I searched the archives for this week’s column.

That meant lugging a cardboard box from the upstairs closet and leafing through more than 15 years of file folders and yellowing newspaper clippings to piece together the history of one of my favorite races.

Buffalo Creek Half Marathon celebrates its 17th running on Oct. 15. I first wrote about the event as it was set to run its now-famous scenic downhill course for the first time in 2006.

Ron Bennett, president of Butler-Freeport Trail Association, acted as race director for the inaugural event, a downhill, point-to-point race from Winfield Firehall to Freeport Stadium billed as “the most scenic half marathon you’ll ever run.” The event started in the dark at 7 a.m. on a Sunday morning to accommodate road crossings and church goers and an unexpected bridge renovation in Freeport caused a slight detour at the finish.

Runners appreciated amenities of larger races such as aid stations along the course, long-sleeved commemorative shirt and, in days before GPS watches, split times being called at several points on the course.

Jeff Nelson of Titusville finished first overall in 1:17:25 while Meghan McDanel won the women’s race with her 1:34:22 time. I was among the 184 finishers.

The event grew in popularity and quality. The 2007 race with 272 finishers was held at a more reasonable 9 a.m. start time on Saturday and the finish changed to Riverside Park along the Allegheny River. Runners could pack a drop bag to be delivered to the finish line where they enjoyed pizza and hot cider at the awards ceremony.

Chris Ziegler took over the trail association presidency from Ron Bennett and became race director in 2010. As a new race director, she said, “I’m fortunate to have so many volunteers who love the trail and want to make a difference.” The half marathon continued to grow, setting a participation limit of 1,000 in 2011.

The 2012 race sold out weeks before the event. This was the first year for finisher’s medals. “From the beginning, we were all interested in the quality of the event. This is one more thing that adds to the quality,” Chris said.

Sara Raschiatore set the current women’s course record in 2012 with her 1:18:25 finish and Nick Edinger set the men’s record the following year with 1:08:14. Organizers added timing mats to alleviate crowding at the start and the race sold out with 1,200 participants.

In 2016, Buffalo Creek Half Marathon raised more than $33,000 for maintenance and improvements to the Butler-Freeport Trail. The course was finalized with its start at Cabot Methodist Church and finish at Second Street Park in Freeport. And although the trail had been completed into Butler, the trail committee had decided against adding a full marathon, choosing to focus on giving runners a quality stand-alone half marathon.

When I looked back on my 2019 column, I reported a well-run race that offered a fast, scenic course, perks like gender-specific shirts and the friendliest, most helpful volunteers I’d ever encountered year after year. It was business as usual and as Chris Ziegler said, “We like it like that.”

Then came COVID. Organizers were forced to cancel the 2020 Buffalo Creek Half. “We realized we couldn’t do an event with the quality and personal touches that make this event special,” Chris said. They also considered the demographics of the many volunteers and did not wish to potentially expose them to COVID-19.

Buffalo Creek Half Marathon was back for 2021 on a beautiful, warm October day. It seemed important to be there, to bring food for the Cabot Methodist Food Bank, to sing the National Anthem a Capella (a starting line tradition), to thank volunteers all along the course and to cross the bridge and sprint to the finish in Freeport. It was also bittersweet as we remembered those missing from the celebration.

Join me on the starting line of the 17th Buffalo Creek Half Marathon on Oct.15. Register online until 6 p.m. Oct.14, or in person at Up-N-Running, Route 8, Valencia, Oct. 13 and 14 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Upcoming events

Saturday, 8 a.m.: Fineview Step Challenge, Pittsburgh. Choice of 2 or 5-mile ascent on hills and stairs of Fineview neighborhood. runsignup.com/Race/PA/Pittsburgh/FineviewStepChallenge

Saturday,9 a.m.: Mahoning Shadow Shuffle Half Marathon, 10k and 5k, Punxsutawney. All races on Mahoning Shadow Trail. runsignup.com/Race/PA/Punxsutawney/PUNXSUTAWNEYMAHONINGSHADOWSHUFFLE

Saturday, 9 a.m.: Mahoning Shadow Shuffle Half Marathon, 10k & 5k, Punxsutawney. runsignup.com/Race/Events/PA/Punxsutawney/PUNXSUTAWNEYMAHONINGSHADOWSHUFFLE

Saturday, 9 a.m.: Stop, Drop and Run 5k Race & Obstacle Challenge, Monaca.

Saturday, 10 a.m.: Applefest Race for any Pace 5k, Franklin. 814-432-2138 or dkrizon@franklinymca.org

Sunday, 8 a.m.: Pittsburgh Penguins 6.6k Run and 3.3k Family Fun Walk, Pittsburgh. runsignup.com/pens66k

Oct.15, 7:30 a.m.: Sinnemahone Ultra Trail Run, Emporium. Choice of 50k, 25k or 12k trail run. 814-486-4314 or www.sinnemahone.org

Oct. 15, 9 a.m.: 17th Annual Buffalo Creek Half Marathon, Cabot. Scenic point-to-point course from Cabot to Freeport. runsignup.com/Race/PA/Cabot/BuffaloCreekHalfMarathon

Oct.16, 8 a.m.: Belmar Bridge Half Marathon, Franklin. Run on scenic Sandy Creek Trail. runsignup.com/Race/Info/PA/Franklin/BelmarBridgeHalfMarathon

Oct. 22, 8 a.m.: Brew to Brew 5k, Murraysville. Run from Rotary Miracle Sports Complex, commemorative pint glass and t-shirt, post-race party with music and beer. 520-609-1950 or brewtbrew5k@gmail.com

Oct.22, 9:30 a.m.: Chase Away Hunger 5k, Beaver Falls. Scenic run through Brush Creek Park. runsignup.com/Race/PA/BeaverFalls/ChaseAwayHunger5kWalkRun

Oct. 23, 9 a.m.: Preston Park 5k, Butler. Scenic run on park trails. runsignup.com/Race/PA/Butler/PrestonParkPrance5k

Oct. 29, 9 a.m.: Freeport Girls Basketball 2nd Annual Halloween Hustle 5k, Freeport. Out and back on Butler-Freeport Community Trail from Monroe Road. Third race in Freeport Triple Crown. runsignup.com/Race/PA/Sarver/FreeportGirlsBasketballHowlOWeenHustle

Oct. 29, 9 a.m.: Trick or Trot 5k, Murraysville. Dress in Halloween attire for family run on Westmoreland Heritage Trail. T-shirt and finisher’s medal. runsignup.com/Race/Info/PA/Murrysville/TrickorTrot5kPA

Oct. 30, 9 a.m.: South Ridge Trail Challenge, Allison Park. Choice of 5k, 10k or 20k on North Park Trails. runsignup.com/Race/Info/PA/AllisonPark/SouthRidgeTrailChallenge

Oct. 30, 3 p.m.: 12th Annual Great Pumpkin Race 5k and 1 Mile Fun Run, Zelienople. runsignup.com/Race/PA/Zelienople/8thAnnualGreatPumpkinRace

Nov. 5, 9:30 a.m.: Dirt Monster 5 Mile, McCandless Twp.: Trail race and 1-mile trail walk in North Park. www.trailracesnearpittsburgh.org/dirt-monster

Nov. 6, 9 a.m.: InFirst Bank Veterans; Marathon and ½ Marathon. Run out-and-back on Ghost Town Trail. Flat, fast, certified Boston qualifier, 814-244-2270 or stephdaniels72@gmail.com

Race results

Butler Road Race 5 Mile, Sept.3: Judd Covert, 1st Overall M, 32:05; Morgan Kiebler, 1st Overall W, 32:18; Owen Medved, 2nd Overall M, 33:03; Brendan Eicher, 3rd Overall M, 33:17; Kim Platt, 2nd Overall W, 37:19; Jason Rich, 1st 13-18 M, 33:42; Vernon Morrow, 1st 50-59 M, 34:14; Ryan Hoehn, 1st 30-39 M, 35:25; Ryan Hughes, 1st 19-29 M, 36:39; James Dankovich, 2nd 50-59 M, 36:41; Joel Bowser, 1st 40-49 M, 36:48; Anthony Beilstein, 2nd 30-39 M, 37:15; Jake Taciuch, 2nd 19-29 M, 37:57; Nick D'Itri, 3rd 19-29 M, 38:05; Brent Baldant, 2nd 40-49 M, 39:21; Kevin Fazio, 3rd 50-59 M, 39:48; Michael Serafine, 3rd 40-49 M, 40:35; Jon Lauer, 3rd 30-39 M, 40:50; Sarah Hokanson, 1st 30-39 W, 41:20; Rick McKain, 2nd 60-69 M, 41:35; Jeff Cypher, 3rd 60-69 M, 41:37; Dana Nicklas, 1st 50-59 W, 41:58; John Ciafre, 1st 70+ M, 43:03; Tonya Theuret, 1st 40-49 W, 46:39; Nikki Winkler, 2nd 40-49 W, 48:15; Rebecca Monhemius, 3rd 40-49 W, 48:19; David Adams, 2nd 70+ M, 48:23; Krista Geagan, 2nd 30-39 W, 48:26; Krista Geagan, 2nd 30-39 W, 48:26; Alice O'Melia, 3rd 30-39 W, 49:11; Henry Dlugas, 2nd 12 & Under M, 52:25; Gisela Gonzalez, 2nd 50-59 W, 53:25; Kaitlyn Snedden, 1st 19-29 W, 54:28; Amy Lutz, 3rd 50-59 W, 55:15; Juha Kim, 3rd 1-12 M, 1:00:42; Ashlynn LeRoy, 1st 13-18 W, 1:04:04; Haley Watkins, 2nd 19-29 W, 1:04:48; Kathy White, 2nd 13-18 W, 1:27:58; Noah Flat, 38:12; Mark Dupont, 41:13 Roger Lutz, 41:23; AJ May, 41:40; Brian Zarzulo, 42:36; David Miller, 43:18; Braden Kiser, 43:19; Kyle Volkman, 43:30; Dennis Murcko, 43:43; Andrew Menchyk, 44:09; Kevin Clark, 44:47; Camron Ra, 45:52; Bryan Shoemaker, 48:25; Maegan Johnson, 48:29; Matt Nocera, 48:41; Lana Kramer, 50:56; Jenn Fesler, 51:00; Bill McLay, 51:58; Missy Jungling, 52:25; Michelle Dlugas, 52:25; Craig Adams, 52:43; Shannon Weber, 52:49; Ashley Boyd, 53:11; Sherelle Hulbert, 55:04; Robin Trinko, 55:21; Trish McCarthy, 55:30; Victoria Morgan, 58:29; Jeff Mechling, 59:32; Yong Myoung Kim, 1:00:42 Dave Collier, 1:04:06; Monalie Nueva, 1:04:13; Brandy Eckhardt, 1:04:37; Nichole Bruno, 1:04:42; Sarah Drane, 1:04:52; Barbara Palmer, 1:05:32; Jason Eckhardt, 1:05:51; Bhavani Subramani, 1:06:07; Gerardo Valdivia, 1:10:31

Butler Road Race 2k, Sept. 3 (finishers under 18:00): Ben Dymond, 1st Overall M, 7:36; Bryce Dryden, 2nd Overall M, 8:32; Erik Hokanson, 3rd Overall M, 8:59; Olivia Murphy, 1st Overall W, 9:25; Addyson Traggiai, 2nd Overall W, 9:28; Tommy Bayne, 1st 40-49 M, 10:11; Lissy Cornell, 1st 14-18 W, 10:31; Kallie Simmons, 1st 10-13 W, 10:45; Anthony Rogers, 1st 30-39 M, 10:57; Heather Cottage, 1st 30-39 W, 11:15; Malachi Stephenson, 1st 19-29 M, 11:28; Kathy Pruszenski, 1st 50-59 W, 11:46; Maggie McCurdy, 2nd 10-13 W, 11:55; Patrick McCurdy, 2nd 40-49 M, 11:55; Lisa Moore, 2nd 50-59 W, 12:21; Tony Sunseri, 1st 70+ M, 12:33; John Wells, 3rd 40-49 M, 12:35; Blake Wells, 1st 14-18 M, 12:37; John Grenci, 1st 60-69 M, 12:48; Adalyn Beilstein, 3rd 10-13 W, 13:01; Tyler Monk, 2nd 19-29 M, 13:03; Jeremiah Beilstein, 1st 5-9 M, 13:11; Cynthia Reddick, 1st 60-69 W, 13:19; Becky Clouse, 1st 40-49 W, 13:21; Casey Clouse, 2nd 14-18 W, 13:23; Trish Hurley, 2nd 40-49, 13:39; Dhyana Keefer, 2nd 30-39 W, 13:42; Heather Bane, 3rd 30-39 W, 13:51; Madelyn Weyandt, 1st 5-9 W, 13:53; Haley Caldwell, 1st 19-29 W, 14:22; Beckett Murphy, 2nd 5-9 M, 14:26; Sean Murphy, 2nd 30-39 M, 14:26; John Reddick, 2nd 60-69 M, 14:40; Hugh Dreher, 1st 1-4 M, 14:53; Mike Dreher, 3rd 19-29 M, 14:53; Jackson Dryden, 2nd 14-18 M, 14:55; Henry Gill, 3rd 14-18 M, 14:55; Valerie Sands, 1 70+ W, 15:01; Brielle Hamilton, 2nd 5-9 W, 15:27; Margaret Kasunic, 2nd 60-69 W, 15:43; Sophia Tennent, 3rd 14-18 W, 16:12; Victoria Stoker, 2nd 9-29 W, 16:13; Sharon Geibel, 3rd 40-49 W, 16:15; Christine Bagley, 3rd 50-59 W, 16:19; Ann Cheman, 2nd 70+ W, 16:33; William DeAngelo, 3rd 30-39 M, 16:39; Atticus DeAngelo, 3rd 5-9 M, 16:39; Julianna Ion, 3rd 5-9 W, 16:57; Anthony Gill, 2nd 10-13 M, 17:07; Tabitha Donaldson, 3rd 19-29 W, 18:38; Thomas Turner, 3rd 60-69 M, 19:41; Brenda Lauer, 3rd 60-69 W, 19:50; Keith Watson, 2nd 50-59 M, 20:55; Antoinette Knoll, 3rd 70+ W, 20:59; Dan Defoggi, 3rd 70+ M, 25:09; Joe Strobel, 3rd 50-59 M, 26:17; Emily Clouse, 13:22; Olivia Dryden, 13:52; Natalie Weyandt, 13:52; Charlotte Weyandt; Stephanie Weyandt, 14:03; Emily Hamilton, 14:41; Shaye Wells, 15:25; Jackelyn Hamilton, 15:27; Marcia Jackson, 16:49; Nikethana Sri, 16:49; Khloe Keefer, 16:54; Christiana Ion, 16:56; Alyssa Simmens, 17:08; Wendy Simmons, 17:15; Rochelle Bowen, 18:00

Send comments and suggestions: Patricia Neubert. Phone 724-8. Email lotzak@consolidated.net

Pat Neubert is a running columnist for the Butler Eagle