The threat of cold rain may have kept some away, but more than 700 runners took a gamble and won last Saturday at the 13th Annual Buffalo Creek Half Marathon.

Running 13.1 miles in cold rain can be uncomfortable, even dangerous if you’re not dressed properly. I packed a variety of clothing options for the journey from Cabot to Freeport, but after a glance at Accuweather, I jammed my sweatshirt and pants into my gear check bag for post-race comfort and wore a long-sleeved shirt and tights in the nearly perfect temperatures of high 40s to low 50s.

Gear check is one of the perks of Buffalo Creek Half, a rural race with big city amenities. It also offers pre-race packet pickup, indoor warm-up on race day, gender specific technical shirts, custom designed finishers’ medals, post-race hot food and shuttle bus from the finish line back to the start.

Each year the finisher’s medal and commemorative shirt feature a unique design of an animal found along the trail. Past designs have included a turtle, owl and dragonfly. Race organizer Chris Ziegler explained that this year’s medal featured a bear, possibly the one that’s been seen along the trail many times this summer, and some words of encouragement based on a Post-it note found by a course sweeper following last year’s race.

After 13 years, dedicated volunteers are adept at everything from prerace parking and registration to patrolling the course, staffing aid stations, taking hundreds of photos and serving food at the finish line. Many of these volunteers work year round maintaining the Butler Freeport Trail’s 21 miles of crushed limestone, bridges and trailheads.

Over the years, Buffalo Creek Half Marathon has developed some great traditions. One of the favorites is the prerace singing of the national anthem. It’s done a Capella since 2016 when technical difficulties quieted a recorded accompaniment.

Ed Doyle, trail supporter and former owner of Up-N-Running specialty running store, acts as announcer and cheerleader at the finish line. He greets everyone by name as they make the last turn and dash down the straightaway in Freeport.

The traditional post-race food includes pizza, whole wheat fig bars and usually a choice of hot or cold apple cider. This year, due to an equipment malfunction, only the cold was available but with the mild weather, heat wasn’t necessary.

Buffalo Creek Half is a net-downhill course that invites personal best times. This year featured a near photo-finish as Travis Myers-Arrigoni finished first overall with a time of 1:10:10, beating Kenny Goodfellow by a mere four seconds. Erica Suhy of McKeesport finished first of the women with a time of 1:23:45.

Neither of the winners earned the $100 cash prize for setting a new course record. Both men’s and women’s records were set in 2013 by Nick Edinger, 1:08:12 and Sara Raschiatore, 1:16:58.

Butler Freeport Community Trail relies on proceeds from the Buffalo Half Marathon for maintenance and repair of the trail. Just weeks before this year’s race, there was major storm damage to the trail south of Bear Creek Road. Repairs depleted both last year and this year’s half marathon funds.

Butler Freeport Trail Association is already planning next year’s half marathon for the third Saturday in October, but is accepting donations, volunteers and new association members now. Visit www.butlerfreeporttrail.org for more information.

Upcoming events

Saturday, 8 a.m.: Marathon on the Mountain, Seven Springs. Marathon, half marathon or 5k on ski trails, hiking and biking paths at Seven Springs Mountain Resort. 304-488-6424 or www.mudonthemountain.com

Saturday, 10 a.m.: Brookville YMCA Color Run Half Marathon, Brookville. Color runs of 10k, 5k and 1-mile following at 11 A.M. All events run on rail trail. 814-849-7355 or tinahouseholder@gmail.com

Sunday, 3 p.m.: Great Pumpkin 5k and 1 Mile, Zelienople. Mattew.sauers@gmail.com

Nov. 3, 9 a.m.: Ridgeway Turkey Trot Marathon, Ridgeway. Certified Boston qualifier runs out and back on Clarion-Littler Toby Rail Trail. Also half marathon, 5k and 3-person marathon relay. 814-776-1146 or www.ymcaridgeway.com

Nov. 3, 9 a.m.: Running of the Lions 5k, New Castle. Also kids race and free pancake breakfast. Clarks142@comcast.net

Nov. 3, 9:30 a.m.: Dirt Monster 5 Mile Trail Race and 1 Mile Trail Walk, Allison Park. Challenging trail run or rolling trail walk through North Park. www.ocdfwpa.org/dirt-monster-race or ocdirections@verizon.net

Nov. 4, 9 a.m.: EQT 10 Miler, Pittsburgh. Starts on Pittsburgh’s Southside, finishes downtown. www.pittsburgh10miler.org

Nov. 4, 9 a.m.: Indiana First Bank Veteran’s Marathon, Half Marathon and Marathon Relay, Black Lick. Half marathon starts at 9:30 A.M. All events run out and back on Ghost Town Trail. 724-599-5929 or veteransmarathon@outlook.com

Nov. 4, 1 p.m.: Sweat for Vets Power Climb, Altoona. Uphill climb challenge. bmazur@alleghenytrailrunners.com

Nov. 10, 8 a.m.: Zoo Zilla 5k, Pittsburgh. Run through Pittsburgh Zoo and PPG Aquarium. gboldizar@pittsburghzoo.com

Nov. 10, 9 a.m.: Buffalo Township Veterans Day 10k and 5k, Sarver. Out and back run on Butler-Freeport Trail starts at Monroe Road trailhead. 724-822-9953 or www.buffalotownship.com

Nov. 11, 9 a.m.: Operation Troop Appreciation Veteran’s Day 5k Race, Allison Park. Slightly rolling course through Hampton Community Park. www.operationtroopappreciation.org or Gerardmac977@aol.com

Nov. 17, 9 a.m.: Fight for Life 5k, Apollo. Benefits American Cancer Society. 724-568-2517 or dzukas@cancer.org

Nov. 17, 5:50 p.m.: Merry Christmas Mile, Hermitage. Costume themed race prior to City of Hermitage light up parade. 724-815-7754 or barrymclaughlin51@gmail.com

Nov. 22, 7:30 a.m.: ERC Turkey Trot 10k and 5k, Erie. Starts at Presque Isle State Park’s Beach 1 Pavilion. runsignup.com/Race/PA/Erie/ERCTurkeyTrot

Nov. 22, 8:30 a.m.: YMCA Turkey Trot, Pittsburgh. Choice of 5 mile, 5k or 1 mile in downtown. bmiller@ymcapgh.org

Nov. 22, 9 a.m.: 20th Annual Gobbler’s Gallop 10k, Ellwood City. Also 5k starting at 10:15 A.M. 724-758-6227 or joeandsidney@yahoo.com

Nov. 22, 9 a.m.: Seneca Valley Cross country Turkey Chase 5k, Cranberry Township. Run through Graham Park benefits Seneca Valley Cross Country and Cranberry Township Community Chest. localraces.com/events/cranberry-township-pa/seneca-valley-cross-country-turkey-chase

Nov. 24, 9 a.m.: WALKer Run 5k, Conneaut Lake. Starts at Fireman’s Beach, benefits Hospice of Crawford County. 814-382-3839 or www.walkerrun5k.com

Race results

City of Pittsburgh Great Race 5k, Sept. 30: Kenny Goodfellow, 1st Overall M, 15:17; Sean McDonnell, 4th Overall M, 16:20; Lisa Burnett, 1st Overall W, 17:20; Kevin Berger, 3rd 50-54 M, 19:58; Julia Zalenski, 3rd 12-13 W, 20:09; Gianni Varlotta, 2nd 11 & Under W, 20:21; Michael Braun, 3rd 12-13 M, 20:31; Dan Pollock, 1st 60-64 M, 21:36; Kristen Suvick, 1st 50-54 W, 21:57; Adelle Snider, 2nd 14-16 W, 22:42; Devin Schupp, 20:01; Ben Capozzi, 20:11; Abby Kreber, 20:21; Nicholas Cook, 21:19; Paul Juliano, 21:21; Michael Fitzgerald, 21:26; Keith Gallagher, 21:59; Julian Varlotta, 22:33; Matthew Evans, 22:37; Mitch Radella, 22:43; Cassondra Jackson, 23:10; Siena Varlotta, 23:22; Chris Duffy, 23:57; Christopher Capozzi, 24:05; Patrick Jackson, 24:16; Shelly Shebetich, 24:29; Bill Snider, 24:44; Darien Wissolik, 25:07; David Guo, 25:19; Maten Coulter, 25:26; Larry Laughlin, 25:41; Mindy Bish, 26:10; Keelin Schessler, 26:15; Andrew Bowie, 26:17; Kelly Ramsey, 26:24; Jen Beachem, 26:28; Addie Klocko, 26:51; Aislyn Schessler, 27:26; Dhasarathy Krishnaswamy, 27:29; Justin Cooper, 27:42; Dina Snider, 28:03; Rachel Fricioni, 28:17; Michael Young, 28:19; Teddy Klocko, 28:21; Sharon Barlow, 28:30; Elaine Wissolik, 28:56; Laurie Schessler, 29:08; David Shebetich, 29:40; Heather Venderlic, 29:44; Richard Honsaker, 29:55; Heather Cook, 30:06; Deborah Laughlin, 30:10; Tom Culley, 30:44; Nichole Schauer, 30:59; Kristen Bowie, 31:26; Steve Schupp, 31:42; Hemanth Kapoor, 32:23; Kim Veon, 32:29; Amy Devite, 32:38; Bruce Cover, 32:49; Jason Anderson, 33:16; Gary Golebiewski, 33:55; Sarah Andreassi, 33:56; Rachel Rutkoski, 34:00; Christine Fitzgerald, 34:11; Doug Schumacher, 34:17; Nicole Schumacher, 34:17; Kristy Tonelli, 34:23; Louise Capizzi, 34:23; Douglas Klocko, 34:28; Lucy Balazs, 34:33; Jim Hardt, 34:35; Susan Hardt, 34:35; Ann Cheman, 34:36; Megan Balazs, 34:40; Greg Alexander, 35:06; Haley Alexander, 35:07; Allison Alexander. 35:32; Bobi-Jean Alexander, 35:33; Ayla Alexander, 35:33; Cathy Anderson, 35:42; Terry Melis, 35:45; Valerie Sands, 35:54; Andrea Dreveniak, 36:00; Amy Yurisinec, 36:04; Elizah Collins, 36:05; Avarie Collins, 36:05; Todd Collins, 36:06; Lauren O’Keefe, 36:24; Tricia Gray, 37:02; Chetan Kalbhor, 37:33; Sandy Shutte, 37:48; Carole Klocko, 38:09; Jack Harding, 38:26; Jim Cooper, 39:07; Sarah Smith, 39:13; Chad Krenn, 39:34; Ellie Klocko, 39:34; Domenic Fricioni, 40:22; Erin Nunnery, 40:33; Amy Buchwald, 40:48; Sai Bhargavi Seram, 40:54; Kathy Schupp, 41:06; Ed Barlow, 41:09; Amy Stinelli, 41:16; Velpandi Ayyavoo, 41:59; Christopher Lau, 42:08; Kathryn Porter, 42:55; Reva Kalbhor, 43:06; Christopher Patton, 44:29; Christine Patton, 44:29; Mary Ann Acton, 44:43; Caleb Rauscher, 44:54; Jaclyn Rauscher, 44:55; Glenn Woods, 45:14; Allison Ketterer, 45:17; Elizabeth DeStasio, 45:18; Hailey DeStasio, 45:18; Jeanne Wilbern, 47:44; Annette Coulter, 48:16; Gavin Mangel, 49:18; Dan Mangel, 49:19; Brenda Febert, 49:24; Racquelle Pakutz, 50:14; Susan Huber, 52:26; Debbie Alexander, 52:26; Gerri Poerio, 52:26; Lee Buchele, 53:40; Barbara Miller, 53:51; Jason Fulton, 54:26; Nicole McCune, 54:36; David Loch, 54:39; Mary Seger, 56:30; Karey VandWater, 1:00:01; Amanda Miller, 1:05:20

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

Pat Neubert is a running columnist for the Butler Eagle