Running doesn’t get much better than the Buffalo Creek Half Marathon.

More than 730 runners completed the scenic course Saturday in perfect conditions — cool temperatures, dappled sunlight through peak fall foliage and a soft-surfaced downhill course.

When running is good, it’s really good. We savor those moments of “runner’s high” and the glory in crossing a finish line.

But the opposite is occasionally true.

In July 2023, 65-year-old Greg Woodman suffered cardiac arrest while running Presque Isle Half Marathon in Erie. Fortunately, nurses and fellow runners Tabitha Bowser, Laura Overly and others administered CPR until emergency medical services arrived. Woodman survived to complete the half marathon in 2024, crossing the finish line with his lifesaver, Tabitha Bowser.

Cardiac arrest isn’t always exercise-related. In 2022, young mother Victoria Williams experienced cardiac arrest while shopping and is also alive today because of bystander-provided CPR.

These dramatic lifesaving events changed the lives of all involved and started a movement. Those involved in these incidents created Run With Heart Foundation to save more lives by providing free CPR and automated external defibrillator training to the public, especially those in rural areas with longer EMS response times.

In its four-year existence, Run With Heart Foundation has educated more than 1,000 community members in CPR and AED.

Run For Your Life 5K Run/Walk, this Saturday in Kittanning, is the largest fundraiser for the foundation. All proceeds directly support free life-saving education. The race motto is, “When you run with us, you’re running for someone’s life.”

Race director Tabitha Bowser invites runners and walkers of all abilities to the scenic, flat course which begins at Kittanning YMCA and runs out and back on Armstrong Trail. She expects about 250 participants. Strollers and pets are welcome but are requested to keep to the side of the trail for safety.

Although this is an all-comers event, it can be very competitive.

Last year, Kara Shirley earned gold as the first female finisher in a course-record time of 19:40. In 2023, Dean Banko set the men’s course record of 17:51, beating Butler’s Alex Depew by 1 second. In addition to trophies for top three finishers, the race awards medals to top three in age groups from 12U through 70-plus.

The awards ceremony takes place when the last runner crosses the finish line. Post-race refreshments include bananas, granola bars, hydration packs and water. Food trucks from Elk Brewing and Vic & Nicalena’s Pizza will be available for runners and spectators. There’s also a bake sale with sweet treats like Amish donuts and gluten-free options. Cash is necessary for the bake sale and a basket raffle.

Bowser welcomes spectators and community members to attend whether they run, walk, or just hang out at the finish area and listen to the DJ. All are invited to watch CPR demonstrations and learn about upcoming classes.

It’s not too late to sign up to run to save lives. Register online until 2 p.m. Friday at runsignup.com/Race/PA/Kittanning/KittanningRunforyourlife5k. Day of event registration begins at 9 a.m. at the Richard Snyder YMCA in Kittanning.

Find out how you, your family or organization can attend free classes in lifesaving CPR and AED use at runwithheartfoundation.org or email runwithheartfoundation@gmail.com

Saturday, 9 a.m.: North Ridge Nightmare, Trail Race, Allison Park. Choice of 6.66K or 13K on North Park trails. runsignup.com/Race/PA/AllisonPark/NorthRidgeNightmareTrailRace

Saturday, 9:30 a.m.: Musicians of Steel 5K Run/Walk, Pittsburgh. Starts at Millvale Riverfront Pavilion. runsignup.com/Race/PA/Pittsburgh/MusiciansofSteel5KRunWalk

Saturday, 10 a.m.: Run for your Life 5K Run/Walk, Kittanning. runsignup.com/Race/PA/Kittanning/KittanningRunforyourlife5k

Sunday, 9 a.m.: South Park 5K, South Park. runsignup.com/Race/PA/SouthPark/SouthPark5K

Sunday, 9 a.m.: Halloween 5K and 1-Mile Fun Walk, Glenshaw. Run from Kiwanis Park. runsignup.com/Race/Events/PA/Glenshaw/Halloween5KAndFunWalk

Sunday, 3 p.m.: 16th Annual Great Pumpkin Race 5K and 1-Mile Fun Run, Zelienople. runsignup.com/Race/PA/Zelienople/8thAnnualGreatPumpkinRace

Oct. 31, 9 a.m.: Trick or Trot 5K and Kids Half-Mile Tot Trot, Murraysville. runsignup.com/Race/PA/Murrysville/TrickorTrot5kPA

Oct. 31, 10 a.m.: Wicked Wine Run 5K or 1K, Allison Park. Run with wine in Hartwood Acres. wickedwinerun.com/race/2026-pittsburgh-pa/

Oct. 31, 6:30 p.m.: Quarry Shack 5-Miler, Vintonville. Run on Ghost Town Trail. runsignup.com/Race/PA/Vintondale/QUARRYSHACK5MILER

Nov. 1, 9 a.m.: 15th InFirst Bank Veteran’s Marathon, Half Marathon and Relay, Blairsville. Run on Ghost Town Trail. runsignup.com/Race/Info/PA/Blairsville/IndianaFirstBankVeteransMarathonHalfMarathonandMarathonRelay

Nov. 1, 9 a.m.: Ryan Gloyer Memorial 5K Run/Walk, Harmony. runsignup.com/Race/PA/Harmony/RyanGloyerMemorialRun

Nov. 7, 10 a.m.: Butler YMCA Turkey Trot 5K & 1-Mile, Butler. runsignup.com/Race?raceId=152203

Nov. 7, 10 a.m.: Pancreatic Cancer 5K Run and Fun Walk, Indiana. Run on Hoodlebug Trail. 724-479-9325

Nov. 7, 10 a.m.: WALKer RUN 5K, Conneaut Lake. www.walkerrun5k.com/Race/Info/PA/ConneautLake/WALKerRun5K

Nov. 8, 8:30 a.m.: EQT 10-Miler & 10K, Pittsburgh. Starts on Pittsburgh’s South Side. p3r.org/races/eqt-10-miler

Nov. 8, 9 a.m.: Operation Troop Appreciation Veterans Day 5K, Allison Park. Run through Hampton Community Park. runsignup.com/Race/PA/AllisonPark/OPERATIONTROOPAPPRECIATION5K

Nov. 21, 9 a.m.: Oil City YMCA Turkey Trot 5K, 10K and Kids ¼-Mile Fun Run, Oil City. Run on Samuel Justis Trail. runsignup.com/Race/PA/OilCity/OCTurkeytrot

Nov. 21, 5 p.m.: Run, Run, Rudolph 2-Miler Run/Walk, Butler. Run through Christmas lights in Alameda Park. runsignup.com/Race/PA/Butler/RunRunRudolph2Miler

Nov. 22, 9 a.m.: Armstrong County Turkey Trot Half Marathon and 5K, Kittanning. Kids 10U run for free. runsignup.com/Race/PA/Kittanning/ArmstrongCountyTurkeyTrot

Nov. 26, 7:30 a.m.: YMCA Turkey Trot 5-Mile, 5K and 1-Mile Family Fun Run, Pittsburgh. p3r.org/races/ymca-turkey-trot

Nov. 26, 9 a.m.: 32nd Annual Gobbler’s Gallop 10K and 5K, Ellwood City. Starts at Riverside High School. runsignup.com/Race/PA/EllwoodCity/GobblersGallop

Nov. 26, 9:30 a.m.: Gobble Wobble 5K, Hermitage. Run at Buhl Park. runsignup.com/Race/PA/Hermitage/GobbleWobbleRace

Nov. 28, 9 a.m.: Truthantrub 5K, Saxonburg. runsignup.com/Race/PA/Saxonburg/SaxonburgTruthahntrab5k

Pioneer Pursuit 5K, Sept. 12: Jason Smith, 1st Overall M, 20:44; Matt Reagle, 2nd Overall M, 23:19; James Dankovich, 3rd Overall M, 24:58; Holly Peterman, 1st Overall W, 28:12; Madison Hunt, 2nd Overall W, 30:17; Nick Coval, 1st 40-49 M, 27:36; Bruce Soule, 1st 50-59 M, 28:57; Glenn Sharrar, 2nd 40-49 M, 30:13; Sarah Wetzel, 1st 30-39 W, 31:56; Ashley Sheppard, 1st 40-49 W, 32:33; Deacon Martin, 1st 18U M, 32:45; Wendy Fischer, 2nd 40-49 W, 33:03; Jessica Hamilton, 3rd 40-49 W, 33:19; Chad Filges, 3rd 40-49 M, 33:47; Vivian Leitner, 1st 19-29 W, 34:47; Jim Leroy, 2nd 60-69 M, 34:52; Jenn Barnes, 1st 50-59 W, 35:05; Madison Sharrar, 1st 18U W, 35:06; Anthony Sunseri, 1st 70+ M, 35:39; Logan Holland, 1st 30-39 M, 35:40; Dave Plaisted, 2nd 30-39 M, 37:26; Madison Wetzel, 2nd 18U W, 37:34; Kim Miller, 2nd 50-59 W, 38:42; Paul Johnson, 2nd 70+ M, 38:52; Emily Cress, 2nd 30-39 W, 44:15; Janet Postupac, 2nd 60-69 W, 56:54; Jonathan Hamilton, 33:56

Jonathan’s Forever Young 5K, Sept. 13: Tom Petalino, 1st Overall M, 19:50; Emma Dudkowski, 1st Overall W, 24:29; Alicia Wilson, 1st 65+ W, 48:12; George Heyl, 2nd 65 M, 51:22; Ty Heckert, 27:55; Bo Heckert, 28:41; Carol Nesti, 39:27; Jon Armitage, 40:40; Jayden Allen, 46:09; Cheri Armitage, 48:17; Takoda Lazor, 48:31; Tanner Kelminsky, 48:32; Tucker Lazor, 48:34; Shannon Lazor, 48:35; Jamie Andra, 49:03; Dawn Merhaut, 49:38; Matt Merhaut, 49:41; Zechai Brown, 51:23; Jake Lee; 51:33; Jessica Henry-Hansberry, 52:01; Alexis Hansberry, 52:01; Theresa Mctighe, 54:19; Lauren Ryan, 55:29; Kelly Heckert, 57:23; Dave Mctighe, 58:18; Diane Osterwise, 58:43; Stephen Mccarthy, 1:00:10; Stephen Mccarthy, 1:00:10; Dolly Nicely, 1:00:52; Mark Nicely, 1:00:53; Pam Beauseigneur, 1:01:11; Ashtyn Metheney, 1:01:32

Run for their Lives 5K, Sept. 19: Jack Glinski, 1st Overall M, 19:14; Julia Weiler, 1st Overall W, 22:46; Britt Cranmer, 3rd 18+ M, 27:33; Alex Hennon, 26:55; Briar Wentling, 26:55; Shiva Kumar Mukkamalla, 27:25; Jon Clendaniel, 27:26; Eddie Trizzino, 28:46; Casey Hoolahan, 31:11; Johnny Lee, 48:36

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