It seems so far away — crossing a river and a state line. But Mill Creek Park in Youngstown, Ohio is only an hour’s drive from Butler and a great place to run.

Mill Creek Park is the largest of Youngstown’s area MetroParks. The park encompasses 2,800 acres of hills, valleys and wetlands along the meandering Mill Creek and offers a wide range of activities including golf, picnicking, children’s playground, winter sled riding and nature education.

Most importantly for runners, there are 20 miles of paved roads plus a 1.5 mile paved hike and bike road along Lake Cohasset. For trail runners, the park also has 15 miles of unpaved scenic trails ranging from smooth and flat to steepness that requires an occasional staircase.

I’d never run in Mill Creek, but an event in Youngstown at 2 p.m. left plenty of time to explore new running territory on a Sunday morning. It’s my belief that no matter where you go, there’s always something to do if you have running shoes, and I always keep a spare pair in my car just in case.

My friend Dave and I picked up a park guide and map at Fellows Riverside Gardens, site of a winter holiday light festival, art gallery and gift shop. We chose Old Tree Trail, an out and back route that climbs from the boathouse at Glacier Lake, the northernmost of the series of man-made recreational lakes constructed between 1897 and 1924.

The trail began with a steep ascent over roots and a log staircase, then skirted the park boundary high above the lake. We ran the undulating trail bordering suburban backyards before dipping into a rocky ravine, then clung to a mossy rock wall built by WPA workers in the 1930s.

After the rolling terrain of Old Tree, we were tempted to trace the serene Lily Pond Circle, a completely flat and level trail as the map states, “very scenic area with wildlife viewing.” Instead, we crossed the valley toward Pioneer Pavilion, a renovated two-story stone factory building.

Pioneer Pavilion is the oldest structure in the park. Renovated in 2007, it’s now available for wedding receptions and large gatherings. On this day, we jogged past a photographer and subject of senior photos at the picturesque setting.

We ascended once again on West Cohasset Trail with views of the long lake and surrounding woodlands. We had planned to run the entire shoreline of Lake Cohasset, a 2.75 mile trail that includes a historic suspension bridge crossing of Mill Creek. Instead, we were forced to cut our run short, vowing to return to devote an entire day to this trail running treasure.

You may check out the roads and trails on your own like I did, or join Youngstown Road Runners Club on any Sunday morning for a group run. The YTown RRCA runners leave from various points in the park for runs of between two and eight miles. Check the schedule at ytownrunners.org.

If you’re competitive, sign up for the Mill Creek Classic Half Marathon and 5k held annually in March. The half marathon, boasting 19 hills along the course, winds through paved park roads and the Hike and Bike Trail past waterfalls and historic Lanterman’s Mill. The 5k is an uncomplicated but still scenic out and back.

The 27th running of the Classic will be held on March 6 at 8:45 a.m. for the half marathon, 9 a.m. for the 5k start. Registration, which includes a commemorative shirt and free postrace pasta lunch at a local restaurant, is now open. Sign up online at RunSignUp.com or download an application at ytownrunners.org.

Upcoming events

Saturdays, 8 a.m.: Up-N-Running Group Runs, Valencia. Run on rolling country roads. 724-898-2525 or shoes@runpa.com

Wednesdays, 6:30 p.m.: Mojo Running Group Runs, Seven Fields. 724-772-2808 or info@mojorunningpittsburgh.com

Thursdays, 9:30 a.m.: Mojo Trail Nuts Group Runs, North Park. Run on North Park trails. 724-772-2808 or info@mojorunningpittsburgh.com

Saturday, 9 a.m.: Jingle Dash 5k, Ellwood City. 724-601-7754 or dmackay@zoominternet.net

Saturday, 10 a.m.: Snowflake 5k, Erie. Starts at Presque Isle State Park’s Rotary Pavilion. 814-774-3209 or dan.a@erierunners.club

Saturday, 5:30 p.m.: Jingle Bell Jog, Union City. 814-397-8014 or bigwhitetrailer.com

Sunday, 10 a.m.: Jingle Bell Run 5k and 1 Mile, Pittsburgh. Run on Pittsburgh’s North Shore, costumes encouraged. 412-490-0881 or eliterunners.com

Sunday, 11 a.m.: Clint Puller Memorial Toy Run, Meadville. Run on Ernst Trail benefits Toys for Tots. 724-992-9154 or michaelharry40@hotmail.com

Dec. 17, 6 p.m.: Fleet Feet Holiday Lights Run for Charity, Pittsburgh. Downtown run starting at PPG Wintergarden benefits UPMC Children’s Hospital Free Care Fund. 412-851-9100 or fleetfeetpittsburgh.com

Dec. 19, 11 a.m.: Old Fashioned Christmas in Volant 5k and Kids Fun Run, Volant. Raffle prizes and gift wrapped presents to winners. 724-456-2373 or bonnherb@yahoo.com

Dec. 31, 3 p.m.: Harmony Silvester 5k, Harmony. Also 1 mile fun run at 3:45 P.M. www.harmony-pa.us

Dec. 31, 4 p.m.: Twilight 5k Run, 2 Mile Run and 2 Mile Walk, Hollidaysburg. Run through the lights at Lakemont Park. bsheffer@hollidaysburgareaymca.org

Dec. 31, 6 p.m.: First Night State College Resolution Run, State College. Run through Penn State campus. 814-571-1960 or dhel@psu.edu

New Year’s Day 5 Mile Race, Erie. Starts at Presque Isle State Park’s Rotary Pavilion. 814-774-3209 or dan.a@erierunners.club

Race results

Butler YMCA Turkey Trot 5k, Nov. 7: Wyatt Geibel, 1st Overall M, 18:48; Erik Suchevich, 2nd Overall M, 18:50; Rob Hays, 3rd Overall M, 19:20; Janelle Porter, 1st Overall W, 20:48; Jennifer Bole, 2nd Overall W, 22:00; Evonne Patterson, 3rd Overall W, 22:01; Zach Manuel, 1st 20-29 M, 19:48; Nathan Monday, 1st 11-14 M, 20:07; Nathan McAlister, 1st 30-39 M, 20:17; A.J. May, 1st 15-19 M, 20:50; Ethan Depew, 2nd 15-19 M, 20:54; Todd McGill, 1st 40-49 M, 21:04; Joshua Venderlic, 2nd 30-39 M, 21:38; Henry May, 3rd 15-19 M, 21:47; Matt Drohan, 2nd 40-49 M, 21:51; Colin Hays, 1st 50-59 M, 21:52; Adam Olsen, 3rd 20-29 M, 21:54; Roger Lutz, 3rd 40-49 M, 21:57; Cloey Wallace, 1st 15-19 W, 22:15; Skip Watters, 3rd 30-39 M, 22:58; Danner Croll, 2nd 11-14 M, 23:15; Hattie Brasseur, 1st 11-14 W, 23:22; Olivia Reddick, 1st 20-29 W, 23:37; Emma York, 2nd 11-14 W, 23:39; Kevin Allen, 2nd 50-59 M, 23:40; Kristen Collins, 2nd 20-29 W, 23:55; Megan McClymonds, 3rd 11-14 W, 23:56; Zachary Frazier, 3rd 11-14 M, 24:24; Samantha Sydlik, 2nd 15-19 W, 24:34; Brooke Schaefers, 3rd 15-19 W, 24:57; Bob Todd, 1st 60-69 M, 25:08; Crystal Huey, 1st 30-39 W, 25:15; Lucy Hartle, 1st 10 & Under W, 25:21; Stephanie Karwoski, 2nd 30-39 W, 25:59; Erin Stewart, 3rd 30-39 W, 26:02; Holly Depew, 1st 40-49 W, 26:13; Bryce Sebring, 1st 10 & Under M, 26:17; Dennis Murcko, 3rd 50-59 M, 26:34; Jim Smith, 2nd 60-69 M, 26:46; Shari Allen, 2nd 40-49 W, 26:49; Alyssa Watters, 2nd 10 & Under W, 26:49; Mike Bruno, 3rd 60-69 M, 26:51; Lacey Rasely, 3rd 20-29 W, 27:04; Amelia Barkus, 1st 50-59 W, 27:15; Zachary Slear, 2nd 10 & Under M, 27:50; Faith Erwin, 3rd 40-49 W, 29:24; Sis Fleming, 2nd 50-59 W, 30:07; Lori Lewis, 3rd 50-59 W, 30:14; Katelyn Watters, 3rd 10 & Under W, 30:30; Dezso Csizmadia, 1st 70+ M, 32:13; Sally Dietrich, 1st 60-69 W, 36:37; Marcia Semple, 1st 70+ W, 40:56; Ian McClelland, 3rd 10 & Under M, 46:17; Nathan Sydlik, 22:00; Nathan Wright, 22:09; Jeremy Rock, 22:48; Jason Stobert, 23:19; David White, 23:38; Aaron Depew, 24:14; Will Gramlich, 24:22; Justin Maskal, 24:42; Lucas Slear, 24:44; Ava Dzurenda, 24:47; Chuck Domaracki, 25:03; Theresa Hays, 25:11; Casey Phelps, 25:31; Brayden Koegler, 25:38; Andrew Swartzlander, 25:41; Taryn Thompson, 25:56; Noah Convery, 26:01; Brian Dzurenda, 26:11; Keely Looper, 26:14; Lucas Erwin, 26:31; Travis Keane, 26:34; Missy Jungling, 26:43; Bill May, 27:00; Donald Crawford, 27:02; Deanna Watters, 27:10; Eric Croll, 27:24; Julie Anderson, 27:27; Heather Venderlic, 27:37; Luke Robinson, 27:45; Colleen Miller, 27:50; Arthur Slear, 27:52; Jim Reeder, 27:56; Scott Karwoski, 28:01; Ed Hilliard, 28:02; Cassandra Davis, 28:57; Lexi Soule, 29:17; Samantha Frazier, 29:18; Bruce Soule, 29:22; Nathan Kelly, 10:40; Al Kelly, 29:29; Lydia McAlister, 29:34; Stephanie Harrison, 29:37; Jeff Mechling, 29:46; Ted Swartzlander, 29:51; Erica Flanders, 30:00; Natalie Smith, 30:09; Laura Augustine, 30:10; Cynthia Reddick, 30:24; Jennifer Wimer, 30:26; Robert Crawford, 30:43; Julie Collins, 30:51; Glenn Brennan III, 31:03; Shelli Jackson, 31:11; Chelsy Olsen, 31:11; Brian Beals, 31:14; Audrey McAlister, 31:15; Lisa Moss, 31:19; Clinton Champagne, 31:19; Robert Weisman, 31:25; Penny Birch, 31:26; Kayla Somerville, 31:33; Carolyn Kelly, 31:39; Noreen Digiorgi, 31:43; Erica Savannah, 31:44; Kayla Lenhart, 31:45; Ethan Haag, 31:53; William Osche, 31:55; Zack Weismann, 31:56; Adelynn York, 32:37; Megan McDowell, 32:39; Nicole Fleeger, 32:42; Danielle Haney, 32:47; Amanda Ries, 32:48; Neil Convery, 32:49; Joann Gordon, 32:57; Carol English, 33:10; Gracie Hartle, 33:13; Mareen Hilovsky, 33:16; Rochelle Graham, 33:21; William Cranmer, 33:23; Suzanne Schaefers, 33:24; Devin Convery, 34:23; Michelle Mustello, 34:31; Albert Lane, Jr., 34:32; Kim Mechling, 34:59; Donald Wallace, 35:23; Kristine Donaldson, 35:38; Christine Bagley, 36:36; Jen York, 36:48; Valerie Dryden, 37:50; Valerie Harrison, 37:54; Makenna Konchan, 38:23; Judy Konchan, 38:51; Lindsay Crowley, 38:54; Lyric Hays, 39:03; Erica Lorenz-Hays, 39:03; Carrie Smith, 39:58; Stephanie Kraynik, 41:29; Brittany Bayne, 41:30; David Convery, 43:08; Craig Moss, 44:56; Christine Stone, 45:55; Lu Ann Zmathis, 46:16; Matt McClelland, 46:17; Joshua Snyder, 46:36; Jessica Alexander, 46:36; Donna Birckbichler, 48:48; Brittany Monteleone, 49:41; Krystal Rivera, 49:41; Kristen Olsen Gaia, 49:58; Dan Defoggi, 50:30; Carole Hall, 50:39; Jane Wolfe, 51:04; Roni Anderson, 54:41; Lydia McClelland, 54:44; Alana Newcombe, 55:10; Donna Hays, 57:49; Lori Porter, 57:57; Jack Porter, 57:57

Butler YMCA Turkey Trot 1 Mile, Nov. 7: Alex Depew, 1st Overall M, 7:23; Santino Sloboda, 2nd Overall M, 7:41; Chase Depew, 3rd Overall M, 8:09; Chiara Sloboda, 1st Overall W, 8:35; Catherine Kelly, 2nd Overall W, 8:39; Lily Erwin, 3rd Overall W, 8:44; Sophia Fleeger, 8:44; Skyler Miller, 8:51; Jenna McClymonds, 8:55; Landon Slear, 9:20; Rachel Birch, 9:24; Autumn Birch, 10:08; Julianna Gaia, 10:17; Stesha Stehle, 12:31; Elise Mikita, 13:45

Send comments and suggestions: Patricia Neubert, 435 Cherry Valley Rd., Saxonburg, PA. 16056. Phone 724-352-4395. Email bigp16@connecttime.net

Pat Neubert is a running columnist for the Butler Eagle