The more things change, the more they stay the same — and vice versa.

Good road races change and evolve to keep runners coming back year after year.

Saxonburg Festival of the Arts 5K Run and Walk celebrates its 22nd running at 8 a.m. Saturday. That's a long history for a road race, but this year, the event is part of a greater historic celebration: Saxonburg's 175th anniversary.

While the race honors the traditions of this historic town, two major changes should make this year's event better than ever.

The first major change offers runners three times the opportunity to earn competitive awards. The top three male and female finishers, as well as the first male and female Knoch students, will once again earn prizes.

This year, medals will be awarded to top three male and female finishers in age groups from 9 and under through 65 and over in five- year instead of 10-year increments.

The top two male and female walkers also will earn awards. New for this year, walkers will have their own start two minutes after the runners.

The second major change is in the commemorative T-shirt. After several years of color variations on the same theme, this year's shirt is completely redesigned.

"I wanted to do something special for the town's 175th anniversary," said race director race director Ed Doyle. The shirt features Saxonburg's anniversary logo on the back along with sponsor logos.

Doyle said business sponsorships will help the money raised by the event to be donated to the Saxonburg Historical and Restoration Committee, which, among other duties, maintains the museum in Roebling Park.

Despite the changes, Saxonburg Festival of the Arts 5K retains some of its best qualities. The course still begins and ends in Roebling Park and winds through the rural beauty of Saxony Farms thoroughbred horse farm before its short tour of Main Street. This might be the last year for this scenic course because the farm has been sold to Concordia Lutheran Ministries.

Day-of-event registrations are welcome for Saxonburg Festival of the Arts 5K, and there should be enough T-shirts for all participants. For information, call Doyle at 724-898-2525.

Upcoming events

Saturday, 8 a.m.: IKEA- Montour Trail Half Marathon and 5K Run and Fun Walk, Robinson Township. 724-695-2638 or www.montourtrail.org

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

Saturday, 9 a.m.: Festival in the Woods 5K, Bradford Woods. 412-874-9917

Saturday, 9:30 a.m.: Adams Fire District 5K Run-Walk, Adams Township. 724-625-1210 or marstruck18@yahoo.com

Sunday, 7 a.m.: Erie Marathon at Presque Isle. Also half marathon. 814-898-4472

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

Sept. 15, 9 a.m.: Run for the Red 5K Run, Walk and Kids Fun Run, New Castle. Benefits American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund. 724-652-7724

Sept. 15, 9:30 a.m.: Lupus Loop 5K 412-261-5886 or www.lupuspa.org

Sept. 23, 9 a.m.: Elorapalooza Memorial 5K and 1 Mile Walk and Run, North Park. 412-608-2134 or geierhaus2000@yahoo.com

Sunday, noon: Dollar Bank Junior Great Race, Pittsburgh. Choice of 1-mile fun run, 50-yard tot trot or Diaper Dash. 412-255-2493 or www.RunGreatRace.com

Sept. 30, 8:30 a.m.: City of Pittsburgh Great Race 5K, Pittsburgh. 412-255-2493

Sept. 30, 9:30 a.m.: City of Pittsburgh Great Race 10K, Pittsburgh. 412-255-2493 or www.RunGreatRace.com

Oct. 6, 8 a.m.: Chamber Classic Half Marathon and 5K, North Park. 724-934-9700 or www.nacc.com

Oct. 7, 9 a.m.: Good Samaritan Hospice Memorial 5K Run and Walk, North Park. Proceeds benefit hospice care in five Western Pennsylvania counties. 800-720-2557 or www.good-samaritanhospice.org

Race results

Thorn Hill 5K, July 29: Patrick Morgan, 1st Overall M, 16:49; Ryan Barlow, 3rd Overall M, 17:03; Heather Melzer, 1st Overall W, 19:37; Juliet Smith, 3rd Overall W, 20:37; Matt Montellanico, 2nd 16-19 M, 18:11; John Neff, 3rd 30-34 M, 1st Stroller, 19:21; Matt Marshall, 3rd 35-39 M, 19:24; Mitch Radella, 1st 40-44 M, 19:31; Curt Grimm, 1st 55-59 M, 20:30; Paul Jiliano, 2nd 40-44 M, 21:00; Philip Matthew, 3rd 40-44 M, 21:12Bob Gracie, 2nd 55-59 M, 21:33; Lou Alaksin, 1st 65-69 M, 22:02; Kevin Gaffney, 2nd 25-29 M, 22:10; Allison Romano, 3rd 40-44 W, 23:16; Sharyl Relic, 2nd 45-49 W, 23:17; Cindy Grimm, 1st 55-59 W, 23:19; Debbie Deddo, 3rd 45-49 W, 23:25; Becki Smith, 2nd 35-39 W, 23:28; Patricia Neubert, 1st 50-54 W, 23:32; Dan Christo, 2nd 50-54 M, 23:38; Carrie Snell, 3rd 35-39 W, 23:56; Steve Wagner, 3rd 25-29 M, 24:18; Lori Gliptis, 1st 20-24 W, 24:46; Stacy Kopchak, 1st 40-44 W, 25:00; Julia Conley, 3rd 16-19 W, 25:45Lou Lodovico, 1st 80 and over M, 26:37; Kelly Minnich, 3rd 20-24 W, 27:02; Suzanne Leonberg, 2nd 50-54 W, 27:35; Renee Gliptis, 3rd 50-54 W, 28:04; Whitney Amoroso, 2nd 40-44 W, 28:41; Jana Lake, 3rd 40-44 W, 29:01; Katie Nelson, 2nd 10-14 W, 30:43; Margretta Lutz, 1st 70-79 W, 30:49; Evan Deddo, 3rd 9 and under M, 32:03; Jeanna Sybert, 3rd 10-14 W, 33:52Matthew Beddingfield, 19:36; Chris Matess, 19:49; Keith Spiro, 19:53; Michael Finikiotis, 19:58; David Valentine, 20:56; William Marsh, 21:29; Brian Connell, 21:52; David Rishel, 21:53; Bob Markovich, 22:38; Jeff Cypher, 22:44; Mark McCullough, 23:08; David Guo, 23:36; Bruce Feller, 23:48; Paul Bernard, 24:00; Paul Patrick, 24:09; J.J. Hensley, 24:14; Bruce Hall, 24:31; Art Rechtenwald, 24:42; Logan Kopchak, 25:00; Joe McCann, 25:21; Cyndie Delucia, 25:30; Mary Ann Patrick, 25:39; Joe Geyer, 25:52; Patrick Fort, 26:12; Robb Fort, 26:13Kyle Deddo, 26:28; Robin Rishel, 26:34; Kyle Connell, 26:37; Michael Sutton, 26:46; John Scungio, 26:48; Len Yensull, 27:06; Dan Lynch, 27:53; April Tuza, 28:05; Bruce Conway, 28:08; Kim Gambardella, 28:22; Kurt Stridinger, 28:22; Colleen Stephenson, 28:44; Clay Stephenson, 28:44; Jordan Lake, 29:01; Peggy Sibenac, 29:05; Bob Ball, 29:06; Steve Martin, 29:12; Heather Oros, 29:20; Joanna Sutton, 29:32; Michelle Hockenberry, 29:44; Amy Redilla, 29:52; Michael Guffey, 30:20; Bonnie Connell, 30:36; Dayna Martin, 30:55; Jeff Schueler, 31:39; James Geiger, 31:39Andrew McIntyre, 31:41; Brian Reuss, 31:58; Ken Deddo, 32:07; John Guffey, 32:52; Stephanie Lynch, 33:52; Jessie Lynch, 33:53; Brian Michael Reuss, 34:42; Alex Christo, 34:42; Caylin Cortazzo, 35:40; Michael Cortazzo, 35:41; Jamie Rueckles, 35:45; Jenni Loefler, 35:54; Donald Cescon, 39:04; Danny Lynch, 42:53; Lindsy Yarger, 43:16; Richard Thompson, 47:02

Thorn Hill 5K Walk, July 29: Ada Rumberg, 1st Overall W, 38:56; Adam Henry, 1st Overall M, 39:54; Melissa Schmitzer, 39:41; Judy Lyle, 39:43; Donna Sybert, 40:24; Danny Lynch, 42:53; Tamara Guo, 43:22; Scott Minnich, 46:37; Katie Lynch, 48:50; Susan Lynch, 48:51; Christina Schoss, 49:11

Parkersburg Half Marathon, Aug. 18: Alene Reta, 1st Overall M, 1:02:39; Sharon Cherop, 1st Overall W, 1:12:26; Christopher Bloch, 1:37:30; Bob Gracie, 1:40:56

Hamot 10K, Aug. 19: Matt Robson, 1st Overall M, 34:01; Jennifer Martin, 1st Overall W, 38:48; Cindy Grimm, 1st Masters W, 45:19; Gary Bell, 1st 60-64 M, 48:17; Eric Grimm, 59:39Send 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.