The more than two million acres of public land in the northern part of the state is called “The Pennsylvania Wilds.” Last weekend's first Conquer the Canyon Half, Full Marathon and 5k Run near Wellsboro gave runners not only a great race but an up-close-and-personal encounter with Pennslvania wildness.

Pine Creek Trail, site of the half and full marathons, is a 62-mile packed gravel trail on a former railroad bed dating back to the 1880s. Opened in 1996, the trail winds through the glacially-formed Pennsylvania Grand Canyon along Pine Creek from Wellsboro to Jersey Shore.

Conquer the Canyon, hosted by Schuylkill River Runners, offered something for everyone. Events began on Friday with a casual evening preview jog at the half/marathon start at Darling Run trail access.

On Saturday morning, close to 300 runners assembled at Wellsboro High School for a surprisingly hilly and warm road and trail 5k loop. All 5k finishers earned custom-designed medals and 211 of them looked forward to receiving a medal for finishing the half or full marathon on Sunday with a bonus Challenge medal for completing both days' events.

I skipped the optional pasta party held at the Wellsboro Moose on Saturday evening to benefit local Second Chance Animal Sanctuary. Instead, I chose dinner at a local restaurant, then ended the evening with a final soak in the hot tub of the historic Coach Stop Inn in Ansonia.

Race morning for the half and full marathons dawned cool and, as is typical in the canyon, foggy — refreshing and perfect for running. Runners arrived by shuttle bus from Tioga County Fairgrounds since adequate parking for runners, spectators and regular trail users was not possible. Unlike big-city marathons, Conquer the Canyon had a relaxed and friendly vibe. Services at the starting area were adequate for nervous runners and their supportive families and friends. And volunteers, visible in dayglow-colored shirts, were happy to answer questions.

The nearly 700 runners in the sold-out race self-seeded according to pace goals or finishing time placards held high by Beast Pacing volunteers. Runners attempting their first-ever half or full marathon chatted with those hoping to “conquer” their time goals and qualify for Boston on this certified, flat and fast course. Promptly at 7 A.M., runners surged across the timing pad and headed south down the trail.

Miles ticked by easily in the scenic beauty of the canyon. Pine Creek rippled alongside under the watch of soaring green mountain ridges. At mile 5, a bald eagle watched the spectacle of the race from a perch on the opposite bank. I fell in with a group of women running a similar pace in an overwhelmingly female field, a demographic trend in road racing according to operations director Megan McHugh-Bagg.

After the turnaround, the second 6.55 miles of the course changes by 100 feet in an almost imperceptible rise. Soon, I heard announcements, music and cheering ahead and pushed toward the finish. I was welcomed with congratulations, a medal, water and snacks. Later I would receive a commemorative pint glass age group award.

At that point, runners in the marathon turned to complete another 13.1 mile loop of the course. McHugh-Bagg says the double loop allowed for more miles within the scenic canyon and a better experience for participants, always a goal for Schuylkill River Runners.

She says that race director Paul Myers, Max Clayton and their crew had spent more than a year working on balancing wants and needs of runners with respect for the natural area and the community. Because Conquer the Canyon was held within the state park, permitting was required from DCNR in addition to local community requirements.

Organizers hope to return to the canyon next year. They also invite runners to sign up for their “Great Allegheny” Ohiopyle Half Marathon, 10k and 5k on April 18 and 19 on the scenic, flat and fast Great Allegheny Passage. Visit www.SchuylkillRiverRunners.com for more information.

Saturday, 9 a.m.: St. Barnabas Free Care 5k, Gibsonia. 724-625-3770 or ssommariva@stbarnabashealthsystem.comSunday, 7 a.m.: Drake Well Marathon and Half Marathon, Titusville. 814-827-2799 or rd_dwm@yahoo.comAugust 10, 7:30 a.m.: Two Face 10k Road/Trail race, North Park. Trail 10k starts at 9 A.M. 412-490-0881 or www.lightspeed-racing.comAugust 10, 8:30 a.m.: Slickville 5k Coal Mine Climb and 2 Mile Fun Walk, Slickville. Challenging backcountry 5k and gentler 2 mile. runsignup.com/Race/PA/Slickville/Slickville5kCoalMineClimb2MIleFunWalk?aflt_token=HrZcYWJT57TH3GH4vWg7QL584fEmdOnK&r=YAugust 10, 9 a.m.: Rimersburg Cookie Daze 5k and 5 Mile, Rimersburg. 814-473-6427August 10, 9 a.m.: Brookline Breeze 5k Run and Fitness Walk, Pittsburgh.. Also 1 mile dog walk at 8:35 A.M. runsignup.com/Race/PA/Pittsburgh/BrooklineBreeze5KAugust 10, 6 p.m.: Run for the Trail 7k Run and 2 Mile Fun Run/Walk, Dilltown. Run on Ghost Town Trail, part of Indiana County Triple Crown. 724-479-0769 or www.indianaroadrunners.comAugust 11, 8 a.m.: P&LE Express 4 Mile/ 10 Mile, Boston. Run on Yough River Trail. Teambrunazzi@gmail.com or www.youghtrailrunner.comAugust 14, 7 p.m.: Courtney's Ice Cream Race 5k, Grove City. Run, then eat ice cream. 412-996-7963 or www.runhigh.comAugust 16, 7 p.m.: Passavant Hospital Foundatioon 8k/4k, Allison Park. 412-748-6640 or posaaa@ph.upmc.eduAugust 17, 8:30 a.m.: Lawrence County Fair 5k, New Castle. Held at Lawrence County Fairgrounds. Lawcofair@gmail.comAugust 18, 8 a.m.: Hamot/Mayor's Cup 5k/10k, Erie. Also 5k and 1 mile walk at 8:15 A.M. and Toddler Trot at 9:45 A.M. runsignup.com/Race/PA/Erie/Hamot10kMayorsCupAugust 24, 9 a.m.: Latrobe Banana Split 5k Run/Walk, Latrobe. Flat and fast course celebrates creation of the banana split. 724-537-4331 or dawn@latrobecreation.orgAugust 25, 8 a.m.: Indiana County Fair Inaugural 5k and Fun Walk, Indiana. Held at Indiana County Fairgrounds. tconrad@nextierbank.comAugust 31, 7 a.m.: French Creek Half Marathon and 5k, Meadville. Mostly flat on Ernst Trail. 814-336-2196 or kristoph.ymca@zoominternet.netAugust 31, 9 a.m.: Easterseals Centennial 10k and 5k Run and 2 Mile Walk, Kittanning. Run out and back on level bike trail. 724-841-6528 or bonnherb@yahoo.comAugust 31, 11 a.m.: 2nd Annual Fireman's Mud Run 5k and Fireman's Trail Run, New Bethlehem. 814-229-8127 or hemann728@outlook.comSeptember 2, 7 a.m.: Buhl Day Half and 5k, Hermitage. 5k start at 9 A.M. 724-981-3700 or buhlrun.orgSeptember 2, 5 p.m.: Spartansburg Fair 5k Spartansburg. 814-664-0190 or spartansburgcommunityfair.org

Zelienople Firecracker 5k, July 4: Zachary Leachman, 1st Overall M, 16:18; Luke Simpson, 2nd Overall M, 16:50; Noah Peterson, 3rd Overall M, 17:29; Abby Kreber, 1st Overall W, 20:44; Ben Capozzi, 1st 15-17 M, 18:33; Owen Schessler, 2nd 13-14 M, 18:43; Ryan Steigerwald, 3rd 13-14 M, 19:01; Zachary Baker, 2nd 15-17 M, 19:55; Todd Allman, 1st 55-59 M, 20:43; Jim Gallagher, 1st 50-54 M, 21:31; Dustin Kalkbrenner, 2nd 35-39, 21:39; Freya Davis, 1st 13-14, 21:57; Gordon Davis, 1st 45-49 M, 22:43; Aaron Matulevich, 1st 18-24 M, 22:50; Josie Schneider, 1st 15-17 W, 22:50; Eva Carney, 2nd 15-17 W, 22:56; Sydney Perry, 2nd 13-14 W, 22:59; Bill Schessler, 3rd 50-54 M, 23:05; Robyn VanDyke, 1st 40-44 W, 24:13; Beth Heinkin, 1st 35-39 W, 24:34; Jeff Leya, 3rd 55-59 M, 24:47; Mike Jacobs, 3rd 35-39 M, 24:50; Bryn Carney, 3rd 15-17 W, 25:26; Josh Barthlow, 1st 30-34 M, 25:26; Stacey Tornifolio, 2nd 35-39 W, 27:21; Kathy Hensler, 1st 50-54 W, 28:22; Aislyn Schessler, 1st 7-8 W, 28:35; Joann Carrisquillo, 2nd 65-69 W, 29:36; Cindy Waltemire, 1st 60-64 W, 29:54; James Gascoine, 2nd 60-64 M, 30:05; Jeff Carey, 3rd 45-49 M, 30:17; Luke Kovacic, 2nd 7-8 M, 31:08; Danielle Waters, 1st 45-49 W, 31:47; Dena Petrella, 2nd 45-49 W, 31:48; Nicole Snyder, 3rd 45-49 W, 31:48; Shannon Gallagher, 1st 25-29 W, 32:11; Peggy Sibenac, 2nd 60-64 W, 33:53; Kim Kenetz, 2nd 50-54 W, 39:54; Isaac Boring, 21:25; Owen Davis, 21:25; Greg Marburger, 23:10; Caden Leighty, 23:58; Mitch Radella, 24:06; Teagan Leighty, 25:55; Edwin Amrhein III, 27:59; Hunter Peterson, 28:16; David Steigerwald, 29:09; Owen Boring, 29:16; Jessica Weis, 29:16; Tim Wison, 30:14; Keelin Schessler, 30:27; Karter Leroy, 30:44; Katie Kovacic, 31:08; Riley Perry, 31:28; Alison Carey, 32:02; Laurie Schessler, 32:43; Bodey Balifour, 37:12; Isabella Leighty, 37:21Hampton Rotary Firecracker 5k, July 4: Gregory Byrnes, 1st Overall M, 18:40; Michal Kewecki, 2nd Overall M, 19:39; Bethany Bowman, 1st Overall W, 20:46; Alissa Beam, 3rd Overall W, 23:01; Pete Mullins, 1st 25-29 M, 20:25; Chris Belch, 1st 12-14 M, 20:41; Mike Belch, 2nd 15-18 M, 20:59; John Evankovich, 1st 30-39 M, 21:33; Mike Klier, 1st 50-59 M, 21:58; Kevin Mcloughlin, 3rd 12-14 M, 21:58; Ryan Roethlein, 3rd 30-39 M, 22:31; Joe Ebbert, 2nd 19-24 M, 22:54; Jerry Kosar, 1st 60-69 M, 23:31; Laura Fronis, 1st 25-29 W, 23:58; Kate Hrach, 2nd 40-49 W, 24:58; Tom Ebbert, 2nd 60-69 M, 25:13; Moira Davenport, 3rd 40-49 W, 25:27; Madiline Clark, 1st 15-18 W, 25:40; Asher Pesanka, 1st 8-9 M, 25:47; Shaun Donnelly, 2nd 25-29 M, 26:29; Wyatt Bonfili, 1st 10-11 M, 26:38; Samantha Clark, 2nd 15-18 W, 26:41; Kim Mcloughlin, 1st 50-59 W, 26:42; Talitha Fulk, 3rd 15-18 W, 26:49; Stephanie Scoletti, 2nd 30-39 W, 27:26; Lucas Pott, 2nd 8-9 M, 28:36; Megan Kosar, 3rd 25-29 W, 29:42; Heather Laun, 3rd 50-59 W, 31:17; Maya Daugherty, 2nd 10-11 W, 32:34; Sawyer Mays, 1st 7 & Under M, 33:56; Catie Parker, 1st 7 & Under W, 34:07; Levi Merz, 2nd 7 & Under M, 34:24; Sam Slatcoff, 3rd 7 & Under M, 35:57; Savannah Druga, 2nd 8-9 W, 37:50; Sydney Slatcoff, 2nd 7 & Under W, 38:38; Mila Korch, 3rd 7 & Under W, 38:47; Joni Clemente, 1st 60-69 W, 40:14; Dan Mainiero, 1st 70+ M, 41:52; Walter DeForest, 2nd 70+ M, 45:01; Susan Merz, 1st 70+ W, 45:39; Lucas Witt, 21:44; Quenn Romenlaun, 22:07; Brian Wentling, 22:21; Matthew Scoletti, 23:55; Chris Bonfili, 24:28; Andrew Parker, 25:37; Rob Ferguson, 26:33; Caroline Swan, 27:16; Logan Bosiljevaz, 27:33; Gabbrielle Fulk, 27:52; Madison Fitzgerald, 28:06; Jeffrey Fitzgerald, 28:06; Catherine Arvay, 28:31; Wayne Toy, 28:36; Jeremy Pott, 28:36; Mark Blasinsky, 29:31; Erika Clark, 29:35; Luca Romenlaun, 30:04; Gonzalo Romenlaun, 30:04; Shawn Wright, 31:34; Elizabeth Akanowicz, 31:56; Megan Korch, 31:56; Heather Daugherty, 32:49; Sue English, 33:19; Hattie Brasseur, 33:35; Tyler Fitzgerald, 33:44; Andrea Eberhart, 33:50; Leanne Mays, 33:56; Becky Parker, 34:08; Leah Beam, 35:33; Thatcher Mays, 35:58; Matt Mays, 35:59; Nikki Slatcoff, 36:37; Denee White, 37:42; James Parker, 37:56; Noelle Fulk, 38:02; Daniel Kihler, 38:24; Jamie Kohler, 38:25; Corey Watenpool, 39:53; Sasha Pesanka, 40:40; Laura Kawecki, 41:59; Joe Taylor, 44:39; Finn Watenpool, 47:18; James Watenpool, 48:21; Callan Pesanka, 48:36Send comments and suggestions: Patricia Neubert. Phone 724-352-4395. Email lotzak@consolidated.netPat Neubert is a running columnist for the Butler Eagle