Wherever you go, there’s always a place and maybe a little time to run. I recently visited Charleston, S.C., to attend a friend’s wedding. I packed my fancy clothes and high heels for the formal event, but saved room in my bag for shorts and running shoes.

Charleston, the oldest city in South Carolina, is a beautiful southern city by the sea. Located in the low country area where four rivers empty into Charleston Harbor, it can be steamy in the summer, but this time of year is great weather for running.

There’s a lot of history and scenery in this old town. But rather than fight traffic to explore historic downtown, I chose to run a few scenic miles in local parks.

St. James Island County Park, located five miles south of downtown Charleston, is 600 acres of scenic forest, ponds and marsh along the Stono River. The park includes areas for camping and rental cottages, a pier for crabbing and access to fishing, a climbing wall and challenge course, waterpark for kids and an off-leash dog park. There’s also a nature center and rental concession for kayaks and paddle boats for use on the park’s ponds and bikes for touring the trails.

St. James Island Park has 4.2 miles of paved, level, color-coded trails which wind through the forest and past all of the park’s attractions. I chose to follow first the orange, then green trail to take in views of the marsh and ponds.

I ran through maritime forests under live oaks covered by swaying Spanish moss, then stopped to view painted turtles that gathered under a pedestrian bridge. I couldn’t resist a short jog to the end of the pier and tried to sneak up on crabs burrowing in the marsh. The short run was just what I needed to stretch my legs after a long car trip.

As I ran, I noticed old strands of Christmas lights wound on some of the park trees. These were leftovers from the two-mile Holiday Festival of Lights Fun Run held annually on a November weekend. St. James Island Park is also the site for the five Charleston Sprint Triathlons held monthly from May through September.

The next day, I ventured northwest of town to Wannamaker North Trail, in another county park. The 13 miles of blazed single track mountain bike trail wind through the more than 1,000 acres of Wannamaker Park, another multi-use recreation park. Wannamaker North Trail reminded me of trails in North Park or Alameda Park except for the total elevation change of 15 feet.

It costs $1 to use the trail — honor system. Surprisingly, I didn’t encounter another runner, walker or mountain biker in my five- mile run through the maritime forest.

Charleston has an active running community. The Charleston Running Club, founded in 1977, holds group runs almost daily from various points in town. The club also sponsors several local races and their website, charlestonrunningclub.org posts an events calendar and links to local runners’ blogs, running stores, coaches and more.

Charleston is home to the Cooper River Run 10K, a major road race held annually on the first Saturday in April for the past 39 years. On this day the Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge, an eight-lane cable-stayed wonder of more than two miles in length, holds 40,000 runners on a journey from Mt. Pleasant to downtown Charleston. Visit bridgerun.com for more information or to register. But don’t wait too long. The event sells out each year.

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 Run, Cranberry Township. Run various distances and paces.

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, 10 a.m.: Forever Young 5k Run and 1 Mile Walk, Brighton Township. Run through Brady’s Run Park. 724-774-5671 or sshearer@lsswpa.org

Sunday, 8:30 a.m.: Ghost Town Half Marathon, Black Lick. Run on Ghost Town Rail Trail starts at Saylor Park. 724-464-0900 or Gingerbreadmanrunning.com

Sunday, 10 a.m.: Mark J. Sampson Memorial 5k, Titusville. Run through Oil Creek State Park with food, music. 814-671-8455 or sampsoncrnp@gmail.com

Monday, 8 a.m.: Memorial Day Human Race 5k, Meadville. www.ernsttrail.org or mfinton@zoominternet.net

Monday, 9 a.m.: Miracle Mountain Ranch Run, Spring Creek. Choice of timed 5k road or 4.6 mile trail run, or 2.5 mile untimed run. 814-964-8548 or DGRosie3@gmail.com

June 4, 7 a.m.: God’s Country Marathon, Half Marathon and Team Relay, Galeton. Challenging point to point course. 814-274-3365 or www.godscountrymarathon.com

June 4, 8:30 a.m.: Izzie’s Dash for Organ Donation 5k and Family Fun Walk, Cranberry Township. Also family and kids activities. 724-591-6009 or www.izziesgifts.org

June 4, 9 a.m.: Freeport Flash 5k, Sarver. Flat and fast on Butler-Freeport Trail. 724-339-9607 or n3wav@aol.com

June 4, 9 a.m.: St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital 5k, Grove City. 724-372-9598 or editor@publishingteam.com

June 11, 5:30 a.m.: Laurel Highlands Ultra Challenge, Ohiopyle State Park. Rugged point to point course on Laurel Highlands Hiking Trail. Choice of 50k, 50k relay, 70.5 miles or 70.5 mile relay. 412-337-6820 or rick.freeman1@verizon.net

June 11, 9 a.m.: 9th Annual Art & Sole 5k Run/ Walk. Kids artwork as awards, t-shirts and race bags to all, benefits summer programs for inner city youth. 814-455-5508 or peichen@neighborhoodarthouse.org

June 12, 8 a.m.: 2nd Annual Butler County Habitat for Humanity Youth Triathlon, Cranberry Township. Held in North Boundary Park. 724-321-4265 or joella@zoominternet.net

June 18, 8:30 a.m.: Greater Clarksburg 10k and 2k, Clarksburg, WV. 304-672-3637 or www.greater_clarksburg10k.org

June 19, 8:30 a.m.: ERC Father’s Day Race, Erie. Starts at Presque Isle State Park Beach #1 with choice of ½ mile or 5k. 814-490-3921 or juliaroussos23@gmail.com

June 25, 8:30 a.m.: Hope for your Future 5k and 10k Run, 2 Mile Walk and 25 Mile Bike Race, Rimersburg. Also Superhero Run for Kids ages 11 and under at 9:30 A.M. Hopeforyourfuture13@gmail.com

June 25, 9 a.m.: Butler Road Race, Butler. Choice of 5 miles or 2k. 724-284-4676 or butlerroadrace@butlerhealthsystem.org

June 29, 7 p.m.: Strawberry Days 5k, Grove City. First race in Mercer County Twilight QUAD series. Register online at runhigh.com. 724-866-1374 or smc@runhigh.com

Race results

Pittsburgh Marathon Half Marathon, May 1 (finishing times under 1:55:00): Julius Kogo, 1st Overall M, 1:03:13; Etaferahu Temesgen, 1st Overall W, 1:13:08; Gar Bercury, 2nd 40-44 M, 1:22:54; Christine Lazzara, 2nd 35-39 W, 1:32:26; Christopher Lazzara, 1st 40-44 M, 1:32:57; Mark Courtney, 2nd 60-64 M, 1:39:12; Michelle Kochan, 1st 45-49 W, 1:40:22; Catherine Hrach, 3rd 45-49 W, 1:42:54; Michael Dreves, 1:27:06; Stefan Carlsson, 1:29:07; Jonathan Fleming, 1:29:17; Ryan Hughes, 1:29:24; Matt Sudak, 1:31:41; Aaron Kniess, 1:31:53; Anthony Miller, 1:32:50; Josh Venderlic, 1:33:39; David France, 1:34:07; David Lovett, 1:34:14; Matt Rhenish, 1:34:42; Marshall Tuten, 1:35:09; Grant Fleming, 1:35:20; Alyson Frederick, 1:35:31; Holly Whoolery, 1:35:51; Derek Priester, 1:37:12; Kevin Quinn, 1:38:54; Vince Seger, 1:39:27; Tj Pynos, 1:39:28; Robert Waltrip, 1:39:42; Jacob Mashuda, 1:40:05; John Evankovich, 1:40:10; Brandon Rodgers, 1:40:34; Greg Marburger, 1:40:35; Christopher Rowoth, 1:40:48; Lori Piedimonte, 1:41:03; Andy Ferguson, 1:41:13; Michael Chamberlain, 1:41:18; Amy Brown, 1:41:40; Kevin Persch, 1:42:04; David Fugate, 1:42:13; Steve Schupp, 1:42:49; David Rishel, 1:43:20; Keith Mularski, 1:43:25; Timothy McFarlane, 1:43:41; Russell King, 1:43:45; Jocelyn Stanfield, 1:43:47; Patrick Lister, 1:44:06; Mandy Sposato, 1:44:31; Christopher Mager, 1:45:02; Melissa Shute, 1:45:02; Lisa Batchelet, 1:45:09; Elizabeth Gallen, 1:45:14; T.R. Parry, 1:45:18; Michael Stitt, 1:45:22; Erin Resosky, 1:45:32; Kelly Mueseler, 1:45:40; Joel Sterniak, 1:45:40; Lauren Sauer, 1:45:59; Randon Santa, 1:46:14; Michelle Erwin, 1:46:20; Fernando Zertuche, 1:46:23; Stephen Arendosh, 1:46:46; Michael Cortese, 1:46:49; Jonathan Profili, 1:46:51; Conner Ailes, 1:46:53; Toni Weis, 1:46:55; Caitlin Snyder, 1:46:58; Matt Marshall, 1:47:05; Matt Grossman, 1:47:06; Gabrielle Pierre, 1:47:09; Jennifer Markey, 1:47:09; Bernadette Lewis, 1:47:12; Sydney Cole, 1:47:16; Madeline Dressen, 1:47:26; Kevin Ailes, 1:47:32; Christine Edmiston, 1:47:40; Danielle Rosswog, 1:47:51; Ed Sauer, 1:47:55; Michelle Carnicelli, 1:48:04; Kevin Wangler, 1:48:15; Ashley King, 1:48:17; Alison Defurio, 1:48:28; Hannah Brewer, 1:48:28; Kathy Hensler, 1:48:45; Michael Baxa, 1:48:51; Michael Finikiotis, 1:48:52; Hannah Kemper, 1:48:53; Ralph Graham, 1:48:56; Megan Rippin, 1:49:05; Kylie Leasure, 1:49:24; Karen Lyle, 1:49:25; Nicholas Campbell, 1:49:36; John Fernandez, 1:49:38; Paul Dibucci, 1:49:44; Susan Timko, 1:50:01; Michon Kerlin, 1:50:03; Christina Kapinskis, 1:50:08; Gary Peffer, 1:50:23; Mitch Radella, 1:50:30; Dean Rippee, 1:50:42; John Kuhn, 1:51:01; Jeffrey Hoban, 1:51:03; Evan Gorse, 1:51:14; Rich Hamilton, 1:51:23; Alexander Kern, 1:51:33; Jason Koss, 1:51:37; Eric Rieger, 1:51:43; Brian Shepard, 1:51:45; Angela Yarris, 1:52:06; Amy Peterson, 1:52:06; Laura Myers, 1:52:07; Nick Menchyk, 1:52:10; Mike Menchyk, 1:52:11; Lisa Lamm, 1:52:16; Ben Ivan, 1:52:19; Lori Hilton, 1:52:20; Roger Hyde, 1:52:21; Amanda Sulesky, 1:52:23; Kirsten Jacobs, 1:52:26; Steve Mote, 1:52:33; Ray Meals, 1:52:49; Kate Meeuf, 1:52:49; Craig Ottaviviani, 1:53:02; Banjamin Mauti, 1:53:08; Meghan Morris, 1:53:13; Dorothy Moxie, 1:53:16; Christian Renaud, 1:53:16; Meredith Gustafsson, 1:53:17; Mark Breedlove, 1:53:22; Kenny Lehman, 1:53:25; Thomas Minnock, 1:53:25; Jarod Stewart, 1:53:32; Henry Bernacki, 1:53:39; Timothy Frank, 1:53:44; Laura Syes, 1:53:54; Holly Muchenski, 1:53:59; John Choma, 1:54:13; Corey Savannah, 1:54:23; Nicole Williams, 1:54:24; Enio Tozzi, 1:54:27; Carlo Tozzi, 1:54:27; Michael Jones, 1:54:41; Leigh Anne Shubert, 1:54:41; Joscelyn Seaton, 1:54:41; Eric Fritch, 1:54:41; Jon McCaslin, 1:54:45; Kim Spears, 1:54:46; Dan Spears, 1:54:46; Lauren Jones, 1:54:48; Doug Smith, 1:54:50; Janel Kasowski, 1:54:58; Steven Swan, 1:54:59

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

Pat Neubert is a running columnist for the Butler Eagle