17:01; Charlie Nesbit, 2nd 14 and under M, 17:02; Noelle Rea, 1st 14 and under W, 26:20<B>Hamstring Hustle Kids Race, Aug.</B> 23: Teddy Swartzentruber, 1:20; Charlie Nesbit, 1:34Send comments and suggestions to: 435 Cherry Valley Road, Saxonburg, PA. 16056. Phone: 724-352-4395. E-mail: bigp16@connecttime.net