It’s race weekend in Butler as we celebrate the 42nd running of the Butler Road Race 5 Mile Run and 2 Kilometer Run and Health Walk presented by Butler Health System.

The 5 mile run starts in front of the courthouse this Saturday at 9 a.m. with the 2 kilometer distance beginning shortly after.

During the past few months, I’ve featured longtime members of the Butler Road Race organization and their stories in my column. This week I’ve gone to the source for the origin of the first Butler Road Race as told by one of the founding fathers, Dr. Lou Shapiro of Butler.

Dr. Shapiro was president of the Butler Chamber of Commerce in 1976 as the Chamber puzzled over what Butler could do to involve the community in a bicentennial celebration without spending a lot of money (which the Chamber didn’t have.) As he recalls, Rick Davanzati, Sr. stopped by the office one day with the suggestion of holding a community road race. And the rest, as they say, is history.

Lou knew nothing about conducting a race, so he focused on raising money to fund the event. He says that through the generosity of 12 Butler businesses, he raised $2,500 to fund the race. He relied on runners like Rick and Slippery Rock cross country coach Bill Lennox to plan the course, start and finish areas.

Lou and Rick measured the original 10k course by car odometer from in front of the Butler Courthouse to the top of Alameda Hill. Lou recalls adjusting the starting line slightly to allow runners to ascend to the top of the hill with a turnaround at the summit. He didn’t realize the course was so tough until Rick suggested he start training to actually run in the first road race. Little did he know, that first Butler Road Race would lead him to decades of running and racing.

Unlike today’s chip timing, runners crossing the first Butler Road Race finish line were herded through a finishing chute to maintain their positions.

Bill Lennox and his wife, along with wives Lois Davanzati and Lucille Shapiro, pulled the bottom portion of finishers’ bib numbers and impaled them on nails in order of their finish.

Needless to say, it took a lot longer to process results and present awards.

Although only 179 runners finished the first race in 1976, Dr. Shapiro says it was a big success. Runners enjoyed the course, the competition and the post-race picnic in Alameda Park. Race numbers grew in each successive year, building to a high of more than 1,500 finishers.

But success isn’t measured only in race numbers. Lou says that the first race brought the entire community out for the celebration.

More than 100 volunteers made it possible to conduct a quality race on a shoestring budget. Everyone pitched in, painting the giant feet to mark the course (Rick Davanzati’s idea), setting up and tearing down the start and finish areas and handing out water along the course.

Lou says it seemed like the entire city turned out to help or to watch the spectacle of the first race.

Residents along Penn Street offered cooling hose showers and hundreds of spectators cheered the runners up the last climb on Main Street.

Dr. Shapiro says that the Butler Road Race was and is still a great idea and great event for the community. He hopes that it will continue for years to come.

This year will be the last race under the direction of Butler Road Race, Inc. which has provided more than 780 scholarships totaling more than $410,000 in the past 24 years. Eligible cross country runners from eight Butler County high schools in the graduating class of 2018 will receive the final scholarship awards from this year’s race proceeds as the Butler Family YMCA takes over directorship of the event next year.

If you haven’t signed up to run or walk, it’s not too late. Registration will be open Friday, 4 to 6 p.m. at Cubs’ Hall on McKean Street and on Saturday beginning at 7:30 a.m. in Diamond Park.

Upcoming events

Thursdays, 6:30 p.m.: Shoes ‘n’ Brews, Valencia. Starts at Up-N-Running store with your choice of pace and distance followed by social hour with beer. 724-898-2525 or shoes@runpa.com

Saturdays: Butler Babes group trail runs, various locations. Run various distances on trails in area parks. tamsuemcg@embarqmail.com

Saturday, 8:30 a.m.: Rockwood Rotary 5k/10k/Half Marathon, Rockwood. Run on Allegheny Highlands Trail. 814-352-7963 or bobintrent@aol.com

Saturday, 9 a.m.: Butler Road Race, Butler. Choice of 5 mile run or 2 mile run/walk. 724-284-4676 or butlerroadrace@butlerhealthsystem.org

June 28, 7 p.m.: Strawberry Days 5k, Grove City. First race of the 32nd annual Mercer County Twilight QUAD series. 724-866-1374 or runhigh.com

June 30, 7 p.m.: Latrobe 4th of July Celebration, Inc. 5 Mile and 2 Mile, Latrobe. Starts at Latrobe Memorial Stadium. 724-537-8417 or latrobe4thofjulycelebration.com

July 1, 9 a.m.: Butch’s Bucket Brigade 5k, Worthington. 724-464-3420 or butchsbucketbrigade.com

July 1, 9 a.m.: Ellwood City Ledger 10k, Ellwood City. 724-752-1583

July 1, 9 a.m.: Ford City 5k Run/ Walk, Ford City. 757-355-0113 or fordcity5k@gmail.com

July 1, 9 a.m.: Heritage Day 5k, Greenville. Run through Riverview Park. 724-815-6983 or jas26mrun@msn.com

July 4, 8:30 a.m. Freedom 5k Run/ Walk and Fitness Walk, Greensburg. Starts at Lynch Field. www.signmeup.com/site/online-event-registration/118544

July 5, 7 p.m.: Groundhog Jog 5k, Punxsutawney. Also 2 mile walk. 814-938-1008 or punxsyaccenter@gmail.com

July 8, 7:30 a.m.: Butler YMCA Triathlon, Portersville. Sprint triathlon at Moraine State Park with ¼ mile swim, 7 mile bike, 5k run. 724-287-473, ext. 1 or jknauff@bcfymca.org

July 8, noon: Wine Dash 5k, North East. Registration includes admission to Mid-Summer Wine Festival. Must be age 21 or older. 814-725-3303 or lakeeriespeedway.com/schedule/wine-dash-5k/

July 9, 8:30 a.m.: Hermitage Arts Festival 5k, Hermitage. 724-91-6950 or bgriffin@hermitage.net

July 8, 9 a.m.: Reece’s Round-Up East Coast 5k Race, 1 Mile Walk, Beaver. 724-630-9653 or reeceround.upeastcoast@gmail.com

July 9, 10 a.m.: Canadohta Lake 5k/10k, Union City. Tanderson0648@gmail.com

July 9, 7:30 a.m.: Trail Blazer 5k and 15k, Meadville. Also 5k walk at 7:50 A.M. All events on Ernst Rail Trail. 814-853-8572 or www.ernsttrail.org

July 9, 8:30 a.m.: Hermitage Arts Festival 5k, Hermitage. 724-981-0800, ext. 1320 or bgriffin@hermitage.net

July 12, 7 p.m.: Dam Race 5k (QUAD II), Sharpsville. 724-866-1374 or smc@runhigh.com

July 15, 8 a.m.: 10th Annual Cross Country Crusade 5k, Saxonburg. Run on Knoch High School cross country course. 412-603-1999 or ap2426@zoominternet.net

July 15, 8 a.m.: Hot to Trot 5k, Zelienople. Also 1 mile family fun walk at 8:45 A.M. 412-445-5828 or www.horsetrading.com

July 15, 9 a.m.: Curwensville Susquehanna Classic, Curwensville. Choice of 10k or 5k runs, 5k walk. 814-236-3455 or shaaronike@verizon.net

Race results

Glacier Ridge 50 Miler, May 13: Charles Oestreich, 1st Overall M, 8:25:01; Melissa Pastore, 1st Overall W, 9:46:35; Murray Hofmeister, 11:41:18; Adam Filges, 11:56:09; Gineen Dutkovic, 12:09:55; Michael Jones, 13:00:41

Glacier Ridge 50k, May 13: Jeff Nelson, 1st Overall M, 5:00:52; Tami Sari, 1st Overall W, 6:28:47; Josh Edmiston, 5:43:55; Mark Valites, 6:04:55; James Arthur, 6:13:00; Ruth Werne, 7:04:53; Gwendolyn Musser, 7:05:55; Ted Zablocki, 7:18:51; Patrick Lister, 7:42:03; Michelle Burton, 7:48:07; Vickie Bryant, 8:16:09; Nathan Boyle, 8:16:36; Andrea Boyle, 8:16:38; Amanda Mock, 8:47:04

Glacier Ridge 30k, May 13: Matt Lipsey, 1st Overall M, 2:31:01; Jamie Eakin, 1st Overall W, 3:31:38; Doug Holscher, 3:28:34; Dan Tack, 3:30:56; Meredith Colaizzi, 3:36:24; John Alexander, 3:36;29; Jonathan Summers, 3:46:21; Jonathan Bost, 3:48:48; Caitlin Snyder, 3:54:36; Aaron Kopp, 3:58:09; Connie Hoffer, 4:02:18; Renea Gaus, 4:11:20; Edna Spang, 4:12:20; Bobbie Griffith, 4:12:24; Lloyd Clarke, 4:18:19; Wendy O’Connor, 4:21:36; Elri Moggee, 4:37:18; Daniel Beggs; 4:43:23; William Woods, 5:00:49; Shelley Burch, 5:02:02; Ed Elinski, 5:12:05; Scott Grooms, 5:12:15; David Adams, 5:17:32; Edward Schmeich, 5:17:45; Jonathan Delcamp, 5:21:42; Megan Gahring, 5:26:24; Cheryl Fisher, 5:32:39; Robert Crawford, 5:33:18; Edwin Amrhein, 5:49:10; Julia Murray, 6:13:00; Janelle Fumerola, 6:33:48; Clint Cehily, 6:53:38

Komen Race for the Cure 5k, May 14: Sean Flannagan, 1st Overall M, 17:43; Morgan Ansell, 1st Overall W, 19:51; Rick Bergman, 3rd 60-69 M, 24:56; Marcia Semple, 2nd 70+ W, 39:29; Luke Choban, 20:50; Logan Johnson, 22:53; Noah Rick, 23:29; Christopher Ciccozzi 23:35; David Choban, 24:28; Matthew Johnson, 25:39; Tony Ciccozzi, 26:07; Max Sybert, 26:17; Hillary Snyder, 27:33; Duane Brucker, 27:33; Patrick McGrath, 27:38; Leah Rapp, 27:53; Erin Marron, 27:53; Chad Macdonald, 27:55; Brian Shuttleworth, 28:00; Alex Johnson, 29:12; Carol Bovan, 29:21; Samantha Weston, 30:56; Emily Glacken, 31:36; Dawn Wells McClain, 32:04; Jessica Robles, 32:21; Patti Doyle, 32:26; Marty Doyle, 32:26; Marsha Haley, 32:29; Nancy Thenthongkham, 32:38; Lisa Bush, 32:42; Valerie Wolenter, 32:46; Beth Bergman, 32:50; Eileen Petrone, 33:03; James Meinert, 33:16; Jodi Potter, 33:26; Cindy Rosequist, 33:27; Brian Palmer, 33:45; Ebony Winger, 34:57; Blake Potter, 35:28; Ann Cheman, 36:12; Katie Boatright, 37:11; Gina Kepple, 37:17; Tim Barnes, 37:19; Brodie Warren, 37:49; Justine Szurley, 38:09; Jessie Potter, 38:32; Ryan Babeo, 40:28; Nicholas Babeo, 40:33; Natalie Babeo, 40:40; Henry Palmer, 47:05; Scott Andreassi, 47:33; Linda Todaro, 51:28; Cheryl Stirling, 55:22; Dolly Kelly, 59:59; Craig Lavender, 1:00:39

Harmony-Zelie GLOW 5k, May 20: Aden Dressler, 1st Overall M, 18:53; Ron Liscio, Jr., 3rd Overall M, 21:32; Jessica McAdams, 1st Overall W, 24:01; Josh Edmiston, 1st 30-39 M, 21:57; John DeCoro III, 1st 20-298 M, 23:22; Ben Mcgiffin, 2nd 20-29 M, 24:46; Brett Hart, 2nd 14-19 M, 24:54; Robert Mac Murdo, 1st 50+ M, 26:08; Vince Higby, 3rd 20-29 M, 26:43; Tina Bortmes, 1st 20-29 W, 27:18; Dan Fritz, 3rd 30-39 M, 27:49; Elise Caldwell, 1st 30-39 W, 27:59; Owen Dressler, 2nd 13 & Under M, 28:15; Billie Rape, 1st 13 & Under W, 28:19; Aaron Cook, 1st 40-49 M, 28:25; Pam MacMurdo, 3rd 14-19 M, 28:51; Amanda Follett, 2nd 30-39 W, 29:00; Christine Patton, 3rd 40-49 W, 29:01; Aaron Rape, 3rd 13 & Under M, 29:54; Adelyn Cook, 3rd 14-19 W, 30:25; Rhonda Maloney, 1st 50+ W, 30:26; Cheryl Ferraro, 2nd 50+ W, 30:44; Morgan Bungar, 2nd 13 & Undewr W, 31:18; Kyra Fazio, 3rd 13 & Under W, 31:42; Dan Fazio, 2nd 50 + M, 31:45; Douglas Mahony, 3rd 50+ M, 31:53; William Rape, 29:52; Amy Ponchek, 29:53; Ben Gross, 31:21; Alyssa Flick, 31:58; Kathleen Brenneman, 34:56; Ed Wethli, 36:19; Carey Fritz, 36:43; Carey Fritz, 37:02; Jill Marburger, 38:27; Melissa Bungar, 39:47; Ethan Lane, 42:58

Send comments and suggestions: Patricia Neubert, 435 Cherry Valley Rd., Saxonburg, PA. 16056. Phone 724-352-4395. Email lotzak@consolidated.net.

Pat Neubert is a running columnist for the Butler Eagle.