When I saw Chris Ziegler last Friday, she was not happy. As race director for the 17th Buffalo Creek Half Marathon taking place the next day, she seemed justifiably stressed.

But when I spoke with her a few days after the event, she couldn’t have been happier.

“I am very pleased,” she said. “It was a beautiful day for the race and the trail.”

Chris credits much of the success for the race (other than the perfect fall weather) to the more than 180 volunteers who have served at the event and behind the scenes for years.

“I think the volunteers are what keeps runners coming back year after year,” Chris says.

This year’s event saw 520 finishers, down slightly from last year. Although Chris emphasized that she is always pleased with participation numbers, she speculated that general cost of living increases may have affected runners’ ability to attend races this year. She says that the race itself faced price increases and supply issues in items such as t-shirts and medals, all of which are locally purchased, if not locally produced.

This year’s half marathon proceeds and donations will add matching funds to a DCNR grant to pave a one-mile portion of trail between Cabot and Marwood. Paving will allow greater access to those of any ability or disability.

Chris sees the half marathon as a great way to showcase the Butler-Freeport Trail and an introduction to all the trail has to offer. On Oct. 29 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.. at Helmbold Center in Cabot, Butler-Freeport Trail Association will hold a free event celebrating the trail’s 30th anniversary. All are welcome to attend. Find out more about the trail from the association’s Facebook page or request trail news updates at butlerfreeporttrail@yahoo.com.

This Sunday’s 2nd Annual Preston Park 5k takes runners on a tour of the 100-acre Butler Township park, the former home of Dr. Frank and Mrs. Jane Preston. Home to Preston Laboratories, a glass research facility and predecessor to AGR International now listed in the National Register of Historic Places, the design of the property’s landscaping reflects the Prestons’ lifelong interest in environment and aesthetics.

After previewing changes for this year, Smiley Miles Timing Service’s Herb Cratty pronounced the 2-loop 5k “faster than last year’s course.” Competitive runners will vie for $25 gift certificates awarded to first place male and female finishers. Top three age group finishers from 14 & Under through 70+ earn wooden medals.

But Preston Park isn’t all about speed. As race director Anthony Stagno says, “Visit Preston Park and let nature surround you.”

Nearly 100 runners and walkers were surrounded by nature on a perfect fall day at 2021’s race. Conditions are uncertain for Sunday’s run, but Tony is planning for up to 150 to attend.

Although the 5k is a trail run, it should be accessible for runners, walkers and friendly leashed dogs of all abilities. The park’s Monday Morning Maintenance volunteer group has spray painted any tripping hazards on the wooded portion of trail. There are directional arrows and signage as well as volunteers helping runners stay on course. For those who wish to preview the course, there’s a course map posted on the information board near the entrance of the park.

Following the race, runners may recover with water and bananas. Pigs Fly Barbeque will sell breakfast and lunch food for participants and spectators. All in attendance are free to take a closer look at points of interest on the grounds.

It’s not too late to sign up for Preston Park 5k, slated for 9 a.m. Sunday. Sign up online until 7 p.m. Saturday or on Sunday in the park beginning at 8 a.m. For more information about the park, visit friendspp.org.

Saturday, 8 a.m.: Brew to Brew 5k, Murraysville. Run from Rotary Miracle Sports Complex, commemorative pint glass and t-shirt, post-race party with music and beer. 520-609-1950 or brewtbrew5k@gmail.com

Saturday, 9 a.m.: YMCA Color Run, Brookville. Choice of 5k or 2 Mile on rails-to-trails. 814-849-7355 or www.brookvilleymca.com/

Saturday, 9:30 a.m.: Chase Away Hunger 5k, Beaver Falls. Scenic run through Brush Creek Park. runsignup.com/Race/PA/BeaverFalls/ChaseAwayHunger5kWalkRun

Saturday, 10 a.m.: Pittsburgh Superhero 5k Run/Walk and 1k Family Fun Run, Allison Park. Starts at North Park Boathouse. Wear your favorite Superhero costume to fight child abuse. 724-831-9485

Sunday, 9 a.m.: Preston Park 5k, Butler. Scenic run on park trails. runsignup.com/Race/PA/Butler/PrestonParkPrance5k

Sunday, 9 a.m.: Great Pumpkin Race 5k, 3k Family Walk and Kids Dash, Monroeville. Wear your favorite “spooktacular” costumes. runsignup.com/Race/PA/Monroeville/MonroevilleFoundationGreatPumpkinRun

Oct. 27, 5:30 p.m.: Trick or Treat Trot 2 Mile Race, Mercer. Run on Mercer School District grounds. Costumes encouraged. runsignup.com/Race/PA/Mercer/TrickorTreatTrot2milerace

Oct. 29, 9 a.m.: Freeport Girls Basketball 2nd Annual Halloween Hustle 5k, Freeport. Out and back on Butler-Freeport Community Trail from Monroe Road. Third race in Freeport Triple Crown. runsignup.com/Race/PA/Sarver/FreeportGirlsBasketballHowlOWeenHustle

Oct. 29, 9 a.m.: Trick or Trot 5k, Murraysville. Dress in Halloween attire for family run on Westmoreland Heritage Trail. T-shirt and finisher’s medal. runsignup.com/Race/Info/PA/Murrysville/TrickorTrot5kPA

Oct.30, 9 a.m.: South Ridge Trail Challenge, Allison Park. Choice of 5k, 10k or 20k on North Park Trails. runsignup.com/Race/Info/PA/AllisonPark/SouthRidgeTrailChallenge

Oct. 30, 3 p.m.: 12th Annual Great Pumpkin Race 5k and 1 Mile Fun Run, Zelienople. runsignup.com/Race/PA/Zelienople/8thAnnualGreatPumpkinRace

Nov. 5, 9 a.m.: Butler YMCA Turkey Trot 5k and Kids 1 Mile, Butler. Run begins and ends at YMCA with two loops of Butler Memorial Park. 724-287-4733 or butler.bcfymca.org/Post-Events/Turkey-Trot

Nov. 5, 9:30 a.m.: Dirt Monster 5 Mile, McCandless Twp.: Trail race and 1-mile trail walk in North Park. Individual and team awards. www.trailracesnearpittsburgh.org/dirt-monster

Nov. 5, 10 a.m.: Pancreatic Cancer 5k Run and Fun Walk, Indiana. Run on Hoodlebug Trail. 724-479-2963

Nov. 6, 9 a.m.: InFirst Bank Veterans; Marathon and ½ Marathon. Run out-and-back on Ghost Town Trail. Flat, fast, certified Boston qualifier, 814-244-2270 or stephdaniels72@gmail.com

Nov. 6, 7:30 a.m.: EQT 10-Mile, Pittsburgh. Also 10k beginning at 8:15 A.M. p3r.org/races/eqt-10-miler

Nov. 13, 9 a.m.: Lorain/Stonycreek Hiking Trails Fall 5k, Johnstown. Medals for overall male and female in both running and hiking divisions. 814-915-4392 or www.eventbrite.com/e/lorainstonycreek-hiking-trails-fall-5k-tickets-418939839337

Nov.6, 9 a.m.: Operation Troop Appreciation Veterans’ Day 5k, Allison Park. Rolling course through Hampton Community Park. runsignup.com/Race/PA/AllisonPark/OPERATIONTROOPAPPRECIATION5K

Nov. 13, 8 a.m.: The ReWarding 5k, Allison Park. Starts and finishes at North Park Boathouse. runsignup.com/Race/PA/AllisonPark/TheReWarding5k

Nov. 19, 11 a.m.: Foxburg Turkey Trot 5k, Foxburg. Out-and-back on bike trail along the Allegheny River. 814-659-4661 or secure.getmeregistered.com/get_information.php?event_id=137655

Burning Coal Marathon, Aug. 27: Alex Cornwell, 1st Overall M, 2:43:35; Stephanie Beisheim, 1st Overall W, 3:32:20; Josh Cable, 1st 30-39 M, 3:21:40; David Luther, 3rd 50-59 M, 4:58:32; John Armstrong, 5:04:49

Burning Coal Half Marathon, Aug. 27: Aaron Yalowich, 1st Overall M, 1:23:45; Kate Kokal, 1st Overall W, 1:30:12; Terry Beacom, 2nd Masters M, 1:28:29; Jack Kelley, 1st 30-39 M, 1:27:01; Jason Sittler, 1st 40-49 M, 1:34:43; Matthew Slagle, 1st 19-29 M, 1:34:45; Caitlin Rushlander, 2nd 30-39 W, 1:39:54; Beatrice Kolesar, 1st 18 & Under W, 1:44:11; Kasey Yeager, 2nd 18 & Under W, 1:56:38; Kara Shuty, 1st 40-49 W, 2:00:19; Jinny Hertweck, 2nd 40-49 W, 2:01:12; Mike Stimac, 1:42:18; Adrienne Harmon, 1:43:01; Andrew Harmon, 1:43:32; Anthony Beilstein, 1:43:45; Daniel Bencun, 1:48:00; Nicole Corsi, 1:50:13; Justin Achezinski, 1:50:17; Erin Stonebraker, 1:58:09; Kate Yeager, 1:59::23; Anna Mourachian, 2:03:16; Rachel Rutkowski, 2:07:08; Elle Kelley, 2:07:40; Richard Adams, 2:08:51; Delaney Gagen, 2:09:02; Joe Funte, 2:10:23; Jamie Knauff, 2:12:53; Emily Funte, 2:14:48; Brandi Gaertner, 2:28:56; Erin Kohlmeyer, 2:23:22; Brad Schaffer, 2:30:00; Nathan Tharnish, 2:31:15; Carrie Kolesar, 2:34:57; Jamie Humphrey, 2:42:09; Maritza Cable, 2:51:11; Rachael Luther, 2:54:23; Lisa Jamison, 2:58:34; Karen Humphrey, 3:21:10

New Kensington Fit Fest 5k Run, Sept. 4: Faith Remich, 1st Overall W, 20:59; Christopher Ignozzi, 1st Overall M, 21:47; Jinny Hertweck, 3rd Overall W, 25:01; Zack Neubert, 3rd 30-39 M, 27:08; Mark Neubert, 2nd 10 & Under M, 27:08; Patricia Neubert, 1st 70+ W, 30:57; David Lockerman, 1st 70+ M, 36:47; Johnny Patrus, 2nd 70+ M, 43:34

New Kensington Fit Fest 5k Walk, Sept. 4: Ellen Carabin, 1st Overall W, 41:25; Matthew Swank, 1st Overall M, 47:36; Marla Klabnik, 56:44; Sandra McCool, 58:50; Matt Klabnik, 1:05:07

New Kensington Fit Fest 5k Ruck, Sept. 4: Nathan Shaw, 1st Overall M, 28:29; Rachel Faas, 1st Overall W, 29:02; David Paule, 3rd Overall M, 33:43; Chris Papik, 44:15; Darcie Paule, 54:12; Michelle Papik, 56:01; Noelle Papik, 56:01

Buhl Day 5k, Sept. 5: Ryan Sullivan, 1st Overall M, 17:04; Brandon Domagalski, 2nd Overall M, 17:44; Matthew Slagle, 3rd Overall M, 17:55; Jessica Ramsey, 1st Overall W, 17:59; Matt Montellanico, 2nd 30-34 M, 18:06; Steve Lengel, 1st 65-69 M, 26:39; Anthony Sunseri, 3rd 70+ M, 30:52; Dominick Degilio, 24:30; Nate Richards, 24:36; Ben Gross 33:00; Rick Orlowski, 36:48; Kim Kenetz, 50:43

Erie Marathon at Presque Isle, Sept. 11: Kyle McKinley, 1st Overall M, 2:32:58; Joy Knesnik, 1st Overall W, 2:48:44; TJ Bryan, 1st 75-79 W, 5:03:11; Benjamin Buckless, 2:50:19; Josh Flanhofer, 2:54:17; Troy Reinsel, 2:58:29; Brett Gwynn, 3:01:58; Ray Reinheimer, 3:28:47; Chad Schwendemann, 4:39:09; Matt Coldiron, 3:48:05; Darren Burns, 4:15:05; Daniel Bencum, 4:15:34; Holly Jackson, 4:28:56; Sean Francis, 4:31:49; Brian Ekas, 4:45:09; Alta Roqueplot, 4:49:12; Erin Kohlmeyer, 5:01:36; Brian Thomas, 5:20:43

Tropical 5k, Sept. 17: Baylee Wilson, 1st Overall W, 38:19; Justin Martin, 1st Overall M, 44:49; Andrew Naples, 48:11; Maggie Longwell, 57:32; Wyatt Bowman, 1:01:54; Deborah Takacs, 1:01:58; Denise Phipps, 1:01:59; Walter Rosado, 1:04:02; Eddie Plastino, 1:15:09; Melissa Longwell, 1:15:12; Lori Howell, 1:20:22; Gracie Plastino, 1:21:44; Carleigh Garcia, 1:22:22; Brooke Franklin, 1:22:30; Gary Bergman, 1:30:35; Lily Howell, 1:30:35; Amy Cunningham, 1:36:53; Harper Cunningham, 1:36:55; Jodi Rosado, 1:40:24; Katie Bergman, 1:52:46; Annie Bergman, 1:52:48; JD Bergman, 1:53:44; Rachael Finigan, 1:53:46

Send comments and suggestions: Patricia Neubert. Phone 724-8. Email lotzak@consolidated.net

Pat Neubert is a running columnist for the Butler Eagle