It sounded like a great idea back in April — three days and 45-plus miles of trail racing with friends in the grandeur of Utah’s national parks at the 2nd Annual Grand Circle Trailfest 2017.

By October I questioned my ability and sanity as I joined the 321 men and 520 women in the tent city of Kenab, Utah’s Jacob Hamblin Park, the staging area for Trailfest.

On race morning I woke to beeps and bells of dozens of alarms in runners’ tents. I roused myself in the 4:45 a.m. darkness and tried to dress in my sleeping bag, not quite ready to face the 28 degrees of the outside air. After a stop for convenience store coffee, my friends and I joined the car convoy heading to the starting line of Day 1’s event, a trail on the northeast Pausaugunt Plateau outside of Bryce Canyon National Park.

Because no large organized events are allowed in the national parks, Trailfest races are run on scenic trails outside of, but in the view of park lands.

Trailfest runs feature rolling starts which spread out the field on the mostly single-track trails. There was no crush toward the start. I stretched, shed my outerwear and jogged across the touchpad into the unknown.

I tried to maintain a steady effort on the first leg of the race, a 500 foot climb followed by a plunge back to the valley and reached the checkpoint with time to spare. I knew I would complete the rest of the half marathon distance at a much slower pace as the trail climbed more than 1,200 feet to a peak at 8,300 feet of elevation in three miles.

Like most of the mid-pack runners, I sucked wind climbing the steep knife-edge ridges and gingerly negotiated the dusty switch-backed downhills.

I couldn’t resist snapping photos of runners spread out over the course like a row of colorful ants against the backdrop of incredible and weird Bryce Canyon hoodoos. My quads throbbed over the last ascent and I descended through pine forest toward the finish line on wobbly legs.

Due to logistics of shuttling runners on the point-to-point course, our half marathon turned into almost 14.5 miles. Although race organizers later apologized, no one seemed to mind.

Day 2 was a gradual up and down with a tour of the mountain bike trails of Gooseberry Mesa near Zion National Park in between. At a lower altitude (maximum 5,407 feet) and elevation gain of 2,140 feet, I wasn’t sucking wind, but hopping on and off slickrock boulders took its toll on my already tired legs. Unlike yesterday’s run, intermittent sparse brush and cactus offered little shelter from the desert sun.

Knowing I had more than 19 miles to run on Day 3, I ran Day 2 as a recovery. I tried to run easy and stay focused, especially on a portion of the trail a few feet from the edge of a 1,000 foot cliff. There were plenty of opportunities to take a breath and take in the vast scenery, and fortunately, when I did trip over a rock on the trail, I only fell into a bush, bloodying my forearm.

Day 2’s trail was slightly shorter at 11.3 miles and everyone at the finish area seemed buoyed by success at its completion. We had earned another arrow as reward for the effort and looked forward to food, hot shower and beer back at camp.

Day 3’s 19-mile race on the North Rim of Grand Canyon loomed large in my mind. I began the gradual fire road ascent before dawn with temperatures in the mid-20s. After five miles and 930 feet of climbing, I broke through to brilliant sunshine followed by a gentle descent through pine and yellow aspens, then single-track switchback.

Our first glimpse of the Grand Canyon came at ten miles with another five to go before the last scenic overlook. As I gazed over the vastness and gathered myself for the final downhill miles, I felt at once exhilarated, blessed and humbled by the experience — a true mountaintop experience.

Grand Circle Trailfest is one of more than 20 stage races, ultras or half marathons held in scenic locales by Vacation Races. Sign up for your own adventure at VacationRaces.com

Upcoming events

Saturday, 9 a.m.: Monster Dash 5k, North Park. Costumes encouraged, ¼ mile kids run for kids 8 and under. 412-490-0881 or www.lightspeed-racing.com

Saturday, 9 a.m.: East Brady Halloween Hustle 5k, East Brady. Run on Armstrong Trail. 724-526-3764 or www.smileymiles.com

Saturday, 10 a.m.: Harrison Hills Halloween 5k/10k Trail Run, Natrona Heights. Trail run through Harrison Hills Park, costume contest. 724-487-3586

Saturday, 11 a.m.: Titusville YMCA Trail of Treats 5k and Fun Run, Titusville. Run through Oil Creek State Park. Costumes encouraged. 814-827-3931 or jslater@worldconnx.net

Sunday, 3 p.m.: Great Pumpkin 5k and 1 Mile, Zelienople. Bucknut2304@gmail.com

Nov. 4, 8 a.m.: ZooZilla 5k, Pittsburgh. Run on Pittsburgh Zoo grounds, includes Zoo admission. No race day registration. runsignup.com/Race/PA/Pittsburgh/ZooZilla5K or gboldizar@pittsburghzoo.org

Nov. 4, 9:30 a.m.: Dirt Monster 5 Mile Trail Race and 1 Mile Trail Walk, North Park. Individual or team competition. www.ocdfwpa.org/dirt-monster-race

Nov. 4, 10 a.m.: Butler YMCA Turkey Trot 5k and Kids 1 Mile, Butler. Starts at YMCA, runs through Memorial Park. 724-287-4733 or jknauff@bcymca.org

Nov. 4, 10 a.m.: Pancreatic Cancer 5k Run and Fun Walk, Indiana. Run on Hoodlebug Trail. Jlb3384@gmail.com

Nov. 5, 8 a.m.: EQT Pittsburgh 10 Miler, Pittsburgh. Run starts at Station Square. www.pittsburgh10miler.org/RaceInfo

Nov. 5, 9 a.m.: Operation Troop Appreciation Veterans Day 5k, Allison Park. Starts at Hampton Community Park, benefits Operation Troop Appreciation. Runsignup.com/race/pa/allisonpark/operationtroopappreciation5k or gerardmac977@aol.com

Nov. 5, 9 a.m.: Indiana First Bank Veterans’ Marathon and ½ Marathon, Black Lick. Relatively flat out and back on Ghost Town Trail. 724-599-5929 or www.indianaroadrunners.com

Nov. 11, 9 a.m.: Sharpsville Community Food Pantry 5k, Sharpsville. Challenging run benefits Sharpsville Community Food Pantry. Snadra04@outlook.com

Nov. 11, 9 a.m.: Buffalo Township Veterans Day 10k and 5k Fun Run, Sarver. Flat and scenic course on Butler-Freeport Rail Trail. Includes wheelchair competition. 724-882-9953 or www.buffalotownship.com/veteransdayrace

Nov. 18, 8:30 a.m.: 10th Annual Harvest Moon Race, Moon Township. Choice of 5k or 10 miles, separate 5k stroller race, also kids fun run at 9 A.M. Post race hot apple crisp. 412-490-0881 or www.harvestmoonrace.org

Nov. 18, 9 a.m.: Fight for Life 5k, Apollo. Benefits American Cancer Society. 724-568-2517 or dzukas@cancer.org

Race results

Butler Lions Club Scoot and Toot 5k, Sept. 24: David Bruni, 1st Overall M, 23:21; Ike Eisenbrown, 2nd Overall M, 24:27; Mateo Saspe, 3rd Overall M, 25:08; Melissa Beeman, 1st Overall W, 25:34; Mia Rader, 2nd Overall W, 25:53; Alyssa Eyth, 3rd Overall W, 26:09; Maxwell Weiland, 1st 14 & Under M, 26:01; Brian Weilnd, 1st 40-59 M, 26:09; 26:09; Richard Saspe, 2nd 40-59 M, 26:25; Dean Waid, 3rd 40-59 M, 26:49; Lucy Hartle, 1st 14 & Under W, 26:57; John Ward, 1st 20-39 M, 27:19; Kellie Birckbichler, 1st 40-59 W, 27:32; Tristan Hilliard, 1st 15-19 M, 27:34; Kevin King, 3rd 15-19 M, 27:34; Patrick Lane, 3rd 15-19 M, 29:52; Parker Knobeloch, 2nd 14& Under M, 29:58; Robert Knobeloch, 2nd 20-39 M, 29:59; Darren Waid, 3rd 20-39 M, 30:16; Katie Ellis, 1st 20-39 W, 30:45; Gracie Hartle, 2nd 14 & Under W, 31:08; Art Black, 1st 60+ M, 34:27; Al Lane, 2nd 60+ M, 36:07; Suzie Olszewski, 2nd 40-59 W, 38:28; Bill Olszewski, 3rd 60+ M, 39:22; Jamie Petroski, 3rd 40-59 W, 39:32; Kim Greco, 1st 60+ W, 42:30; Loree Ward, 2nd 20-39 W, 56:31; Miles Bindernagel, 3rd 14 & Under M, 1:15:11; October Lowe, 2nd 60+ W, 1:15:58; Connie Ivill, 1:16:01; Simon Brown; 32:39; Jennifer Gilliland, 48:23; Ellen Fullerton, 48:29; BT Fullert; Douglas Hayes, 51:30; Kevin Barnhart, 56:54; Patrick Kaib, 1:03:23; Rita Lane, 1:03:28

Franklin Applefest 5k, Oct. 7: Matthew Puleio, 1st Overall M, 17:15; Claire Oliver, 1st Overall W, 19:38; Ryan Irwin, 3rd 30-39 M, 20:01; Breanna Cocrod, 2nd 13-17 W, 22:54; Jennifer McNabb, 1st 50-59 W, 25:01; Robert Sands, 3rd 65+ M, 28:57; Valerie Sands, 3rd 65+ W, 34:36; Wyatt Heyl, 21:21; Joseph Hanna, 25:21; Kristen Kramer, 26:36; Charlie Cook, 26:42; Matthew Steinmiller, 26:43; Kayla Albert, 26:50; Marisa Guriel, 26:55; Emily Kruse, 27:31; Matt Williams, 27:42; Mike Traister, 27:44; Neil Kruse, 28:49; Lisa Lee, 30:45; Danielle Wiles, 30:47; Nicole Grove, 30:49; Shawn Strobel, 31:01; Laurel Sutterfield, 32:58; Bill Woods, 33:29; Janelle Fumerola, 33:29; Steven Strobel, 33:49; Joshua Price, 33:58; Dirk Ritzert, 34:11; Brian Mong, 34:42; Crystal Albert, 35:03; Jenny Strobel, 36:12; Robert Brown, 36:12; Heather Mason, 36:39; Scott Mason, 36:42; Chris Brunsgaard, 37:04; Joshua Rittner, 37:43; Justin Hutzell, 38:49; Brandon Blanco, 44:04

PALS 5k, Oct. 7: Mark Courtney, 1st Overall M, 22:41; Nathan Jackson, 2nd Overall M, 23:16; Charis Carroll, 1st Overall W, 23:46; Grace Wilshire, 2nd Overall W, 27:38; Christian Loewe, 1st 14 & Under M, 25:50; Nathan Loewe, 1st 30-39 M, 27:08; Sam Wilshire, 1st 15-19 M, 29:56; Colton Rearick, 2nd 14 & Under M, 31:52; 31:52; Edward Terhune, 1st 50-59 M, 34:00; David Rearich, 2nd 30-39 M, 34:16; Amber Loewe, 1st 14 & Under W, 36:04; Megan Giammarco, 1st 30-39 W, 36:15; Jennifer Loewe, 2nd 30-39 W, 38:24; John Patrus, 1st 70+ M, 39:17; Bethanie Westgate, 3rd 30-39 W, 45:09; Jacob Hudzinski, 3rd 14 & Under M, 48:55; Shawn Hudzinski, 2nd 40-49 M, 48:57; Melissa Rearick, 1st 40-49 W, 52:07; Lauren Pesce, 1st 20-29 W, 55:49; Joe Mikolaczyk, 3rd 40-49 M, 55:57; Bianca Loewe, 2nd 14 & Under W, 1:13:58; Denise Dash, 1st 50-69 W, 1:13:59; Nicole Sothoron, 55:49; Anthony Giammarco, 59:00

Columbus Marathon, Oct. 15: Teklu Tefera Deneke, 1st Overall M, 2:20:52; Susan Jerotich, 1st Overall W, 2:37:57; Gary Bell, 3rd 70-74 M, 4:08:48; Jeff Taylor, 3:34:58; Steven Pozz, 3:51:06; Leslie Kramer, 3:55:26; Sean McGue, 4:05:33; Carlos Velasco, 4:14:23; Jeff Lynn, 4:15:16; Michael Koop, 4:17:49; Ryan Oreilly, 4:19:56; Janine Marcoux, 4:32:42; Preston Ramsey, 4:37:31; Olivia Drohan, 4:37:34; Caroline Huber, 4:38:18; Eric Fencil, 4:41:26; Melinda McDonough, 4:54:01; Greg Malcolm, 4:55:51; Kevin Kandra, 4:57:34; William Loy, 4:59:33; Matt Drohan, 5:07:40; Michael Jacobs, 5:08:20;

Columbus Half Marathon, Oct.15: Macdonald Ondara, 1st Overall M, 1:04:01; Sophy Jepchirchir, 1st Overall W, 1:14:00; Robin Springirth, 1:40:51; Philip Springirth, 1:47:13; Tanya Rings, 1:47:51; James Hardt, 1:52:57; Eliza Drohan, 1:53:26; Justin Stadelmyer, 1:53:56; Eliza Gordon, 1:55:43; Gabriel Gordon, 1:55:46; Kristen Petrina, 2:01:43; Evan Lowe, 2:02:28; Catherine Siegfried, 2:09:05; Dara Bailey, 2:10:48; Sherry Kleindl, 2:10:48; Erica Salizzoni, 2:10:54; Ashley Duespohl, 2:16:08; Tom Meling, 2:23:33; Laura Santoro, 2:26:16; Jenna Santoro, 2:26:17; Daniel Lorigan, 2:33:10; Andrea Judson, 2:40:18; Cassondra Charney, 2:41:36; Amanda Hardt, 2:43:47; Susan Hardt, 2:43:47; Emily Troyan, 2:54:09; Dianne Glave, 3:50:20; Nancy Petshot, 3:56:06; Terry Rockwell, 3:56:07

Send comments and suggestions: Patricia Neubert. Phone 724-352-4395. Email lotzak@consolidated.net

Pat Neubert is a running columnist for the Butler Eagle