If you ran the Buffalo Creek Half Marathon last month, you may have seen 5k or 10k course markers beginning at the Monroe Road intersection and leading south on the Butler-Freeport Trail.

The marks denote a popular USATF certified course used by Freeport Flash, Halloween Hustle, and this Saturday's ninth Annual Buffalo Township Veteran's Day Race.

Buffalo Township Parks and Recreation Committee hosts the Veteran's Day Race, actually a choice of races with competitive 5k and 10k distances as well as a 2-mile fun run/walk. It's the last race on the trail for the year and a great way to see the scenery before the fall foliage disappears.

Race director and former Freeport High School cross country runner Terry Tague focuses on delivering a quality running experience for all participants on race day, including a pre-race address to runners and post-race awards ceremony.

Anne Gallagher, race coordinator and Buffalo Parks and Rec secretary, enhances the experience, arranging everything from ordering the long-sleeved commemorative shirts to acquiring donations of hot chili and soup, cider, bagels, bananas and Smiley cookies for post-race party.

Anne is not a runner, but walks her dog daily on the trail. She says that although the race has been small, topping at 81 finishers last year, it attracts runners from the area and Ohio, Maryland and West Virginia.

“People love the trail,” she says, “and they love the small personal race.”

Anne hopes that with additional publicity and online registration this year, the event will attract more than 100 participants. “It all depends on the weather,” she says. Runners may sign up online at runsignup.com/Race/PA/Sarver/BuffaloTownshipVeteransDayRace until Friday night at midnight. Day of event registration opens at 8 a.m. for the 9 a.m. start.

Buffalo Township Veteran's Race is staged from the former Oregon Camp at 154 Monroe Road, Sarver. There's plenty of parking and, important in November's uncertain weather, a large heated indoor area for pre and post-race activities.

Both 5k and 10k races are chip-timed. Top three male and female finishers earn medals. Top three in age groups from 14 & Under through 70+ receive certificates. The races also offer a competitive wheelchair division but so far, there have been no participants in the category.

There are no awards in the 2-mile distance, but runners and walkers of all ages and abilities are welcome. Anne expects at least one jogging stroller. Friendly dogs on leashes are also welcome.

Buffalo Township Veteran's Race raises funds for four charities. Last year, $4,000 was split equally between Sarver and Buffalo Township's Volunteer Fire Companies, Friends of Buffalo Township Foundation and Heroes Supporting Heroes Foundation.

Friends of Buffalo Township Foundation supports Buffalo Township's Parks and Recreation Committee. One of their projects, in collaboration with the Audubon Society, is development of the Buffalo Nature Center at the current Oregon Camp site. For information, visit friendsofbuffalotwp.org.

Heroes Supporting Heroes Foundation volunteers make everyday household repairs or perform maintenance for military families, senior citizens or others unable to maintain their homes. Local projects have included roof repair, tree removal and gutter replacement. For more information or to volunteer, visit www.heroessupportingheroes.org.

Saturday, 8:30 a.m.: Hot Cider Hustle, Cranberry Township. Run at Graham Park. All finishers get shirt, cider, caramel apple, finisher's mug. Hotciderhustle.com/cranberrytownshipSaturday, 9 a.m.: Sharpsville Community Food Pantry 5k, Sharpsville. Hilly terrain. Sandra04@outlook.comSaturday, 9 a.m.: Buffalo Township Veteran's Day Race, Sarver. Out and back 5k or 10k on Butler-Freeport Trail. 724-201-1210 or buffalowpparksandrecreation@gmail.comSunday, 9 a.m.: Operation Troop Appreciation Veteran's Day 5k Race. Hampton Township. Rolling course through Hampton Community Park. Gerardmac977@aol.comNov. 16, 8 a.m.: Red Kettle Run 5k, Brackenridge. Flat and fast along Allegheny River, post-race pancake breakfast. 724-224-6310 or Alex.Senak@use.salvationarmy.orgNov. 16, 9 a.m.: Fight for Life 5k Run/Walk, Apollo. 724-568-2517 or dzukas@cancer.orgNov. 23, 9:30 a.m.: Oil City YMCA Turkey Trot 5k, Oil City. Start and finish on Samuel Justus Trail. 814-677-3000 or ocywellness@oilcityymca.netNov. 23, 5:50 p.m.: Kraynaks Merry Christmas Mile, Hermitage. Dress as your favorite Christmas characters, run prior to light up parade. Barrymclaughlin51@gmail.com or online registration at www.runsignup.comNov. 28, 9 a.m.: Seneca Valley Cross Country Turkey Chase 5k, Cranberry Township. Run in Graham Park, also 1 Mile Kids Fun Run at 10 A.M. runsignup.com/Race/PA/CranberryTwp/svccturkeytrotNov. 28, 9 a.m.: Ebensburg Turkey Trot 5k, Ebensburg. No day of event registration. 814-472-2200 or runsignup.com/Race/PA/Ebensburg/EbensburgTurkeyTrotNov. 28, 9 a.m.: Greensburg Turkey Trot 5k, Greensburg. 724-6100509 or www.gbgturkeytrot.comNov. 28, 9 a.m.: 20th Annual Gobbler's Gallop 10k, Ellwood City. 724-758-6227 or joeandsidney@yahoo.comNov. 28, 9 a.m.: Grateful Gallop 5k, Grove City. Support Grove City Community Food Bank. runsignup.com/Race/PA/GroveCity/GratefulGallop5kNov. 28, 9 a.m.: Kiski Valley Turkey Trot 5k, Apollo. Also 1 mile fun walk at 9:05 A.M. prusia@comcast.net or kvturkeytrot.wordpress.comNov. 28, 9:30 a.m.: Gobble Wobble, Hermitage. gobblewobble.wordpress.comNov. 28, 10:15 a.m.: 20th Annual Gobbler's Gallop 5k, Ellwood City. 724-758-6227 or joeandsidney@yahoo.comNov. 30, 10 a.m.: WALKer Run 5k, Conneaut Lake. Starts at Fireman's Beach, awards for walkers and runners. 814-573-8724 or lauriekurt@gmail.comDec. 7, 9 a.m.: Oil City's Christmas Past Jingle Bell 5k, Oil City. 814-564-9102 or rebekah@morrisonhome.comDec. 7, 10 a.m.: It's A Wonderful 5k, Indiana. Run around lake at Blue Spruce State Park. runsignup.com/Race/PA/Indiana/ItsAWonderful5K

Freeport Girls Basketball Halloween 5k, Oct. 5: Noah Bowser, 1st Overall M, 18:31; Madeline Clark, 1st Overall W, 25:29; Vinnie Clark, 2nd 16-19 M, 21:50; Tyler Moretti, 1st 11-15 M, 22:32; Travis Domhoff, 3rd 16-19 M, 22:37; Tony Ryan, 1st 30-39 M, 25:35; Trey Schreckengost, 1st 10 & Under M, 26:29; Audrey Gregori, 1st 11-15 W, 27:16; Stacy DeVivo, 2nd 40-49 W, 28:38; Olivia Sutara, 3rd 11-15 W, 29:26; Mallory Heinle, 3rd 20-29 W, 29:27; Frank Prazenica, 1st 60+ M, 29:54; Mario Lesko, 3rd 11-15, 33:13; Carol Crytzer, 1st 60+ W, 37:49; Amy Buchwald, 3rd 30-39 W, 40:16; Matthew Callihan, 2nd 50-59 M, 41:48; Alison Gregori, 1st 16-19 W,46:54; Nicholas Goehring, 1st 20-29 M, 47:53; Toni Carnahan, 2nd 50-59 W, 50:51; Sean Vashie, 27:04; Abigail Watson, 32:10; Kayla Carnahan, 33:07; Leah Schreckengost, 35:27; Katie Volek, 35:51; Joy Foust, 36:27; Reese Skiba, 48:16Wexford Ram Run 5k, Oct. 6: Max Hudak, 1st Overall M, 18:46; Aidan Tegtmeier, 2nd Overall M, 19:45; Ken Onishi, 3rd Overall M, 19:47; Tammy Slusser, 1st Overall W, 20:21; Heather Hudak, 2nd Overall W, 20:53; Carolyn Williams, 3rd Overall W, 21:14; Steven Smith, 2nd Masters M, 21:33; Kristen Berger, 1st Masters W, 22:02; Dickson Goulart, 3rd Masters M, 22:12; Darla Ferraro, 2nd Masters W, 25:33; Mia Bywalski, 3rd Masters W, 25:44; Brian Wentling, 1st 12-15 M, 20:12; Brady Hunkele, 1st 9-11 M, 20:51; Carson Kopp, 2nd 12-15 M, 21:22; Kevin Berger, 1st 50-59 M, 22:28; Kelen Landa, 2nd 9-11 W, 23:15; Bennett Ferraro, 3rd 9-11 M, 23:16; Luke Schanken, 3rd 30-39 M, 24:06; Alex Bywalski, 3rd 12-15 M, 24:26; Greta Kuzilla, 2nd 30-39 W, 24:35; Keatyn Landa, 3rd 30-39 W, 24:46; Juliana Hunkele, 1st 8 & Under W, 25:18; Suzette Cappola, 1st 40-49 W, 26:07; Grace Frederick, 2nd 8 & Under W, 26:20; Matt Tomaszewski, 3rd 40-49 M, 27:09; Kim Williams, 1st 50-59 W, 27:59; Caroline Zancosky, 2nd 9-11 W, 28:17; Anjelica Smith, 1st 12-15 W, 28:24; Robert Johnston, 1st 60+ M, 28:56; Madison Tomaszewski, 3rd 9-11 W, 30:13; Nyejah Ressler, 2nd 8 & Under M, 31:02; Michelle Ressler, 3rd 40-49 W, 31:02; Richard Forsten, 3rd 50-59 M, 33:45 Aria Bywalski, 3rd 8 & Under W, 35:30; Terrilyn Tomaszewski, 24:57; Max Kohser, 25:51; Chen Onishi, 25:55; Sarah Frederick, 26:21; Andrew Scherrah, 30:12; Liz Scherrah, 30:14; Marcie Morris, 30:58; Tim Carl, 31:04; Neeva Zancosky, 37:34; Jeffrey Zancosky, 37:34; Gavin Mangel, 39:33; Gina Mangel, 39:44; Chase Kpsher, 51:50Wexford Ram Run 1 Mile, Oct. 6: Jonas Whitsel, 1st 10+ M, 6:33; Joey Hirschboeck, 2nd 10+ M, 6:36; Martin Leah, 1st 10+ W, 7:48; Layla Hirschboeck, 3rd 10+ W, 8:03; Ainsley Anderson, 3rd 9 & Under W, 8:10; Alec Anderson, 3rd 9 & Under M, 8:34; Talan Hill-Ressler, 7:30; Tim Scherrah, 7:45; Carson Joller, 8:39; Nyejah Ressler, 8:48; Owen Tan, 9:00; Thian Eng Tan, 9:01; Milan Villanueva, 9:05; Caleigh Scherrah, 9:08; Violet Hirschboeck, 9:28; Joel Hirschboeck, 9:30; Mason Tomaszewski, 9:41; Dimitri Villanueva, 9:42; Michelle Ressler, 9:47; Shyloh Ressler, 9:48; Ayden Ressler, 9:49; Albert Villanueva, 9:50; Eric Joller, 9:53; Caroline Zancosky, 9:55; Alana Seifert, 10:04; Ryder Durkan, 10:23; Olivia Tan, 10:28; Hooi Boonsin Tan, 10:29; Matthew Tomaszewski, 10:32; Braden Buhl, 10:32; Aaron Buhl, 10:33; Noah Hirschboeck, 10:41; Kristin Hirschboeck, 10:42; Katelyn Vertullo, 10:56; Abigail Vertullo, 10:56; Bob Vertullo, 10:57; Danna Torre, 11:00; Liana Delisio, 11:09; Charles Delisio, 11:11; Sarah Brashear, 11:22; Jeffrey Zancosky, 11:37; Neeva Zancosky, 11:38; Kara Vargo, 11:38; Ashley Durkan, 11:40; Jennifer Buhl, 11:44; Blake Buhl, 11:47; Amelia Lam, 11:49; Melanie Lam, 11:50; Ryan Gallaher, 11:58; Delanie Gallaher, 12:10; Mckenna Scherrah, 12:17; Gina Mangel, 12:37; Gavin Mangel, 12:37; Francesca Disilvio, 13:11; Eva Villanueva, 13:52; Evan Wheeler, 14:01; Pierce Vargo, 14:11; Jim Wheeler, 14:15; Craig Laurenson, 14:19; Natalia Laurenson, 14:23; Seana Schanken, 16:02; Dylan Schanken, 16:16; Beth Gallaher, 17:40; Oscar Disilvio, 18:41; Michelle Joller, 18:56; Carter Crummy, 19:12; Matt Crummy, 19:16; Adam Dunhoff, 20:28; Amy Dunhoff, 20:31; Bret Dunhoff, 20:33; Christina Vertullo, 20:46; Christine Brashear, 21:36; Sidney Brashear, 21:37; Benjamin Crummy, 21:40; Martha Crummy, 21:43; William Potoski, 21:50; Laura Potoski, 21:53; Sofia Potoski, 21:57; Emma Wheeler, 22:18; Diana Wheeler, 22:19; Anne Johnston, 22:50; Caelyn Fawcett, 24:07; Christy Fawcett, 24:09; James Fawcett, 24:13; Jim Fawcett, 24:14; Stacey Shannon, 24:28; Hannahjayne Shannon, 24:30Send comments and suggestions: Patricia Neubert. Phone 724-352-4395. Email lotzak@consolidated.netPat Neubert is a running columnist for the Butler Eagle