We all remember midterm tests from our school days. Many runners in training for the May 2 Pittsburgh Marathon or Half Marathon will be taking a midterm of sorts this weekend.

The Cook Forest Half Marathon and 5K, starting at 11 a.m. Saturday, offers marathoners a chance to practice race pace or to test themselves with a long tempo run. Half marathoners at the 26th annual event can do a trial run of their distance or choose to blast though the shorter 5K event.

The 10th Just a Short Run in North Park at 8:30 a.m. Saturday offers runners a wider range of choices, with 5K, 8.1 miles, half marathon or 30K distances. It also includes a three-person relay competition.

Either race makes a good fitness test because the courses minimize the effect of extreme elevation change.

Although the courses aren't asphalt-track flat, they are mostly level. Both races clearly mark each mile of racing. Runners can get a sense of accurate pace on the gently rolling North Park drives or the mostly level out-and-back run along the Clarion River on River Road.

There is, however, one major hill at Mile 12 of the Cook Forest Half (Mile 2 of the 5K.)

Both events offer runners the chance to practice drinking and taking in nutrients on the run.

Aid stations at Just a Short Run are located every 1.25 miles and will dispense water, sports drinks, E-gel energy gel and first aid.

There are four aid stations along the Cook Forest Half Marathon's out-and-back course that will be stocked with water and sports drinks.

While either race makes for a good midterm exam, there are differences to keep in mind while determining which race to choose.

The Cook Forest Half is a scenic run through the God's Country section of Pennsylvania. Last year's participation of 378 finishers in the half marathon and 219 in the 5K left plenty of room to run and to commune with nature.

Participants in the Cook Forest events receive a long-sleeved T-shirt and compete for age group awards of locally made pottery. Overall winners receive a certificate for a one-night stay at area lodges or cabins in this vacation spot. Finishers enjoy postrace snacks of bananas and cookies.

Those who choose Just a Short Run might have difficulty appreciating the scenery of North Park. The event has grown in each of its 10 years and nearly 1,500 individual runners and 16 teams finished the combined race distances last year.

Race organizers have changed the start of the 30K to alleviate congestion in the beginning miles of the race.

While Just a Short Run lacks intimacy, it has plenty of amenities. All participants receive commemorative running shorts instead of T-shirts, and there are goody bags with free stuff provided by race sponsors.

Overall and masters winners earn cash prizes while everyone enjoys postrace music and food.

Runners at both events are advised to arrive at the starting areas early. Traffic can be congested entering the cabin parking area at Cook Forest State Park.

Just a Short Run suggests that runners carpool and allow plenty of time to park. Although the boathouse parking area is closed on race day, parking is available at the ice rink, Rose Barn and other areas. Participants then will be shuttled to the starting area.

Runners can register for Cook Forest Half Marathon on Saturday, but those who haven't registered for Just a Short Run should visit www.justashortrun.net to see if registration is still open before making the trip to North Park.

Note to procrastinators

The Pittsburgh Marathon's Full Marathon, Half Marathon and Team Relay divisions are sold out

If you still want to be a part of this big event on May 2, you can register and run for one of the event's official charities listed at www.pittsburghmarathon.com or sign up as an official volunteer.

Upcoming events

Saturday, 8 a.m.: Up-N-Running Group Run, Valencia. Your choice of distance. 724-898-2525 or shoes@runpa.com

Saturday, 8:30 a.m.: Just a Short Run, North Park. Choice of half marathon, half marathon relay, 30K run, 8.1-mile run or 5K run-walk. Register online at www.race360.com/14355. For information visit www.justashortrun.net or call 412-490-0881

Saturday, 11 a.m.: Cook Forest Half Marathon and 5K, Cook Forest State Park. 814-393-2081 or e-mail jresch@clarion.edu

April 3, 9 a.m.: Race for Joe, Franklin Park. Benefits scholarships for graduates of North Allegheny High. www.raceforjoe.org

April 3, 10 a.m.: Fools' Run 10K Run and 3-Mile Walk, Indiana. First race in Indiana County Triple Crown. 724-349-0501 or jswauger@comcast.net

April 3, 10 a.m.: Prep for Pittsburgh Half Marathon and 5k, Sandy Lake. Run around Lake Wilhelm in Goddard State Park. 724-301-6775 or outdoors@neo.rr.com

April 10, 9 a.m.: Riverside Run 10K, 5K and Fun Run, Pittsburgh. Run along Allegheny River's North Shore. 412-766-2693 or tricia@genesispgh.org

April 10, 9 a.m.: Great Shamokin Path 5K, Nu Mine. 724-783-7040, Ext. 304 or merc@asd.k12.pa.us

April 10, 8:30 a.m.: Martha's Run 10K, Mount Lebanon. Challenging course starts at Mount Lebanon High. 412-454-0204 or rrinaldo@williamscoulson.com

April 10, 9 a.m.: Mountain Duathlon, Coopers Rock State Park, Bruceton Mills, W.Va. Off-road event comprising a 2-mile trail run, 8-mile mountain bike ride and 2-mile run. Nathan.Kile@mail.wvu.edu

April 10, 10 a.m.: Ole 5K Run-Walk, North Park. Starts at Harmar Grove Pavilion (behind swimming pool). Benefits Anna Seethaler Hospital in Oaxaca, Mexico. 412-367-2428 or keith.bish@verizon.net

April 17, 9 a.m.: Armstrong County YMCA Big Foot Half Marathon and 5K, Kittanning. Level course starts at YMCA. 724-545-9622 or jbeeker@armstrongymca.org

April 24, 9 a.m.: Team Alex 5K and 5-Mile Run-Walk, North Park. Starts at boathouse. 724-934-3672 or bmac@zoominternet.net

April 24, 10 a.m.: St. Bernard School 5K Run-Walk, Indiana. Run out and back on Hoodlebug Trail. 724-422-4338 or K32Hilliard@comcast.net

April 25, 1 P.M.: Get Lost Orienteering Race, Coopers Rock State Park, Bruceton Mills, W.Va. Use a map and compass to score points by locating various checkpoints. 304-293-0851 or Nathan.kile@mail.wvu.edu

Race results

Ellport Winter Wonderland 5K, March 3: George Kelly, 1st Overall M, 16:59; Brian Forester, 2nd Overall M, 17:07; Bethany Walker, 1st Overall W, 18:40; Holly Bauer, 2nd Overall W, 20:53; Russell Hall, 1st Overall Walker M, 35:12; Eleana Stupak, 1st Overall Walker W, 45:53; Eric McCall, 1st 15-19 M, 18:29; Tyler Cranmer, 2nd 15-19 M, 19:14; Mitch Radella, 2nd 40-44 M, 20:56; Curt Grimm, 2nd 60-64 M, 21:25; Scott Brown, 2nd 50-54 M, 21:55; Cindy Grimm, 1st 55-59 W, 22:46; David Adams, 3rd 60-64 M, 23:52; Krista Novak, 2nd 35-39 W, 23:55; Bruce Hall, 3rd 40-44 M, 24:07Brian Huth, 2nd 20-24 M, 24:38; Dez Csizmadia, 2nd 70 M, 24:54; Angelica Scott, 3rd 35-39 W, 24:57; Beth Roitz, 1st 15-19 W, 25:00; Kristen Kelosky, 2nd 40-44 W, 25:23; Derrick Lutz, 2nd 35-39 M, 26:03; Pamela MacMurdo, 3rd 40-44 W, 27:10; Katie Roitz, 2nd 15-19 W, 27:14; Lou Lodovico, 3rd 70 and over M, 28:48; Sherree May, 2nd 50-54 W, 29:31; Anne Dawson, 3rd 50-54 W, 32:00; Susan Tassey, 3rd 55-59 W, 36:01; Alex Marshall, 3rd 14 and under M, 38:29Charles Huth, 22:38; David Suber, 23:31; Gale Mussey, 24:33; Bob Dawson, 24:51; Len Yensull, 25:19; Tyler Oschenhirt, 25:25; Russ Oschenhirt, 25:25; Robert MacMurdo, 25:47; Robert Crawford, 26:31; Nathalie Kuffner, 27:49; Tania Spadafore, 28:05; Steve Roitz, 29:15; Amy Lutz, 30:14; Tanya Osche, 31:38; Sherree Mazurek, 32:59; Laura Augustine, 33:33; Jesse Allen, 34:49; Joan Green, 36:35; Melinda Cappello, 37:54; David Cappello, 37:59; Robert Kinney, 42:04; Millie Seiter, 58:13

Athletic Trainers River Run 5K, March 20: Eric Shafer, 1st Overall M, 16:41; Jessica Gangjee, 1st Overall W, 18:51; Dominic Wyzomirski, 1st 50-54 M, 17:25; Mark Hunkele, 1st 35-39 M, 17:38; Mitch Radella, 20:50

Athletic Trainers River Run Mile, March 20: Kane Boroski, 1st Overall M, 5:08; Tracy Magee, 1st Overall W, 6:21; Mitch Radella, 2nd 40-44 M, 6:04

Mill Creek Classic Half Marathon, March 7: Jimmy Ramson, 1st Overall M, 1:16:09; Nicole Camp, 1st Overall W, 1:25:58; Sarah Flament, 2nd Overall W, 1:26:58; Curt Grimm, 1st 60-64 M, 1:42:45; Cindy Grimm, 2nd 55-59 W, 1:45:43; Emmett Santillo, 1:29:56; John Armstrong, 1:37:57; Bob Gracie, 1:39:31; Holly Bauer, 1:42:27; Kyle Lowe, 1:42:32; Daniel Kendra, 2:09:56

Mill Creek Classic 5K, March 7: Matt Finnerty, 1st Overall M, 17:13; Jennifer Love, 1st Overall W, 22:15; John Antinossi, 1st 65-69 M, 25:56; Lou Lodovico, 1st 70 and over M, 30:28Send comments and suggestions: Patricia Neubert, 435 Cherry Valley Rd., Saxonburg, Pa. 16056. Phone 724-352-4395. E-mail lotzak@consolidated.netPat Neubert is the running column for the Butler Eagle.