Athletic prowess meets natural beauty this weekend as Moraine State Park hosts the Pennsylvania State Triathlon Championship.

Moraine is a familiar location for the annual spring and fall Mighty Moraine Multi-Sport Festival — featuring triathlon, relay, aqua bike, duathlon and adventure race — but event director Joella Baker said the Pa. championship hasn’t been here for at least four years.

Although the Olympic distance (1500-meter swim, 40K bike and 10K run) and sprint distance (750-meter swim, 20K bike and 5K run) triathlons are the most popular of the weekend’s events, there’s a full range of events, both wet and dry, for every age, skill and experience level. Registration is open until Friday, and Baker hopes for an event record of 600 participants.

Baker expects competition to be intense for the Pa. State Triathlon Championships. Overall top finishers and a percentage of age group winners in five-year increments from 6U through 70-plus earn awards and qualify for next year’s National Championships in Des Moines, Iowa. There’s also an award for first place triathlon team based on total points for all events.

Baker is the director of the local Get Fit Families team. She encouraged everyone to join one of the weekend’s events.

Besides the Olympic triathlon and relay Saturday, there’s an Olympic aqua bike (1500-yard swim, 25-mile bike) and youth triathlon for kids age 6U, 7-10 and 11-15. Sunday’s slate of events includes a sprint triathlon, duathlon (1.5-mile run, 12.4-mile bike, 3.1-mile run), aqua Bike (750-yard swim, 12.4-mile bike), adventure race (2-mile paddle, 12.4-mile bike, 3.1-mile run) and novice triathlon for anyone who wants to try a tri for the first time.

Baker said the wave starts and closely monitored courses promote safety.

“We like to provide opportunities for all levels of athletes, from first-timers to the very experienced,” she said.

Whether you’re participating or watching, check out the helpful video guides to race courses and a beginners guide to Multi-Sport at getfitfamilies.com/fall-mighty-moraine.

All Mighty Moraine Multi-Sport participants receive a medal, T-shirt, swag bag with Jenny Lee Swirl Bread, Smiley Cookies, Chicken of the Sea tuna, and more. Joella Baker’s mother also provides home-cooked food for hungry athletes.

Baker said there’s a party atmosphere all weekend at Lake View Beach with music, food and lots of activity in the transition area that makes it a great experience for spectators.

A successful event of this magnitude requires a lot of labor. Baker said she relies on dedicated volunteers but could always use more help. And volunteering offers a unique, up-close perspective. If you’re willing to lend a hand, call or text Joella Baker at 724-321-4265.

If you’re planning to be a part of the Mighty Moraine Multi-Sport events or if you’re going anywhere in Moraine State Park, be aware traffic will be one-way on North Shore Drive while the event is going on.

Get Fit Families is our hometown triathlon team based in Zelienople. This summer, the team competed at the USA Triathlon Youth & Junior Nationals in West Chester, Ohio, finishing third in the team competition. Individually, two of their athletes finished first for their ages — Carmen Vavro, 8, and 18-year-old Riley Perry, who will compete for LaSalle University next year.

For more information about this weekend’s Fall Mighty Moraine Multi-Sport Festival or to register, visit getfitfamilies.com/fall-mighty-moraine.

Friday, 6 p.m.: COR Ministries Twilight 5K and 1-Mile Fun Run, Allison Park. Starts at North Park’s Harmar Pavilion. runsignup.com/Race/PA/AllisonPark/CrMinistries5k

Saturday, 6:45 a.m.: Mighty Moraine Multi-Sport Pennsylvania State Championship Olympic Distance Triathlon and Relay, Portersville. www.trisignup.com/Race/PA/Portersville/MightyMoraineFallMultiSportFestival

Saturday, 7 a.m.: Drake Well Marathon and Half Marathon, Titusville. rddwm6.wixsite.com/thedrakewellmarathon

Sunday, 6:45 a.m.: Mighty Moraine Multi-Sport Pennsylvania State Championship Olympic Distance Aqua Bike and Sprint Distance High School Championship, Portersville; Mighty Moraine Multi-Sport Pennsylvania State Championship Olympic Distance

Sunday, 8:30 a.m.: Mountain Laurel 5K Run, Somerset. Run at Laurel Hill State Park. laurelhillbluegrass.com/5k.php

Aug. 22, 9 a.m.: Run Around the Square 5K, Pittsburgh. Run through Regent Square neighborhood. Also 1.5-mile run/walk at 8:15 a.m. runsignup.com/Race/PA/Pittsburgh/RunAroundtheSquare

Aug. 22, 9 a.m.: 25 Jam 5K and 1 Mile, New Castle. Run at Cascade Park. runsignup.com/Race/PA/NewCastle/25JAM5KRunWalk

Aug. 23, 7 a.m.: Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Half Marathon, 5K, 10K and Relay, Cleveland. runsignup.com/Race/OH/Cleveland/RockHall

Aug. 23, 7:30 a.m.: The Ultimate Obstacle Course Race, Zelienople. runsignup.com/Race/PA/Zelienople/TheUltimateZelieChallenge

Aug. 23, 9 a.m.: Brady’s Run Happy 5K and 10K, Beaver Falls. Also free kids race. runsignup.com/Race/PA/BeaverFalls/BradysRunHappy

Aug. 30, 8 a.m.: Fox Chapel 5K and 1-Mile Fun Run, Pittsburgh. runsignup.com/Race/PA/Pittsburgh/Foxtrot5k1Mile

Sept. 6, 9:30 a.m.: John’s Journey 5K and 1-Mile, Allison Park. Starts at North Park Boathouse. runsignup.com/Race/PA/AllisonPark/JohnSJourney1MileWalk5K

Sept. 7, 8 a.m.: Steelers 5K Run and Walk, Pittsburgh. Also kids fun run for ages 9U. Starts at Acrisure Stadium. p3r.org/races/steelersrunandwalk

Sept. 7, 9:15 a.m.: Buhl Day 5K, Hermitage. Flat and fast, finish in Buhl Park. runsignup.com/Race/PA/Hermitage/HERMITAGEBUHLDAY5K

Sept. 10, 6:30 p.m.: St. Aidan Harvest Home Twilight 5K/1-Mile Run, Allison Park. Starts at North Park’s Harmar Pavilion. runsignup.com/Race/PA/AllisonPark/SAINTALPHONSUSTWILIGHT5K1MILE

Sept. 12, 9 a.m.: Lee Foster Memorial 5-Mile, St. Marys. runsignup.com/Race/PA/SaintMarys/LeeFosterMemorial5Mile

Sept. 12, 10 a.m.: Pioneer Pursuit 5K Race and 1-Mile Walk, Butler. Also Kids’ 100-Meter Dash. runsignup.com/Race/PA/Butler/PioneerPursuit

Sept. 12, 8 a.m.: Youngstown Ultra Trail Classic 25K and 50K, Youngstown. Trail runs in Mill Creek Park. runsignup.com/Race/OH/Youngstown/YoungstownUltraTrailClassic

Sept. 13, 7 a.m.: Erie Marathon, Erie. Run at Presque Isle State Park. runsignup.com/Race/PA/Erie/ErieMarathon

Sept. 13, 4:30 p.m.: Hoodlebug 5K Run and Fun Walk, Homer City. Run on Hoodlebug Trail. runsignup.com/Race/PA/HomerCity/hoodlebug5k

Butch’s Bucket Brigade 5K, June 20: Uriah Miller, 1st Overall M, 20:11; Jayden Morse, 2nd Overall M, 21:38; Lucas Bowser, 3rd Overall M, 21:59; Evva Yanoschick, 1st Overall W, 24:20; Paul Cypher, 1st 21-29 M, 23:38; Cody Kaufman, 2nd 21-29 M, 24:33; Dylan Claypoole, 2nd 30-39 M, 24:41; Logan Hooks, 1st 15-20 M, 25:36; Giana Hutchens, 1st 21-29 W, 29:19; Adam Hooks, 2nd 15-20 M, 29:21; Henry Nolan, 1st 60+ M, 29:32; Alex Eppinger, 3rd 15-20 M, 31:03; Pilar Arco, 3rd 14U W, 31:12; Ari Adelaar-Good, 1st 15-20 W, 31:45; Maggie Cypher, 2nd 21-29 W, 32:32; Kirk Hooks, 2nd 50-59 M, 32:34; Camryn Bowser, 2nd 15-20 W, 33:09; Anthony Sunseri, 2nd 60+ M, 33:55; Tabitha Bowser, 1st 40-49 W, 34:07; Robert French, 3rd 60+ M, 36:38; Logan Bowser, 3rd 21-29 M, 36:42; Dana Adelaar, 3rd 40-49 W, 38:16; Amy Farr, 3rd 50-59 W, 44:49; Fred Golab, 3rd 50-59 M, 45:48; Rachel Katsko, 3rd 15-20 W, 47:14; Aviana Cordoba-Edwards, 37:45; Halle Hooks; 37:50; Teddy Mechling, 38:01; Hunter Wolfe, 38:50; Lauren Bowser, 38:59; Randy Bowser, 42:42; Tanya Hooks, 46:36; Ken Cypher, 47:17; Jeannine Eichenlaub, 47:18; Allie Green, 49:04; Grant Jones, 49:10; Georgia Bowser, 49:42

Strawberry Days 5K, June 24: Matt Beuermann, 1st Overall M, 15:50; Brett Smithco, 5th Overall M, 16:47; Rebecca Pennington, 1st Overall W, 19:14 Joe Franze, 2nd 30-34 M, 20:23; Angie Jenny, 1st 45-49 W, 21:03; Daniel Giffone, 20:36; Scott Choura, 2nd 55-59 M, 21:13; Hannah Gildersleeve, 1st 40-44 W, 21:21; Bob Dummer, 1st 35-39 M, 21:39; Melissa Conjack, 2nd 35-39 W, 21:49; Leslie Kramer, 2nd 45-49 W, 21:49; Michael Brown, 1st 70-74 M, 21:51; Anna Everett, 3rd 35-39 W, 21:52; Richard Stewart, 3rd 55-59 M, 21:53; Ben Woodard, 2nd 35-39 M, 22:09; Kara Shuty, 1st 50-54 W, 22:44; S. Mark Courtney, 2nd 70-74 M, 22:49; Layne Serball, 1st 10-11 W, 26:41; Allie Jordan, 2nd 10-11 W, 26:56; Lizzie Jordan, 1st 8-9 W, 28:47; Debbie Courtney, 1st 60-64 W, 30:43; Kelsey Burris, 3rd 30-34 W, 31:22; Miles Jenny, 21:03; Tony Sunseri, 3rd 75-79 M, 34:30; Victoria Brendlinger, 1st 65-69 W, 35:29; John Sestak, 2nd 65-59 M, 43:00; Roman Scott, 21:58; Dan Sabella, 21:59; James Edmonds, 22:08; Tyler Gomez, 22:38; Aaron Smith, 23:00; Melissa Sabella, 24:12; Tim Sabella, 24:12; Kate Jordan, 24:42; Dominick Degilio, 24:51; Morgan Stull, 25:08; Jase Palmer, 26:16; Kyle Smith, 26:23; Jen Beachem, 26:29; Lurena Stewart, 27:17; James Stewart, 27:25; Addison Stewart, 27:57; Wendy Wick, 28:13; Greg Faulconbridge, 28:38; Lisa Leonhard, 28:50; Calvin Jenny, 28:50; Amanda Criss, 29:13; Mandy James, 29:37; Jen Hammonds, 30:15; Tom McMann, 31:17; Lillian Harris, 31:53; Nate Nuss, 33:28; Lynsi Tarr, 34:16; Chrissy Dummer, 34:25; Robert Tarr, 37:02; Lisa Jamison, 37:29; Amanda Choura, 38:01; Maria Cosme, 43:24; James Lakin, 44:13; Rich Honsaker, 46:15

Pat Neubert is a running columnist for the Butler Eagle. Send comments and suggestions: Patricia Neubert, phone 724-822-1577, email lotzak@consolidated.net