Temperatures in the 40s, four stream crossings, 2,300 feet of elevation change — what’s not to like?

Last Saturday’s Dirty Kiln Half Marathon and 5 Mile Trail Race at Canoe Creek State Park was muddy, wet and difficult. But it was also a lot of fun.

Due to restrictions from Pennsylvania’s DCNR, total participation in both events was limited to 450, but 382 managed to complete the challenging five-mile or more challenging 13.1 mile course through Canoe Creek State Park near Altoona. This was the fourth annual event and the largest field yet for the race hosted by Allegheny Trail Runners.

Dirty Kiln is named for the old Blair County Limestone kilns which are visible from the race course. Overall and age group winners in both the five mile and half marathon events are honored to receive unique handmade limestone awards.

“The race committee gets together for an evening and makes all of the awards,” race director Ben Mazur says.

Mazur has served as race director for the Dirty Kiln for the past four years. He’s seen the event grow from a five-mile and 12-mile event with 200 finishers to the five and half marathon distances with 450 entrants for this year.

Mazur and his staff of 20 to 35 volunteers have seen weather in the 60s with sunshine in the first two years to cold and rain for 2014 and 2015. As Mazur recalled, on the day before last year’s Dirty Kiln, the area received more than two inches of rain. Waist deep stream crossings were treacherous.

This year’s crossings were a little less than treacherous, though my friend Dave managed to bruise both knee caps on a fall in the first stream. More hazardous were the miles of slick trail and four-inch deep shoe-sucking mud along Beaver Dam Trail, part of both five-mile and half marathon courses.

My fear on trail races is that I’ll get lost and wander aimlessly through the woods. Dirty Kiln was well marked with both signs and caution tape. However, I learned after the event that approximately 20 front runners mistakenly took a wrong turn when caution tape blew away in the gusty morning wind and a volunteer was absent from a critical turn in the course.

Most finishers took the error in stride. Trail runners accept the unexpected on races as part of the adventure.

As race director, Ben Mazur tries to provide runners with the best experience possible at his event. Although he runs on roads during the week, his weekends belong to the trails. He competes in 5 to 8 trail ultras per year and is getting ready to run the Hyner 50KChallenge this coming weekend.

Mazur recommends the Rock’n the Knob Trail Challenge on Sept. 12, also hosted by Allegheny Trail Runners, as a good introductory trail race as well as a challenge for seasoned trail racers. The event has a choice of five-mile or 20-mile distance.

Because the event is held at Blue Knob Ski Resort, participants can stay at the resort, run the race, then attend the post-race party without leaving the premises. Rock’n the Knob includes a post-race party with food and beer from a local brewery.

For more information about Rock’n the Knob or next year’s dirty Kiln Trail Race, visit www.alleghenytrailrunners.com.

Upcoming events

Saturdays, 8 a.m.: Up-N-Running Group Run, Valencia. Winter weekly run. 724-898-2525 or shoes@runpa.com

Saturday, 8 a.m.: Pirates Charities 5K Home Run, Pittsburgh. Starts at PNC Park. 412-325-4781 or www.pirates.com

Saturday, 8 a.m.: Bud Shuster Run for Your Life 5K Run, 2 Mile Run, 2 Mile Walk, Hollidaysburg. Sponsored by Hollidaysburg YMCA. 724-695-4467 or www.hollidaysburgymca.org

Saturday, 9 a.m.: Roaring Run Water Association 5K and 15K, Apollo. Run on Roaring Run Rail Trail. www.roaringrun.org

Saturday, 9 a.m.: Big Dog 5K, Baden. Run through Economy Park benefits Huntington’s Disease Society of America. 724-683-9738 or bigdog5k@hotmail.com

Saturday, 9 a.m.: Boston Trail ½ Marathon and 5K Run/ Walk, Elizabeth Township. Out and back on Yough River Trail. 412-780-7802 or donna.bour@bourassociates.com

Sunday, 9 a.m.: 15th Annual Burgh’s Pizza and Wing Pub 5K, Cecil. Out and back on Montour Trail with cash awards and big post race party. 412-860-0551 or frankdaily@hotmail.com

April 25, 9 a.m.: Sugar Rush 5K Run and Walk, Hermitage. 724-981-2950, ext. 234

April 25, 9 a.m.: Superhero 5K and 1k Fun Walk, North Park. Participants encouraged to dress as superheroes; lots of family activities. 412-760-0483 or www.superhero.org

April 25, 2 p.m.: Pittsburgh Craft Beer Week Hash, Hampton Township. Run with Hash House Harriers, “the drinking club with a running problem.” 724-265-4267 or www.pgh-h3.com

April 25, 10 a.m.: KUMC Missions Bunny Hop 5K, Knox. 814-354-2014 or frontporchfarms@venustel.com

April 26, 7:30 a.m.: SRU Campus Rec. Mini Triathlon, Slippery Rock. 400 yard swim, 10.5 mile bike, 2.5 mile run. 724-738-2883 or Andrew.loue@sru.edu

April 26, 11 a.m.: Hunter’s Heroes 5K, Beaver. Benefits child with disabilities and Children’s Institute of Pittsburgh. 724-777-6261 or m.k.barney@eagle.clarion.edu

April 29, 7 p.m.: Sunset Sprint, Grove City. Speerkn1@gcc.edu

May 2, 7 a.m.: Cinco Races and Walks, Warren. Six races from 2.5K through 26.2 miles. 954-675-4684 or chuckgray@me.com

May 2, 10 a.m.: Home Run 5K, Knox. 814-797-1290 or sellfam6@windstream.net

May 2, 8 a.m.: UPMC Sports Medicine Pittsburgh Marathon 5K, Pittsburgh. Run from North Shore to downtown Pittsburgh. www.pittsburghmarathon.com

May 3, 7 a.m.: Dick’s Sporting Goods Pittsburgh Marathon, Half Marathon and Team Relay, Pittsburgh. www.pittsburghmarathon.com

May 6, 7 p.m.: Run like and Animal 5K, Hermitage. 724-456-2373 or frstacrs@yahoo.com

May 9, Glacier Ridge Trail Ultramarathons and Trail Race, 6:30 a.m., Moraine State Park. 50 miles, 50K, 30K or 50 mile 5-person relay.www.glacierridgetrailultra.com

May 9, 8 a.m.: Mud on the Mountain, Seven Springs. Obstacle race, 7.7 rugged miles. www.active.com

May 9, 9 a.m.: Mars Area Public Library BOOK IT 5K and 1 Mile Fun Walk, Mars. 724-612-9818 or carmelina.vargo@zoominternet.net

May 10, 8:30 a.m.: Susan B. Komen Race for the Cure 5K, Pittsburgh. Also kids dash, untimed 5K run/ walk and 1 mile walk. 412-342-0500 or www.komenpittsburgh.org

May 16, 9 a.m.: Jumping for Java 5K and Family Fun Run, Zelienople. Also team competition. 724-777-0877 or kellymarie@lanvwa.org

May 23, 8 a.m.: Mars Band on the Run 10K/ 5K, Mars. Also 1k kids run. 412-526-4637 or www.marsband5k.com

Race results

Just a Short Run 30K, March 28: Daniel Spaulding, 1st Overall M, 1:50:05; Anna Smialek, 1st Overall W, 2:14:57; David France, 2nd 45-49 M, 2:16:23; Catherine Hrach, 1st 40-44 W, 2:36:02; Kristin Krause, 2nd 40-44 W, 2:36:05; Karl Johnson, 2md 55-59 M, 2:41:30; Val Wolfarth, 2nd 55-59 W, 2:41:33; Kristina Stefanov, 2nd 30-34 W, 2:43:53; Mark Casteel, 2:27:53; John Armstrong, 2:35:28; John Lemmex, 2:36:13; Alex Lauer, 2:43:28; Toni Weis, 2:50:22; G. Ronald Ripper, 2:55:15; Gabrielle Hock, 2:58:29; Zoe Goettel, 2:58:52; Kevin Faul, 2:58:54; Mary Siegel, 2:59:29; Katherine Colton, 2:59:30; Katie Bongiovanni, 3:00:21; Noelle Sequite, 3:04:18; Sara McGee, 3:04:47; Kenny McGee, 3:04:48; Wendy Wick, 3:06:03; Nanette Paracca, 3:10:02; Tisha Frederick, 3:11:24; Lauren DiMaria, 3:13:29; Heidi Cain, 3:17:04; Dusty Nolan, 3:27:17; Sean Nolan, 3:27:19; Matt Buchwald, 3:28:51; Alfred Schnabel, 3:29:16

Just a Short Run ½ Marathon, March 28: James Hommes, 1st Overall M, 1:15:55; Adrienne Ruzicka, 1st Overall W, 1:40:05; Adam Shoup, 1st 35-39 M, 1:30:59; Sharyl Relic, 1st 55-59 W, 1:46:53; Edna Spang, 1st 45-49 W, 1:50:03; Jennifer McNabb, 3rd 50-54 W, 1:56:13; Lynn Royhab, 2nd 35-39 W, 1:58:04; William Wickard, 1:41:24; Tim Spang, 1:41:56; Gary Hayden, 1:46:11; Michael Finikiotis, 1:48:09; Kenny Lehman, 1:48:21; Matt Wheeler, 1:49:26; Kevin Aufman, 1:55:05; Jason Fawcett, 1:55:07; Roger Hyde, 1:58:13; Tony Chan, 1:59:13; Cyndie De Lucia, 2:10:54; Leanne Finney, 2:18:48; Eamonn Clements, 2:29:08; Brooke Guzma, 2:43:51; Beth Healy, 2:47:42; Stephanie D’Abarno, 2:52:30

Just a Short Run 8.1 Mile, March 28:Steve Spang, 1st Overall M, 47:04; Cheyenne Noble, 1st Overall W, 56:47; Beth Reppermund, 2nd 25-29 W, 1:02:44; Anne Dawson, 1st 55-59 W, 1:02:46; Mitch Radella, 1st 45-49 M, 1:03:12; Beau Eshenbaugh, 2nd 20-24 M, 1:13:51; Michael Bruno, 3rd 60-69 M, 1:14:22; Barbara Ford, 2nd 55-59 W, 1:22:31; Elizabeth Brooke, 1:05:40; Cassidy Wozniak, 1:10:35; Kristen Evans, 1:11:24; Carolyn Grider, 1:12:18; Christian Gallingane, 1:12:55; Brianne Voelp, 1:13:57; Sherrie Good, 1:13:58; Joy Gates, 1:15:21; Jenny Couch, 1:15:54; Karl Hart, 1:16:51; Leslie Babcock, 1:17:25; Sandra Zugell, 1:19:29; Laurie Searles, 1:21:00; Jeff Evans, 1:21:01; Sally Sherman, 1:21:03; Christy Bittner, 1:21:27; Amy Scott, 1:21:56; Christy Franck, 1:21:57; Rachl Wagner, 1:24:15; Amy Leonard, 1:29:19; Rochelle Graham, 1:35:23; Rebecca Zahora, 1:37:38; Cindy Rosequist, 1:46:47; Jackie Boggs, 2:01:19

Just a Short Run 5K, March 28: Scott Denham, 1st Overall M, 16:07; Tina Seech, 1st Overall W, 22:33; Mathew Montellanico, 2nd 25-29 M, 18:56; Josh Venderlic, 1st 35-39 M, 20:36; Maria Dysert, 1st 10-14 W, 24:16; Tara Lucot, 3rd 10-14 W, 24:57; Heather Leskanic, 2nd 40-44 W, 25:09; Heather Venderlic, 1st 35-39 W, 27:56; Justin Pott, 2nd 40-44 M, 29:21; Zachary Boggs, 3rd 15-19 M, 29:50; Tammy Akers, 3rd 35-39 W, 30:49; Sarah Reppermund, 3rd 25-29 W, 31:24; Dylan Akers, 26:51; Cynthia Lutz, 32:07; Belinda Hurlbut, 37:55; Amy Buchwald, 40:43; Jessica Johnston, 48:29

Dirty Kiln Trail Half Marathon, April 4: Matt Lipsey, 1st Overall M, 1:37:22; Anna Balouris, 1st Overall W, 1:53:32; Matthew Sudak, 1st 34-41 M, 1:59:37; Patricia Neubert, 2nd 57-63 W, 3:10:22; Michael Ranck, 2:21:47; Joe Poerio, 2:24:36; Alex Lauer, 2:33:54; Jim Gemperlein, 2:37:04; Duane Flowers, 2:48:22; Tisha Frederick, 2:51:45; Thomas Patterson, 2:53:40; Jim Eirkson, 3:38:40

Dirty Kiln Trail 5k, April 4: John Balouris, 1st Overall M, 40:03; Steven Patterson, 2nd Overall M, 44:52; Sarah Mihm, 1st Overall W, 49:54; Timothy Wyant, 1st 42-51 M, 47:16; David Borst, 59:57; David Lockerman, 1:29:24

Send comments and suggestions: Patricia Neubert, 435 Cherry Valley Rd., Saxonburg, PA. 16056. Phone or fax 724-352-4395. Email bigp16@connecttime.net

Pat Neubert is a running columnist for the Butler Eagle