More than 550 runners ran through the raindrops at last Saturday's Buffalo Creek Half Marathon.

For many, it was an emotional and physical challenge as we mourned and celebrated good friends and good times past on this annual fall foliage tour.

But not everyone can or wants to run 13.1 miles. This Sunday, Preston Park 5k offers a more accessible distance and a look at one of Butler's hidden gems.

Preston Park is the former home of Dr. Frank and Mrs. Jane Preston. The 88-acre grounds were home to Preston Laboratories, a glass research facility and predecessor to AGR International, now listed in the National Register of Historic Places.

The design of the property's landscaping reflects the Prestons' lifelong interest in environment and aesthetics.

Upon Jane Preston's death and bequest in 2008, Butler Township took ownership of the Eberhart Road property. In 2011, after much work by the township and volunteers, Preston Park opened to the public. It's open daily from dawn to dusk with walking and running trails including a dog trail, a catch-and-release fishing lake and an arboretum.

Anthony Stagno, Executive Director of Friends of Preston Park Foundation, began volunteering in 2010 after retirement as a teacher. He currently uses his teaching skills on guided tours of the park and is race director for the Preston Park 5k.

Anthony credits Lynn Patterson with the idea for the 5k. Her son, a cross country runner, had enjoyed running the scenic trails through the park. Anthony enlisted the help of Herb Cratty of Miles of Smiles Timing to bring the idea to life.

Cratty and Stagno laid out a 2-loop 5k course entirely on park grounds showcasing Preston Park's scenery. The course starts at the Arboretum, runs through a wide piney trail, along a gravel road, through a woodland and prairie and past the pond. It's not a level course, but as Anthony says, “It's Western Pennsylvania.”

Although the 5k is a trail run, it should be accessible for runners and walkers of all abilities. Most of the trails are wide and the park's Monday Morning Maintenance volunteer group has spray painted any tripping hazards on the wooded portion of trail. There are directional arrows and signage as well as volunteers helping runners stay on course.

Preston Park 5k welcomes runners, walkers and friendly dogs on leashes. Competitive runners will vie for $25 gift certificates awarded to first place male and female finishers. The top three age group finishers from 14 and under through 70+ earn wooden medals.

There will be water, bananas, breakfast bars and chocolates for runners and walkers after the race and all participants and spectators are eligible to win random drawing prizes. Cider and donuts will be available for purchase to benefit Butler High School student organizations. In keeping with the season, the first 100 participants and friends dressed in Halloween masks will receive a treat.

Race organizers hope for at least 100 participants for this first year and are already considering improvements for next year. That includes possibly holding a 5k and 10k since Preston Park is adjacent to Butler Township Park and its trails.

Preston Park 5k proceeds will further the Friends of Preston Park's mission to “preserve, protect and enhance Preston Park.” Future projects include purchase of equipment for events such as Movies in the Park, improving parking lot lighting, periodic dredging of the park's pond and construction of a visitors' center.

It's not too late to register for Sunday's Preston Park 5k. Check out photos of the trails and scenery on Preston Park's Facebook page. Sign up online until 7 p.m. on Saturday at runsignup.com/Race/PA/Butler/PrestonParkPrance5k. Day of event registration opens at 8 a.m. at the park's arboretum and start area.

Saturday, 9 a.m.: South Ridge Trail Challenge 5k, 10k or 20k, Allison Park. Run on North Park trails. runsignup.com/Race/PA/AllisonPark/SouthRidgeTrailChallengeSunday, 9 a.m: Preston Park 5k, Butler. Run through Preston Park. Special treat to the first 100 participants with a Halloween mask. runsignup.com/Race/PA/Butler/restonParkPrance5k?rsus=100-200-57664f22-389b-49cf-a2f7-57b38f97c9a3Saturday, Noon: Johnstown Beer Mile, Johnstown. Run at Stadium Pub and Grille. runsignup.com/Race/Events/PA/Johnstown/JohnstownBeerMileSunday, 3 p.m.: Great Pumpkin 5k and 1 Mile Fun Run, Zelienople. runsignup.com/Race/PA/Zelienople/8thAnnualGreatPumpkinRaceOct. 30, 9 a.m.: Freeport Girls Basketball 2nd Halloween Hustle 5k, Freeport. Out and back run starts at Monroe Road on Butler-Freeport Rail Trail. runsignup.com/Race/PA/Sarver/FreeportGirlsBasketballHowlOWeenHustleOct. 30, 10 a.m.: Run for Rick 5k, Spartansburg. Run/walk in memory of Rick Jewell. 814-882-8261 or kyleguyjewell@gmail.comOct. 31, 9 a.m.: Highland Fall Scramble, Cooksburg. Rugged 12-mile trail run along Clarion River begins at Kalyumet Mini Golf parking lot. ultrasignup.com/register.aspx?did=61777Nov. 6, 9 a.m.: Buffalo Township Veteran's Day Race, Sarver. Flat and fast 10k or 5k on Butler-Freeport Community Trail starting at Monroe Road. 724-295-4676 or www.facebook.com/BuffaloTwpVeteransDayEventNov. 6, 10 a.m.: Butler YMCA Turkey Trot 5k and 1 Mile Kids Race, Butler. Kids mile starts at 9:45 A.M. 724-287-4733 or butler.bcfymca.org/Turkey-TrotNov. 7, 7:30 a.m.: EQT 10 Miler, Pittsburgh. Starts on Pittsburgh's Southside. raceroster.com/events/2021/49129/eqt-pittsburgh-10-miler-2021Nov. 7, 9 a.m.: Dirt Monster 5 Mile Trail Race, Allison Park. Challenging run on North Park trails starting at Grant Pavilion benefits Obsessive Compulsive Foundation of Western PA. Wave starts every 15 minutes beginning at 9 A.M. trailrunner.com/event/dirt-monster-trail-race/Nov. 7, 9 a.m., InFirst Veteran's Marathon and ½ Marathon, Blairsville. Out and back on Ghost Town Rail Trail. 724-599-5929 or register online at runsignup.com/Race/PA/Blairsville/IndianaFirstBankVeteransMarathonHalfMarathonandMarathonRelayNov. 7, 9 a.m.: Operation Troop Appreciation Veteran's Day 5k Race, Allison Park. Slightly rolling course through Hampton Community Park. runsignup.com/Race/PA/AllisonPark/OPERATIONTROOPAPPRECIATION5KNov. 14, 8 a.m.: The ReWarding 5k, Allison Park. Run starting at North Park Boathouse celebrates the life of Adam F. Ward. Participants earn commemorative hoodie and finisher's mug. runsignup.com/Race/PA/AllisonPark/TheReWarding5k?aflt_token=HrZcYWJT57TH3GH4vWg7QL584fEmdOnK&r=YNov. 20, 5 p.m.: Light Up Kittanning 5k and 1 Mile Glow Walk, Kittanning. Part of Kittanning's Light Up Night. Headlamps encouraged but not necessary. runsignup.com/Race/PA/Kittanning/LightUpKittanning5k?aflt_token=HrZcYWJT57TH3GH4vWg7QL584fEmdOnKNov. 25, 8 a.m: YMCA Turkey Trot, Pittsburgh. Choice of 1 mile, 5k or 5 mile distance. p3r.org/races/ymca-turkey-trotNov.25, 9 a.m.: Seneca Valley Turkey Chase 5k, Cranberry Township. Run through Graham Park. Also virtual option. runsignup.com/Race/PA/CranberryTwp/svccturkeytrot

Hampton Rotary Firecracker 5k, Sept. 4: Jason Smith, 1st Overall M, 19:11; John Rheaume, 2nd Overall M, 19:12; Elizabeth Reed-Perry, 1st Overall W, 20:08; Holly Muchenski, 2nd Overall W, 23:00; Janell Baden, 3rd Overall W, 23:54; Joe Church, 1st 25-39 M, 21:07; Tanner Ohodnicki, 1st 11-15 M, 21:19; Chad Hodgson, 1st 40-59 M, 21:25; Jeremy Pott, 2nd 40-59 M, 23:08; Mark Gallot, 2nd 60+ M, 24:01; Dillon Perry, 1st 11-15 W, 24:38; Erin Hart, 1st 40-59 W, 25:14; Christina Lieb, 1st 25-39 W, 25:57; Quinn Perry, 1st 10 & Under W, 26:49; Aaron Pickering, 3rd 25-39 M, 28:01; Mary Pickering, 3rd 25-39 W, 28:02; Dillon Fogle, 2nd 11-15 M, 28:58; Jaime Knauff, 3rd 40-59 W, 29:14; Lucas Pott, 1st 10 & Under M, 30:38; Ella Borkowski, 2nd 10 & Under W, 33:20; Reed Perry, 3rd 11-15 W, 48:44; Robert Mowery, 25:09; Greg Wolfe, 25:17; Jason Perry, 27:36; Kathleen Baraniak, 28:24; Leah Ohodnicki, 29:01; Bill Matthews, 30:12; Shawn Wright, 33:29; Nicholas Radomski, 34:28; Annabelle Radomski, 36:26; Kelly Radomski, 36:34; Tatum Hodgson, 39:41; Otto Hodgson, 39:44; Lauire Rizzo, 44:42Buhl Day 5k, Sept. 6: Ty Reeher, 1st Overall M, 16:24; Dino Montagna, 3rd Overall M, 16:38; Stella Balsi, 1st Overall W, 19:55; Rylan Piccirilli, 1st 10-14 M, 21:49; Corinne Savena, 1st 20-24 W, 24:04; Jason Young, 3rd 45-49 M, 26:41; Tammy Young, 3rd 45-49 W, 26:55; Charles Gilchrist, 1st 70+ M, 28:19; Anthony Sunseri, 2nd 70+ M, 30:30; Amanda Perrico, 3rd 20-24 W, 35:51; Meredith Reiter, 27:09; Ava Gassner, 27:47; John Macris, 28:03; Leah Vulch, 28:37; David Valenza, 29:17; Rachel Gassner, 35:10; Emily Taylor, 35:51; Aleah Young, 36:04; Nicole Bronson, 39:41; Arthur Sperring, 41:49Patti J Nelson Memorial 5k, Sept. 11: Riley Mcgee, 1st Overall M, 20:38; Alexander Roccia, 2nd Overall M, 22:25; Jeff Smith, 3rd Overall M, 22:43; Val Mcgee, 1st Overall W, 26:04; Mitch Radella, 1st 50-59 M, 26:29; Casey Whitfield, 1st 30-39 M, 26:52; Craig Huba, 3rd 30-39 M, 27:52; Chuck Flach, 2nd 40-49 M, 29:45; Diana Pettijohn, 1st 50-59 W, 30:03; Maegan Johnson, 2nd 40-49 W, 30:57; Chris Kelley, 3rd 40-49 M, 31:54; Rachel Pfennigwerth, 1st 30-39 W, 32:08; Julia Lingenfelter, 1st 15-19 W, 32:56; Lindsay Kelley, 3rd 40-49 W, 34:02; Sherrie Mazurek, 1st 60-69 W, 35:07; Kimberly Matz, 2nd 60-69 W, 35:19; Laura Augustine, 3rd 50-59 W, 36:28; Debra Kuminkoski, 3rd 60-69 W, 43:05; Heather Jones, 1st 20-29 W, 49:27; Ro Huyler, 2nd 30-39 W, 53:50; Kelley Perry, 3rd 30-39 W, 1:00:23; Nicholas Romeo, 28:18; Kory Jones, 30:13; Sara Flach, 34:42; Troy Stiffler, 35:46; Matt Buchwald, 43:22; Amanda Wolf-Johnston, 44:11; Noah Wolf-Johnston, 44:15; Amy Buchwald, 44:26; Whitney Jones, 49:26; Erik Jones, 49:32; Sue Ann Jones, 50:23; Francis Stein, 51:10; Kirt Jones, 53:52; Holly Lingenfelter, 55:38; Jennifer Vicheck, 55:38; Heidi Beahm, 55:40; Tom Webster, 57:06; Danielle Webster, 57:14; Madalyn Koep, 59:19; Tammy Nulph, 1:00:21; Jim Clarke, 1:00:28; Karen Stein, 1:02:35; Brad Rubinosky, 1:02:51; Amy Rubinosky, 1:02:53; Samantha Lessyk, 1:03:34Patti J Nelson Memorial 1 Mile, Sept. 11: Brexin Mcconnell, 1st Overall M, 15:40; Jill Pedersen, 1st Overall W, 15:40; Conor Thuba, 2nd 12 & Under M, 18:34; Caitlin Kelley, 1st 12 & Under W, 18:36; Ben Sammon, 3rd 12 & Under M, 18:44; Brooke Bachman, 2nd 12 & Under W, 19:15; Alexa Sammon, 3rd 12 & Under W, 19:16; Charlie Flach, 1st 13+ M, 21:52; Jamie Logan, 2nd 13+ W, 21:42; Jeffrey Logan, 2nd 13+ M, 21:45; Carol Gallagher, 3rd 13+ W, 21:52; Dennis Hasenflu, 3rd 13+ M, 23:43; Charlie Pedersen, 18:48; Finnegan Kelley, 19:19; Nadia Buchwald, 21:48; Felicity Scott, 24:33; Marcia Schoeffel, 24:34; Chloe Shmid, 25:00; Rick Stair, 25:02; Casey King, 25:04; Rebecca Gannon, 34:59; Courtney Carothers, 57:23Beast on the Bay, Sept. 11: Andy Hellman, 1st Overall M, 1:22:53; Maia Austin, 1st Overall W, 1:41:55; Leslie Kramer, 3rd Overall W, 2:09:49; Steve Vogt, 2nd 50-59 M, 1:56:25; Matthew Rhenish, 1:58:13; Quintin Held, 2:57:26; Christopher Gabriel, 3:06:59; Caleb Rauscher, 3:08:45Send comments and suggestions: Patricia Neubert. Phone 724-352-4395. Email lotzak@consolidated.netPat Neubert is a running columnist for the Butler Eagle