Butler County boasts the best community college in the state of Pennsylvania. For the ninth year since 2015, BC3 has earned No. 1 honors from Niche, BestColleges.com or Schools.com based on such factors as academic quality, affordability and online competency.

In addition to its wide academic offerings, BC3 offers students athletic opportunities in five intercollegiate sports — men’s and women’s basketball, women’s volleyball and golf are nationally ranked or attempting repeat performances as WPCC champions in this coming year.

The pursuit of academic and athletic excellence comes with a cost this Saturday’s Patriot Pursuit 5K hopes to alleviate. Funds raised by the running and walking event benefit students and programs at BC3, including Pioneer athletics.

This will be the second year for Patriot Pursuit, run on BC3 grounds. The timed 5K course runs three loops on the paved Shaffer Trail. Race director Mikayla Moretti said the Shaffer Trail is open year-round for a safe and scenic run or walk around the campus.

Although the course is slightly hilly, Mikayla, a runner herself, said it’s suitable for strollers. Dogs on leashes are welcome, and there will be a pet hydration station on the course along with water for human participants.

The untimed walk also utilizes the trail while the 100-meter dash for kids ages 14 and under is run on level pavement in Parking Lot 6.

The parking lot is the staging area for the entire event. Runners and walkers of all ages and abilities are invited to run, walk or spectate. “It’s fun for the whole family,” Moretti said, expecting 100-150 participants. She promised donuts and coffee on race day morning with snacks, fruit and drinks following the events.

Day of event registration opens at 9 a.m. in Parking Lot 6. Commemorative T-shirts will be available while supplies last. The 5K starts at 10 a.m., walk at 10:45 and Kids’ Dash at 11:15. The morning’s activities end with an awards ceremony at 11:30.

Awards in the 5K include overall and age group awards for men and women. All finishers in the kids’ dash receive medals.

Participants and spectators are welcome to enter a raffle for more than two dozen themed baskets. Themes include pets, running, birthday party, wine, jewelry, garden and more. (Raffle sales are cash or check only.)

Online registration for Pioneer Pursuit is open until noon Friday at runsignup.com/Race/PA/Butler/PioneerPursuit.

For adventure, check out Distant Area Volunteer Fire Department PB Festival 5K Race/ Fun Walk and Half Marathon in New Bethlehem on Sept. 21. While the 5K Race/Walk is a mostly level rail trail course, the half marathon goes off-road over challenging Western PA hills. The event promises two Red Bank Creek crossings and a run through a rail trail tunnel.

The races begin at 8:30 a.m. and kicks off the 28th Annual Peanut Butter Festival’s Saturday schedule of events, which begin at 9 a.m. For a full festival schedule, visit redbankchamber.com/pbf-schedule/. For more information or to register for the Festival 5K Race/Walk and Half Marathon, visit runsignup.com/Race/PA/NewBethlehem/DistantAreaVolFireDeptPBFestival5KRaceFunWalkandHalfMarathon. Online registration is open until the race start.

Saturday, 8 a.m.: Rockin’ the Knob Trail Challenge 50k, Half Marathon and 10K, Claysburg. Challenging trail runs at Blue Knob Resort. runsignup.com/Race/PA/Claysburg/RockNTheKnob

Saturday, 9 a.m.: Run Baby Run 5K and Stuff the Bus, Grove City. runsignup.com/Race/PA/GroveCity/RunBabyRun5KStufftheBus

Saturday, 10 a.m.: Pioneer Pursuit 5K, 1 Mile Walk and Kids 100 Meter Dash, Butler. Held at BC3 campus, benefits students and Pioneer athletics. runsignup.com/Race/PA/Butler/PioneerPursuit

Saturday, 10 a.m.: Musicians of Steel 5K Run/Walk, Millvale. Also 1-Mile Fun Run and Kids Dash. Run out and back on Three Rivers Heritage Trail. runsignup.com/musiciansofsteel

Sept. 21, 8:30 a.m.: Distant Area Volunteer Fire Dept. PB Festival 5K Race/Fun Walk and Half Marathon, New Bethlehem. runsignup.com/Race/PA/NewBethlehem/DistantAreaVolFireDeptPBFestival5KRaceFunWalkandHalfMarathon

Sept. 21, 10 a.m.: FlyBy 5K and 2-Mile Fun Run/Walk, Moon Township. Run on Pittsburgh International Airport taxiways. p3r.org/races/flyby-5K-and-2-mile-fun-run-walk

Sept. 21, 10 a.m.: 24th WPTLA Presidents Challenge 5K Run/Walk/Wheel, Allison Park. runsignup.com/Race/PA/AllisonPark/WPTLAPresidentsChallenge5KRunWalkWheel

Sept. 22, 8 a.m.: Harvest 5K, 10K/Half Marathon, Boston. Out and back on Yough River Trail. runsignup.com/Race/PA/Boston/BostonHarvest5K10K

Sept. 28, 9:30 a.m.: Dollar Bank Junior Great Race, Pittsburgh. For kids from toddlers through age 12. Parents encouraged to participate in Family Fun Run. www.rungreatrace.com

Sept. 29, 8 a.m.: Richard S. Caliguiri City of Pittsburgh Great Race 5K, Pittsburgh. www.rungreatrace.com

Sept. 29, 9:30 a.m.: Richard S. Caliguiri City of Pittsburgh Great Race 10K, Pittsburgh. www.rungreatrace.com

Sept. 29, 1 p.m.: Wounded Warrior 5K, Dubois. Flat and fast, post-race lunch. 814-371-3333 or secure.getmeregistered.com/get_information.php?event_id=139873

Oct. 5, 6:45 a.m.: Robin Ames Foundation Trail Race Series, Bruceton Mills, WV. Run 50k, 25K, 10K, 5K, 1-Mile or 50k Relay at Coopers Rock State Park. runsignup.com/Race/WV/BrucetonMills/RobinAmesMemorialRaces

Oct. 5, 8 a.m.: FAAP Fall Classic, Allison Park. Run 20K, 10K or 5K on singletrack trails of North Park and Rachel Carson Trail. ultrasignup.com/register.aspx?did=114676

Oct. 5, 8 a.m.: Blair Regional YMCA Half Marathon, 10K Run and 5K Walk, Hollidaysburg. runsignup.com/Race/PA/Hollidaysburg/BlairRegionalYMCAOct.HalfMarathonDistanceRaces

Oct. 5, 9 a.m.: Jonah Hart 5K Run and 1-Mile Walk, Millvale. Benefits Cancer Bridges support services for those affected by cancer. runsignup.com/Race/PA/Millvale/JonahHartMemorial5K

Oct. 5, 10 a.m.: Applefest 5K YMCA Race for Any Pace, Franklin. Also Tiny Tot 50-yard dash and Junior Jog 1-Mile. 814-432-2138 or rbish@franklinymca.org

Oct. 12, 9 a.m.: Mahoning Shadow Shuffle Half Marathon, 10K and 5K, Punxsutawney. Also free kids fun run. runsignup.com/Race/PA/Punxsutawney/PUNXSUTAWNEYMAHONINGSHADOWSHUFFLE

Oct. 13, 9 a.m.: HAEE 5K, Allison Park. Also 1.5-mile untimed walk.Run through Hampton Community Park benefits innovative programs at Hampton Township School District. runsignup.com/Race/PA/AllisonPark/HAEE5K

Ford City 5K, July 6: Michael Braun, 1st Overall M, 16:31; Carter French, 2nd Overall M, 17:06; Hannah Weaver, 1st Overall W, 20:47; Gavin Gardner, 2nd 15-19 M, 19:55; Tim Wyant, 1st 50-59 M, 19:58; Vernon Morrow, 1st 60-69 M, 21:15; Melissa Conjack, 1st 30-39 W, 22:07; Katie Jordan, 2nd 30-39 W, 23:48; Ava Kidder, 1st 20-29 W, 24:12; Micci Hutterer, 1st 60-69 W, 26:12; George Spencer, 1st 70+ M, 26:42; Keith Hileman, 2nd 70+ M, 27:03; Jinny Hertweck, 1st 50-59 W, 27:17; Jocelyn Ursiak, 2nd 50-59 W, 29:06; Jennifer McNabb, 2nd 60-69 W, 29:08; Stephanie Coppedge, 3rd 50-59 W, 29:47; Pat Wyant, 1st 70+ W, 32:53; Jocelyn Shetter, 2nd 70+ W, 45:45; Alexander Shaeffer, 22:25; Travis Domhoff, 22:48; David Richman, 22:50; Matthew Mitchell, 22:51; Owen French, 23:23; Tyler Hileman, 23:27; Owen Zilla, 23:32; Trace Kinzey, 23:43; Taylor Schaeffer, 23:43; Terra Griffith, 24:03; Maverick Benton, 24:44; Troy Christie, 25:10; Samson Wyant, 25:24; Carter Jones, 25:54; Denise Whitacre, 25:57; Evan Heilman, 26:19; Jarek Moon, 26:27; Sarah Bojalad, 26:37; Alex Dirsmith, 26:55; William Churchill, 27:25; William Smith, 27:25; Joshua Charles, 27:27; Beth Vermillion, 27:54; John Alwine, 27:56; Dylan Cujas, 28:15; Liam Breski, 28:18; Kyle Walters, 28:38; Matt Sikora, 29:25; Daniel French, 29:38; Michael LeClaire, 29:52; Brielle Leinweber, 30:16; Eamon McArdle, 30:27; Rogan Weleski, 30:32; Isabella Pawk, 30:57; Brianna Bailey, 31:00; Elizabeth Delaney, 31:02; Damon Andring, 31:06; Jennifer Kromka, 31:10; Karlie Hubbard, 31:39; Quadir McDermott, 31:45; Lara Hudek, 32:02; Justin Welton, 32:04; Cade Hill, 32:07; Crosby Rupp, 32:17; Dianna Craig, 32:19; Kelly Pastoria, 32:39; Owen Danka, 32:46; Charles Houser, 33:02; Ashley LeClaire, 33:07; Brian Reesman, 33:26; Erin Kalmar, 33:30; Danielle Boback, 33:34; Edd Hudek, 33:38; Pheonix Kesler, 33:43; Ashley Kesler, 33:43; Ashley Teuteberg, 34:04; Jessica Sickler, 34:28; Tara Decomo, 34:45; Cailin Christie, 34:46; Melanie Christie, 34:49; Autumn Weleski, 35:14; Tenley Alwine, 35:32; Kylie Dennis, 36:13; Henry Simmons, 36:58; Bethany Simmons, 37:12; Stuart Coppedge, 37:22; Todd Barton, 37:30; D.J. Spencer, 37:41; Terri Delzer, 37:50; Maria Cosme, 38:41; Elliott Whitacre, 38:45; Andrew Whitacre, 38:45; Caitlyn Andring, 38:53; Anna Charles, 38:54; Patricia Richman, 38:57; Alecia Beabout, 38:58; Chelsy Olsen, 39:39; Adam Olsen, 39:39; Emma LeClaire, 39:50; Addison Johns, 40:03; Addison Orton, 40:25; Chad Danka, 40:52; Lydia Gavram, 40:57; Jonathan Moon, 41:04; Brianna Bennett, 41:07; Tristin Shay, 42:52; Dennis Shay, 42:53; Beau Bossinger, 42:56; Wendy Mendenhall, 44:20; Richard Mendenhall, 44:22; Lilly Fennell, 44:31; Ed Pella, 44:39; Roger Walker, 44:40; Ben Fennell, 45:34; Thomas Shetter, 45:45; Scott Shetter, 45:47; Amy Farr, 45:56; Jerimah Pierce, 46:33; Raife Swartz, 46:42; Carmello McDermott, 46:42; Leann Patterson, 49:03; Scott Patterson, 49:03; Koah Alwine, 49:41; Christopher Fennell, 52:14; Toni Sanich, 53:03; Jess Cippel, 53:38; Matt Cippel, 53:38; Joseph Zboran, 53:50; Beth Zboran, 53:50; Jamen Alwine, 54:18; Samantha Cacurak, 54:38; Marci Smith, 54:47; Ellie Smith, 54:47; Mary Jo Haponski, 55:01; Eva Shaffer, 55:36; Anna Adams, 56:20; Myla Hileman, 57:01; Olivia Heilman, 58:35; Nick Kijowski, 58:42; Mary Ann Broad, 1:01:09

Pat Neubert is a running columnist for the Butler Eagle. Send comments and suggestions: Patricia Neubert, phone 724-352-4395, email lotzak@consolidated.net