For 12 years, FAAP Fall Classic has celebrated both trail running and Filipino culture, but this 13th running on Sept. 13 was, out of necessity, a much different event.

Race founder and director Mark Knapp says that the event began as a fundraiser for the Filipino American Association of Pittsburgh, a 63-year old organization dedicated to promoting Filipino culture. The inaugural event in 2008 helped fund construction of the group's nationality room at University of Pittsburgh and aided Queen of Peace Orphanage in the Philippines. All funds raised since then have supported the orphanage.

FAAP Fall Classic began as a scenic 5k trail run and walk through North Park in 2008. A 10k was added in 2014 and a 20k with an out-and-back on Rachel Carson Trail was added in 2017.

There's usually a celebration of Philippine culture following the races with demonstrations of traditional dances performed by FAAP members, a variety of hot foods available and handmade bamboo awards for overall and age group winners. But this year, due to COVID-19 restrictions, there was no dancing, no hot foods, no awards in person.

Mark Knapp says he was glad to still give runners a good event but was “saddened by restrictions that took the heart and soul out of the event.” He says that the FAAP dance troupe has not even practiced since the pandemic began.

I had run the FAAP 10k or 5k at least four previous years. This time I signed up in early April to challenge the 20k course. It would be my first in-person race during COVID-19 and I was slightly uneasy about both safety and about losing my way on the unfamiliar course.

My fears were unfounded as Mark had coordinated with Allegheny County Parks planners in accordance with state guidelines. There was no race day registration or packet pickup. Masks were required at all times except for running. And he basically conducted three separate races spacing start times over two hours with wave starts of no more than ten socially distanced runners in each.

Though I encountered few other runners on the course, I never lost my way. The route was well marked by flags, tape and signage. Volunteers in masks staffed water stations and added additional direction at intersecting trails even through a steady mid-race drizzle.

Mark says that he didn't limit registrations but participation was down by about one-third this year. He speculates that some runners may not be in racing shape since so many events have been cancelled this year. But he was pleased to see about 60 newcomers to the event and promised them a complete experience next year.

FAAP Fall Classic has kept overall and age group course records since the inception. Mark says that amazingly, there were nine new course records set this year in the 20k distance. The first three male finishers, including overall winner Sam Lapp with a time of 1:22:06, broke the old course record. Anna Balouris, who finished 5th overall, set a new record of 1:32:29.

In age group competition, John Warrick, who holds the age 65-69 course record, set a new 70+ best of 2:39:05 and I claimed the record of 2:40:27 in the 65-69 age group and bragging rights as the oldest woman to finish the 20k.

Three records were broken this year in the 10k as well — Courtney Burgess, age 35-39 in 50:36; Amy Nelson, age 45-49 in 53:03 and David Chinchilla, age 60-64 in 49:32.

Visit http://faap5krace.yolasite.com/ for more information about FAAP Fall Classic races. Visit http://thefaap.org/wp/ for information about the organization and its mission.

Friday, 6 p.m.: Elderton 5k Run/Walk. 724-354-3779 or runsignup.com/Race/PA/Elderton/Elderton5KRunWalkSaturday, 8 a.m.: 5k Walk/Run for Veterans, Saegertown. Run on wooded trails at Woodcock Creek Dam benefits local veterans' organizations. 440-503-6216 or amatt@edinboro.eduSunday, 1 p.m.: Stoltz Family Dealerships 5k for PA Wounded Warriors, Dubois. Flat and fast course. Includes post-race lunch. 814-371-3333 or online registration at secure.getmeregistered.com/get_information.php?event_id=133849Oct. 3, 7:30 a.m.: 20th Annual Sean T. Smith Memorial – Just a Short Run 5k and 30k, Allison Park. Run around North Park Lake. Also virtual option. register.chronotrack.com/r/49562Oct. 4, 7:30 a.m.: 20th Annual Sean T. Smith Memorial – Just a Short Run 8.1 Mile and Half Marathon. Also virtual option. register.chronotrack.com/r/49562Oct. 4, 8 a.m.: Belmar Bridge Half Marathon, Franklin. First scenic half marathon on Sandy Creek Rail Trail. runsignup.com/Race/PA/Franklin/BelmarBridgeHalfMarathon?fbclid=IwAR0F5zQdBB32CHEwRN0wOkiShg5phjyLHb4jLRHQ6mMwCT1dt1Gnr5pn8lwOct. 4, 9 a.m.: PUSH Beaver County's Path to Wellness 5k, Beaver. Kids' 1k fun run at 8:30 a.m. and are encouraged to come dressed as their favorite superhero. Also virtual race option. runsignup.com/Race/PA/Beaver/BeaverCountySuperhero5kKidsRaceOct. 4, 9 a.m.: Ohio River Trail Council River Run 5k and 10k Fall Road Race, Rochester. runsignup.com/Race/PA/Rochester/OhioRiverTrailCouncilRiverRunRoadRaceSeriesFall2019Oct. 4, 10 a.m.: Ole 5k, Allison Park. Starts at North Park's Harmar Pavilion. Also virtual option. https://tashinc.org/ole5k/race-info/Oct. 10, 8 a.m.: South Ridge Trail Challenge 5k and 10k, Allison Park. Run on North Park Trails. runsignup.com/Race/Events/PA/AllisonPark/SouthRidgeTrailChallengeOct. 10, 9 a.m.: OLSH Rally for McNally 5k Run/walk, Coraopolis. Benefits Our Lady of Sacred Heart High School's Michael McNally Endowed Scholarship Fund. www.olsh.org/apps/pages/rally/Oct. 10, 9 a.m.: Life Run 5k/10k, North East. Run through PA wine country. Also Fun Walk. 814-897-6632 or peopleforlife.org/runinfo.htmlOct. 11, 7:30 a.m.: Hot Cider Hustle Half Marathon and 5k, Erie. Run on Presque Isle State Park. 224-757-5425 or https://hotciderhustle.com/erieOct. 11, Noon: King of the Mountain, Clearfield. Five mile hill climb time trial. 814-591-6811 or fg6@psu.eduOct. 17, 7:30 a.m.: Sinnemahone Ultra Trail Run, Emporium. Choice of 12k, 25k or 50k. 814-486-4324 or www.sinnemahone.orgOct. 24, 9:30 a.m.: Chase Away Hunger 5k, Beaver Falls. Also one mile fun walk. Scenic run/walk through Brush Creek Park benefits Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank. runsignup.com/Race/PA/BeaverFalls/ChaseAwayHunger5kWalkRunOct. 25, 8 a.m.: Two Face 10k, Wexford. Choice of road, trail or both. Also virtual option. runsignup.com/Race/Events/PA/Wexford/TwoFace10KOct. 25, 3 p.m.: Great Pumpkin 5k and 1 Mile, Zelienople. Also 1one mile fun run, benefits St. Gregory School PTO and athletic programs. runsignup.com/Race/PA/Zelienople/8thAnnualGreatPumpkinRaceNov. 1, 9 a.m.: InFirst Veterans' Marathon and Half Marathon, Blairsville. Out and back on Ghost Town Rail Trail. Fast, certified, Boston qualifier. 724-599-5929 or https://veterans-marathon.com/

Rockin' the Knob Marathon, Sept.12: Dean Banko, 1st Overall M, 4:11:18; Casey Columbus, 1st Overall W, 6:02:08Rockin' the Knob Half Marathon, Sept. 12: August Andersen, 1st Overall M, 2:13:19; Stephanie Daniels, 1st Overall W, 2:39:42; Michael Carson, 2:59:29Rockin' the Knob 10k, Sept.12: Gabriel Rodriquez, 1st Overall M, 53:05; Katie Oregan, 1st Overall W, 1:00:15; Brad Theys, 3rd 40-49 M, 1:09:56; Todd Albaugh, 2nd 60+ M, 1:29:45; Dinny Bedard, 1st 60+ W, 1:49:55; Donna Weinkauf, 2:19:13Bags and Blessings 5k, Sept.12: Tyler Paszkowski, 1st Overall M, 17:34; Jessica Horvath, 1st Overall W, 21:34; Nicole Schneider, 1st 20-29 W, 27:36; Danielle Gallagher, 38:55; Connie Mabin, 1:01:59; Valerie Dietrich, 1:17:48; Ronnie Sines, 1:17:49Boston Fever Reliever, Sept.13: Brian Svoboda, 1st Overall M, 2:52:46; Angie Jenny, 1st Overall W, 3:16:08; Kim Hohman, 1st Overall W, 3:16:08; Seth Jenny, 3:09:56; Steven Nichols, 4:14:34FAAP Fall Classic 20k, Sept. 13: Sam Lapp, 1st Overall M, 1:22:06; Brett Mason, 2nd Overall M, 1:24:01; Brenner Buckholder, 3rd Overall M, 1:27:04; Anna Balouris, 1st Overall W, 1:32:29; Robert Teagarden, 1st Masters M, 1:48:11; Lenna Birch, 2nd Overall W, 1:48:53; Gregory Novotny, 2nd Masters M, 1:49:02; Daniel Bencum, 3rd Masters M, 1:57:22; Elizabeth Falwell, 3rd Overall W, 2:00:30; Virginia Mannion, 1st Masters W, 2:16:37; Linda Kotewicz, 2nd Masters W, 2:21:48; Michelle Pate, 3rd Masters W, 2:23:54; Jimmy Couch, 1st 14-16 M, 1:28:30; Ty Reeher, 1st 20-24 M, 1:37:14; Jon Rodgers, 1st 35-39 M, 1:44:04; Ben Troy, 2nd 20-24 M, 1:47:46; Joseph Kubas, 2nd 35-39 M, 1:52:05; Mark Prestopnik, 3rd 35-39 M, 1:53:15; Andrew Brosius, 1st 40-44 M, 1:58:12; Craig Campbell, 1st 50-54 M, 1:58:21; Amanda Groves, 1st 30-34 W, 2:04:22; Chris Crisman, 1st 55-59 M, 2:07:03; Mike Collins, 3rd 20-24 M, 2:08:38; George Maier, 2nd 50-54 M, 2:08:34; Franco Bonacchi, 1st 45-49 M, 2:14:37; Bill Thompson, 1st 60-64 M, 2:16:00; Melanie Hoy, 1st 40-44 W, 2:25:48; Tom Mangan, 3rd 50-54 M, 2:29:23; Lori Malazich, 1st 45-49 W, 2:30:05; Amy Scharpf, 1st 55-59 W, 2:30:16; Erin Sellner, 1st 50-54 W, 2:33:30; Nadine Salomon, 2nd 40-44 W, 2:33:30; David Novotny, 1st 30-34 M, 2:36:18; John Warrick, 1st 70+ M, 2:39:05; Jenny Couch, 1st 35-39 W, 2:39:26; Patricia Neubert, 1st 65-69 W, 2:40:23; Becky Ligman, 2nd 35-39 W, 2:41:07; Ann Cook, 3rd 30-34 W, 2:43:15; Jeremy Sahler, 2nd 40-44 M, 2:44:17; Jennifer Cicchini, 2nd 45-39 W, 2:45:16; Tony Melendez, 2nd 45-49 M, 2:46:20; Maria Branagan, 3rd 45-49 W, 2:55:49; Edyta Williams, 3rd 40-44 W, 2:57:29; Rachel Wagner, 3rd 35-39 W, 3:18:29; Larry Stefanick, 2nd 70+ M, 3:28:17; Steven Grahan, 1:53:20; Oliver Herndon, 2:29:51; Chuck Hall, 3:01:47FAAP Fall Classic 10k, Sept. 13: Aaron Titus, 1st Overall M, 44:12; Dave Chinchilla, 2nd Overall M, 49:32; Courtney Burgess, 1st Overall W, 50:36; Jessi Drayer, 2nd Overall W, 52:29; Amy Nelson, 3rd Overall W, 53:03; Cody Reeher, 1st 20-24 M, 51:15; Chris Pabian, 1st 40-44 M, 51:33; Jonathan Baillie, 1st 35-39 M, 53:02; Ella Wilkes, 1st 25-29 W, 53:45; Donald Robinson, 1st 25-29 M, 54:35; Jennifer Shingles, 1st 40-44 W, 55:59; Kevin Schriver, 2nd 35-39 M, 56:05; Kevin Cass, 3rd 35-39 M, 57:41; Stevie Kocur, 2nd 25-29 M, 58:24; Adam Myers, 2nd 40-44 M, 58:54; Andrew Trbovich, 1st 30-34 M, 59:15; Mike Trombly, 2nd 25-29 M, 59:18; Steve Lengel, 1st 60-64 M, 59:19; Carly Kohler, 1st 35-39 W, 59:39; Jen Paz, 1st 30-34 W, 1:01:03; Nicholas Smith, 3rd 25-29 M, 1:01:06; Catherine Hrach, 1st 50-54 W, 1:01:10; Michael Stefanick, 2nd 20-24 M, 1:01:20; Richard Deems, 1st 45-49 M, 1:02:38; Maria O'Brien, 2nd 35-39 W, 1:03:48; Michele Organist, 1st 55-59 W, 1:04:14; Karen Cohn, 3rd 40-44 W, 1:04:20; Karin Byers, 2nd 50-54 W, 1:05:25; Christina Traynor, 1st 45-49 W, 1:05:27; David Dames, 1st 60-64 M, 1:18:37; Emily Trombly, 3rd 25-29 W, 1:15:32; Mary Morgan, 1st 60-64 W, 1:18:37; Meagan Greygor, 3rd 35-39 W, 1:21:40; Erica Kain, 2nd 45-49 W, 1:24:35; Karla Graves, 3rd 50-54 W, 1:36:16; Dave Stokes, 2nd 65-69 M, 2:01:31; Austin Shearer, 1:08:36; Jocelyn McCarty, 1:11:49; Kory Nowakowski, 1:16:30Send comments and suggestions: Patricia Neubert. Phone 724-352-4395. Email lotzak@consolidated.net<b>Pat Neubert is a running columnist for the Butler Eagle</b>