The 15th annual event had been scheduled for Oct. 17, but after polling runners, the Board of Directors of Freeport Community Trail Council have reluctantly voted to cancel this year's Buffalo Creek Half Marathon.

The official notification read: “This decision was not easy. We take great pleasure and pride in presenting a quality event that is enjoyed by runners, spectators and our volunteers alike. Due to the uncertainties and restrictions presented by the COVID-19 pandemic, we have found that we cannot reasonably offer the event that our runners, volunteers and organization deserve.”

Council president Chris Ziegler says that there wasn't one deciding factor in the board's decision to cancel this year's event. Rather, it was the weight of evidence against holding the race that influenced the board's decision.

“It was really hard to decide,” Ziegler said. “We went down to the wire on the decision, but couldn't delay any longer. We realized we couldn't do an event with the quality and personal touches that make this event special.”

Any successful running event relies on volunteers. Buffalo Creek Half Marathon prides itself on friendly and helpful volunteer staff at every step in the race from packet pickup and registration, traffic control and aid stations on the course to finish line support. Many of the volunteers are in a vulnerable demographic and the decision was made to not unduly expose them to potential contact with COVID-19.

Participation in previous Buffalo Creek races has reached 950 finishers. This year's event, had it been held, would have been limited to 250 participants at most, due to state mandates. Because holding the event would require nearly the same (or more) support in the form of security, traffic control, timing, refreshments, porta-potties, etc., a smaller race would not be cost effective.

When presented with options of cancelling, holding a race with limited participation or holding a virtual event, runners expressed a preference for cancelling the event completely. Most were not interested in a virtual race. Ziegler speculates that runners have grown tired of virtual races.

“It's just not the same as running with a group and the support of spectators and other runners,” he said.

Buffalo Creek Half Marathon is the Trail Council's major fundraiser for the year. Ziegler says the board has a few ideas in mind to raise additional funds for trail maintenance projects.

Ziegler says that the 94 runners preregistered for this year's Buffalo Creek Half may defer registration to next year's event. The board is discussing other options as well.

Although the biggest trail event of the year has been cancelled, the trail remains open. Ziegler estimates that trail use has doubled during the pandemic. She says it's great to see new faces among the regular local users.

For more information about Butler-Freeport Community Trail, to become a member or to donate, visit www.butlerfreeporttrail.org.

Through Aug. 31: Conquer Everest Elevation Challenge. Virtual event based on total elevation climb. runsignup.com/Race/Info/PA/Anywhere/ConquerEverestChallengerunsignup.com/Race/PA/Rocksylvania/RocksylvaniaVirtualChallengeAug. 10 through Aug. 31 8th Annual Passavant Hospital Foundation 4k/8k Virtual Race. Complete the loop course in person at North Park Pool area on August 14 or virtually anytime. 412-748-6641 or online registration at runsignup.com/Race/PA/Pittsburgh/8thAnnualPassavantHospitalFoundationRunWalkSaturday, 9 a.m.: Curwensville Susquehanna Classic 5k and 10k Race and 5k Walk, Curwensville. 814-236-3455 or sharonike@verizon.netAug. 19, 7 p.m.: Ice Cream Race 5k, Grove City. secure.getmeregistered.com/get_information.php?event_id=134655 724-866-1374 or runhigh.comAug. 22, 8:30 a.m.: Freedom 5k Run/Walk and Fitness Walk, Greensburg. runsignup.com/Race/PA/Greensburg/Freedom5kGBGAug. 22, 9 a.m.: St. Jude Children's Research Hospital 5k RiverRace, Grove City. Run on Greenwood Drive Bike Trail. runsignup.com/Race/PA/GroveCity/StJudeChildrensResearchHospital5kRiverRaceAug. 23, 8:30 a.m.: Hellbender Half Marathon and 5k, Bear Gap. Scenic flat, out-and-back course near Weiser State Forest. Limited to 250 participants, no spectators. runsignup.com/Race/PA/BearGap/Hellbender5kHalfMarathonAug. 23, 8:30 a.m.: Run to Breathe Half Marathon and 5k, Portersville. Starts at McDanel's Boat Launch in Moraine State Park. Also virtual option. 724-841-6528 or bonnherb@yahoo.com. Online registration at runsignup.com/Race/PA/Portersville/RunToBreatheHalfMarathon5KAug. 30, 9:30 a.m.: Elk Run Volunteeer Fire Co. 5k and 10k Run-Walk, Punxsutawney. 814-938-6362Sept. 5, 8:30 a.m.: Daily American 5k/10k Run/Walk, Somerset. 814-444-5906 or beckyf@dailyamerican.comSept. 7, 9 a.m.: Ntense 5k, Grove City. Supports local competitive cheerleaders. 724-421-7036 or kateandgregyeager@gmail.comSept. 12, 8 a.m.: Rockin the Knob Trail Challenge Marathon, Half Marathon and 10k, Claysburg. Challenging trail runs at Blue Knob Four Seasons Resort. http://ultrasignup.com/register.aspx?did=71078Sept. 12, 8 a.m.: Youngstown Ultra Trail Classic 25k and 50k, Youngstown. Run through Mill Creek Metro Park. runsignup.com/Race/OH/Youngstown/YoungstownUltraTrailClassicSept. 12, 9 a.m.: Bags and Blessings 2nd Annual 5k Fun Run/Walk, Bridgewater. Supports those undergoing cancer treatments. runsignup.com/Race/PA/Bridgewater/BagsBlessings

Team Emma Forever 5k, Aug. 1: Matt Lawhead, 1st Overall M, 19:55; Hannah Wagner, 1st Overall W, 19:58; Jesse Noce, 3rd 30-39 M, 22:31; Mitch Radella, 1st 50-59 M, 23:29; Paul Johnson, 1st 70+ M, 31:15; Brian McConahy, 26:55; Ayden Parsons, 28:08; Caroline Gibson, 29:14; Amy Turk, 29:25; Ella Wittman, 30:22; Alison Vitale, 30:57; Mara Medeve, 37:21; Beth Desesare, 47:47; Bobbi Medeve, 54:26; Jason Medeve, 54:28Solar Vortex 5k, Aug. 2: Zachary Lepley, 1st Overall M, 21:29; Stephanie Schofield, 1st Overall W, 25:33; Amanda Hardt, 1st 25-29 W, 25:34; Mitch Radella, 2nd 55-59 M, 26:35; Pat Calmbacher, 2nd 60-64 M, 30:46; Debbie Calmbacher, 1st 60-64 W, 37:33; Ashlyn Brunazzi, 2rd 10 & Under W, 45:56; Kim Kenetz, 2nd 50-54 W, 53:09Solar Vortex 15k, Aug. 2: Carter Lipscomb, 1st Overall M, 52:08; Lenna Birchard, 1st Overall W, 1:05:30; Kristina Buckmaster, 2nd 30-34 W, 1:31:47; Carla Johnson, 2nd 40-44 W, 2:31:45Michael Hardesty Scholarship 5k, Aug. 2: Ethan Barrich, 1st Overall M, 17:49; Grace Mason, 1st Overall W, 19:33; Cody Sturgeon, 1st 15-19 M, 19:50; S. Mark Courtney, 1st 60-69 M, 22:05; Remington Miller, 3rd 30-39 M, 23:54; Debbie Jamison, 3rd 50-59 W, 36:42; Tyler Lightcap, 2nd 20-29 M, 42:11; Lyndsey Mellon, 3rd 20-29 W, 52:01; Tanner Hamilton, 25:40; Drew Gilarno, 28:32; Lisa Jamison, 30:44; Madison Emmert, 33:06; George Bert, 48:15; Ramona Hamilton, 54:30Michael Hardesty Scholarship Kids Half Mile, Aug. 2: Ravenna Harold, 1st Overall W, 3:37; Roman Miller, 1st Overall M, 3:46; Izzy McCullough, 4:13; Mercer Miller, 4:20; Montana McCullough, 5:19Road to Trail 5k, Aug. 8: Patrick Driscoll, 1st Overall M, 17:33; Natalie Mclean, 1st Overall W, 19:25; Meredith Price, 2nd Overall W, 19:44; Jacob Fisher, 3rd 13-17 M, 20:00; Alaina Hicks, 2nd 13-17 W, 20:34; Julie Zalenski, 3rd 13-17 W, 21:10; Mackenzie Shandor, 3rd 18-25 W, 24:11; Chloe Verdin, 1st 12 & Under W, 30:56; Isabella Verdin, 2nd 12 & Under W, 33:07; Joan Petty, 1st 60+ W, 41:21; Nicole Lusk, 22:18; Cami Noll, 24:03; Savannah Blosser, 24:03; Aiden Hicks, 25:28; Kyaujay Springs, 27:55; Carl Hanselman, 28:54; Eli Kite, 29:43; Alexis Blosser, 39:38; Alexa Krznaric, 39:56; Brette Kite, 41:21Run for the Elk Half Marathon, Aug. 9: Adam Shrawder, 1st Overall M, 1:15:17; Sophia Wolmer, 1st Overall W, 1:20:21; Megan Miller, 2nd Overall W, 1:32:00; S. Mark Courtney, 1st Masters M, 1:38:46; Carrie Onuffer, 1st Masters W, 1:38:52; Tom Neff, 1st 50-59 M, 1:41:25; Vanessa Snyder, 1st 29-34 W, 1:44:08; Kathryn Dunn, 3rd 29-34 W, 1:58:06; Jessica Weiman, 2nd 40-44 W, 2:00:56; Jason Smith, 3rd 15-19 M, 2:02:04; Lori Masters, 2nd 50-59 W, 2:04:35; Angela Gerhardt, 2:05:31; Elizabeth Hepler, 2:17:22; Thomas Dell. 2:18:24; Laura Augustine, 2:38:00; Frank Piedimonte, 2:38:24; Sherrie Mazurek, 2:44:06; Matthew Bencer, 2:52:46; Carol English, 2:54:55; Diane Hanchosky, 3:07:57

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