It’s good to have a plan, even if it’s not the one you want to follow.

I look forward to running the Cook Forest Trail Challenge every year. Since 2018, this rugged 25k has showcased 13 of the most beautiful trails in one of the most beautiful parks in Pennsylvania.

Despite the rocks, roots and more than 3,600 feet of elevation climb, most runners on the course are out to have fun. It’s a romp in the woods with 300 friends.

As race director Bob Bauer says, “I run trails because I feel like a kid when I do it.” He directs races so that others can have that same experience. “It’s in the dirt, the trees, and the air. All we want to do is share what we feel when we are running in the dirt.”

What many of us feel at Cook Forest is the playfulness of crossing bridges along Tom’s Run in the early miles and a sense of reverence through the Forest Cathedral Natural Area, a National Natural Landmark and home to one of the finest stands of white pine and eastern hemlock in the northeastern US. Then there’s the appreciation of running in the footsteps of history past Old No. 9 Fire Tower built in 1929 and evidence of people who occupied the Seneca Overlook area more than 2,000 years ago.

We also feel the camaraderie of friends as we run with or pass each other on the trail. And there’s plenty of gratitude expressed to those who monitor the road crossings, offer drinks and snacks at aid stations in the middle of nowhere and prepare and serve the event’s traditional post-race chicken and potato salad picnic lunch.

The Cook Forest Challenge is appropriately named, the course is easy to follow with flags every 50 paces and well-marked turns. Even so, at least one person managed to miss a turn and run extra mileage. And for some reason, I lost focus on an easy downhill and veered off the trail into a stream when I could have used the beautiful and practical bridge about ten feet away.

Because the Cook Forest Challenge is more about the experience than the competition, only the first male and female finishers earn awards of uniquely beautiful, framed photographs of Cook Forest. This year, Josh Woodford finished first of men in a time of 2:05:19 with Roxanne McFarland winning the women’s race in 2:45:45.

All participants receive technical-fabric shirts featuring the course map. Bob Bauer personally greets each finisher with a commemorative reflective hat.

This year, I didn’t earn my hat as I was officially DNF. My Challenge training had been interrupted by heat-related health issues (detailed in my last column.) Rather than struggle to complete the entire 25k distance on what could have been a hot and humid day, I felt that the best plan was to run/hike the first miles, then drop out before the climb to the fire tower.

As it turned out, weather was perfect with temperatures in the 60s for the 9 a.m. start. The trails were shaded from direct sun by the tall trees and footing was soft, but mud-free on most of the trails.

I exited the Cook Trail at what was the original start/finish area and was welcomed by local high school cross country runners at the aid station on River Road and by friends supporting the effort.

My friend Elle had run her morning eight miles by accompanying our group members on the River Road portion of the course and she ran with me to the base of the climb to the fire tower at Seneca Point. I “tagged up” at the base of the fire tower sign, then walked off the course, short-cutting to the finish area where Dave met me for the drive back to the start.

I felt a twinge of regret since the day had been so perfect and there was so much more trail left un-run. But in the end, enjoying 11 good miles was a wiser choice than slogging through 17 rough ones. It was a good plan and a good day after all.

Upcoming events

Saturday, 8:30 a.m.: Yinzer 4.12k, Pittsburgh. Also kids’ run at 8 A.M. Wear yer Black ‘n’ Gold. raceroster.com/events/2023/75727/2023-yinzer-412k

Saturday, 9 a.m.: 40th Run Around the Square, Pittsburgh. Also 1.5 mile fun run/walk through Regent Square neighborhood. 412-731-4456 or p.dirienzo1305@gmail.com

Sept. 1, 7 p.m.: Fireman’s Festival 5k, Elderton. 724-388-2415 or aprilbrochetti@yahoo.com

Sept. 3, 9 a.m. Brady’s Run Happy 5k and 10k, Beaver Falls. Also free kids race at 8:50 a.m.: 724-841-6528 or runsignup.com/Race/PA/BeaverFalls/BradysRunHappy

Sept. 4, 8 a.m.: Steelers 5k, Pittsburgh. Run on Pittsburgh’s North Shore. Also kids’ run for age 9 and under @ 9:30 a.m. p3r.org/races/steelers-run-and-walk-2023

Sept.4, 9 a.m.: Buhl Day 5k, Hermitage. Flat and fast, part of Buhl Day festivities. runsignup.com/Race/PA/Hermitage/HERMITAGEBUHLDAY5K

Sept. 9, 7:30 a.m.: Youngstown Ultra Trail Classic 25k and 50k, Youngstown. Scenic single-track course through Mill Creek Park. runsignup.com/Race/OH/Youngstown/YoungstownUltraTrailClassic

Sept. 9, 8 a.m.: Barber Beast on the Bay 10 Mile, Erie. Obstacle run on Peninsula Drive. 814-480-6810 or www.barberbeast.org

Sept. 9, 9 a.m.: 39th Lee Foster Memorial 5 Mile, St. Marys. Fast out-and-back course. runsignup.com/Race/PA/SaintMarys/LeeFosterMemorial5Mile

Sept. 10, 7 a.m.: Erie Marathon @ Presque Isle, Erie. 814-504-2631 or runsignup.com/Race/PA/Erie/ErieMarathon

Sept. 10, 4:30 p.m.: Hoodlebug 5k Run and Walk, Homer City. Flat and fast course, held in conjunction with Homer City Festival. 412-289-6299 or runsignup.com/Race/PA/HomerCity/hoodlebug5k

Sept. 16, 8 a.m.: Rockin’ the Knob Trail Challenge, Claysburg. Marathon, half marathon or 10k run at Blue Knob Resort. runsignup.com/Race/PA/Claysburg/RockNTheKnob

Sept. 16, 9 a.m.: Bull Run 5k Run/Walk, Freeport. Starts at Freeport Jr. High School, finishes om James Swartz Memorial Field. runsignup.com/Race/PA/Freeport/BullRun5kRace

Sept. 16, 10 a.m.: FlyBy 5k and 2 Mile Fun Run/Walk, Moon Township. Run on Pittsburgh International Airport runway. p3r.org/races/steelers-run-and-walk-2023

Sept. 24, 8 a.m.: 46th City of Pittsburgh Great Race 5k, Pittsburgh. www.rungreatrace.com/faqs

Sept.24, 9:30 a.m.: 46th City of Pittsburgh Great Race 10k, Pittsburgh. www.rungreatrace.com/faqs

Oct. 1, 9 a.m.: #Get Nebby 5k, Butler. Run/walk in Alameda Park in memory of Missy Barto. wolfcreektrackclub.com/event/get-nebby-5k/

Oct. 14, 8:30 a.m.: Fineview Step Challenge 5 Mile and 2 Mile, Pittsburgh. runsignup.com/Race/PA/Pittsburgh/FineviewStepChallenge

Oct. 14, 9 a.m.: Mahoning Shadow Shuffle Half Marathon, 10k and 5k, Punxsutawney. runsignup.com/Race/PA/Punxsutawney/PUNXSUTAWNEYMAHONINGSHADOWSHUFFLE

Oct. 15, 2 p.m.: Buffalo Creek 5k, Worthington. Kids run immediately following. 724-543-1120 or acampbell@mechlingheller.com

Oct. 21, 9 a.m.: 18th Annual Buffalo Creek Half Marathon, Cabot. Point-to-point on Butler-Freeport Trail. runsignup.com/Race/Info/PA/Cabot/BuffaloCreekHalfMarathon

Oct.29, 9 a.m.: Highland Fall Scramble 12 Miler, Cook Forest. Run on remote portions of North Country Trail through Cook Forest State Park. ultrasignup.com/register.aspx?did=104907

Race results

Dam Race 5k, July 12: Jed Christiansen, 1st Overall M, 15:28; Chad Pakozdi, 4th Overall M, 16:52; Tim Sabella, 5th Overall M, 16:57; Nadalie Latchaw, 1st Overall W, 18:44; Angela Jenny, 2nd Overall W, 19:04; Leslie Kramer, 3rd Overall W, 19:36; Sarah Sabella, 4th Overall W, 20:15; Karis McElhaney, 5th Overall W, 20:25; Gregory Silvaggio, 1st Masters M, 17:48; Melissa Sabella, 1st Masters W, 21:40; Seth Jenny, 1st 40-44 M, 17:55; Andrew Maxwell, 2nd 25-29 M, 18:00; Joe Floris, 2nd 40-44 M, 18:26; Michael Cramer, 1st 35-39 M, 19:19; Jack Kelley, 2nd 35-39 M, 19:30; Josh McGinley, 1st 30-34 M, 19:52; Michael Brown, 1st 65-69 M, 20:22; David Wilt, 1st 55-59 M, 20:37; Hannah Gildersleeve, 1st 35-39 W, 20:39; S Mark Courtney, 2nd 65-69 M, 21:07; Herb Cratty, 2nd 55-59 M, 21:51; Todd Allman, 3rd 55-59 M, 21:54; Shauna Pillar, 1st 16-19 W, 21:56; Calvin Jenny, 1st 10-11 M, 22:37; Jorgw Lara-Gutierrez, 3rd 40-44 M, 22:44; Eric Witkowski, 3rd 50-54 M, 23:04; Claire Allman, 1st 25-29 W, 23:36; Elizabeth Witmer, 1st 40-44 W, 23:54; Emmaleah Riddle, 1st 16-19 W, 24:08; Brian Mathieson, 2nd 45-49 M, 24:28; Rod Brest, 1st 75+ M, 24:50; Debbie Courtney, 1st 60-64 W, 25:39; Mandy James, 3rd 40-44 W, 25:50; David Suber, 3rd 65-69 M, 26:12; Bill Swanik, 2nd 60-64 M, 26:18; Kelsey Burris, 2nd 25-29 W, 27:40; Cindy Suber, 2nd 60-64 W, 28:21; Lisa Leonard, 2nd 30-34 W, 29:46; Stephanie McCreary, 2nd 45-49 W, 31:08; Ron Goodman, 3rd 45-49 M, 31:47; Tony Sunseri, 1st 70-74 M, 32:59; Lisa Jamison, 2nd 50-54 W, 34:55; James Lakin, 3rd 70-74 M, 35:27; Heidi Fleming, 3rd 50-54 W, 35:42;Valerie Sands, 2nd 75+ W, 39:34; Richard Stewart, 23:48; Kate Jordan, 23:52; Anthony Beilstein, 24:33; Casen Osborne, 25:14; Lacey Blair, 25:18; Jen Beachem, 25:51; Jesse Burris, 26:07; Rachel Beilstein, 26:19; Adam Blair, 26:35; Sarah Rendos, 26:56; Christopher Kimrey, 28:00; Tom McMann, 28:54; Erin Kohlmeyer, 29:30; Vicki Brendlinger, 34:46 Robert Sands, 36:12; Debbie Jamison, 36:49; Maria Cosme, 37:02; Katie Lang, 40:36; Mike Adams, 44:51; Steve Wiencek, 50:35; Katherine Zucco, 51:04

Kalajainen Klassic 5k, July 19: Aidan Mack, 1st Overall M, 18:00; Amy O’donnell, 1st Overall W, 19:14; Heath Piper, 1st 40-44 M, 19:45; Conner MacKrell, 1st 12-15 M, 20:56; Mitch Radella, 2nd 55-59 M, 25:53; Dave Suber, 1st 65-69 M, 27:33; Hannah Kruger, 2nd 25-29 W, 29:23; Amanda Krise, 1st 30-34 W, 29:50; Shawna Hardy-Emerson, 2nd 35-39 W, 32:18; Anthony Sunseri, 2nd 70+ M, 32:57; Patrick Daugherty, 26:28; Aaron Depew, 26:36; Rachel Evans, 40:18; Aryn Micaletti, 1:00:03

Cook Forest Trail Challenge 25k, Aug. 19: Josh Woodford, 1st Overall M, 2:05:19; Roxanne McFarland, 1st Overall W, 2:45:43; Kevin Berger, 1st 50-59 M, 2:45:27; Meagan Terpack, 1st 30-39 W, 2:47:02; Gary Lampman, 3rd 50-59 M, 2:50:29; Dana McGinnis, 2nd 30-39 W, 2:53:21; Kristine Vanderplas, 1st 40-49 W, 3:05:02; Nancy Crissman, 1st 50-59 W, 3:18:12; Harper Shirley, 1st 19 & Under W, 4:18:41; Jane Kone, 2nd 60+ W, 4:28:30; Matthew Sydlik, 2:31:55; Josh McGinley, 2:33:50; Brandon Nussbaum, 2:42:06; Joseph Adams, 2:45:58; Curtis Reynolds, 2:53:03; Ryan McGinnis, 2:53:21; Ryan Levis, 2:53:22; Adam Stillwagon, 2:53:50; Daniel Henry, 2:54:52; Todd Foulk, 3:06:47; Derrick Smith, 3:08:49; Ariel Laur, 3:09:31; John Shaffer, 3:13:32; Ashley Schrag, 3:14:16; David Renninger, 3:16:20; Ken Terpack, 3:25:21; Bernie Kurten, 3:27:57; Rick Whyle, 3:33:05; Jeff Semanco, 3:35:34; Kim Silvis, 3:39:12; Jinny Hertweck, 3:44:38; Eric Slagle, 3:44:41; Brian DiBiagio, 3:51:24; Amanda Krise, 3:54:37; Jared Criss, 4:00:45; Matt Moyer, 4:08:43; Megan Giammarco, 4:16:32; Nicholas Jansen, 4:17:25; Keegan Shirley, 4:18:40; Karyle Shirley, 4:18:47; Brad Shirley, 4:18:47; Joseph Fetzer, 4:38:08; Patricia Wyant, 4:51:34

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

Pat Neubert is a running columnist for the Butler Eagle