I love half marathons. The pace is slow enough that you can actually breathe and the training doesn't require a full-time commitment. It's challenging, but not grueling.

Evidently, a lot of other runners love the half, too, as the 13.1-mile distance has been the fastest growing race distance.

The half marathon also can be a good training tool, as runners use it as a tuneup or time trial for upcoming marathons.

For these reasons, spring and fall are popular for running the half marathon. During the next two weekends, runners can choose one of three fine half marathons for training or as a stand-alone race.

• The Chamber Classic Half Marathon and 5K, at 8 a.m. Saturday, uses a course familiar to most Western Pennsylvania runners. Both distances begin at North Park's Boathouse and loop around the ice rink. The half marathon then circles North Park Lake twice.

Preregistered runners for the Chamber Classic, a benefit for The Advisory Board on Autism and Related Disorders, can pick up their T-shirts at the North Allegheny Chamber of Commerce office in Wexford Friday. Runners are welcome to sign up on Saturday beginning at 7 a.m. Everyone is urged to park at the Rose Barn lot across the street from the Boathouse start area on Saturday.

For information, call 724-934-9700 or visit www.signmeup.com

• If you're bored by the North Park loops, take a drive to Punxsutawney Saturday for a change in scenery. The Mahoning Shadow Shuffle, which starts at 9 a.m., showcases the autumn beauty of the Mahoning Shadow Rail Trail.

Now in its fourth year, the event offers plenty of choices. In addition to the half marathon, runners can choose a 10K or 5K fun run.

Day-of-event registration begins at 7:30 for the 9 a.m. start. Call the Punxsutawney Chamber of Commerce at 814-938-7700, e-mail ataladay@earthlink.net or visit www.punxsutawney.com. The Website also has lodging suggestions.

• One of my favorite races runs through the area Oct. 17. The Buffalo Creek Half Marathon, also in its fourth year, offers the scenic beauty of the Butler-Freeport Community Trail and a chance at a fast finishing time, courtesy of the mostly gentle downhill course.

The half marathon runs point-to-point from the Winfield Township Building above Cabot to Freeport, ending in front of the gazebo along the Allegheny River. In Freeport, runners will be greeted with music, food and drinks.

Shuttle service is provided to the start and back from the finish. Participants must park at the staging area at Lernerville Speedway to avoid congestion on the rural roads.

If you haven't signed up yet, online registration for Buffalo Creek Half Marathon is available through www.active.com. If the event, which is limited to 500 entrants, isn't sold out, day-of-event registration opens at 7 a.m. at the Lernerville Speedway staging area.

Saturday, 8 a.m.: Up-N-Running Group Run, Valencia. 724-898-2525 or shoes@runpa.comWednesday, 6 p.m.: Fun run at Adams Community Park meets weekly for consecutive loops in park. 724-352-4395 or lotzak@consolidated.netSaturday, 8 a.m.: Chamber Classic Half Marathon and 5k, North Park. 724-934-9700 or www.signmeup.comSaturday, 9 a.m.: Race for Pace 5K, Penn Hills. Also Paws for Pace 1-mile dog walk. 412-244-1900 or www.paceschool.orgSunday, 9 a.m.: Good Samaritan Hospice Memorial 5K Run-Walk, North Park. Bring your dog for $5. 888-352-1571, Ext. 8363 or www.goodsamaritanhospice.orgSunday, 9 a.m.: Pizza Joe's 5K, New Castle. Also kids run at 8:40. jessicat@pizzajoes.comOct. 17, 9 a.m.: Peters Township Chamber Chase 5K Run-Walk. 724-941-6345 or info@peterstownshipchamber.com. Register online at www.active.comOct. 17, 9:30 a.m.: Steve Jerman Memorial 5K Run and 2-Mile Fun Walk, Kane. 814-837-7360 or chuckandpeg@verizon.netOct. 24, 8:30 a.m.: Harvest Moon 10-Mile-5K, Moon Township. 412-490-0881 or www.eliterunners.comOct. 17, 3 p.m.: MS Monster Stomp 5K Race, Walk and Goblin Trot, New Castle. Also Monster Bash costume party. 724-658-8583 or www.monsterstomp.comOct. 25, 9 a.m.: Quality Life Cup Series 5K, Emlenton. Final race in series with cash prizes. 724-431-0770, Ext. 2104 or www.qualityLifeServies.comOct. 31, 10:15 a.m.: Ghostly Gray Cross Country Race, Butler. Choice of 5K or 10K run on trails at Camp Lutherlyn. 724-284-8100, Ext. 250 or www.troopcampcadet.orgNov. 1, noon: Gold Medal Camp Alumni Race, Pittsburgh. Choice of 2K, 4K or 6K on Frick Park trails. 724-464-2222Nov. 7, 9:30 a.m.: Dirt Monster 5-Mile Trail Race and 1-Mile Walk, North Park. Challenging trail run benefits Obsessive Compulsive Foundation of Western Pennsylvania. 412-363-6231 or ocdirections@verizon.netNov. 7, 10 a.m.: Butler County Family YMCA Turkey Trot 5K, Butler. Almost level, scenic run from YMCA through Memorial Park. 724-287-1733 or jknauff@bcfymca.orgNov. 7, 10 a.m.: Pitcairn and Monroeville Lions Run for Sight 5K, Pitcairn. 412-856-9111 or jaiken2@juno.com

<B>Saxonburg Festival of the Arts 5K, Sept. 12:</B> Owen Venesky, 1st Overall M, 16:12; Cory Steinhagen, 2nd Overall M, 16:26; Dillon Schwartz, 3rd Overall M, 16:43; Shannon Evanchec, 1st Overall W, 19:39; Emily Hertweck, 2nd Overall W, 20:21; Holly Bauer, 3rd Overall W, 21:08; Dominic Wyzomirski, 1st Masters M, 17:00; Rich Makin, 2nd Masters M, 17:49; Chuck Sarver, 3rd Masters M, 19:46; Mary Jo Sanks, 1st Masters W, 22:08; Patricia Neubert, 2nd Masters W, 22:18; Correne Jones, 3rd Masters W, 23:19; K.J. McCrea, 1st 15-19 M, 16:52; Van McCarren, 2nd 15-19 M, 17:13; Jeryl Wilborn, 1st 25-29 M, 17:25; Anthony Smaldino, 1st 10-14 M, 17:53; Ben Kingan, 2nd 10-14 M, 19:31John Ciafre, 1st 55-59 M, 19:59; Larry Lutz, 1st 50-54 M, 20:06; Ken Zellars, 1st 60-64 M, 20:16; Steve Russell, 2nd 50-54 M, 20:40; Bruce Barnes, 3rd 50-54 M, 20:46; Paul McCartney, 2nd 25-29 M, 20:57; Thomas Steinhagen, 1st 20-24 M, 21:16; Katelyn Jones, 1st 10-14 W, 21:31; Butch Rittelmann, 1st 45-49 M, 21:40; Jim Clark, 2nd 35-39 M, 21:53; Aaron Depew, 3rd 35-39 M, 21:59; Ryan Urik, 2nd 30-34 M, 22:06; Regina Robb, 1st 15-19 W, 22:08; Jerry Kemmar, 1st 65-69 M, 2:14; Tim Vantine, 1st 40-44 M, 22:16; Luke Brewer, 3rd 10-14 M, 22:23; Justin Tackett, 2nd 20-24 M, 22:54; Bruce Soule, 2nd 40-44 M, 22:56; Val Przedecki, 2nd 60-64 M, 22:59; Siman Sudano, 1st 9 and under M, 23:03; Tess Haverstick, 2nd 15-19 W, 23:09; Michael Bartos, 3rd 40-44 M, 23:09; Jinny Hertweck, 1st 35-39 W, 23:11; Amanda Crocker, 1st 25-29 W, 23:13; Nicole Binnie, 3rd 15-19 W, 23:23; Kara Hoerth, 2nd 25-29 W, 23:32; Stacy McGowan, 2nd 35-39 W, 23:35; Constance Knoch, 2nd 10-14 W, 24:16; Marilyn LaRocca, 1st 45-49 W, 24:20; Rachel Davis, 3rd 10-14 W, 24:36Troy Lindsey, 2nd 45-439 M, 24:48; Micci Hutterer, 1st 50-54 W, 24:49; Julia Murray, 1st 40-44 W, 25:17; Buddy Turner, 3rd 55-59 M, 25:17; John Dewalt, 1st 70-74 M, 25:25; Pamela Romeo, 2nd 50-54 W, 25:30; Braden Zukowski, 2nd 9 and under M, 25:31; Michelle Moser, 2nd 40-44 W, 25:42; Becky Miller, 2nd 45-49 W, 26:18; Cindy McCrea, 3rd 45-49 W, 26:32; Jeff Kiley, 3rd 20-24 M, 27:10; Cathy Reese, 3rd 50-54 W, 27:15; Autumn Holt, 1st 9 and under W, 27:25; Veronica Trettel, 3rd 40-44 W, 28:06; Becky Desantis, 1st 60-64 W, 28:09; Bob Bamrick, 3rd 45-49 M, 29:03; Glenn Lang, 2nd 65-69 M, 29:11; David McConahy, 3rd 65-69 M, 29:36; Jennifer Kondrick, 1st 30-34 W, 29:42; Marcia Semple, 1st 65-69 W, 29:55; Margretta Lutz, 1st 75-79 W, 30:19; Jan Bennett, 2nd 55-59 W, 34:08; Ada Rumberg, 3rd 55-59 W, 37:26; Donald Cescon, 3rd 70-74 M, 38:41; Elisa Ventura, 1st 20-24 W, 39:27Paul Kletzli, 18:33; Grayson Hixon, 19:15; Michael Beamer, 19:36; Cameron Daugherty, 20:21; Jyri Gray, 21:18; James Reich, 21:36; Craig Cirricione, 22:24; Brad Zukowski, 22:44; Sam Ott, 22:57; Jared Geist, 23:00; Valerie Travis, 23:24; Jordan Swarts, 23:38; Jacob Swarts, 23:46; David Szebalskie, 24:14; Kiley Hajek, 24:37; Mike McCarren, 24:39; Jack Oris, 24:43; James Geist, 24:45; Amy Sigmund, 25:00; Elijah Webb, 25:06; Eric Hacker, 25:08; Caitlin Miller, 25:20; Frank Prazenica, Jr., 25:21; Adam Sudano, 25:31; Micah Hamby, 25:32; Carter Hoerth, 25:44; Ashley Brewer, 25:44; Kayla Mickey, 25:51; Melissa Stearns, 25:52; Amanda Lynn, 25:58; Ron Bennett, 26:05; Nathan Walls, 26:08; Chadd Cummings, 26:14; Michael LaRocca, 26:26; Debbie Kuminkoski, 26:43; Linda Moss, 27:52; Thomas Prager, 27:54; Makayla Burtner, 27:57; Brooke Zukowski, 28:00; Bruce Kollister, 28:02; Shauna Zukowski, 28:15; Christine Holt, 28:16; Melissa Green, 28:39; Kim Zappi, 28:41; Morgan Cousins-Raypush, 28:45; Emily Zappi, 28:46; Olera Slaughenhoupt, 28:56; Shelly Asti, 28:56; Janis Hackett, 29:09; David Murray, 29:12; Michelle Szebalskie, 29:44; Ben Houston, 29:54; Linda Boldy, 29:57; Heather Venesky, 29:59; Katelynne Fissore, 30:18; Haley Hutterer, 30:19; Lisa Comfort, 30:49; Matthew Goldinger, 31:32; Beth Skinner, 31:42; Monica Walsh Davies, 31:44; Randy Simmons, 32:17; Paul Limbacher, 32:21; Elise Bamrick, 33:16; John Fleischman, 33:49; Shields Macurdy, 34:08; Austin Heade, 34:49; Alec Lindsey, 35:30; Kate Lindsey, 35:35; Zachary Hassler, 38:15; Vicki Gass, 38:56; Josh Freehling, 38:59; Paul Lindquist, 39:28; Craig Moss, 40:15; Laura Barton, 40:22; Allen Hassler, 41:22; Mary Tackett, 43:45; Karen Robb, 43:45; Laura Freehling, 44:57; Lisa Brooks, 46:48; Connie Tackett, 49:44; J. Carter Tackett, 49:46<B>Run for Sight 5K, Sept. 26:</B> Patrick Lynam, 1st Overall M, 18:12; Darren Best, 2nd Overall M, 19:03; Dillan Surrena, 3rd Overall M, 19:05; Elizabeth Shenck, 1st Overall W, 24:19; Christen Prestopine, 2nd Overall W, 24:30; Patty Schmidt, 3rd Overall W, 25:14; Brent Collins, 1st 41-50 M, 19:08; Todd Allman, 3rd 41-50 M, 20:02; Matt Drohan, 1st 31-40 M, 20:06; Kyle Leighton, 1st 15-20 M, 20:37; Steve Russell, 1st 51-60 M, 20:50; Ethan Ritzert, 2nd 15-20 M, 24:05; Dez Csizmadia, 1st 71 and over M, 24:16; Buddy Turner, 2nd 51-60 M, 24:38; Jacob Woesnner, 3rd 15-20 M, 26:19; Roger Fallecker, 3rd 51-60 M, 26:24; Debra Kuminkoski, 1st 41-50 W, 27:29; Olivia Drohan, 1st 14 and under W, 28:27; Sarah Milanovich, 1st 21-30 W, 28:43; Karlie Weirich, 1st 51-60 W, 30:37; Carrie Smith, 1st 31-40 W, 30:56; Darrell Smith, 2nd 31-40 M, 30:58; Alyssa Robb, 2nd 31-40 W, 33:15; Nicole Yeager, 3rd 31-40 W, 35:09Suraj Shrestha, 1st 21-30 M, 36:17; Beth Holman, 2nd 21-30 W, 37:51; Jennifer Bindernagel, 3rd 321-30 W, 53:57; Theresa Mortimer, 2nd 41-50 W, 55:58; Kim Greco, 2nd 51-60 W, 56:43; Karen Sorce, 3rd 41-50 W, 55:58; John M. Sorce, 2nd 21-30 M, 59:57; Nathan Sadler, 1st 14 & Under M, 1:09:46; Benjamin Wolfe, 3rd 21-30 M, 1:11:20; Stephanie Sadler, 1st 15-20 W, 1:11:23; Donni Weaver, 1st 61 and over W, 1:17:47; Mitch Radella, 20:10; Glenn Brennen, 28:40; Al Lane, 31:32; John Fleischman, 32:57; Randy Mortimer, 55:56; Nancy Ansell, 56:43; Carolyn Winkler, 56:44; Michael Winkler, 56:46; John Sorce, 1:01:02; Kathy Kennedy, 1:17:49; October Lowe, 1:17:51; Cleo Sadler, 1:17:58; Christine Taylor, 1:18:03; Art Black, 1:18:05Send comments and suggestions to: 435 Cherry Valley Road, Saxonburg, PA 16056. Phone: 724-352-4395. E-mail: lotzak@consolidated.netPat Neubert is the running columnist for the Butler Eagle.