Who runs a half marathon on a graffiti-marred, pothole-broken, forgotten road through a desolate and sometimes dark area with no spectators and self-serve aid stations?

This past Saturday, 232 runners proudly earned a finisher’s medal at the unique Old Turnpike Half Marathon near Breezewood.

Old Turnpike Half Marathon follows an out-and-back course on an abandoned PA Turnpike roadbed, including nearly four miles of darkness through two tunnels which rank among the longest five tunnels in the US. It’s a unique experience and one of Wolf Creek Race Management’s destination events.

This was the third running of the Old Turnpike Half, but my first. I joined a half dozen Butler County friends and runners from as far as Kansas, Minnesota and North Carolina on the adventure.

Wolf Creek includes a Course Safety Statement on the Old Turnpike registration page detailing the potential hazards of the course. But while some may be deterred, others are enticed by the adventure of dark, slippery tunnels, rough pavement and sometimes graphic graffiti. Participation is limited to those over age 18 and headlamps are required and included in the registration.

The first Old Turnpike Half was held in 2020 in the throes of the COVID pandemic. Andrew Mascio, co-owner of Wolf Creek Race Management and event director, says that his company helped develop the state’s COVID mitigation plan that allowed for races to take place safely during the pandemic.

This year’s race kept some of the safety and distancing protocols. Instead of a mass start, runners crossed the start line anywhere within a half-hour window, making the event a time trial, not a head-to-head competition. This made for less crowded running on the course.

Self-serve aid stations were adequate and appropriate for the mild morning weather, but didn’t require a large staff of volunteers. Andrew says that while most of Wolf Creek’s events have returned to staffed aid stations, Old Turnpike is unique in that it takes place in an area without an actual community to support it.

But its isolation is also one of the things that makes Old Turnpike special. It runs through Buchanan State Forest in the Allegheny Mountain Range in the heart of PA wilderness. Andrew says that while people may be hesitant to visit the Turnpike route abandoned more than 50 years ago alone, runners feel much safer under the umbrella of the race.

All participants at Old Turnpike Half Marathon receive a drawstring bag and commemorative t-shirt while finishers earn a unique medal. There’s no awards ceremony, but top three overall and age group winners receive their awards by mail. There’s also a virtual awards video posted on the event’s website along with photos of the race. In addition to action participant shots, photographers capture the unique scenery of the course both outside and in the Sideling Hill and Rays Hill Tunnels.

Although most run the Old Turnpike Half for the adventure, some racers have managed fast finishing times as well. Peter Weida set the men’s course record in 2020 with a time of 1:17:02 while Rachel Rabbit holds the women’s record of 1:32:37 set in 2021. This year, Patrick Fleming of Erie finished first in 1:24:48 while Amy O’Donnell of Ebensburg bested all women with her 1:40:24. Saxonburg’s Jack Kelly finished 5th overall.

Old Turnpike Half Marathon will return next year on Memorial Day weekend, but there are plenty more Wolf Creek destination races left this year. Lake Wilhelm Marathon and Half Marathon circles the scenic lake in Maurice K. Goddard State Park in Sandy Lake this weekend. Or visit the nation’s newest national park on June 17 and 18 with New River Gorge 5k, Half Marathon and 50k in Fayetteville, WV. For more information, visit wolfcreektrackclub.com.

Butler Road Race News: This year’s 47th Annual Butler Road Race registration is now open, but the event will be postponed until Saturday, Sept. 3 due to bridge construction on the course. Visit bcfymca.org/Butler-Road-Race for more information or to register for the 5-Mile Run, 2k Walk/Run or Kids 2k & Mile Run.

Upcoming events

Saturday, 6:30 a.m.: Lake Wilhelm Marathon and Half Marathon, Sandy Lake. runsignup.com/Race/PA/SandyLake/LakeWilhelmMarathon

Saturday, 9 a.m.: 17th Annual Freeport Flash 10k and 5k Run/Walk, Sarver. Flat and fast course on Butler Freeport Rail Trail. runsignup.com/Race/PA/Sarver/FreeportFlash5K10K

Sunday, 8:30 a.m.: Kenny’s Coaster Race 5k and 1 Mile Walk, West Mifflin. Run through Kennywood Amusement Park. Registrqation includes full day pass to the park. runsignup.com/Race/Info/PA/WestMifflin/KennysCoasterRace

Sunday, 8:30 a.m.: Greenfield Glide 5k, Pittsburgh. Run through hilly Schenley Park in Pittsburgh’s Greenfield neighorhood. 412-328-0190 or runsignup.com/Race/PA/Pittsburgh/GreenfieldGlide?remMeAttempt=

June 11, 9 a.m.: Lions Give a Dam 5k, Sharpsville. Run across Shenango Dam. runsignup.com/Race/PA/Sharpsville/LionsGiveADam5k?aflt_token=HrZcYWJT57TH3GH4vWg7QL584fEmdOnK&r=Y

June 11, 9:30 a.m.: Into the Woods 5 Miler, Erie. Also non-competitive 2-Mile Walk and Kids Fun Run on wooded trails. runsignup.com/Race/PA/Erie/IntotheWoods5Miler

June 12, 9 a.m.: Big Foot Festival 5k Run and Walk, Marienville. runsignup.com/Race/PA/Marienville/ForestCountyBigfootFestival5k?remMeAttempt=

June 18, 7 a.m.: Run Between the Suns Endurance Trail Lap Race, Titusville. Run as many challenging 5k loops as you can in 12 hours. www.runrace.net/findarace.php?id=13180PA

June 19, 8:30 a.m.: Fathers’ Day 5k, Allison Park. Run starts at North Park Boathouse. runsignup.com/Race/PA/AllisonPark/PghFathersDay5K?aflt_token=HrZcYWJT57TH3GH4vWg7QL584fEmdOnK&r=Y

June 22, 6:30 p.m.: Summer Solstice 5k and 1 Mile Run/Walk, Portersville. Run on South Shore of Moraine State Park. runsignup.com/Race/PA/Portersville/SUMMERSOLSTICE5K1MILE

June 22, 7 p.m.: Strawberry Days 5k, Grove City. First race of Mercer County QUAD. secure.getmeregistered.com/get_information.php?event_id=137115 or 724-866-1374

June 25, 9 a.m.: Butch’s Bucket Brigade 5k, Worthington. Also bike race at 11 A.M. for kids ages 12 and under. runsignup.com/Race/PA/Worthington/ButchsBucketBrigade

July 2, 9 a.m.: 40th Ellwood City Ledger 10k, Ellwood City. Held in conjunction with Arts, Crafts and Food Festival. runsignup.com/Race/PA/EllwoodCity/EllwoodCityLedgerArtsCraftsFoodFestival10k?remMeAttempt= or 724-752-1583

July 2, 9 a.m.: Canadohta Lake Firecracker 5k/10k, Union City. runsignup.com/Race/PA/UnionCity/CanadohtaLakeFirecracker5k10k

July 4, 8:30 a.m.: Hampton Rotary Firecracker 5k, Allison Park. runsignup.com/Race/PA/AllisonPark/HamptonRotaryFirecracker5K2018 or chris.lochner@hampton-pa.org

Race results

Dyngus Day 5k, April 23: Andrew Wirfel, 1st Overall M, 17:55; Denali Hutzelmann, 1st Overall W, 21:26; Andrew Li, 1st 30-39 M, 22:00; Oliver Lance, 2nd 20-29 M, 22:29; Jimmy Seskey, 3rd 20-29 M, 22:41; Teresa Grimm, 1st 16-19 W, 23:00; Vanessa Snyder, 1st 30-39 W, 23:36; Adrianna Grimm, 2nd 15-19 W, 23:58; Anne Heckman, 3rd 30-39 W, 24:15; Mitch Radella, 1st 50-59 M, 24:58; Courtney Alberts, 1st 20-29 W, 25:17; Adela Holland, 3rd 15-19 W, 25:37; Christine Forest, 1st 40-49 W, 25:53; Kerri Phillis, 2nd 20-29 W, 26:04; Doug Vensel, 2nd 40-49 M, 26:51; Jennifer McNabb, 2nd 50-59 W, 27:39; Parker Jones, 2nd 15-19 M, 28:37; Mark Stanek, 2nd 60-64 M, 28:48; Samuel Case, 1st 14 & Under M, 29:05; Noelle Sequite, 3rd 40-49 W, 29:41; Ron Ripper, 3rd 60-69 M, 30:45; Mary Adamczyk, 3rd 50-59 W, 31:02; Juliette Forest, 1st 14 & Under W, 31:13; Karen Steffanina, 2nd 60-69 W, 33:52; Porter Case, 2nd 14 & Under M, 34:02; Kathy Mattern, 3rd 60-69 W, 34:15; Ariana Leonida, 2nd 14 & Under W, 35:21; Anastasia Struble, 3rd 14 & Under W, 40:30; Austyn Byrd, 3rd 14 & Under M, 49:58; Brian Papich, 25:53; Eddie Seskey, 23:10; Colleen Cassidy, 24:27; Tomor Karpuzi, 24:38; Timothy Nicola, 25:58; Alyssa Nicola, 26:24; Josh Sychak, 26:42; Bob Starzynski, 27:46; Connor Polce, 28:46; Sarah Sharar, 29:09; Lydia Cwalina, 29:18; Catherine Rudolph, 30:45; Julius Dresser, 31:11; Alex Rutrowski, 31:13; Doug Seskey, 32:18; Megan Oris, 33:40; Jordan Johnson, 34:34; Frederick Florian, 34:59; Kristen Ochsenhirt, 35:18; Jessica Pegher, 35:47; Nicole Brittner, 38:54; Amy Lehman, 39:54; Angel Suarez, 40:19; Sue Corbett, 41:04; Tadias Mazhinda, 41:08; Glenda Van Wyk, 41:25; Bob Shages, 42:16; Erika Selling, 44:56; Jonathan Selling, 44:57; Bob Istone, 45:41; Cheryl McCarron, 45:44; Jack Harding, 47:08; Marsha Diehl, 48:26; Kristen Bowie, 49:03; James Kaczynski, 49:04; Marsha Ellis, 49:06; Jennifer Wimer, 51:17; Danielle Wiles, 51:19; Michael Slater, 51:22; Alex Rutrowski, 51:25; Mike Silverman, 53:17; Alma Ulicny, 54:14; Christine Szymarek, 54:22; Janet Bosh, 56:39; Jon Erny, 57:33; Ashley Erny, 57:53; Andrea Szware, 57:53; Mark Alfred, 57:54; Teighan Mozdy, 57:57; David Brooks, 58:18; David Kern, 1:00:07; Karen Florian, 1:02:49; Maxine Vey, 1:02:50

Warrior 5k, April 23: Jason Smith, 1st Overall M, 20:16; Julie Patterson, 1st Overall W, 21:29; Claire Allman, 1st 20-29 W, 24:12; Dana Marchionda, 1st 40-49 W, 24:22; Robert Rutkowski, 2nd 50-59 M, 25:14; Judy Wehr, 1st 50-59 W, 30:17; Jessica Lee, 3rd 20-29 W, 39:34; Steve Keserich, 50:56

One Love’s 5k, April 24: Bob Teagarden, 1st Overall M, 19:37; Sadie Cunningham, 1st Overall W, 22:21; Caden Harsh, 22:16; Ryan Armstrong, 22:18; Nate Kraus, 22:19, Makenzie Hupp, 23:57; Joseph Kurelowech, 24:04; Dustin Eaton, 27:11; Marilole Cantellops, 29:47; Patrick Ekeu, 30:13; Kelly Samora, 30:16; Anthony Sunseri, 32:24; Timothy McNeil, 32:31; Shawna Hardy-Emerson, 33:58; Frank Voelker, 40:38; Autumn Wheeler, 55:54; Nicole Eaton, 59:34; Tiffany Eaton, 59:34; Lisa Kehoe, 1:04:26; Addie Moore, 1:04:27; Alayna Moore, 1:06:27

Glacier Ridge 50 Mile, May 7: Christopher Dudek, 1st Overall M, 8:26:09; Michelle Pede, 1st Overall W, 9:53:55; Travis Ritenour

10:52:54; Rob Porco, 11:11:45; Eric Slagle, 11:24:08; Zachary Porter, 12:33; Shannon Mick, 12:35; Trevor Zaliponi, 12:46:59; Alan Boburczak, 12:49:47; Michael Jones, 12:53:06; Cameron Brookins, 14:17:51

Glacier Ridge 50k, May 7: Lauren Worrell, 1st Overall W, 4:43:45; Ethan Swope, 4:44:55; Joshua Hayes, 4:53:53; Todd Foulk, 6:47:21; Nathan Sydlik, 7:27:34; Eric Shumaker, 7:52:55; Murray Hofmeister, 8:33:30; Sue Johnson, 10:10:09

Glacier Ridge 30k, May 7: Douglas Moore, 1st Overall M, 3:12:20; Courtney Burgess, 1st Overall W, 3:26:59; Matthew Sudak, 3:20:49; Kristen Berger, 3:31:32; Mike Wallace, 4:22:18; Quinn Adams, 4:29:08; Jinny Hertweck, 4:30:02; Jonathan Kline, 4:41:28; Doug Vensel, 4:42:20; Kristin Kelly, 4:43:07; Patty End, 4:51:21; Jeffrey Lynn, 4:52:51; Tyler Ray, 4:54:34; Coleen Whalen, 5:10:43; Patricia Neubert, 5:17:16; Kory Nowakowski, 5:44:59; Megan Giammarco, 5:45:56; Meagan Greygor, 5:46:32; Victor Zendron, 5:50:13; Carly Thompson, 6:09:27; Olivia Gilliland, 6:09:27; Julia Murray, 6:22:18; Mary Morgan, 6:31:26; Trudy Neff, 6:59:47; Mark Zeigler, 7:30:16; Priscilla Bromley, 8:03:07; Maritza Cable, 8:03:08

Send comments and suggestions: Patricia Neubert. Phone 724-352-4395. Email lotzak@consolidated.net

Pat Neubert is a running columnist for the Butler Eagle