I love fall. If I could, I'd run all day every day from Labor Day to Thanksgiving.

So when friends invited me to run 16 miles around Quemahoning Reservoir near Johnstown last weekend, I couldn't turn it down.

Quemahoning Dam, constructed between 1907 and 1912 to provide water for the steel plants in Johnstown, at the time was the largest water impoundment in the state. Although its waters are now quiet, its origins began in controversy.

People in Johnstown still remembered the devastating Johnstown Flood of 1889 and the waters of Quemahoning submerged the Native American village of Kikenapawling's Old Towne.

As the steel industry in the area declined, Bethlehem Steel Company closed and in 2000 transferred ownership of the 899-acre water impoundment to local Somerset County governments, which jointly manage the property along with direction by PA Fish and Boat Commission.

Currently, the Quemahoning Family Recreation Area includes camping, fishing, water sports and the 16-mile Quemahoning Trail, Phase 1 of mountain bike trail construction by Laurel Highlands Off Road Bike Association.

Although primarily designed for bikes, the trail is open for runners, hikers and, if conditions allow, cross country skiers.

As run day approached, I began to question my fitness level and my sanity in running the unfamiliar loop trail. These were some of the friends I'd accompanied to Utah three years ago for 45 rugged miles in three days of Trailfest. It was a trip of a lifetime, but ended in injury and a two-year comeback.

Still, I'd trained and successfully completed the 25k Cook Forest Challenge in the heat of August. And this would be a fun run in much cooler weather. I planned to run/ hike slow enough to take in the glorious autumn sights, sounds and smells.

Eleven of us plus one dog posed for a socially distanced group photo at the campground trailhead on a cool and foggy Sunday morning, then self-seeded as we bounded through a grassy meadow and into the forest above the lake. We watched three of our speedsters fly nimbly through the trees on soft singletrack while voices of our hikers gradually faded behind.

I fell into an easy pace with Angie, one of the friends who had shared my Utah adventure. We laughed as Kristina alternately towed and was towed by her exuberant Australian shepherd mix through the gently rolling woodland.

The trail is never far away from water, winding through flat pine forest close to the shore, then arching across hillsides of red maple, yellow poplar and, oak and ash. Unlike trails I had run at Cook Forest Challenge with an elevation change of 3,600 feet — including many steep ascents — the Que Trail follows contours of the hills and changes only 1,119 feet in elevation.

After a few miles, we crossed the water on Green Bridge close to the inlet of Quemahoning Creek. We stopped for photos of the glassy lake and the colorful patchwork of tree-covered hills on the other side. A single fishing boat drifted in the foggy distance while a handful of fishermen and women cast lines from the bridge.

It seemed just a short time later we reached the halfway point and the trail that veered toward the parking area. As I said goodbye to Angie and prepared for another eight miles of solitary running, another runner appeared. Jerry, an age 75+ ultramarathoner, offered company for the second half. Like Angie, he and I run close to the same pace and we were happy to share our first Que Trail experience.

Although the loop is billed as a mountain bike trail, we passed only a few bikes along the route. We stopped to chat with one woman on an electric assist bike who had spent her childhood on the family's farm nearby and returns for the solitude of the forest and peacefulness of the lake.

Too soon, we rounded the final turn and descended to the grassy finish. There were no timing clocks, finish lines or medals, just our friends spaced across the parking area cheering our finish with beers and snacks. I joined them in my own celebration of the season and of running just to run.

For more information about Quemahoning Reservoir and Trail, visit https://www.cambriasomersetwater.com/que-recreation/. For more information about running this fall, lace up your shoes and get out there.

Saturday, 9:30 a.m.: Chase Away Hunger 5k, Beaver Falls. Also one mile fun walk. Scenic run/walk through Brush Creek Park benefits Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank. runsignup.com/Race/PA/BeaverFalls/ChaseAwayHunger5kWalkRunSunday, 8 a.m.: Two Face 10k, Wexford. Choice of road, trail or both. Also virtual option. runsignup.com/Race/Events/PA/Wexford/TwoFace10KSunday, 8 a.m.: Kinzua Valley Half Marathon, Westline. Run on crushed limestone trail along Allegheny River. https://runsignup.com/Race/PA/Westline/KinzuaValleyHalfMarathonSunday, 3 p.m.: Great Pumpkin 5k and 1 Mile, Zelienople. Also 1one mile fun run, benefits St. Gregory School PTO and athletic programs. runsignup.com/Race/PA/Zelienople/8thAnnualGreatPumpkinRaceOct. 27, 5:30 p.m.: Jack-O-Lantern Jog, Butler. Halloween themed fun run starts at Kaufman Drive Trailhead on Butler-Freeport Trail. run@butlercountymilers.orgOct. 31, 9 a.m.: Trick or Trot 5k, Murraysville. Run on scenic Westmoreland Heritage Trail. https://runsignup.com/Race/Events/PA/Murrysville/TrickorTrot5kPAOct. 31, 9 a.m.: Haunted Hustle 5k, Lower Burrell. Also free 2k starting at 11 A.M. and virtual option. https://runsignup.com/Race/PA/LowerBurrell/VPFYMCAHauntedHustle5KNov. 1, 7:30 a.m.: Northern Ohio Marathon, Half Marathon and 5-Person Relay, Mentor, OH. Starts at Headlands Beach State Park. Also virtual option. https://runsignup.com/Race/OH/Mentor/NorthernOhioMarathonNov. 1, 9 a.m.: InFirst Veterans' Marathon and Half Marathon, Blairsville. Out and back on Ghost Town Rail Trail. Fast, certified, Boston qualifier. 724-599-5929 or https://veterans-marathon.com/Nov. 1, 1 p.m.: Sweat for Vets Power Climb, Altoona. Choice of 10 or 5k trail runs, 5k trail walk and family activities at Brush Mountain Sportsmen's Association to benefit local veterans. https://s4v.org/challenge/Nov. 7, 9 a.m.: Buffalo Township Veterans' Day Race, Sarver. Choice of 10k or 5k on Butler-Freeport Rail Trail. 724-201-1210 or https://runsignup.com/Race/PA/Sarver/BuffaloTownshipVeteransDayRaceNov. 7, 9:30 a.m.: Dirt Monster 5 Mile Trail Race and 1 Mile Trail Walk, Allison Park. Challenging trail run or walk in North Park to benefit OCD Foundation of Western PA. ocdirections@verizon.net or https://trailrunner.com/event/dirt-monster-trail-race/Nov. 8, 9 a.m.: Operation Troop Appreciation Veterans Day 5k, Allison Park. Scenic 5k through Hampton Community Park. https://runsignup.com/Race/PA/AllisonPark/OPERATIONTROOPAPPRECIATION5KNov. 14, 9 a.m.: First Responders 5k, Cranberry Township. Also virtual option. https://runsignup.com/Race/Events/PA/CranberryTownship/PAFirstResponders5kNov. 16, 9 a.m.: Red Kettle Run for a Reason 5k, Brackenridge. Also Kids Mile Run at 8:30 A.M. Entry includes pancake breakfast. https://runsignup.com/Race/PA/Brackenridge/RedKettleRunForaReason5kNov. 21, 9 a.m.: Duff Park Hill Buster 10k, Murraysville. Starts at Westmoreland Heritage Trail with 3.5 miles of single track hills in Duff Park in the middle. https://runsignup.com/Race/Info/PA/Murrysville/DuffParkHillBusterNov. 28, 9 a.m. Seneca Valley Cross Country Turkey Chase 5k, Cranberry Township. Also 1 Mile Kids Fun Run at 10 A.M. https://runsignup.com/Race/PA/CranberryTwp/svccturkeytrot

Neshannock Pool Association 5k, Sept. 26: Noah Burchett, 1st Overall M, 18:44; Mike Cramer, 3rd Overall M, 19:39; Natalie Lape, 1st Overall W, 20:09; Ian Jackson, 1st 20-29 M, 20:41; Aricka Young, 1st 11-14 W, 21:04; Justin Fleo, 2nd 20-29 M, 21:37; Mitch Radella, 1st 50-59 M, 22:09; Spencer Doutt, 1st 11-14 M, 22:24; Adam Ciambotti, 1st 40-49 M, 22:29; Kristen Lutz, 2nd 30-39 W, 23:52; Shannon Abbott, 1st 40-49 W, 24:07; Jody Styer, 1st 50-59 W, 26:11; Anthony Sunseri, 1st 60+ M, 31:24; Hannah Kwiat, 26:00; Amy Quimby, 28:04; Wendy Hutchison, 31:26; Cara Fair, 35:26Blair YMCA October Distance Days Half Marathon, Oct. 3: Loc O., 1st Overall M, 1:16:24; Rich Love, 3rd Overall M, 1:22:29; Sarah Klawinski, 3rd Overall W, 1:44:21; Scott Malisko, 5th Overall M, 1:27:46; Jayme Rhodes, 1st Overall W, 1:30:29; Donovan Brown, 1:33:50; Shane Reffner, 1:36:30; Jonah Salyards, 1:37:08; Phil Zarone, 1:42:36; Brad Beatty, 1:44:58; Bill Swanik, 2:05:37Just a Short Run 30k, Oct. 3: Dan Berkenpas, 1st Overall M, 1:59:55; Josh Flanhofer, 2nd Overall M, 2:04:02; Christopher Rotelli, 3rd Overall M, 2:10:30; Natalie Eaton, 1st Overall W, 2:21:08; Calum Munro, 1st 45-49 M, 2:26:25; Brian Misiura, 3rd 35-39 M, 2:37:44; Jamie Kemper, 1st 35-39 W, 2:39:20; Amanda Hardt, 1st 25-29 W, 2:41:23; Lori Fromlak, 1st 40-44 W, 2:46:29; Nicole Khoury, 1st 45-49 W, 3:14:06; James Caruso, 2:46:02; Erin Foley, 3:17:39; William Woods, 3:20:20; Andrew Laviviere, 2:29:00Just a Short Run Half Marathon, Oct. 3: Andrew Zentgraf, 1st Overall M, 1:18:32; Dan Monhemius, 3rd Overall M, 1:22:31; Cara Donohue, 1st Overall W, 1:27:45; Caitlin Rushlander, 2nd Overall W, 1:31:10; Amy Brown, 3rd Overall W, 1:34:56; Dave Lovett, 1st Masters M, 1:35:00; Catherine Hrach, 2nd Masters W, 1:47:11; Jessi Drayer, 2nd 30-34 W, 1:45:59; Joe Kulbacki, 3rd 50-54 M, 1:52:02; Heather Kulbacki, 1st 50-54 W, 2:02:16; Suzette Cappola, 3rd 40-44 W, 2:08:05; Maria Branagan, 3rd 50-54 W, 2:27:12; Elizabeth Dickey, 2nd 55-59 W, 2:28:35; Regiane Morgueta, 1:58:56; Ray Reinheimer, 2:01:56; Sarah Harrison, 2:06:37; Steffanie Lariviere, 2:36:51;Just a Short Run 8.1 Mile, Oct. 3: Matthew Haupt, 1st Overall M, 49:00; Dana McGinnis, 1st Overall W, 1:00:28; Luke McDonough, 1st 50-54 M, 1:23:37; Jessica Irwin, 1st 45-49 W, 1:31:28; James Relihan, 3rd 50-54 M, 1:40:00; Joe Mascari, 2nd 55-59 M, 1:51:12; Heather Maynard, 1:31:33Just a Short Run 5k, Oct. 3: Andy Ciganek, 1st Overall M, 17:55; Briana Nuetzel, 1st Overall W, 22:33; Mitch Radella, 3rd Masters M, 22:43; Mark Likoudis, 1st 60-64 M, 23:38; Sara DeJonckheere, 2nd 10-14 W, 28:03; Stephanie White, 1st 50-54 W, 30:48; Christine Black, 1st 45-49 W, 31:58; Lisa DeJonckheere, 2nd 45-49 W, 33:24; Beth Ann Skinner, 2nd 55-59 W, 38:44; Autumn Richards, 2nd 35-39 W, 49:12; Silas Wilson, 3rd 15-19 M, 49:14; Tasha Werner, 38:43Belmar Bridge Half Marathon, Oct. 4: Jeffrey Eide, 1st Overall M, 1:17:32; Morgan Camerlo, 1st Overall W, 1:24:10; Maggie Bauman, 1:33:37; Melissa Conjack, 1:36:07; Lauren Gronbeck, 1:36:14; Michael Brown, 1:36:48; Ryan Irwin, 1:38:21; Christopher Mager, 1:38:33; Hannah Gildersleeve, 1:48:45; Jinny Hertweck, 1:50:07; Lexie Curry, 1:51:36; Jason Bennett, 1:53:16; Dana Nicklas, 1:54:14; Alyssa Lawson, 1:55:11; Traci Hanna, 1:56:10; John Armstrong, 1:57:29; Wendy Wick, 2:00:27; Kate Yeager, 2:00:59; Erin Stonebraker, 2:01:00; Briana Dugan, 2:01:05; Vasilii Surov, 2:02:24; Karyn Senita, 2:05:43; Mary Caton, 2:06:00; Nick Reitz, 2:07:20; Heidi Struble, 2:09:33; Jaime Kreber, 2:11:39; Mark Harmanos, 2:12:53; Amy Farr, 2:16:53; Derek Hicks, 2:17:16; Scott Westcott, 2:24:31; Erica Campbell, 2:42:18; Pamela Beck, 3:06:05; Brad Schaffer, 3:30:25Send comments and suggestions: Patricia Neubert. Phone 724-352-4395. Email lotzak@consolidated.net<i>Pat Neubert is a running columnist for the Butler Eagle</i>