Fall is my favorite time of year to run on trails and two trail races in particular.

Earlier this month, I ran the 11th annual Buffalo Creek Half Marathon, a scenic, gentle, mostly downhill run from Cabot to Freeport on the packed gravel Butler-Freeport Trail. It’s beautiful, fast and fun, and benefits the 21-mile trail.

The event is the major fundraiser for the association which maintains the trail and raised $33,000 for resurfacing of two major portions of the trail in 2015. This year funds will be used to purchase equipment to keep the trail clear of grass and drainage ditches open.

This year saw slight changes in both the start and finish of the race in what race director Chris Ziegler hopes will be the permanent course for the event. The race finish returned to Freeport, forcing runners to climb a short, steep incline in the last half-mile, but allowing more room at the finish area in Second Street Park.

Chris says that one of the goals of her organizing committee is to make two improvements to the event each year. The new starting area at Cabot Methodist Church in Cabot is one of those improvements. Runners and spectators parked at the church, had access to the warmth of the building and were shuttled back from the finish.

The new start proved a little chaotic as runners funneled across the narrow start pad from the gravel parking lot. And some participants had to forgo a last trip to the porta-potty as lines were incredibly inefficient.

Chris Ziegler says that her group focuses on making the race enjoyable for the runners. By popular demand, the race offered gender-specific technical shirts and newly designed finisher’s medals produced locally. The race has five stations on the course and a post-race feast including pizza and hot cider.

She says that although there is some interest in conducting a full marathon on the Butler-Freeport Trail, someone else would have to organize it. Her mission is to give runners a quality stand-alone half marathon each October.

If you missed this year’s Buffalo Creek Half Marathon, it’s not too late for my second favorite October trail race. The Harrison Hills Halloween 10k/5k, is at 10 a.m. this Saturday. It is a more challenging loop through Harrison Hills Park, just south of Freeport.

Harrison Hills offers more than a race. There’s a fitness competition following the race with trophies for the fittest man and woman judges in a Plank Off. And since it’s Halloween, participants are urged to dress up for a costume contest with homemade pies as prizes in six categories. There’s also a delicicious post-race meal, Chinese auction and more.

The course loops through scenic Harrison Hills Park and Rachel Carson trails. There’s nothing too technical, but it’s mostly hilly single-track. Walkers and dogs on leashes are welcome on the 5k course, but are requested to line up in the back at the start.

Harrison Hills Halloween Trail 5k/10k is fun with a purpose. Funds raised will support scout projects within the park. Past projects include construction of handicapped access ramps, bat and bird boxes and benches throughout the park.

Registration for Harrison Hills Halloween Trail 5k/10k opens at 8 a.m. at the Environmental Learning Center on Chipmunk Drive in the park. Commemorative T-shirts will be in very short supply for walk-ups. Pre-race briefing is at 9:45 and the 10k starts at 10 a.m. The 5k starts at 10:10.

Call or e-mail Spencer or Grace Clark for more information, 724-252-7573 or clarksk7@gmail.com or check out their Facebook page, Harrison Hills Trail Run 5k/10k.

Upcoming events

Saturday, 8 a.m.: Harrison Hills Halloween 5k/10k Trail Run, Natrona Heights. Run on single track park trails. clarksk7@gmail.com

Saturday, 9 a.m.: Sharpsville Community Food Pantry 5k, Sharpsville. 724-962-7130 or Snadra04@outlook.com

Saturday, 9 a.m.: Running of the Lions 5k, New Castle. Run through Pearson Park with free post race pancake breakfast. 724-844-6797 or Clarks142@comcast.net

Sunday, 3 p.m.: Great Pumpkin 5k and 1 Mile, Zelienople. Starts at St. Gregory Church. Bucknut2304@gmail.com

Nov. 5, 9 a.m.: Marathon on the Mountain, Seven Springs Resort. Also half marathon and 5k. 304-488-6424 or info@mudonthemountain.com

Nov. 5, 9 a.m.: ZooZilla 5k, Pittsburgh. Run through Pittsburgh Zoo and Aquarium grounds. gbolizar@pittsburghzoo.org

Nov. 5, 9 a.m.: Gotcha 5k and 1 Mile, Harmony. droversinn@gmail.com

Nov. 5, 10 a.m.: Butler YMCA Turkey Trot 5k and Kids 1 Mile, Butler. 724-287-4733 or www.bcfymca.org

Nov. 5, 9 a.m.: Buffalo Township Veterans Day 10k and 5k, Sarver. Out and back on Butler-Freeport Rail Trail starts at Monroe Road trailhead. 724-882-9953 or tjt@salsgiver.com

Nov. 5, 9:30 a.m.: Dirt Monster 5 Mile Trail Race and 1 Mile Trail Walk, North Park. Rugged trail run starts at Grant Pavilion. ocdirections@verizon.net

Nov. 6, 8 a.m.: EQT 10-Miler, Pittsburgh. Pittsburgh10miler.org

Nov. 6, 9 a.m.: Operation Troop Appreciation Veterans’ Day 5k Race, Hampton Township. Run through Hampton Community Park with entertainment along the course and free post race buffet. Gerardmac977@aol.com

Nov. 6, 9 a.m.: Indiana First Bank Veterans’ Marathon and Half Marathon, Black Lick. Out and back on Ghost Town Trail, also marathon relay. 724-349-3200 or indianaroadrunners.com

Nov. 6, 9 a.m.: Ridgway Turkey Trot Marathon, Half Marathon and 5k, Ridgway. Out and back on Clarion-Little Toby Rail Trail, also three-person marathon relay. 814-776-1146 or ridgwaymca@windstream.net

Nov. 12, 9 a.m.: Fall Classic 5k and 10k, Kittanning. Starts at new YMCA. briggle@rgsymca.org

Nov. 19, 9 a.m.: Fight for Life 5k, Apollo. Benefits American Cancer Society. 724-568-2517 or dzukas@cancer.org

Nov. 19, 10 a.m.: Foxburg Turkey Trot 5k, Foxburg. Also Thanksgiving themed costume contest. 724-659-3431 or foxburgfreelibrary@gmail.com

Nov. 24, 9 a.m.: Ebensburg Turkey Trot 5k, Ebensburg. www.ebensburgrunners.org

Nov. 24, 9 a.m.: 20th Annual Gobbler’s Gallop 10k and 5k, Elwood City. 5k starts at 10:15 A.M. 724-758-6227 or joeandsidney@yahoo.com

Nov. 24, 9 a.m.: Seneca Valley Turkey Chase 5k, Cranberry Township. Run through Graham Park benefits Seneca Valley cross country. 724-272-4958 or kbrhens@zoominternet.net

Race results

Pittsburgh Great Race 10k, Sept. 25 (finishers under 50 minutes): Caleb Muller, 1st Overall M, 14:42; Larissa Park, 1st Overall W, 17:06; John Reed, 3rd 17-19 M, 16:11; Sean McDonnell, 3rd 20-24 M, 16:45; Tara Lucot, 1st 12-13 W, 19:55; Owen Schessler, 2nd 11 and Under M, 20:33; Robert Sands, 2nd 70-74 M, 27:34; Rich Rine, 2nd 75-79 M, 31:50; Valerie Sands, 3rd 70-74 W, 35:34; MRGE Stauffer, 2nd 80+ W, 42:45; Ryan McCormick, 16:54; Gregory Schiller, 20:15; Bill Schessler, 20:49; Paul Juliano, 20:53; Devin Schupp, 21:02; Caleb Rauscher, 21:22; Steve Schupp, 21:27; Ryan Wolf, 21:30; Mitch Radella, 21:38; Adelle Snider, 22:40; Shelly Shebetich, 22:57; Ryan Joschak, 23:14; Nicole Joschak, 23:14; Bill Snider, 23:21; Christine Patton, 23:41; Alfred Wahl, 24:06; Hunter Lawrence, 24:26; Chris Delfrate, 24:35; Denise Traaubert, 24:55; Andrew Breese, 25:08; Alex Hsia, 25:11; Harry Balish, 25:22; Mark Blasinsky, 25:23; Dina Snider, 25:24; Julian Varlotta, 25:40; Teresa Packey, 25:53; Damien Wissolik, 25:58; Claire Williams, 26:01; Jeremy Pacana, 26:11; Corinne Petrus, 26:21; Gianni Varlotta, 26:22; Amanda Campbell, 26:23; Addie Klocko, 26:25; Jody Campbell, 26:31; Timothy Gates, 26:35; Anna Haney, 26:43; Daniel Christo, 26:55; Ray Brody, 27:00; Laura Palisin, 27:05; Karen Shearon, 27:14; Jeremy Jarrell, 27:30; Nicholas Cook, 27:43; Thomas Ray, 27:48; Nathan Macioce, 28:04; Mei Lu, 28:44; Gretchen Pink, 28:44; Kayleigh Clark, 28:47; Nicole Clark, 28:48; Elaine Wisolik, 28:52; Jennifer Koshute, 29:06; Jimmy Hsia, 29:08; Jane Sherry, 29:09; Casey Moore, 29:09; Joe Stoy, 29:11; Kim Veon, 29:15; Brian Pelligrino, 29:15; Preston Vock, 29:16; Sharon Barlow, 29:16; Jim Clark, 29:16; Rachel Rutkowski, 29:17; Maggie Ray, 29:26; Patty Balish, 29:30; Mitzi Pynos, 29:43; Teddy Klocko, 29:50; Carley Stoy, 29:54; Heather Cook, 29:56; Richard Honsaker, 29:59; John Rhoden, 30:01; Rich Reynolds, 30:11; Shayan Gupta, 30:13; Sharmilla Gupta, 30:14; Danielle Reynolds, 30:15; Kristy Tonelli, 30:16; Nancy Thenthongkham, 30:22; Dave Shebetich, 30:25; Douglas Klcko, 30:32; Luke Polito, 31:33; Don Polito, 31:37; Jennifer Rickabaugh, 31:45; Shane Rine, 31:49; Kevin Haser, 31:57; Beth Brubach, 32:07; Larry Brubach, 32:0; Lori Randolph, 32:23; Peter Schenk, 32:25; Terry Melis, 32:28; Ann Cheman, 32:39; Shira Burg, 33:04; Tiffany Hughes, 33:10; Sarah Smith, 33:34; Jill Deitch, 33:37; Noelle Haser, 33:48; Rachel Pasko, 34:04; Cathy Anderson, 34:10; Jim Derby, 34:15; Lauren Donato, 34:16; Carole Klocko, 34:18; Cindy MAro, 34:26; Rebecca Kolano, 34:27; Tracy Pellegrino, 34:35; Holly Burkert, 34:50; Jaclyn Rauscher, 35:10; Andrew Williams, 35:13; Allison Beresnyak, 35:14; Carson Williams, 35:17; Heather Dils, 35:21; Keith Dils, 35:21; Russell Pfeiffer, 35:33; Lois Adams, 35:51; Heather Ray, 35:52; Haley Alexander, 35:52; Greg Alexander, 35:54; Michael Joyce, 36:03; Alyson Joyce, 36:03; Kate Mathieu, 36:17; Colleen Fricioni, 36:22; John Miller, 36:22; Joe Miller, 36:23; Michael Young, 36:26; Josh Packey, 36:36; Meghan Johnson, 37:01; Ed Barlow, 37:20; Sophia Heller, 37:25; Chiara Figallo, 37:25; Domenic Fricioni, 37:46; Abigail Brown, 38:08; Dana Brown, 38:09; Davis Brown, 38:17; Zoe Brown, 38:18; Mark Johnson, 38:26; Amy Buchwald, 38:27; Jennifer Murcko, 38:42; Oscar Heller, 39:06; Matthew Heller, 39:06; Ayla Alexander, 39:18; Allison Alexander, 39:19; Bobi-Jean Alexander, 39:19; Christopher Donato, 39:35; Christopher Patton, 39:53; Mary Lee Kolano, 39:59; Avani Salunkhe, 40:02; Laura Colson, 40:48; Erin Tarasi, 41:02; Stephanie Crail, 42:02; Kate Porter, 42:14; Jacqueline Maurer, 42:21; KREN Florian, 42:37; Wendy Jones, 42:46; Maria Mager, 43:25; Anna Rhoden, 43:51; Michelle Berkoben, 44:10; Courtney Dunn, 44:26; Olivia Alexander, 44:38; Mary Ann Acton, 44:38; Debbie Alexander, 44:43; Jackie Hudson, 44:47, Edward Crail, 45:37; Amber Depew, 46:02; Thomas Dunn, 46:06; Glenn Woods, 46:58; Amy Hoffman, 47:26; Katherine McDonald, 48:04; Marie Moreau, 48:21; Olivia Moore, 48:28; Jason Moore, 48:29; Tracy Moore, 48:29; Ryan Moore, 48:30; Chelsey Olsen, 49:01; Adam Olsen, 49:05; Ashley Depew, 49:05; Mary Beth Styslinger, 49:20

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

Pat Neubert is a running columnist for the Butler Eagle.