Two previously previewed events welcomed runners across finish lines dappled with autumn sun and under a shower of fall foliage.

Buffalo Creek Half Marathon celebrated its 20th running Saturday with a new course and new course records. Will Loevner, record holder of the old course at 1:03:53, bettered his time to 1:03:04. Venango’s Jessica Graf set the women’s new course record of 1:22:27 on the completed Butler Freeport Community Trail.

A few of the nearly 800 finishers said they missed the old finish that crossed Buffalo Creek in Laneville to end in Freeport, but most were glad to eliminate the short but steep uphill at the 13-mile mark of the course.

Race director Chris Ziegler said because of traffic safety concerns at the road crossings the new course is here to stay. She admitted spectator parking at the finish area was not ideal but promised to improve for next year.

On Sunday, Butler’s Preston Park opened its miles of scenic trails once again to the Preston Park 5K, 10K and 15K Challenge. More than 110 runners beat the impending wind and rain and were rewarded with great running conditions throughout the park.

Anthony Miller, of Valencia, repeated his wins of the 10K distance and the 15K Challenge with his 15K time of 1:07:49 on the wooded and rolling course. Olivia Murphy, of Mars, swept the women’s division, finishing first in the 5K, 10K and the 15K Challenge with a time of 1:14:53.

There are still plenty of races on the fall calendar.

Run for Your Life 5K at Kittanning YMCA runs out and back on the flat, fast and scenic Armstrong Trail starting at 10 a.m. Saturday. This is the third year for the event that promotes and raises funds for bystander CPR and AED training through Run with Heart Foundation.

Last year’s event saw 250 finishers including Dean Banko, men’s winner in 17:47, and Kara Shirley, first woman in 19:37. Race director Tabitha Bowser was delighted to report more than 280 had registered for this year’s race as of Monday. If weather is cool and overcast as predicted, she expects well over 300 runners and walkers.

Bowser said there’s plenty of room for a large group on the mostly paved Armstrong Trail. Walkers, strollers and dogs are welcome, but everyone is requested to run on the right side of the trail during the event.

At the finish area, participants and spectators can enjoy post-race refreshments and vendor foods and enter a basket drawing. All are encouraged to watch CPR demonstrations, try hands-on CPR from experts and to find out about free CPR and AED classes presented by Run with Heart Foundation throughout the year.

Register for the Run for Your Life 5K online until 2 p.m. Friday at runsignup.com/Race/PA/Kittanning/KittanningRunforyourlife5k or at Kittanning YMCA beginning at 9 a.m. Saturday. For more information about free CPR and AED classes, visit runwithheartfoundation.org.

The Butler YMCA Turkey Trot kicks off Turkey month at 10 a.m. Nov. 1 with its annual run from the Y to Memorial Park and back. The scenic 5K includes Penn Street and two rolling loops of paved park drives. There’s also a 1-mile fun run/walk out and back on Penn Street beginning at 9:45 a.m.

The Butler YMCA Turkey Trot offers turkey-themed trophies for top three male and female finishers and first YMCA members in the 5K distance and medals for age groups from 9-and-under through 70-plus. First overall and age group finishers in the 1-Mile earn medals.

Expect close to 200 people for this decades-old event. YMCA aquatics and development director Jamie Knauff welcomes all, including dogs and kids in strollers. “I’m excited to see everybody,” she said.

All proceeds from the event stay local. Funds ensure everyone can enjoy YMCA programs and services.

Register online until noon Oct. 30. Day-of signup opens at 8:30 a.m. inside the YMCA (cash or check only). For information or to register, visit runsignup.com/Race?raceId=152203.

Saturday, 9:30 a.m.: CCYSA Spooktacular 5K and Kids Monster Mile, Meadville. 814-720-8378 or kwellmon13@gmail.com

Saturday, 10 a.m.: Run for Your Life 5K, Kittanning. Starts at Kittanning YMCA, runs onto scenic Armstrong Trail. runsignup.com/Race/PA/Kittanning/KittanningRunforyourlife5k

Sunday, 3 p.m.: 15th Annual Great Pumpkin 5K and 1 Mile, Zelienople. Benefits St. Gregory School Parent-Teacher Organization and Athletic Programs. runsignup.com/Race/PA/Zelienople/8thAnnualGreatPumpkinRace

Nov. 1, 9 a.m.: North Ridge Nightmare 6.66K or 13K, Allison Park. Run on challenging North Park trails. runsignup.com/Race/PA/AllisonPark/NorthRidgeNightmareTrailRace

Nov. 1, 9:30 a.m.: Dirt Monster 5 Mile Trail Race, Allison Park. Challenging trail run starts at Grant Pavillion in North Park. trailrunner.com/event/dirt-monster-trail-race/

Nov. 1, 9:45 a.m.: Butler YMCA Turkey Trot 5K, Butler. Choice of 1 Mile or 5K run in downtown Butler. runsignup.com/Race?raceId=152203

Nov. 2, 9 a.m.: Indiana First Bank Veteran’s Marathon, Half Marathon and Relay, Black Lick. Run on Ghost Town Rail Trail at Saylor Park. runsignup.com/Race/Info/PA/Blairsville/IndianaFirstBankVeteransMarathonHalfMarathonandMarathonRelay

Nov. 2, 9 a.m.: Marigold 5K Run and 1 Mile Fun Run/Walk, Allison Park. Day of the Dead themed run at North Park to benefit the Latino Community Center. runsignup.com/Race/PA/AllisonPark/Marigold5Krun

Nov. 2, 9 a.m.: SFC Ryan Gloyer Memorial 5K Run/Walk, Harmony. runsignup.com/Race/PA/Harmony/RyanGloyerMemorialRun

Nov. 2, 11 a.m.: Sweat for Vets Challenge, Altoona. Challenging 5K or 10K hill climb for runners and walkers. Also Half Mile Young Recruits Race for ages 5-12. runsignup.com/Race/PA/Altoona/SweatForVetsChallenge

Nov. 9, 7:30 a.m.: EQT Pittsburgh 10 Miler, 10K and 10K Walk, Pittsburgh. p3r.org/races/eqt-10-miler

Nov. 9, 9 a.m.: Operation Troop Appreciation Veteran’s Day 5K Race, Allison Park. Slightly rolling course through Hampton Community Park. Post-race buffet. Gerardmac977@aol.com or runsignup.com/Race/PA/AllisonPark/OPERATIONTROOPAPPRECIATION5K

Nov. 16, 7:15 a.m.: Last Trail Standing 50K, 25K, 8-Miler and 5K, Pittsburgh. Race covers every trail in Settlers Cabin Park. runsignup.com/Race/PA/Oakdale/LastTrailStanding

Nov. 27, 7:30 a.m.: 35th Annual YMCA Turkey Trot 5 Mile and 5K, Pittsburgh. Also 1 Mile Family Fun Run at 9:30 a.m. p3r.org/races/ymca-turkey-trot

Nov. 27, 9 a.m.: 27th Annual Gobbler’s Gallop 10K and 5K, Ellwood City. 724-758-6227 or runsignup.com/Race/PA/EllwoodCity/GobblersGallop

Nov. 27, 9 a.m.: Latrobe Turkey Trot 5K, Latrobe. 724-610-4656 or latroberecreation.org/races/

Nov. 29, 9 a.m.: Truthahntrab 5K, Saxonburg. Scenic 5K or 1K through Saxonburg. Also team challenge. runsignup.com/Race/PA/Saxonburg/SaxonburgTruthahntrab5k

Ice Cream Race 5K, Aug. 13: Hans Wentz, 1st Overall M, 15:53; Megan Puleio, 1st Overall W, 18:50; Ro Rupe, 2nd Overall W, 19:03; Angie Jenny, 3rd Overall W, 19:29; Hannah Gildersleeve, 3rd Masters W, 22:18; Quintin Weaver, 2nd 20-24 M, 17:30; Jeremy Troup, 3rd 25-29 M, 17:40; Andrew Harmon, 1st 35-39 M, 18:36; Brad Patsy, 2nd 45-49 M, 19:34; Robert Dummer, 3rd 35-39 M, 20:10; David Wilt, 2nd 55-59 M, 20:44; Dylan Odonnell, 1st 10-11 M, 21:05; Dan Sabella, 2nd 10-11 M, 21:22; Scott Choura, 3rd 55-59 M, 21:35; Todd Allman, 2nd 60-64 M, 22:14; S Mark Courtney, 1st 65-69 M, 22:35; Leslie Kramer, 2nd 45-49 W, 22:59; Kara Shuty, 3rd 45-49 W, 23:07; Henry Wells, 1st 8-9 M, 24:07; Sarah Donley, 3rd 40-44 W, 26:13; David Suber, 3rd 65-69 M, 27:16; Karyn Senita, 3rd 50-59 W, 29:26; Debbie Courtney, 2nd 60-64 W, 29:59; Cindy Suber, 2nd 65-69 W, 31:50; Vicki Brendlinger, 3rd 65-69 W, 33:31; Scarlett Blake, 2nd 8-9 W, 34:00; Kathy Schulz, 3rd 60-64 W, 34:06; Joann Fairhead, 1st 70-74 W, 35:12; Jackson Shaffer, 1st 6-7 M, 43:46; Valerie Sands, 3rd 80+ W, 45:06; Paula Kubik, 3rd 70-74 W, 47:48; Andrew Emmorey, 18:46; Paul Puleio, 19:32; Conner Dunn, 19:35; Jack Wells, 20:28; Ron Liscio, 20:47; Brad Wingler, 21:03; Peyton Patsy, 22:00; Lucy Wells, 22:22; Patrick Daugherty, 22:24; Daniel Zameroski, 22:24; Evelyn Reiber, 22:29; Tino Sciullo, 22:29; Daniel Giffone, 22:33; Ian Stearns, 22:55; Sarah Sabella, 22:59; Jonah Kingston, 23:05; Aliana Montgomery, 23:07; John Armstrong, 23:21; Gracen Harris, 23:41; Tim Saloan, 23:42; Atarah Huntsberger, 23:43; Nathan Painter, 24:06; Tyler Davis, 24:10; Richard Stewart, 24:11; Heath Piper, 24:15; Amelia Cumpston, 24:33; Brandon Honsaker, 24:43; Carl Kondarch, 24:51; Brock Glass, 24:51; Elaine Knauff, 24:57; Lurena Stewart, 25:00; Konner Buckhaldt, 25:00; Lisa Suhrie, 25:51; Peter Johns, 25:53; Adam Blair, 25:54; Luke Gable, 26:27; Jayson Thompson, 26:38; Emmett Rice, 26:52; Vanessa Johnson, 26:52; Alexis Skelley, 27:04; David Boch, 27:15; Edward Doughty, 27:20; Blake Sereday, 27:28; Mandy James, 27:29; Molly Knauff, 27:33; Nicole Ryan, 27:46; Kady Alexander, 27:56; Jen Beachem, 27:59; Jim Stewart, 28:09; Bill Swanik, 28:23; Jaxen Guthrie, 28:55; Layne Serball, 29:13; Virginia Smith, 29:27; Tom McMann, 29:31; Rachel Bauer, 29:42; Michael Poff, 29:57; Matthew McConnell, 30:01; Jeff Shuty, 30:53; Erin Hallberg, 31:41; Paul Johnson,32:15; Dan Ritenour, 32:16; Alan Darby, 32:24; Stacy McAfoose, 32:30; Jodi Hoover, 32:45; Rachelle Kelley, 32:56; Chrissy Dummer, 32:57; Claire Savacool, 33:09; Ryanne Miller, 33:46; Deanna Miller, 33:50; Brock Miller, 33:50; Kim Miller, 34:04; Krista Armstrong, 34:07; Mason Reynolds, 34:35; Ashley Burns, 34:55; Barbara Kremis, 35:25; Lacey Anderson, 35:32; Amanda Cameron, 35:48; Michelle Rice, 36:11; Rich Howsaker, 36:25; Gretta Harmon, 36:47; Felicia Stimac, 36:48; Amanda Choura, 36:54; Maria Cosme, 38:46; Gina Moen, 38:51; Robert Sands, 38:53; Debbie Jamison, 43:01; Matt Shaffer, 43:45; Nicole Hughes, 43:47; Kylie Painter, 44:49; Willard Burns, 46:03; Megan Vettori, 46:27; Cindy Paganico, 47:05; Kaitlyn Stabryla, 52:27; Aryn Micaletti, 54:49

Pat Neubert is a running columnist for the Butler Eagle. Send comments and suggestions: Patricia Neubert, phone 724-352-4395, email lotzak@consolidated.net