Last Saturday's weather was perfect for distance running, and many participants in the Buffalo Creek Half Marathon rated the event nearly perfect.

Runners gave the fifth-annual run on the Butler-Freeport Trail high marks for scenic beauty and quality of the race course. Many of the 541 finishers registered personal bests on the point-to-point downhill dash from Winfield Fire Department to Freeport.

Though not a personal best, Kevin Doyle's time of 1 hour, 9 minutes, 54 seconds was good for the overall win. Doyle, whose wife Julie also ran in the event, is a former Butler County resident.

Leslie Kramer of Slippery Rock won the women's race by more than three minutes with her time of 1:24:59.

This year's event registered the largest field in its history. Registrations were limited to 600 because of safety concerns on portions of the narrow course. Organizers will discuss ways to allow more to participate next year.

Buffalo Creek Half Marathon is a rural event with many of the amenities of a big city race. It offers chip timing and full color technical shirts to all participants. Runners are shuttled efficiently to the staging area and the warmth of the Winfield Fire Hall. Baggage check assures that all belongings arrive safely to the finish area.

Aid stations are plentiful and well staffed by Boy Scouts, and first aid was available along the course. And plenty of bagels, fruit, pizza and hot cider await even the slowest of finishers in Freeport.

Race director Chris Ziegler credits the more than 120 volunteers for the success of the half marathon.

"I'm fortunate to have so many volunteers who love the trail and want to make a difference," Ziegler says.

Although this is Ziegler's first year to direct the half marathon, she has served as president of the Butler-Freeport Trail Council for three years. Proceeds from the event help the association defray ongoing costs of maintaining the trail.

The trail council also hopes to complete the final leg of the trail from Bonniebrook Road to Butler. These final five miles should be completed by the end of next month, though the entire trail is currently usable.

Completion of the trail will give organizers of next year's Buffalo Creek Half Marathon the opportunity to host a full marathon in addition to the half marathon.

A marathon course likely would begin near Butler High to provide a downhill start, then travel through downtown Butler before linking with the trail to Freeport.

This Saturday, the Butler-Freeport Trail Association will hold a group bicycle ride leaving the Freeport parking area at 8 a.m. The group will ride to Butler, stop for lunch in town, then return to Freeport in the afternoon.

For information, visit www.butlerfreeporttrail.org or contact Chris Ziegler at president@butlerfreeporttrail.org.

Upcoming events

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

Saturday, 9 a.m.: Damon Zipay Memorial 5K Run and 2-Mile Fun Walk, Sharpsville. 724-866-4333

Sunday, 7:30 a.m.: St. John Missionary Baptist Church-Susan G. Komen 5K, Meadville. 814-336-2965 or register online at www.runhigh.com

Sunday, 8 a.m.: Inland Trail Marathon, Half Marathon and 5K, Elyria, Ohio. 440-366-0645 or rick@ncnracing.com

Oct. 29, 6 p.m.: St. Gregory's Great Pumpkin 5K Race and 1-Mile Fun Run, Zelienople. 724-452-9731 or lrmaloney@zoominternet.net

Oct. 30, Harvest Moon 10 Mile Run-Walk, Moon Township. Benefits Lost Boys of Sudan. 412-490-0881 or www.harvestmoonrun.com

Oct. 30, 10 a.m.: Freaky 5K Run-Walk, North Park. Costume run. www.pittsburghmarathon.com

Oct 30, 10 a.m.: Ghostly Gray Trail Race, Prospect. Mountain bike race, 5K or 10K run on Camp Lutherlyn trails. 724-284-1134

Oct. 31, 1 p.m.: Costumes for a Cause 5K and Kiddie Mile, Keystone State Park, Derry. Kiddie Mile on nature trails, 5K runs around Keystone Lake. Costumes optional. 724-537-6970 or www.aaflc.org

Nov. 6, 10 a.m.: Pitcairn Run for Sight 5K and 2.4-Mile Fun Walk, Pitcairn. 412-856-9111 or jaiken2@juno.com

Nov. 7, 9 a.m.: Operation Troop Appreciation Veterans Day 5K, Hampton Township. Proceeds benefit active duty troops in Iraq and Afghanistan. Gerardmac977@aol.com

Nov. 14, 7 a.m.: Marshall Mangler Trail Race, North Park. Choice of 50K, 22.5K or 8k within North Park boundaries benefits Operation Troop Appreciation. 412-490-0881 or www.eliterunners.com

Race results

Buffalo Creek Half Marathon, Oct. 16: Kevin Doyle, 1st Overall M, 1:09:54; Grant Baron, 3rd Overall M, 1:14:45; Leslie Kramer, 1st Overall W, 1:24:59; Jerry Maher, 1st Masters M, 1:17:22; Tim Monfre, 2nd Masters M, 1:20:32; Timothy Wyant, 3rd Masters M, 1:21:53; Susan Moury, 2nd Masters W, 1:37:30; Dorothy Moxie, 3rd Masters W, 1:38:12; Owen Venesky, 1st 19 and under M, 1:17:07; Matthew Montellanico, 1st 20-24 W, 1:17:18; Luke Snyder, 1st 25-29 M, 1:20:25Nicholas Christian, 2nd 25-29 M, 1:21:29; Mike Fugate, 2nd 20-24 M, 1:26:06; Robert Gealy, 1st 40-44 M, 1:26:18; Joshua Dolan, 3rd 20-24 M, 1:27:48; Steve Bell, 1st 60-64 M, 1:33:03; Dianne Zalenski, 2nd 35-39 W, 1:35:59; Melanie Lutz, 1st 20-24 W, 1:36:18; Erin Nicotra, 3rd 35-39 W, 1:37:10; Jeromee Geibel, 3rd 19 and under M, 1:38:06; Lou Alaksin, 1st 70 and over M, 1:38:09; Bob Clark, 2nd 60-64 M, 1:39:16; David Adams, 3rd 60-64 M, 1:40:59Patricia Neubert, 1st 55-59 W, 1:44:47; Donna Eschenbaugh, 2nd 45-49 W, 1:50:51; Patty Schmidt, 3rd 45-49 W, 1:51:29; Thomas Murray, 2nd 65-69 M, 1:55:22; Suzanne Leonburg, 2nd 55-59 W, 1:55:34; Megan Burr, 1st 19 and under W, 1:56:04; Dez Csizmadia, 2nd 70+ M, 1:56:42; Lou Lodovico, 3rd 70 and over M, 2:11:25; Becky DeSantis, 3rd 60-64 M, 2:21:31; Marcia Semple, 1st 65-69 W, 2:35:48; Margretta Lutz, 1st 70 and over W, 2:36:00Jonathan Wiley, 1:30:50; Paul McCartney, 1:31:26; David Fugate, 1:33:35; Austin Brownlee, 1:33:49; John Armstrong, 1:33:53; Ryan Leonburg, 1:34:00; Jeff Conaway, 1:34:32; Michael Yankel, 1:35:21; Sean Dolan, 1:35:27; James Wrubel, 1:37:09; Paul DiBucci, 1:38:10; Thomas Minnock, 1:38:29; Philip Mathew, 1:38:52; Chuck Huth, 1:39:51; Bob Todd, 1:40:23; Bob Markovich, 1:40:37; Rick Snyder, 1:42:36; Robbie Godsen, 20-24 M, 1:42:43; Joshua Schmidt, 1:42:47; Aaron Macoskey, 1:42:59; William Marsh, 1:44:23; Aaron Depew, 1:44:29; Christopher LaBeau, 1:44:42; Julie Doyle, 1:45:26; James Beck, 1:45:31; Michelle Carnicelli, 1:47:13; Andrew Super, 1:47:57Kate Stuart, 1:47:59; William Osche, 1:48:05; Jillian Lavelle, 1:48:07; Mark Eschenfelder, 1:48:48; Landon Wood, 1:48:54; Angela Marchiori, 1:48:54; Jeffrey Smith, 1:48:55; Avery Lawson, 1:49:15; Dean Davis, 1:49:21; Steve DiAntonio, 1:50:04; Gineen Dutkovic, 1:50:14; Charles Johns, 1:50:22; Stephanie Verdecchia, 1:50:53; T.J. Pynos, 1:51:27;Amy Amadee, 1:51:28; Don Amadee, 1:51:28; Larry Lutz, 1:51:29; Kristine Poloyac, 1:51:58; Carleen Latess, 1:52:01; Carl Hill, 1:52:33; Marilyn LaRocca, 1:53:13; Michael Gregory, 1:53:38; John Pristas, 1:53:45; Jen Beachem, 1:54:08; Kurt Hellgren, 1:54:10; Tracey Smith, 1:54:39; Jerry Heinz, 1:54:58; Colleen Patel, 1:54:59; Sara Fritz, 1:55:07; Rob Morrow, 1:55:07; Carla Funfer, 1:55:10; Holly Depew, 1:55:18; Christi Novak, 1:55:26; Philip Lope, 1:55:46; Nancy Bilger, 1:56:14; Amy Condrick, 1:56:33; Bill Swanik, 1:56:39; Brad Kehm, 1:56:42; Christine Murray, 1:56:54; Nathan Smith, 1:57:06; Thomas Williams, 1:57:57; Nicole Khoury, 1:58:01Stephanie Hinchberger, 1:58:01; Jeff Hinchberger, 1:58:02; Julie Codispot, 1:58:07; Richard Colonello, 1:58:28; Jonathan Jones, 1:59:04; Scott Kavanagh, 1:59:16; Kurt Wallish, 1:59:19; Amy Leonard, 1:59:35; James Zingaro, 2:00:06; Janet Reedy, 2:00:11; Lana Tharnish, 2:00:46; Amy Getsay, 2:00:52; Heather Venesky, 2:01:21; Krista Novak, 2:01:27; David Thaman, 2:02:29; Henry Nolan, 2:02:40; Charles Tanner, 2:02:55; Frank Moxie, 2:03:07; Nicholas Leslie, 2:03:17LouAnn LoDico, 2:03:40; Kelly Diamond, 2:04:27; Melissa Jungling, 2:04:37; Mary Morgan, 2:05:58; Nanette Paracca, 2:06:31; Jennifer Cadamore, 2:07:07; Barbara Scweitzer, 2:07:11; Erin Deck, 2:07:35; Carolyn Sabo, 2:07:39; Kristen Magdelinic, 2:07:56; Sherrie Mazurek, 2:08:29; Tara Everson, 2:08:44; Autumn Heinz, 2:08:49; Buddy Turner, 2:08:50; Debra Kuminkoski, 2:08:54; Chuck Bergman, 2:09:32; Megan O'Hara, 2:10:08; Philip O'Hara, 2:10:09; Linda Ryan, 2:11:42; Rhonda Kuminkoski, 2:11:45; Kelley Morrone, 2:11:56; Renee Gliptis, 2:12:31; Jennifer McClain, 2:12:47; Nicolas Ruete, 2:12:48Rick Bobosky, 2:13:19; Mike LaRocca, 2:14:11; Benjamin Swigart, 2:14:26; Brandy Horvath, 2:14:28; Gary Golebiewski, 2:15:48; Madison Kraus, 2:15:49; James Kraus, 2:15:50; Stacy Martin, 2:16:45; Denny Martin, 2:16:45; Wayne Toy, 2:17:20; Tasha Myers, 2:17:50; Veronica Trettel, 2:18:30; Jim Henry, 2:19:08; Alicia Rath, 2:20:05; Karen Kavanagh, 2:20:07; Janis Hackett, 2:20:12; Jennifer Do, 2:21:04; Carol English, 2:21:12; Ruth Cochran, 2:21:18; Laura Augustine, 2:21:21; Debbie Huth, 2:22:05; Tom Nesbitt, 2:22:47; Susan Miller, 2:23:03; Stephen Leslie, 2:25:07; Randon Simmons, 2:25:28; John Hoffman, Jr., 2:26:09; Kathleen Hilliard, 2:27:04; Benjamin Houston, 2:28:22; Susan Tassey, 2:29:47Kelly Ford, 2:29:48; Tama Bentley, 2:30:38; Anne Semmler, 2:34:54; Tiffany Kriberney, 2:39:10; Debbie Stanionis, 2:41:54; Bob Stanionis, 2:41:56; Gabrielle Anthony, 2:42:50; Stephanie Reese, 2:42:51; Abigail Krivak, 2:50:23; Melinda McConnell, 2:51:33; Al Lane, 2:51:44; Nancy McKee, 2:53:23; Lois Swigart, 3:09:34; Lindsey Jewart, 3:18:59Send 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.