Early March is traditionally Spring Break for students. It's also a good time to visit a college town.

State College, home of Penn State University's main campus and its 46,000 students, is less than a three-hour drive from Butler. And visible from downtown is last weekend's running destination --- Rothrock State Forest.

Rothrock, encompassing nearly 97,000 acres in Huntingdon, Centre and Mifflin counties, is named for Dr. Joseph Rothrock. The Mifflin County native served as Pennsylvania's first forestry commissioner and is recognized as the state's “Father of Forestry.”

Rothrock offers seemingly unlimited choices of gravel roads and trails from one mile to 40 miles in length, some suitable for biking and others designated as “foot only.” It also includes a portion of the PA Mid State Trail, a 500-kilometer journey from Maryland to New York called “the longest and wildest footpath in Pennsylvania.”

Our trail selection was more modest as Dave and I joined members of Nittany Valley Hash House Harriers on an afternoon quest for adventure and beer in the Bear Meadows Natural Area. Nittany HHH typically follows a trail of between 2.2 and seven miles, depending on terrain and the whims of the hare laying the route.

Our trail began at Bear Meadows parking area, a few miles outside of State College past the entrance to Tussey Mountain Ski Area. We joined a half dozen hashers for a pre-run refreshment and last minute instructions, then followed a trail of flour dots into the unknown.

The group split up to locate trail marks at a three-way intersection, our first checkpoint. After a quarter-mile false trail on an easy road, we found that our true trail led into the forest on a rocky hiking path.

We slipped and slid through wet snow and over rocks and roots, ducking under hemlock boughs and hurdling occasional downed trees, all the while keeping our eyes out for flour marks and ears open for runners ahead calling “On-On” to lead the way. I got a glimpse of the front runners as the trail snaked around boulders and through streambeds.

Bear Meadows Trail area is notoriously wet as it rings a high bog area known for birds and wildlife. Dave and I made the right choice of footwear for slogging through boggy puddles and traversing icy streams of meltwater — Saucony Razors with ankle-height waterproof outers. While some picked their way gingerly, we splashed right through.

After another two miles, the trail popped out of the woods and onto another soft-surfaced road. We gathered together in the warming afternoon sun before heading out again.

The second half of the run featured more water, more snow and higher elevation. We followed the trail along the side of the mountain, then dipped into a forest of spruce and rhododendron. I heard runners calling ahead, but couldn't see more than a few feet in the jungle of evergreens.

One more stop under a spruce canopy, a short jog on a soft needle-covered path along the bog, and we arrived back at the parking area. Our route of almost six miles was just enough to sample the scenery, socialize on the run and head back to town before the spring chill overtook us.

Rothrock is a great place to run at any time of the year and is the site of Tussey Mountainback Ultra held in October for the past 12 years. The 50-mile loop event on state forest roads serves as USA 50 Mile Road Championship, but also includes relay events for teams from two to eight runners. Registration for this year's races is open now at www.tusseymountainback.com/.

For more information about Rothrock State Forest, visit www.dcnr.pa.gov/StateForests. To run with Nittany Valley Hash House Harriers, check out nvhhh.com.

Upcoming events

Saturdays, 8 a.m.: Up'N'Running Group Run, Valencia. Any level of runner or walker welcome, also spring marathon and half marathon training groups. 724-898-2525 or www.runpa.com

March 17, 7:30 a.m.: Shamrock Shuffle Half Marathon, Harmony. Challenging course. Register online at http://www.active.com/harmony-pa/running/distance-running-races/the-shamrock-shuffle-2017?int= or joella@zoominternet.net

March 17, 9 a.m.: Primary Health Network Charitable Foundation Shamrock 'N' Run 5k, Sharpsville. Costume contest, entry includes t-shirt and breakfast. kserna@primary-health.net

Saturday, 9 a.m.: St. Patrick's Distance Festival, Erie. Choice of 5k or 10k starting at Presque Isle's Rotary Pavilion. Erierunners.club

Saturday, 10 a.m.: Shamrock Shuffle 5k, Harmony. Also 1-Mile start at 11 A.M. http://www.active.com/harmony-pa/running/distance-running-races/the-shamrock-shuffle-2017?int= or joella@zoominternet.net

Saturday, 10 a.m.: St. Patrick's Day 5k, Ellwood City. jhaley@riverside.k12.pa.us

Saturday, 10 a.m.: Larry Winschel St. Paddy's Day Run, South Park. Greater Pittsburgh Road Runners event with choice of 1 mile, 2.25 miles or 4 miles. 412-561-0768

Saturday, 10 a.m.: Warren YMCA Cabin Fever Lucky 4 Miler and Fun Walk, Warren. Starts at Warren County YMCA. chris@warrenymca.org

March 24, 8 a.m.: Blair Candy Company 5 Mile Run, 2 Mile Run and 2 Mile Walk, Altoona. http://hollidaysburgareaymca.org/raceseries/race-series/

March 24, 9 a.m.: Mammoth Beer Mile and 5k, Greensburg. Beer mile starts at 11 A.M. www.mammothbeermile.com

March 31, 11 a.m.: Cook Forest Half Marathon and 5k, Cooksburg. 814-393-2081 or bbeverino@clarion.edu

April 7, 9 a.m.: H.I. 5k, Allison Park. Benefit for Hosanna Industries starts at Harmar Pavilion in North Park. 724-770-0262 or

April 7, 9 a.m.: Dirty Kiln Races at Canoe State Park, Hollidaysburg. Trail races of 5 miles or half marathon. www.alleghenytrailrunners.com/dirty-kiln-trail-race/

April 7, 10 a.m.: PREP4PITT-3, Sandy Lake. Run 13.1 or 5k. 724-301-6775 or races@mctrails.net

April 7, 10 a.m.: Fool's Run 10k and 5k, Indiana. 724-349-0501 or jswauger@comcast.net

April 7, 11 a.m.: Share the Love 5k and 10k, Brookville. tinahouseholder@gmail.com

April 8, 9 a.m.: Run to Breathe Half Marathon and 5k, Portersville. Out and back on paved bike trail at Moraine State Park. 724-841-6528 or bonnherb@yahoo.com

April 8, 10 a.m.: The Pathfinder Trail Run, South Park. Choice of 3 or 6 mile trail runs sponsored by Greater Pittsburgh Road Runners. 724-348-6012 or bmcglothlin@hotmail.com

April 14, 9 a.m.: Run Across Guatemala, Allison Park. Run at North Park Pool area. runacrossguatemala.wixsite.com/guatemala5k

April 14, 9 a.m.: Penn State PTA Hustle for Muscle 5k, Sharon. Run at Penn State Shenango campus with $50 gift card for first overall man and woman. 724-983-2836 or shenango.psu.edu/pta5k

April 14, 9 a.m.: Tortoise and Hare 5k, Foxburg. 724-659-3116 or foxburgfreelibrary@gmail.com

April 21, 10 a.m.: Patti J Nelson 5k and 1 Mile, Evans City. 724-272-7564 or cenglish@co.butler.pa.us

Race results

PREP4PITT2-SB8.5, Feb. 3: Cody Schreiber, 1st Overall M, 53:54; Becky Elliot, 1st Overall W, 1:10:11; Mark Courtney, 1st 60+ M, 1:02:39; Jim Lakin, 2nd 60+ M, 1:21:10; Debbie Courtney, 1st 50-59 W, 1:21:36; Rhonda Maloney, 2nd 50-59 W, 1:24:35; Tony Sunseri, 3rd 60+ M, 1:30:56; Jennifer Decker, 1:30:26; Janelle Fumerola, 1:41:35; William Woods, 1:41:36

Spring Thaw 20 Mile, Feb. 24: Nick Edinger, 1st Overall M, 1:48:26; Kate Kokal, 1st Overall W, 2:19:03; Wayne McCracken, 2:23:43; John Armstrong, 2:32:50; Lori Fromlak, 3:08:47; Marilyn LaRocca, 3:19:35; Catherine Hrach, 3:21:23; Catherine Colton, 3:21:39; Ann Cannoni, 3:51:16

Spring Thaw 15 Mile, Feb. 24: Mark Hunkele, 1:39:17; Mike Yankel, 1:47:10; Tim Souders, 1:47:27; Jeff Lynn, 1:53:26; Kristina Souders, 1:57:37; Jim Csonka, 1:57:45; Robert Waltrip, 1:58:54; Josh Flanhofer, 1:59:04; January Scheidlmeier, 2:18:14; Johannah Scott, 2:18:17; Joshua Shaffer, 2:20:01; Amanda Hardt, 2:23:42; Amanda Temple, 2:25:17; Kristy Marcinko, 2:41:44; Becky Bliss, 2:47:50; Robert Crawford, 2:55:26

Spring Thaw 10 Mile, Feb. 24: Nick Edinger, 1st Overall M, 54:10; Jill Leadbetter, 1st Overall W, 1:09:40; Jeff Lynn, 1st 50-54 M, 1:14:53; Wayne McCracken, 1:12:10; Michael Yankel, 1:12:10; Hannah Kemper, 1st 19 & Under W, 1:17:36; John Armstrong, 3rd 50-54 M, 1:17:43; Kristina Souders, 2nd 35-39 W, 1:18:06; Lauren Wentz, 3rd 25-29 W, 1:19:59; Robert Crawford, 3rd 70+ M, 1:52:32; Sonja Crawford, 3rd 65-69 W, 2:07:08; Ray Reinheimer, 1:15:06; Robert Waltrip, 1:18:27; Josh Flanhofer, 1:19:09; Jim Csonka, 1:20:00; Anthony Beilstein, 1:20:58; William Marsh, 1:21:12; Joe Farrell, 1:22:10; Joe Beilstein, 1:24:43; Alexandra Nieri, 1:26:47; Thomas Lynch, 1:27:54; Joseph Kulbacki, 1:28:44; Joshua Shaffer, 1:29:26; Sheila Shaffer, 1:31:37; Richard Paquin, 1:31:55; Johannah Scott, 1:32:53; January Scheidlmeier, 1:32:54; Lori Fromlak, 1:33:59; Heather Slater, 1:34:10; Amanda Hardt, 1:35:32; Leanne Finney, 1:36:34; Megan Kosar, 1:36:57; Mary Morgan, 1:37:19; Katherine Colton, 1:39:58; Chris Miller, 1:40:07; Rita Ciccariello, 1:41:51; Marilyn LaRocca, 1:42:00; Dan DeMoss, 1:42:15; Amanda Temple, 1:43:10; Eamonn Clements, 1:43:38; Catherine Hrach, 1:44:12; Liz DeMoss, 1:44:17; Robert Whittigton, 1:48:20; Ann Cannoni, 1:49:00; Kristy Marcinko, 1:49:12; Hemanth Kapoor, 1:50:33; Lisa Lee, 1:51:29; Beth Whitehouse, 1:52:19; Trisha Miller, 1:55:26; Alfred Schnabel, 1:57:47; Frank Piedimonte, 1:59:21;

Mill Creek Classic Half Marathon, March 4: Israel Merkle, 1st Overall M, 1:13:02; Chelsea Hall, 1st Overall W, 1:23:29; Brian Buchan, 3rd Masters M, 1:29:35; Ben English, 1st 30-34 M, 1:25:28; Catherine Hrach, 3rd 45-49 W, 1:45:29; Craig Hunt, 1:48:21; Jinny Hertweck, 1:55:59; Robert Todd, 2:08:07; Maria Matchett, 2:34:48; John Ropelewski, 2:38:19

Mill Creek Classic 5k, March 4: Ryan Roush, 1st Overall M, 15:47; Morgan Ansell, 1st Overall W, 22:29; Mitch Radella, 1st 50-54 M, 23:39

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

Pat Neubert is a running columnist for the Butler Eagle