As I write this, yellow maple leaves trickle down through sunlight and long shadows outside my office window. I can't wait to get out and kick through those leaves on an afternoon trail run.

Fall is my favorite season to run and one of my favorite fall events is the Buffalo Creek Half Marathon held on the third Saturday of October each year. This year's 14th annual run will be held at 9 a.m. Oct. 19.

Running the Buffalo Creek Half is a great way to enjoy the best of autumn in western Pa. with a bonus of potentially setting a personal record. The race starts at Cabot Methodist Church in Cabot and runs mostly downhill on the Butler-Freeport Community Trail to Freeport. Runners are shuttled back to the starting area after the event.

The race has come a long way from its origins as a means to showcase the scenic trail. In 2006, 184 finished the race which was held on a similar course. Last year, 753 runners earned a finisher's medal and gender-specific technical shirts featuring a unique logo. Race director Chris Ziegler wouldn't reveal the design for this year.

“I like to keep it a secret for as long as I can,” she laughed.

Buffalo Creek Half Marathon rewards participation and competition. The event offers a $100 cash prize to anyone setting a course record. Current records were set in 2013 by Nick Edinger with a time of 1:08:12 and Sara Raschiatore with a 1:16:58 finish. Top three overall and masters male and female finishers earn medals while age group awards include top three male and female finishers in ages from 19 and Under through 70+. All participants must finish in 3:30:00.

Weather in the middle of October can be unpredictable. Runners may check a bag with post-race clothes for the finish line. There will be water stations at miles 2,5,7,9 and 12 with Gatorade, Gu and first aid at miles 5, 7 and 9. And finishers can refuel post-race with hot pizza, cider, fig bars and more.

More than 100 volunteers make this event enjoyable and safe. Many have been with the event since its inception. That includes Boy Scout Troops 482 of Connoquenessing and 19 from Meridian who serve at aid stations. Both of Chris Ziegler's sons, Scott and AJ, earned Eagle Scout status through Troop 19.

Chris welcomes any additional help. If you are interested in volunteering for the event or for other projects on the trail, email butlerfreeporttrail@yahoo.com

To ensure a quality event, race participation is limited to 1,250. Mail-in registrations will be accepted through Oct. 12. Runners may register in person at packet pick-up at Up-N-Running Store's new location, 1177 Pittsburgh Rd., Valencia on Oct. 17, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.. and Friday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Online registration at runsignup.com/Race/PA/Cabot/BuffaloCreekHalfMarathon closes at 7 p.m. Oct. 18 if not sold out.

There is no day-of-event registration, but registered runners may pick up their packets on race day at the Cabot Methodist Church starting area. The building will also be open in case of inclement weather. Runners are urged to bring non-perishable food items or cash donation for Cabot Methodist's community food bank.

Buffalo Creek Half Marathon is a major fundraiser for Butler-Freeport Community Trail Council which maintains the 21-mile trail from Butler to Freeport. Funds are used for maintenance, construction and promotion of the popular recreational trail.

This year's Biblical deluges of rain have been particularly hard on the trail. Although a few areas on the lower trail are still in need of repair, they should be runnable on race day. Proceeds from this year's half marathon will help with drainage in those sections.

Saturday, 9 a.m.: Mahoning Shadow Shuffle Half Marathon and 5k, Punxsutawney. 814-938-7700 or sscdfin@comcast.netSunday, 8 a.m.: Ohiopyle Falls and Trails Trilogy, Ohiopyle. Choice of 10k, ½ or full marathon on single track, rugged trails. www.mtwatershed.com/ohiopyle_falls_trails_trilogy/Sunday, 8 a.m.: Pittsburgh Penguins 6.6k Run and 3.3k Family Walk, Pittsburgh. www.mariolemieux.org/pittsburgh-penguins-6-6k-run-family-walk/Sunday, 3 p.m.: Buffalo Creek 5k, Worthington. Also kids race following the 5k. 724-543-1120 or mruffaner@mechlingheller.comOct.19, 9 a.m.: 14th Annual Buffalo Creek Half Marathon, Cabot. Downhill, point-to-point course on Butler-Freeport Rail Trail. runsignup.com/Race/Events/PA/Cabot/BuffaloCreekHalfMarathonOct.20, 9 a.m.: Distinguished Young Women of Pennsylvania 5k and 1 Mile, Butler. Starts at Alameda Park's Carousel Pavilion. pennsylvania@distinguishedw.orgOct. 26, 9 a.m.: Habitat for Humanity of Indiana County 5k and 10k, Dilltown. Run on Ghost Town Trail. 724-388-1124 or r.a.perky47@gmail.comOct. 26, 9:30 a.m.: 7th Annual Heart and Sole 5k and 5k Run/5 Mile Bike Duathlon, Ford City. 724-763-3974 or fcrccares@gmail.comOct. 27, 2 p.m.: Heavenly Gaits Trick or Treat Trot, Knox. 814-203-9691 or hgtrickortreattrot@gmail.comOct. 27, 3 p.m.: 10th Annual Great Pumpkin 5k and 1 Mile, Zelienople. Mark7669@zoominternet.netNov. 2, 9 a.m.: Running of the Lions 5k, New Castle. Also pancake breakfast. Clarks142@comcast.netNov. 2, 9:30 a.m.: Dirt Monster 5 Mile Trail Race and 1 Mile Trail Walk, North Park. Challenging trail race starts at Grant Pavilion.Nov. 2, 10 a.m.: 38th Annual Butler YMCA Turkey Trot, Butler. 724-287-4733, ext. 115 or colsen@bcfymca.orgNov. 3, 9 a.m.: Indiana First Bank Veteran's Marathon, Half Marathon and Marathon Relay, Black Lick. 724-599-5929 or veteransmarathon@outlook.orgNov. 9, 9 a.m.: Sharpsville Community Food Pantry 5k, Sharpsville. Hilly terrain. Sandra04@outlook.comNovember 9, 9 A.M.: Buffalo Township Veteran's Day Race, Sarver. Out and back 5k or 10k on Butler-Freeport Trail. 724-201-1210 or buffalowpparksandrecreation@gmail.comNov. 10, 9 a.m.: Operation Troop Appreciation Veteran's Day 5k Race. Hampton Township. Rolling course through Hampton Community Park. Gerardmac977@aol.comNov. 16, 9 a.m.: Fight for Life 5k Run/Walk, Apollo. 724-568-2517 or dzukas@cancer.org

Pittsburgh Great Race 10k, Septe. 30 (finishers under 1:02:00): Alex Archer, 1st Overall M, 30:50; Jennifer Bigham, 1st Overall W, 34:03; Daniel Spaulding, 7th Overall M, 32:39; Owen Schessler, 3rd 14-16 M, 36:55; Sonnet Robertson, 3rd 17-19 W, 45:48; Dianne Zalenski, 1st 45-49 W, 45:49; Micci Hutterer, 2nd 60-64 W, 47:29; Tom Smith, 37:08; Mark Hunkele, 37:14; Luke Klutschowski, 38:43; Matthew Sudak, 39:12; Erika Suhy, 39:27; Anthony Miller, 39:53; Olivia Murphy, 40:29; Sarah McGowan, 41:09; Evan Miller, 41:31; Jessi Drayer, 41:32; Brian McGowan, 41:36; Bob Pudlo, 41:36; Ryan Colombo, 41:37; S.Mark Courtney, 41:45; Josh Edmiston, 42:07; Gary Hayden, 42:17; Jeff Nelson, 43:19; Todd Roberts, 43:22; Brian Kile, 43:37; Colleen Abel, 43:43; Danial Dickey, 44:19; Edward Johnson, 44:21; Callie Burstein, 44:22; Ashley Beam, 44:22; Gerald Kosar, 44:41; Karen Lyle, 44:43; Caleb Munro, 44:56; Eric L. Domitrovic, 45:28; Donald Donatelli, 45:33; William Schmidt, 45:50; Emily Schumacher, 46:07; Bill Schessler, 47:13; Adam Ranalli, 47:19; Terence Ake, 47:25; Rob Paganelli, 47:27; Tim Wilson, 47:29; Katie Squire, 47:41; Chris Johnson, 47:54; Jeremy Jarrell, 48:00; Alana Jensen, 48:10; John Alexander, 48:13; Erica Trimble, 48:15; Katie Arvay, 48:17; Christine Edmiston, 48:28; Orryn Sledge, 48:38; Brian Meyers, 48:38; Kristen Beck, 48:41; Michael Zucatti, 48:50; John Crum, 49:23; Paul Gentile, 49:29; Carolynn Abbott, 49:38; Michael Duckworth, 49:40; Dan McCauley, 50:02; Amy Beth, 50:05; Jenna Rogerson, 50:07; Kelly Rieger, 50:08; Holly Palmer, 50:16; Duane Flowers, 50:18; Valerie Andreassi, 50:18; Christopher Gavin, 50:31; Liz Wildes, 50:42; Noah Mourer, 50:52; Mackenzie Fagen, 50:53; Alexandra Perry, 50:55; Ashley Rodgers, 50:59; Terrilyn Tomaszewski, 51:13; Glenn Battle, 51:24; Mike Tibolet, 51:24; Janet McIntire, 51:27; Heidi Weigand, 51:34; Corinne Petrus, 51:38; Val Mcgee, 51:44; Christopher Flynn, 51:48; John Gust, 51:49; Dustin Kalkbrenner, 51:49; Michael FitzGerald, 51:52; Coleen Whalen, 51:53; Roger Lutz, 51:54; Michael Zucatti, 51:59; Marilyn LaRocca, 51:59; Hannah Hugo, 52:00; Scott Golla, 52:10; Bob Monfredi, 52:19; Lori Griffith, 52:29; Christin Jamery, 52:50; Rick Rickman, 52:51; William Woods, 52:58; Allison Miller, 53:34; Alan Dum, 53:35; Deborah Fugate, 53:37; David Fugate, 53:37; Thomas Lynch, 53:39; Caroline Hufnagle, 53:41; Leah Rapp, 53:42; Ryan Miller, 53:49; Kathy Hensler, 53:50; Jim Ellis, 54:03; Brandon Chute, 54:09; Todd Pindroh, 54:13; Brenda Burry, 54:15; Zachary Cromie, 54:24; Stephanie Bestwick, 54:31; Stephen Manukas, 54:35; Amy Rickman, 54:35; Lawrence Schultz, 54:41; Mary Beth Keally, 54:45; Joseph Badaczewski, 54:48; Christopher Andreassi, 54:49; Steve Smith, 54:52; Gerald Boyle, 54:55; Steve Mroch, 55:04; Ted McCaskey, 55:16; Kevin Gallagher, 55:16; Nancy McCaskey, 55:16; Mark Stanek, 55:18; Tina Grimm, 55:21; John Scungio, 55:26; Ian Schauer, 55:37; Kathleen Filiaggi, 55:41; Ethan Myers, 55:58; Jonathan Krystek, 56:03; Adam Ohayon, 56:05; Megan Kosar, 56:15; Abby Annes, 56:15; James DeMore, 56:15; Pam Johnson, 56:18; Amanda Ruane, 56:24; Rhonda Ryman, 56:26; TJ Christensen, 56:27; Jeanne-Marie Walker, 56:37; Chad Slaughenhoupt, 56:46; Tom Kolano, 56:55; Matthew Mourer, 57:07; Edward Szczypiorski, 57:17; Leigha Pindroh, 57:18; Shelley Smith, 57:18; Dani Gumtp, 57:31; Jim Caruso, 57:31; Timothy Hutchison, 57:43; Marissa Casciato, 57:44; Jeff Hans, 57:58; Ben Mulig, 58:07; Bruce Barnes, 58:13; Sean Hutchins, 58:19; Shana Hutchins, 58:19; Chris Zawada, 58:20; Joseph Shimko, 58:33; Stephen Haberman, 58:41; Chrissy Wright, 58:43; Audra Foster, 58:58; Gary Boyd, 59:03; Kali Williams, 59:13; Samual Nunnery, 59:19; Karen Nigra, 59:34; Nicole Winkler, 59:36; Max Ripepi, 59:41; Christian Londino, 59:43; Dane Winkler, 59:48; Matthew Tomaszewski, 59:48; Jenna Kolano, 59:50; Rebecca Kolano, 59:51; Maria Caponi, 59:51; Janet Pudlo, 59:51; Hailey Metzger, 1:00:03; Erin Kohlmeyer, 1:00:06; Kirk Mitchell, 1:00:06; Kiana Laurin Tralongo, 1:00:31; Manal Jordan, 1:00:34; Jeff Deshay, 1:00:54; Joe Londino, 1:01:07; Matthew Nocera, 1:01:07; Meredith Welle, 1:01:15; Lindsay McKissick, 1:01:17; Natalie Berkebile, 1:01:18; Catherine Drennen, 1:01:18; Jodi Porterfield, 1:01:54; Madison Merhaut, 1:01:54; Laura Fields, 1:01:55; Nicholas Soloski, 1:01:58Send comments and suggestions: Patricia Neubert. Phone 724-352-4395. Email lotzak@consolidated.netPat Neubert is a running columnist for the Butler Eagle