Across the region, students of all ages have returned to school. And in Butler, two upcoming running events look to benefit those learners.

On Saturday at 9 a.m., the first Pioneer Pursuit 5k Run and 1 Mile Walk takes place on the Butler County Community College campus. The event aims to turn tragedy to good purpose as it honors two local BC3 nursing graduates who lost their lives at a young age.

Pioneer Pursuit funds scholarships to BC3 nursing students that honor Sarah Kasunic and Kaitlyn Kaufman’s memories and their dedication to nursing. The event funds these and Alumni Legacy Scholarships awarded annually through the BC3 Alumni Association and Phi Theta Kappa International honor society. Last year, nine scholarships were awarded to deserving BC3 students through this combined fundraising effort.

Both the Pioneer Pursuit 5k run and 1-mile walk will be held on the BC3’s Shaffer Walking Trail, a 1-mile wooded and scenic loop. Mikayla Moretti, Director of Special Events at BC3 and an experienced runner, says that although it’s hilly, runners and walkers of all abilities can enjoy the course. Mikayla prefers treadmill running, but says the trail is popular with runners and walkers at all times of the day and in all seasons of the year.

“Runners can run. Walkers can walk. And beginners can take a break if they need to,” Mikayla says of the Pioneer Pursuit. There will be one hydration station at the halfway point on the loop if anyone needs refreshments.

The 1-mile distance is strictly a non-competitive fun jog/walk, but there will be competitive awards in the 5k. Overall male and female finishers and top finishers in three age groups earn medals. Age groups will be determined by the demographics of registered participants.

In addition to the off-road run and walk, there will be a kids’ 100-meter dash on a level and paved campus roadway and a 30-minute yoga session at 9 a.m. All kids in the dash receive a t-shirt and medal. Anyone who registers for one event is welcome to participate in any of the events.

There are plenty of activities for non-runners as well, including pumpkin painting and chalk art, local vendors, food concessions and more. Tickets for a chance of winning the more than 40 raffle baskets will be on sale (cash or check only.)

You may register for Pioneer Pursuit 5k and 1 Mile Walk online until the day of the event at runsignup.com/Race/PA/Butler/PioneerPursuit or sign up on Saturday morning at the starting area at BC3 Event Parking area 5.

Join the fun on Oct. 1 at another event to benefit Butler area students. The fourth Annual Tuff Tornado Run comes to Alameda Park with a 2-mile fun run with 20 obstacles along the grassy and wooded course.

Tuff Tornado is held by Golden Tornado Scholastic Foundation. The event benefits students from Butler Area School District and funds programs such as Kids Weekend Backpack, Creative Teaching Grants, new technology and others.

More than 400 participants of all ages challenged the off-road course last year which included a variety of climbing, crawling, agility and silly obstacles. Obstacles included balance beam, pipe crawl, maze, color run, foam machine, mud run and more. Check out photos from past events at www.goldentornadoscholasticfoundation.org/tuff-tornado.

Individuals or teams may register online or in person at Alameda Park’s Odd Fellows Shelter on the day of the event from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., cash or check only. Registration is free for kids under age 4 and there’s a discount for families of up to six members.

Tuff Tornado is run in wave starts each half hour beginning at 1 p.m. In addition to the run, participants and spectators can enjoy stretching to music with Cross Fit Recreate and DJ Tom Menchyk. Food trucks will be on hand with a variety of food. There will also be a 50-50 raffle drawing at 3:30 p.m.

Upcoming events

Saturday, 9 a.m: Pioneer Pursuit 5k Run and 1 Mile Walk, Butler. Also kids’ race at 9:45 A.M. Held at BC3 Campus. runsignup.com/Race/PA/Butler/PioneerPursuit

Saturday, 9:30 a.m.: Junior Great Race Family Fun Run, Tot Trot and Diaper Dash Pittsburgh. For kids ages barely-walking through 12-years old. www.rungreatrace.com/junior_great_race

Saturday, 10 a.m.: Diamond 5k Run/walk, Indiana. Helps house the homeless in Indiana County. runsignup.com/Race/PA/Indiana/Diamond5kRunWalk2022?aflt_token=HrZcYWJT57TH3GH4vWg7QL584fEmdOnK&r=Y

Sunday, 8 a.m.: Richard S. Caliguiri City of Pittsburgh Great Race 5k, Pittsburgh. www.rungreatrace.com

Sunday, 9:30 a.m.: Richard S. Caliguiri City of Pittsburgh Great Race 10k, Pittsburgh. www.rungreatrace.com

Sept.25, 2:30 p.m.: Buffalo Creek 5k, Worthington. Also Kids Race immediately following. 724-543-1120 or acampbell@mechlingheller.com

Oct. 1, 8 a.m.: Hollidaysburg YMCA October Half Marathon, 10k Run and 5k Walk, Hollidaysburg. www.blairregionalymca.org/race-series/ or online registration at runsignup.com/Race/PA/Hollidaysburg/BlairRegionalYMCAOctoberHalfMarathonDistanceRaces

Oct. 1, 8 a.m.: Run Shadyside 5k, Pittsburgh. Also 1- mile walk. 610-554-5621 or csimitzkontos@gmail.com

Oct.1, 10 a.m.: FlyBy 5k and 2-Mile Fun Run/Walk, Moon Township. Run the airfield and taxiways of Pittsburgh International Airport. 412-586-7785 or p3r.org/races/flyby-5k-and-2-mile-fun-run-walk

Oct. 1, 1 p.m.: Tuff Tornado Run, Butler. Run a 2-mile fun run with 21 obstacles in Alameda Park. www.goldentornadoscholasticfoundation.org. Online registration at runsignup.com/Race/PA/Butler/TuffTornadoRun

Oct. 2, Noon: King of the Mountain, Clearfield. 5-mile hill climb time trial. 814-591-6811 or www.kingofthemountain-hfhcc.com

Oct. 8, 8 a.m.: Fineview Step Challenge, Pittsburgh. Choice of 2 or 5-mile ascent on hills and stairs of Fineview neighborhood. runsignup.com/Race/PA/Pittsburgh/FineviewStepChallenge

Oct.8, 9 a.m.: Mahoning Shadow Shuffle Half Marathon, 10k and 5k, Punxsutawney. All races on Mahoning Shadow Trail. runsignup.com/Race/PA/Punxsutawney/PUNXSUTAWNEYMAHONINGSHADOWSHUFFLE

Oct. 8, 10 a.m.: Applefest Race for any Pace 5k, Franklin. 814-432-2138 or dkrizon@franklinymca.org

Oct. 9, 8 a.m.: Pittsburgh Penguins 6.6k Run and 3.3k Family Fun Walk, Pittsburgh. runsignup.com/pens66k

Oct. 15, 7:30 a.m.: Sinnemahone Ultra Trail Run, Emporium. Choice of 50k, 25k or 12k trail run. 814-486-4314 or www.sinnemahone.org

Oct. 15, 9 a.m.: 17th Annual Buffalo Creek Half Marathon, Cabot. Scenic point-to-point course from Cabot to Freeport. runsignup.com/Race/PA/Cabot/BuffaloCreekHalfMarathon

Oct. 16, 8 a.m.: Belmar Bridge Half Marathon, Franklin. Run on scenic Sandy Creek Trail. runsignup.com/Race/Info/PA/Franklin/BelmarBridgeHalfMarathon

Oct. 23, 9 a.m.: Preston Park 5k, Butler. Scenic run on park trails. runsignup.com/Race/PA/Butler/PrestonParkPrance5k

Oct. 29, 9 a.m.: Freeport Girls Basketball 2nd Annual Halloween Hustle 5k, Freeport. Out and back on Butler-Freeport Community Trail from Monroe Road. Third race in Freeport Triple Crown. runsignup.com/Race/PA/Sarver/FreeportGirlsBasketballHowlOWeenHustle

Oct. 30, 9 a.m.: South Ridge Trail Challenge, Allison Park. Choice of 5k, 10k or 20k on North Park Trails. runsignup.com/Race/Info/PA/AllisonPark/SouthRidgeTrailChallenge

Race results

Kinzua Half Marathon, July 23: Timothy Wyant, 1st Overall M, 1:32:52; Molly Quesenberry, 1st Overall W, 1:42:53; Samson Wyant, 3rd 40-49 M, 2:39:14; Briana Dugan, 2:13:11; Maritza Cable, 3:08:09

Kinzua 5k, July 23: Richard Luksic, 1st Overall M, 19:38; Brenna Wendell, 1st Overall W, 20:12; Leslie Henderson, 1st 40-49 W, 30:51

St. Barnabas 5k, Aug. 6 (finishers under 40:00): Lance Nicholls, 1st Overall M, 15:40; Michelle Murray, 1st Overall W, 17:47; Lauren Finikiotis, 3rd Overall W, 18:56; Amy Brown, 1st Masters W, 20:02; Debbie Deddo, 1st Grand Masters W, 25:30; Ethan Wymer, 2nd 16-19 M, 16:46; Chad Pakozdi, 1st 20-24 M, 16:58; Terry Beacom, 1st 45-49 M, 18:23; Eric Wilber, 1st 50-54 M, 18:25; Jack Kelley, 2nd 35-39 M, 18:57; Samuel Argotti, 2nd 10-14 M, 20:25; Ryan Taylor, 2nd 30-34 M, 20:30; Matthew Gornick, 2nd 40-44 M, 20:33; Dustin Wenner, 3rd 45-49 M, 21:06; Phil Ladesic, 3rd 10-14 M, 21:45; Kim Masarik, 2nd 35-39 W, 21:45; Anthony Beilstein, 3rd 35-39 M, 22:08; Bob Ladesic, 3rd 40-44 M, 22:29; Darien Wenner, 3rd 10-14 W, 22:32; Roman Day, 3rd 20-24 M, 22:38; John Armstrong, 2nd 55-59 M, 22:38; Brian Murslack, 3rd 25-29 M, 22:43; Emily Sippey, 1st 20-24 W, 23:51; Elizabeth Sippey, 3rd 25-29 W, 23:54; Chelsea Verdetto, 2nd 20-24 W, 24:06; Julia Covelli, 3rd 35-39 W, 24:30; Barry Mittermeier, 2nd 65-69 M, 24:45; Jill Molnar, 3rd 40-44 W, 24:52; Stacey Shaffer, 1st 45-49 W, 24:59; Mark McDaniel, 3rd 60-64 M, 25:05; Jinny Hertweck, 2nd 45-49 W, 25:23; 25:23; Mark Schellhaas, 2nd 9 & Under M, 26:48; Donald Saluga, 3rd 65-69 M, 27:06; Sue Mittermeier, 1st 65-69 W, 27:28; David Guo, 2nd 70-74 M, 28:30; Tony Sunseri, 3rd 70-74 M, 28:44; Paige Balla, 3rd 20-24 W, 28:48; Dani Gumto, 3rd 45-49 W, 29:04; Lisa Murslack, 1st 60-64 W, 29:21; Patricia Neubert, 3rd 65-69 W, 30:43; Judy Shaffer, 2nd 55-59 W, 31:06; Kathy Lang, 2nd 60-64 W, 32:48; Sherrie Mazurek, 3rd 60-64 W, 33:24; Robert Sands, 2nd 75-79 M, 34:53; Valerie Sands, 1st 75-79 W, 35:46; Aleena Al-Nayeem, 1st 9 & Under W, 37:15; Adrianna Wenskovitch, 3rd 9 & Under W, 40:49; Anita Thomas, 2nd 75-79 W, 41:10; Carole Zwigart, 3rd 75-79 W, 41:41; Fran Fuhrer, 1st 70-74 W, 42:51; Ann Cheman, 2nd 70-74 W, 43:31; Ada Rumburg, 3rd 70-74 W, 43:43; Adrianna Wenskovitch, 3rd 9 & Under W, 40:49; Mary Ann Thompson, 1st 80+ W, 45:30; Donald Cescon, 1st 80+ M, 49:55; Barbara Tate, 2nd 80+ W, 55:26; Dane Wenner, 17:44; Aidan Sawyer, 17:54; Nathan Garrett, 18:28; Easson Molnar, 19:45; Dalton Wenner, 20:05; Andrew Bowie, 20:18; John Hackworth, 21:25; Teresa Grimm, 22:00; Justin Achezinski, 22:09; Rebecca Clark, 22:15; Zack Schellhaas, 22:25; Matt Opdyke, 22:36; Mark Lamison, 22:36; Nolan Kondrich, 22:53; Matt Dudkowski, 22:58; Adrianna Grimm, 23:02; Keith Schedlbauer, 23:13; Michael Finikiotis, 23:29; Brandan Miller, 23:51; Lars Peterson, 23:56; Brian Pirro, 24:01; Chase Ward, 24:02; Charles Wertz, 24:17; Nicole Fiorentino, 24:20; Eoin Molnar, 24:29; Torben Clark, 24:38; Vasilii Surov, 24:40; Derek Argotti, 25:03; Chloe Fritch, 25:04; Tony Chan, 25:07; Brad Mellor, 25:09; Jacqueline Schindler, 25:32; Sam Williams, 25:34; James Relihan, 25:43; Arden Flynn, 25:52; Rachelle Kelley, 26:02; Eric Fritch, 26:07; Steven Hawbaker, 26:13; Andrew Schafale, 26:21; Jackson Valansky, 26:30; Lori Fromlak, 27:34; Joseph Kulbacki, 27:43; Renee Schedlbauer, 27:50; Anjelica Lewis, 28:07; Caitlin McCauley, 28:10; Jeremy Shaffer, 28:15; Shayne Cameron, 28:21; Jill Terwilliger, 28:21; Madison Gumto, 28:52; Mark Blasinsky, 28:54; Robert Pakozdi, 29:17; Eric Schindler, 29:20; Erika Flynn, 29:27; Emma Ladesic, 29:38; Mark Peterson, 29:38; Maegan Johnson, 29:39; Kevin Pritts, 29:54; Ed Hudek, 30:10; Lara Hudek, 30:14; Halee Kondrich, 30:27; Luke Schellhaas, 30:31; Anna Schellhaas, 30:55; Angela Fritch, 31:24; Jay Barkley, 31:26; Daniela Costa, 31:34; Todd Sawyer, 31:43; Laura Augustine, 31:57; Shannon Weber, 31:58; Robert Whittington, 32:05; Jim DeMore, 32:11; Meegan Mazurek, 32:23; Kelsey Newcamp, 32:25; Amy Caligiuri, 32:55; Paul Urso, 33:12; Enzo Urso, 33:12; Steve Menoff, 33:18; Nichole Marsh, 33:36; Tom Shaffer, 33:38; Coleen Carignan, 33:50; Carole Bamrick, 34:26; Dana Muth, 34:39; Cindy Peterson, 34:44; Risa Snowden, 34:51; Nancy Luttrell, 35:09; Lynne Williams, 35:10; Courtney Blood, 35:33; Karen Monday, 35:51; Sha-King Cehum, 35:57; Julie Casper, 36:07; Jenifer Schellhaas, 36:30; David Lockerman, 36:54; Giovanni Vignolo, 36:59; Heather Ladesic, 38:00; Susan McCaffrey, 38:14; Carol English, 38:16; Brandy Eckhardt, 38:16; Eduardo Intriago, 39:01; Glenn A Moeller, 39:20; Chuck Holet Jr, 39:28; Douglas Day, 39:33; Mark Johnson, 39:53; Blake Wilson, 39:59

Send comments and suggestions: Patricia Neubert. Phone 724-352-4395. Email lotzak@consolidated.net

Pat Neubert is a running columnist for the Butler Eagle