After last year's successful inaugural event, organizers of the second running of the Buffalo Creek Half Marathon, which takes place Saturday, hope it will be bigger and better.

The 2006 race began in the dark with an early morning start at Winfield Fire Department's parking lot. Nearly 200 runners enjoyed the downhill Butler-Freeport Rail Trail course in the crisp early October air.

With a later start at 9 a.m. and a change in day to Saturday, this year's participation could top 300. Runners from nine states are registered for the event, which was advertised in Runner's World magazine's calendar.

Race director Ron Bennett isn't sure whether the new date, day and time are responsible for the increase in registrations or if it's the race's reputation as a quality event with a very fast, downhill course.

"I don't know if it matters to the runners, but the later start is good for the volunteers setting up on race day," Bennett said.

Volunteers will be stretched from the start to the finish line at several aid stations along the course offering water, Gatorade and Gu energy gels. Timers will call split times at 1-, 5- and 10-mile points, and cyclists will patrol the course for safety. Additional volunteers will staff the registration and packet pickup tables at Lernerville Speedway on Route 356.

All runners will be bused from Lernerville, which is near the midpoint of the race, to the starting area and back from the finish. Spectators can park at Winfield Fire Hall to watch the race start.

Bags will be issued to runners who want to warm up in comfort. Their personal belongings will be waiting for them at the finish area after the race.

The course for this year's event has been certified and the finish line changed. While the first running ended with a steep downhill and a grassy finish in Freeport Stadium, this year's race features a gentler, straighter finish by continuing down Fourth Street to Riverside Park, along the Allegheny River in Freeport.

The event has some of the amenities of a large-scale race. All preregistered runners receive a commemorative technical T-shirt and runner's goody bag, including Gu and Powerbars. While enjoying post race bananas and bagels, runners can enjoy a massage or peruse the wares of at least six vendor tents set up in the park.

Day-of-event registrations are welcome, though T-shirts will be in short supply on race day. Registration opens at 7 a.m. at Lernerville Speedway. The last shuttle leaves for the starting area at 8:30. There will be no registration at the starting area in Winfield.

For information about the event, visit www.butlerfreeporttrail.org, email benronsax@zoominternet.net or call 724-898-2525.

Upcoming events

Saturday, 8 a.m.: Dental Dash, Pittsburgh. 412-648-8910

Saturday, 9 a.m.: Halloween 5K, New Brighton. 724-495-9417 or jhilfinger@beavercountypa.gov

Saturday, 9 a.m.: Stomp the Grapes Half Marathon, Canton, Ohio. 330-437-2622

Saturday, 9:30 a.m.: Fallfest 5K, Monaca. 724-775-2628

Saturday, 9:30 a.m.: Steve Jerman Memorial 5K, Kane. Also 2 mile walk. 814-837-7360 or chuckandpeg@verizon.net

Saturday, 3 p.m.: Monster Stomp 5K Race, Walk and Goblin Trot, New Castle. Costume judging, post race party, benefits National MS Society. 800-544-5250

Tuesday, 5:30 p.m.: Walk-Run at Riverview Park, Pittsburgh. Dinner and refreshments follow the events. 412-719-1842

Wednesday, 6:30 p.m.: Running Wild Group Run, Hartwood Acres. 724-444-5311

Oct. 27, 9 a.m.: Great Pumpkin Race, Charleston, W.Va. 304-388-6322

Nov. 3, 10 a.m.: Turkey Trot 5K, Butler. Open to ages 11 and older. 724-287-4733 or jknauff@bcfymca.org

Nov. 10, 10 a.m.: Pittsylvania Challenge, Frick Park, Pittsburgh. Cross country run with 2K or 4K for ages 15 and under, 6K for ages 16 and up. 412-885-2537

Race results

Adams Area Fire District 5K, Sept. 8: Jacob Montag, 1st Overall M, 18:47; Debbie Deddo, 1st Overall W, 23:05; Mitch Radella, 1st 40-49 M, 19:25; Lucas Gray, 1st 13-19 M, 21:28; Derek Smith, 2nd 40-49 M, 21:46; Matthew Getsay, 1st 30-39 M, 21:52; Scott Slaney, 2nd 13-19 M, 22:08; William Thompson, 3rd 40-49 M, 22:31; Steve Russell, 1st 50-59 M, 22:47Gino Lamantia, 1st 12 and under M, 23:21; Philip Madonna, 2nd 12 and under M, 24:07; Darren Allworth, 1st 20-29 M, 24:20; Bev Weston, 1st 50-59 W, 24:51; Katy Elwell, 1st 20-29 W, 25:16; Kyle Deddo, 3rd 2 and under M, 27:02; Amanda Taddy, 2nd 20-29 W, 27:09; James Bolze, 3rd 13-19 M, 27:19; Suzanne Leoberg, 2nd 50-59 W, 27:20; Nicole Bittner, 3rd 20-29 W, 28:06; Kim Bell, 1st 30-39 W, 28:23; Patty Kitt, 2nd 30-39 W, 28:50; Erin Donaldson, 3rd 30-39 W, 29:09; Amy Madonna, 1st 40-49 W, 29:11; Cheryl Ferraro, 2nd 40-49 W, 29:37George Knaell, 1st 60 and over M, 30:27; Tina Kramer, 3rd 40-49 W, 34:20; Olivia Woerle, 1st 13-19 W, 35:17; Donald Cescon, 2nd 60 and over M, 37:30; Ada Rumberg, 3rd 50-59 W, 40:37; Jeffrey Bummer, 2nd 50-59 M, 44:28; Joyce Stephans, 1st 60 and over W, 49:36; Emma Maihle, 1st 12 and under W, 57:20Mark Lamantia, 23:01; David Meese, 23:04; David Mack, 23:48; John Pristas, 24:02; Steve Vrh, 25:15; Charles Darrell. 26:59; Peter Hyde, 27:11; Donald Ellenberger, 29:05; Eric Dugan, 29:31; Lynn Dixon Stewart, 29:47; Dana Hogue, 31:52; Tom Donaldson, 32:52; Mary-Alice Dolan, 34:02; Eric Duchess, 34:29; Brenda Havener, 34:56; Jennifer Loeffler, 38:34; Ted Woerle, 39:37; Teresa Melargno, 43:01; Amy Woerle, 43:27; Debbie Majetic, 43:35; Linda Jones, 43:45; Colleen Harmon, 52:39; Jeanne Westerman, 54:23; Jodi Fleeger, 57:29; Tammy Maihle, 57:35; Marilyn Klein, 57:39

Erie Marathon, Sept. 9: Kevin Poole, 1st Overall M, 2:25:29; Christy Lilli, 1st Overall W, 3:22:59; Stacy Kopchak, 3rd Overall W, 3:30:58; Mark Courtney, 1st 50-54 M, 3:04:17; Louis Schmidt, 3:30:29; Chris Singleton, 3:32:56; Jeffrey Smith, 3:50:34; Mitch Radella, 3:53:08; Mark Maier, 4:19:25; Chris Cutone, 4:20:55; Stephen Cooper, 4:30:04; Brian Shuttleworth, 4:35:17; Gene Borelli, 4:42:01; Bill Melfi, 4:45:46; Hannah Richman, 4:54:10; Howard Richman, 4:54:31; Melissa Sopher, 4:56:30; Kristen Hogg, 4:56:31

Erie Half Marathon, Sept. 9: Nicole Blaesser, 1st Overall W, 1:21:57; Colin Gundling, 1st Overall M, 1:22:13; Tristen Rankin, 2nd Overall W, 1:24:40; Scott Pearson, 3rd 40-44 M, 1:37:06; Mary Blom, 1st 45-49 W, 1:52:43; Pamels Borelli, 2nd 55-59 W, 2:39:57; Anthony Sunseri, 1:53:02; Kris Poloyac, 1:53:27; Sam Poloyac, 1:53:27; Stacy Juchno, 1:56:17; Neil Kearney, 1:57:38; Lauren Taylor, 1:59:03; Patty Schmidt, 2:12:45; Kristina Kushmerek, 2:13:35; Melissa Mahood, 2:14:43; Christina Berdos, 2:15:32; Daniel Ragalsi, 2:15:32; Tedd Nesbit, 2:28:27; Magy Somora, 2:49:15; Michele Pobicki, 3:04:10

South Park 5K, Sept. 22: Matt Marshall, 1st Overall M, 18:53; Prudence Evancik, 1st Overall W, 21:05; Bob Cunningham, 1st 20-24 M, 19:58

Autumn Leaf Festival 5K, Sept. 29: Sean McFarland, 1st Overall M, 15:49; Erin Richard, 1st Overall W, 17:32; Fred Weaver, 1st 30-34 M, 19:50; Nicole Marshall, 1st 16-19 W, 22:04; Carrie Smith, 1st 25-29 W, 22:45; Tammy McGaughey, 2nd 45-49 W, 23:25; Caroline Blauser, 3rd 13-15 W, 23:56; Rich Landgraf, 2nd 35-39 M, 24:11; Jen Beachem, 25:12; Chris Stimac, 27:21; Tammy Landgraf, 28:11; Jean Stroup, 36:45Send comments and suggestions to: 435 Cherry Valley Rd., Saxonburg, Pa. 16056. Phone or fax: 724-352-4395. Email: bigp16@connecttime.netPat Neubert is the running columnist for the Butler Eagle.