My daughter and I arrived in Rincon, Puerto Rico with a Lonely Planet guidebook, running shoes and plenty of sunscreen.

Rincon is best known as a world-class surf destination. It also holds an Ironman-length triathlon annually.

Day 1: We quickly realized that the narrow winding backroads were dangerous for cars and potentially deadly for pedestrians. Fortunately, Puerto Rico is an off-road running playground.

Lottie and I headed for the beach and what would become one of our favorite runs. It’s possible to complete almost five miles from the canal on the southern end of Rincon to Puerto Higuero lighthouse, also known as El Faro, perched on cliffs north of town.

The route passes through Tres Palmas Marine Reserve and Steps Beach, a renowned snorkeling location, as well as hurricane-damaged walls and roofs wrapped in FEMA plastic.

I ran barefoot for the last half mile, then tossed my shoes on the beach for a cool-down dip in the blue-green Caribbean. Later in the week, we would view a new sea turtle nest at this spot.

Day 2: A half-hour’s drive south brought us to Cabo Rojo and the longest continuous beach on the island. We stopped in town and overcame the language barrier to talk with a lifelong resident who volunteers at a small art museum. We shared a common bond in baseball since he had watched Roberto Clemente play winter ball in his hometown.

Porzo explained almost apologetically that the city still showed signs of Hurricane Maria. Beyond the obvious structural damages, the town looked almost deserted. More than 135,000 people have relocated to the United States mainland in the seven months following the devastating storm.

Our run began a few miles south at Corozo Salt Flats, where salt has been gathered since AD 700. A one-mile gravel bike trail leaves from Las Salinas Interpretive Center and winds through the salt flats to a pristine beach.

The trail continues another two miles north to a harbor with a mountain bike rental shop, but we opted for a barefoot walk on the beach instead.

Farther south, we parked within sight of Los Morillos Lighthouse, the southernmost point in Puerto Rico and hiked the sandy trail to the lighthouse grounds. The trail continues, dipping into a tidal wash, then climbing to a windswept cliff.

We jogged the dusty single-track, slowing as the route snaked along the cliff’s edge. We were surprised by dozens of green iguanas of up to three feet in length sunning themselves on rocks or hunting in the brush and enjoyed the breeze above the salt flats.

Day 3: We headed southeast along the coast to the 10,000 acre Guanica Dry Forest and more than 50 kilometers of trails. We hiked more than ran the rolling dusty road with ocean on one side and desert on the other. Guanica is home to more than 700 plant varieties, some of them quite rare, and nine of the 14 endemic bird species, including the Puerto Rican emerald hummingbird which circled a melon cactus blossom about 20 feet from the trail.

Day 4: We got an early start on our run at Domes Rincon Mountain Trail, four miles of hilly singletrack through the forest near El Faro and an abandoned nuclear facility nearby. We looped through the forest several times, then took a steep downhill toward the sea, finishing with a run along the old Spanish seawall for a total of six miles.

After the morning run, we had plenty of time to visit to a coffee hacienda in the inland mountains. We sipped cups of strong Puerto Rican coffee on the veranda while the owner told of surviving 200 mile per hour winds of Hurricane Maria.

He serves a neighbor’s coffee processed on the premises until his plants begin to produce again, probably next year.

Day 5: After a visit to the world’s largest radio telescope in Areceiba, we planned to run through Bosque Estatal de Guanjataca, a 2,430 acre park in the karst region. We found the ranger station closed and most of the 27 miles of trails impassable from storm damage, but we eventually made our way to the entrance of Cueva del Viento. The cave was cool and wet and full of amazing stalactite growth and creepy tailless whip-scorpions. It was time to go home.

Upcoming events

Wednesdays, 6:30 p.m.: Run Club Group Run, Cranberry Township. Run from Mojo Running Store. 724-772-2808 or www.mojorunningpittsburgh.com

Thursdays, 6:30 p.m.: Shoes ‘n’ Brews, Valencia. Fun run or walk followed by social BYOB at Up’N’Running store (new location on Rt. 8) 724-898-2505

Sunday, 9 a.m.: Dahoga Dash 5k, Wilcox. 814-512-1374 or randylindberg@hotmail.com/www.athlinks.com/event/2nd-annual-kennys-koaster-race-193591

Sunday, 10 a.m.: Mark Jeffrey Sampson Memorial 5k, Titusville. Run on paved trail starts at Drake Well Museum. 814-671-8455 or sampsoncrnp@gmail.com

Monday, 9 a.m.: Miracle Mountain Ranch Run, Spring Creek. Choice of 5k road or 4.6 mile trail races or untimed 1.5 mile run. 814-964-8548 or mmrm.org/retreats-and-events/5krace/

June 2, 7 a.m.: Rotary District 7280 5k Race for a Cause 5k and 1 Mile, Cranberry Township. mlord@ruppfiore.com

June 2, 7 a.m.: Hillside Hustle Trail Races, Polk. Choice of 3k, 5k or 10k. 216-496-7179 or josh.hayes@senecahills.org

June 2, 9 a.m.: Freeport Flash 10k & 5k Run/Walk, Freeport. Run on Butler-Freeport Trail starts at Monroe Road. 724-448-4437 or www.freeportcrosscountry.com

June 3, 8:30 a.m.: Greenfield Glide 5k, Pittsburgh. 724-989-1812 or www.greenfieldglide.com

June 3, 8:30 a.m.: Kenny’s Koaster Race, West Mifflin. Run through historic Kennywood Park, then ride the roller coasters. www.athlinks.com/event/2nd-annual-kennys-koaster-race-193591

June 6, 6:30 p.m.: Global Running Day- The Big Run with Fleet Feet Pittsburgh, Allison Park. Run from North Park’s North Carolina Shelter on North Ridge Drive. 412-851-9100 or tess@fleetfeetpittsburgh.com

June 9, 9 a.m.: Fueled by Fire 5k Race/Walk, Mars. Held at Adams Township Community Park. 724-316-1173 or hgeyer@adamstwp.org

June 9, 9 a.m.: Move to Make a Difference 5k, 10k and Half Marathon, Kittanning. briggle@rgsymca.org

June 9, 9 a.m.: Yinzer 5k, Allison Park. Dress in yinzer attire, run from North Park Boathouse to benefit Light of Life Rescue Mission. 269-930-2572 or lroberts@lightoflife.org

June 16, 8:30 a.m.: Corry 5k Run/ Walk and Half Marathon, Corry. Run starts at Corry City Park. 814-664-7757 or lisa_ymca@hotmail.com

June 17, 8:30 a.m.: ERC Father’s Day 5k Race, Erie. Also half mile and 5k fun runs. 814-882-5362 or twigham@gmail.com

June 20, 6:30 p.m.: Summer Solstice 5k Run/ Walk, Portersville. Run from Moraine State Park’s South Shore. Brenda.r.schwarz@gmail.com

June 23, 9 a.m.: Butler County Road Race 5 Mile & 2k, Butler. joella@zoominternet.net

June 24, 8 a.m.: The Dam Tri, Meadville. Sprint and Olympic distance triathlons at Woodcock Creek State Park. 814-336-2196 or www.thedamtri.com

Race results

Pittsburgh Marathon, May 5: Fikadu Girma Teferi, 1st Overall M, 2:13:52; Nicholas Edinger, 8th Overall M, 2:18:32; Sydney Devore, 1st Overall W, 2:32:38; Rob DiLoretto, 3rd 35-39 M, 2:57:34; Hayley Davis, 2nd 20-24 W, 3:13:54; Rachel Wittmer, 2nd 19 & Under W, 3:31:38; Leslie Kramer, 1st 40-44 W, 3:32:51; Erin Humphrey, 3rd 45-49 W, 3:40:18; Robert Zukas, 3rd 70-74 M, 5:22:54; Travis Myers-Arrigoni, 2:46:53; Gar Bercury, 3:06:16; Mark Hunkele, 3:08:13; Zach Manuel, 3:08:48; Martin Herman, 3:17:54; Amanda Devlin, 3:23:04; Kylee Witchey, 3:23:08; Josh Flanhofer, 3:25:11; Meredith Heusey, 3:27:00; Darryn Zawitz, 3:27:11; Madeline Dressen, 3:27:11; Steve Vargo, 3:29:49; Emily Wolfarth, 3:30:49; Roger Lutz, 3:32:33; Bob Pudlo, 3:35:22; Jim Csonka, 3:36:15; Chad Coblitz, 3:37:37; Anthony Spalvieri, 3:38:44; Ryan Beer, 3:39:40; Anthony Beilstein, 3:41:27; Matthew Slagle, 3:44:22; Carly Clark, 3:44:46; Matt Coldiron, 3:45:03; Michael Bossola, 3:45:19; Stephen Mihalcki, 3:46:41; Chris Regal, 3:47:29; Lindsey Laurune, 3:48:52; Amanda Temple, 3:49:47; Melanie Lutz, 3:51:15; Vincent Trigili, 3:51:53; Christopher Sammon, 3:53:00; January Scheidlmeier, 3:55:12; Stacy Kopchak, 3:55:36; Rebecca Smith, 3:55:38; Kelly Skwortz, 3:55:57; Brittaney Lucas, 3:55:57; Rachel Sivley, 3:57:07; Eric Rudish, 3:57:44; Geno Mell, 3:58:16; Katelyn Jones, 3:58:34; Amanda Baird, 3:59:43; Annie Baker, 4:00:26; Michael Tappe, 4:01:50; Carolyn Grider, 4:03:48; Keith Sainiak, 4:03:59; Erin Donahue, 4:04:17; Joseph Beilstein, 4:06:32; Nathan Mattivi, 4:06:45; Brian Welsh, 4:07:52; Dustin Carr, 4:08:11; Paul Pessanka, 4:08:46; Daniel Greene, 4:09:51; Thomas Lynch, 4:11:15; Elizabeth Smialek, 4:11:22; Jim Martinoski, 4::11:53; Harry Peterson, 4:12:06; Rob Porco, 4:12:42; Jace Lyon, 4:13:06; Michelle Ellery, 4:13:29; Alex Lauer, 4:15:13; Adam Filges, 4:16:56; Jason Fawcett, 4:18:55; Katelyn Conn, 4:19:58; Stone Eckenrode, 4:21:12; Matthew Bolewitz, 4:22:01; Renee Whiteman, 4:22:06; Megan Lohr, 4:22:09; Patty Hudeck, 4:22:10; Nitin Gupta, 4:22:20; Tina Benedek-Grimm, 4:22:35; Traci Hanna, 4:22:53; Ashley Ashcroft, 4:23:35; Anthony Buzzelli, 4:24:51; Jordan Bonenberger, 4:25:07; Duke Donnelly, 4:25:22; Anthony Brewer, 4:26:34; Justin Cady, 4:28:03; Johannah Scott, 4:28:27; Leanne Finney, 4:29:49; Angela Majkut, 4:30:34; Melanie Hoy, 4:31:36; Alan Boburczak, 4:35:56; Colin Hays, 4:36:43; Tracy Mitchell, 4:37:06; Peter Horne, 4:38:03; Wendy Polochak, 4:38:08; Carrie Birckbichler-Smith, 4:38:21; Emma LeMay, 4:39:50; Eric Fencil, 4:41:37; Katherine Colton, 4:43:04; Stacy Matz, 4:44:16; Nicholas Raible, 4:44:48; Lexie Nieri, 4:46:14; Eamonn Clements, 4:48:39; Steven Bandi, 4:49:29; Casey Unverzagt, 4:49:29; Evan Andreyo, 4:49:30; Wess Brahler, 4:49:53; Jon Haverstick, 4:51:46; Andy Ferguson, 4:52:15; Garrett Bontempo, 4:52:47; Jim Hodgson, 4:53:14; Tony Buzzelli, 4:54:02; Scott Kavanaugh, 4:55:16; Mark Capriotti, 4:55:27; Shane Livingstone, 4:56:51; Kim Craft, 4:57:01; Julie Jones, 4:57:40; Austin Malencia, 4:58:02; Greg Cox, 4:59:49; Michael Powell, 5:02:46; Jeff Deshay, 5:03:57; Amanda Hardt, 5:04:21; Regiane Morgueta, 5:08:34; Marcia Bergerson, 5:08:34; Wendy Wick, 5:09:15; John Ropelewski, 5:09:31; Amy Eisenhauer, 5:09:41; Steve Drew, 5:09:54; Erika Campbell, 5:11:13; Robert Whittington, 5:11:58; Ryanne Palermo, 5:12:04; Daolin Tang, 5:12:13; Piper Threece-Angert, 5:12:20; Justin Angert, 5:12:31; Kristy Marcinko, 5:12:47; Marci Bontempo, 5:15:29; James Gascoine, 5:20:15; Ashley Ward, 5:20:24; Nancy Thenthongkham, 5:21:08; Noelle Sequite, 5:21:29; Justin Stewart, 5:21:43; Chelsea Carr, 5:21:45; Jessica Morris, 5:22:09; Nate Macioce, 5:22:28; Laura Palisin, 5:22:28; Dina Snider, 5:23:31; Lindsay Brooke Lanigan, 5:24:28; Michael McNamara, 5:28:50; Robert Crawford, 5:29:17; Brenda Prigg, 5:31:10; Chris Droesch, 5:31:28; Jordan Leithner, 5:32:38; Eric Anderson, 5:33:00; Tarra Prince, 5:34:40; Johnathon Peet, 5:34:46; Matthew Sydlik, 5:39:22; William Rudoff, 5:45:14; Emily Skamla, 5:45:45; Stephanie D’Arbarno, 5:47:45; Melissa Ignatuk, 5:52:48; Terrence Moore, 5:57:30; Maria Matchett, 5:59:15; Kristi Trigili, 6:04:38; Shawn Eagle, 6:06:04; Kimberly Lane, 6:07:09; Rebecca Zahora, 6:14:24; Cynthia Rosenquist, 6:24:14; Wes Bodnar, 6:26:57; Jereme Buffington, 6:35:45; Jessica Buffington, 6:48:18

Send comments and suggestions: Patricia Neubert. Phone 724-352-4395. Email lotzak@consolidated.netPat Neubert is a running columnist for the Butler Eagle