It's a great feeling to set a new personal record, to see the fruits of the labor of a training plan.

But before we brag too much about our latest PR, we should place an asterisk on some of the finishing times run on super-fast, aided courses.

All racers want fast times. We train hard to beat the clock out of a few seconds and choose courses based on their potential to yield fast finishing times. But some courses are by nature "too fast."

Having just run the Buffalo Creek Half Marathon last Saturday, I can attest to the effects of a super-fast, downhill course. This is truly the fastest half marathon course I've run and it yields great finishing times owing to its net elevation drop of more than 500 feet.

I would love to brag about running my best half marathon time in a long time, but I have to take that course's downhill advantage into account when I record my finishing time in the log book.

Running a downhill course like Buffalo Creek or the City of Pittsburgh's Great Race is still fun, even if they are way out of the norm for courses. But what constitutes the norm?

USATF, this country's governing body for our sport, details guidelines for official record-eligible courses. According to the USATF rulebook, to be considered legal for records, a course must have no more than one meter drop in elevation per kilometer of distance.

A half marathon of 13.1 miles or 21.08 kilometers can drop no more than 21.08 meters or a little over 69 feet to be considered legal for records. That puts Buffalo Creek way out of bounds.

That also puts some of this country's most storied races out of the running for records. The historic Boston Marathon course, for example, falls 490 feet or 142 meters from its start in Hopkinton to the finish in Boston. The allowable elevation drop for a marathon course is 42.16 meters.

USATF puts additional stipulations on point-to-point courses. USATF allows a course to finish no more than 30 percent of the race distance from its starting point. To confuse that issue, a record set on a course with more than 30 percent separation still counts if the run was not significantly affected by tailwind.

While USATF does not recognize records set on these point-to-point courses, some of these records may count on the international level. IAAF, the international governing body for long distance running, will count a record set on a course that finishes within 50 percent of its distance from its start. And methods for measuring tailwind are still under discussion internationally.

Fast finishing times run on downhill point-to point courses can't count as USATF records. But USATF still recognizes performances set on these aided but certified-length courses.

USATF makes a distinction between "record times" and "best times." While Lou Lodovico's amazing 2:05:46 finish at Saturday's Buffalo Creek Half Marathon can't count as a USATF record for his age group, it can be listed as a best time for 85 year old men.

Downhill point-to-point races like Buffalo Creek, Great Race and Boston Marathon will continue to be popular with runners of all abilities even the courses are out of the running for records. In racing, it's still who finishes first that counts. And most of us aren't concerned with setting national or international records. We just want to be the best we can be.

But to be fair we should, like USATF, make distinctions between legitimate records and best times run on aided courses. We could keep two lists — one for personal records set on USATF legal courses and one for personal bests, our fastest times on any certified course.

Upcoming eventsSaturday, 8 a.m.: Up-N-Running Group Run, Valencia. Ed's got the coffeeSaturday, 8:30 a.m.: Harvest Moon 10 Mile/ 5K, Moon Township. 412-490-0881 or www.eliterunners.comSaturday, 3 p.m..: MS Monster Stomp 5K Race, Walk and Goblin Trot, New Castle. Also post race Monster Bash costume party. 724-658-8583 or www.monsterstomp.comSunday, 9 a.m.: Quality Life Cup Series 5K, Emlenton. Final race in series with cash prizes. 724-431-0770, ext. 2104 or www.QualityLifeServices.comSaturday, 9:30 a.m.: American Red Cross Vampire Run/ Walk 5K, Johnstown. 814-262-2654 or stahlm@usa.redcross.orgOct. 31, 9 a.m.: Jack-O-Lantern Jog 5K, North Strabane. 724-344-4796 or dblonar@yahoo.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, Pitsburgh. Choice of 2K, 4K or 6K on Frick Park trails.724-464-2222Nov. 7, 9:30 a.m.: Dirt Monster 5 Mile Trail Race/ 1 Mile Walk, North Park. Challenging trail run benefits Obsessive Compulsive Foundation of Western PA. 412-363-6231 or ocdirections@verizon.netNov. 7, 10 a.m.: Butler 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 & Monroeville Lions Run for Sight 5K, Pitcairn. Lots of door prizes, food and drinks. 412-856-9111 or jaiken2@juno.com

Race resultsChamber Classic Half Marathon, Oct. 10: Doug Basinski,1st Overall M,1:24:07; Lisa Chilcote,1st Overall W,1:30:33; Bridget Kachel,1st 35-39 W,1:41:57; Cindy Grimm,1st 55-59 W,1:43:25; Curt Grimm,1st 60-64 M,1:44:16; Steve Swan,1st 50-54 M,1:45:08; Mary Savage,2nd 50-54 W,1:54:19; Lisa Murslack,3rd 50-54 W,2:14:47; Chris Singleton,1:43:48; Michele Heinz,1:47:39; Stacy Juchno,1:49:15; Michael Prokesch,1:49:27; Shannon Smith,1:55:15; Darryl Brandon,1:55:20; Richard Jacobson,1:56:23; Neil Gregorio,2:05:54; Brittany Katz,2:06:00; Christine Sevin,2:06:38; Sara Pollock,2:06:43; Hal Martin,2:09:07; Nathan Steadman,2:09:49; Chris Lochner,2:10:33; Monica Kemper,2:16:14; Chris Ritz,2:20:28; Sean Nolan,2:24:34; Gary Golebiewski,2:29:10; Lynn Dixon Stewart,2:38:00; Amanda Cagno,2:41:20; Stacy McCandless,3:33:24; Wendy Reuter,3:33:24Chamber Classic 5K, Oct. 10: James Gordish,1st Overall M,17:48; Kristen Suvick,1st Overall W,22:13; Paige Suvick,1st 16 & Under W,23:53; Madeline Seibel,2nd 16 & Under W,25:37; Thomas Murray,1st 65+ M,27:47; Jeff Yanuzzo,2nd 50-54 M,28:01; Diane Prage,2nd 20-24 W,28:02; Michael Lacey,1st 25-29 M,30:24; Jeremy Pott,24:54; Becky Faeting,27:41; Ned Bartley,27:53; Valerie Jacobs,28:39; Steven Jacobs,30:40; Gretchen Pickle,40:05; Jessica Smeltz,40:52; Eliza Magee,40:54Buffalo Creek Half Marathon, Oct. 17: Chris Geddis,1st Overall M,1:11:41; Lara Berry,1st Overall W,1:22:44; Tim Monfre,1st Masters M,1:18:24; Sharyl Relic,2nd Masters W,1:35:39; Cindy Grimm,3rd Masters W,1:38:22; Matt Montellanico,2nd 20-24 M,1:17:08; Brian Forester,1st 35-39 M,1:18:47; Tom Stuart,1st 30-34 M,1:21:40; Josh Dolan,3rd 20-24 M,1:22:01; Rich Makin,1st 50-54 M,1:22:04; Jason Dolan,3rd 20-24 M,1:23:13; Timothy Wyant,2nd 35-39 M,1:25:33; Dean Rippee,3rd 50-54 M,1:26:15; David Fugate,2nd 45-49 M,1:31:05; Josh Boudreau,3rd 40-44 M,1:32:42; Stephen Hepler,3rd 45-49 M,1:33:31; Curt Grimm,1st 60-64 M,1:37:03; Melanie Lutz,1st 20-24 W,1:37:29; Bob Clark,2nd 60-64 M,1:39:35; Dorothy Moxie,3rd 40-44 W,1:39:49; Lou Alaksin,2nd 65-69 M,1:40:00; Jeromee Geibel,1st 19 & Under M,1:41:59; Darryl Brandon,3rd 55-59 M,1:42:33; Carleen Burns,1st 35-39 W,1:43:02; Patricia Neubert,1st 55-59 W,1:44:13; Kara Hoerth,3rd 25-29 W,1:46:04; Carol Powers,2nd 45-49 W,1:46:25; Micci Hutterer,1st 50-54 W,1:53:14; Dez Csizmadia,1st 70+ M,1:56:34; Suzann Leonberg,2nd 50-54 W,1:57:31; Mary Morgan,3rd 50-54 W,2:03:36; Lou Lodovico,2nd 70+ M,2:05:46; Alexandra Toy,2nd 19 & Under W,2:09:54; Marcia Semple,1st 65-69 W,2:31:59; Margretta Lutz,1st 70+ W,2:32:02; Gregory Robb,1:25:56; Jonathan Wiley,1:32:44; Larry Lutz,1:36:38; Bruce Barnes,1:36:50; Richard Colonello,1:36:56; Sean Girdwood,1:37:16; Nick Radio,1:37:56; Jeff Conaway,1:38:38; Philip Mathew,1:39:22; David Elkin,1:39:28; Bill Swanik,1:39:37; Kristen Suvick,1:40:27; Thomas Minnock,1:41:52; Bill Geddis,1:41:59; Paul Dibucci,1:42:09; William Marsh,1:42:13; Bill McDonnell,1:42:21; Sean Dolan,1:42:23; Holly Bauer,1:42:26; Ryan Urik,1:42:27; Christopher Carcia,1:42:30; James Beck,1:42:35; Joshua Schmidt,1:42:38; Terry Gizienski,1:43:00; Tom Ulewicz,Jr.,1:43:00; Monica Ferraro,1:43:50; Stephanie Verdecchia,1:45:04; Don Amadee,1:45:40; Brad Zukowski,1:45:59; Bob Markovich,1:46:29; Robert Stevens,1:46:40; Jim Steinkirchner,1:46:46; Patrick Reitz,1:47:06; Rita McClelland,1:47:23; John Armstrong,1:47:24; Scott Pearson,1:47:24; Chris Cutone,1:47:25; Dave King,1:48:02; William Lawson,1:48:15; David Adams,1:48:21; Ron Hartle,1:48:23; Stacy Juchno,1:48:29; Charles Tanner,1:48:36; Mary Blom,1:49:32; William Osche,1:49:34; Sarah Locke,1:50:11; Neal Franchock,1:50:11; Craig Lutzic,1:50:13; Rich Landgraf,1:51:41; Denise Shearer,1:52:21; Becky Schmoll,1:52:48; Avery Lawson,1:52:57; Jillian Lavelle,1:53:30; Chuck Huth,1:53:32; Amy Getsay,1:55:26; Wendy Krug,1:55:44; Lance Grable,1:56:19; Heather Cianfrocco,1:56:23; Jinny Hertweck,1:56:26; Gloria Caceres,1:57:26; Liz Gerschultz,1:57:51; Dave McFarland,1:58:42; Jennifer Cadamore,1:59:24; Ben Swigart,1:59:38; Thomas Williams,1:59:40; James Zingaro,2:00:59; Rita McGrogan,2:01:09; Thomas Murray,2:01:58; Joella Baker,2:03:05; Amy Leonard,2:03:06; Brandy Horvath,2:03:37; Summer Fowler,2:04:53; Heather Oros,2:04:54; Alexandra Jones,2:05:20; Henry Nolan,2:06:13;Debbie Gallagher,2:07:46; Marilyn LaRocca,2:08:25; Tammi Landgraf,2:09:18; Cory Kamer,2:09:18; Rhonda Kuminkoski,2:09:28; Charlie Flach,2:09:36; Wayne Toy,2:09:55; Kelley Morrone,2:10:33; Kathleen Kelly,2:11:20; Brandon Savochka,2:11:48; Beth Winhold,2:12:01; Colleen Matlick,2:12:31; Lana Tharnish,2:13:13; Nick Ashenden,2:14:02; Leah Rapp,2:15:20;Lesley Bachman,2:15:40; Tracy Savochka,2:16:40;Shauna Zukowski,2:16:58;Matthew Klabnik,2:17:13; Beverly Heasley,2:17:20; Thomas McClure,2:17:22; Ruth Cochran,2:17:59; Ken Tack,2:19:01; Jon Hoffman,2:21:14; Dana Hogue,2:24:28; Linda Ryan,2:28:10; Joel Geibel,2:32:17; Ben Houston,2:32:43; Connie Lantz,2:33:25; Anne Semmler,2:39:47; Lois Swigart,3:00:17; Linda Moore,3:11:50;Sarah Price Murphy,4:11:40Send comments and suggestions: Patricia Neubert, 435 Cherry Valley Rd., Saxonburg, Pa. 16056. Phone 724-352-4395. Email lotzak@consolidated.netPat Neubert is a running columnist for the Butler Eagle.