For 10 years, FAAP Fall Classic enjoyed mild weather and blue skies. That changed this year with record rainfall last weekend.

FAAP Fall Classic, a benefit for Filipino American Association of Pittsburgh, offers runners a choice of 5k, 10k and, new for last year, 20k trail runs.

The shorter distances are run in the trails surrounding North Park’s pool area while the 20k adds an out-and-back on the rugged Rachel Carson Trail. While the deluge was a mere inconvenience to those of us running the shorter races, runners in the 20k faced possible dangerously high water on Pine Creek along the Rachel Carson Trail.

Race Director and North Park Trail Runners founder Mark Knapp says he closely monitored conditions along the course and was prepared to modify the 20k if necessary for safety.

“I was out at 3:30 a.m. to look at the stream,” he said.

Knapp says that although the course included 18 stream crossings from North Park to the turnaround on Route 8 and back, the first one was his major concern.

“It’s the only one with fast water that could sweep runners off their feet,” he said.

As a veteran trail runner and ultramarathoner, Knapp knows that most trail runners happily run in any weather and that they would much prefer tackling the water hazards than running the alternative double-loop course to complete the 20k. It’s always fun to be a part of, as Mark calls it, “an epic event.”

Mark reported that Chris Pabian, fellow North Park Trail Runner and third place 20k finisher on Sunday, was unusually talkative following the race. He called it, in Mark’s words, “the best race I’ve ever run,” and cited the pouring rain, stream crossings and spirit of the competitors as positives.

Margie Lynch of West Deer Township says that she has run that section of Rachel Carson Trail dozens of times, but never had seen such high water. She was a little anxious about the conditions before the race and that on the way out on the trail, she encountered a few thigh-high holes in the streams that made her nervous. Overall, she’s glad she did it.

“It’s a great course,” she says.

Although the downpour kept participation numbers down, Mark Knapp was satisfied with the turnout of 89 runners and walkers. There were some no-shows among preregistered runners, but at least 10 people signed up on the day of the event.

The rain put a damper on the post-race celebration in North Park’s Harmar pavilion. There was plenty of Filipino food on sale to warm runners as they awaited the presentation of handmade bamboo awards to overall and age group winners of all three races, but the traditional dancing by FAAP Dance Troupe had to be cancelled.

Water flooding through the pavilion made for slick conditions on the concrete floor for the cultural, folkloric dance ensemble, which illustrates elements of Philippine culture and history, including various religious traditions and Spanish-influenced celebrations.

Mark Knapp hopes for a return to blue skies and sunshine for next year’s FAAP Fall Classic. The event raises money for Queen of Peace Orphanage in the Philippines and other charitable and cultural efforts of FAAP.

The organization, formally organized in 1964, preserves and promotes Filipino heritage through its commitment to charity, education and culture. For more information, visit http://thefaap.org.

For more information about running on North Park trails, visit www.northparktrailrunners.com.

Upcoming events

Wednesdays, 6:30 p.m.: Run Club Group Run, Cranberry Township. Run from Mojo Running store. 724-772-2808 or www.mojorunningpittsburgh.com

Thursdays, 6:30 a.m.: Shoes ‘n’ Brews, Valencia. Short run followed by BYOB beer sharing at Up-N-Running store. 724-898-2525 or shoes@runpa.com

Saturday, 8:30 a.m.: Peanut Butter Festival 5k, New Bethlehem. 814-221-1322 or www.newbethlehemarea.com

Saturday, 9:30 a.m.: Rockin the Knob 10k and 22 Miler, Claysburg. Challenging trail runs at Blue Knob Four Seasons Resort. www.alleghenyrailrunners.com/rockin-the-knob/

Sunday, 7 a.m.: Morgantown Marathon, Morgantown, WV. Challenging marathon, also Morgantown Thirteener half marathon and Mountain Mama 8k. 304-826-0311 or http://morgantownmarathon.com/

Sunday, 8 a.m.: Boston Harvest 5k/10k/Half Marathon, Boston. Also kids 100 meter dash. Run out and back on Yough River Trail.

Sept. 16, 8:30 a.m.: Green Cathedral Half Marathon, 5k and Kids Fun Run, Youngstown, OH. Run through Mill Creek MetroPark. Kids run starts at 8 A.M. www.millcreekmetroparks.org/visit/things-to-do/green-cathedral/

Sept. 22, 9 a.m.: Bethesda Mud Run 5k, Meadville. 814-724-7510 or www.bethesda1919.org/events/mud-run

Sept. 23, 9 a.m.: Butler Lions Club Scoot and Toot 5k, Butler. 724-287-4059 or jbindernagel@theblindassociation.org

Sept. 29, 9 a.m.: United Way of Clarion County’s 5k and 10k Race, Clarion. 814-226-8760 or clarionunitedway@verizon.net

Sept. 29, 11 a.m.: Dollar Bank Junior Great Race, Pittsburgh. Fun runs for kids ages 5 through 12 held at Point State Park. www.rungreatrace.com

Sept. 30, 8 a.m.: 7th Annual Heart and Sole 5k and Bike Duathlon, Ford City. 724-763-3974 or Klukan3974@hotmail.com

Sept. 30, 8 a.m.: 41st Annual City of Pittsburgh Great Race 5k, Pittsburgh. Run from Oakland to downtown. www.rungreatrace.com

Sept. 30, 9:30 a.m.: 41st Annual City of Pittsburgh Great Race 10k, Pittsburgh. Run from Frick Park to downtown. www.rungreatrace.com

Sept. 30, 3 p.m.: Buffalo Creek 5k, Worthington. Also kids’ run immediately following. 724-543-1120 or mruffaner@mechlingheller.com

Oct. 6, 9 a.m.: Applefest A Race for Any Pace 5k, Franklin. 814-432-2138 or www.franklinymca.org

Oct. 6, 9 a.m.: Freeport Girls Basketball 2nd Annual Halloween Hustle 5k, Freeport. Run on Butler-Freeport Trail. ksoilis@zoominternet.net

Oct. 6, 8 a.m.: October Half Marathon, 10k Run and 5k Walk, Hollidaysburg. www.hollidaysburgareaymca.org

Oct. 7, 9 a.m.: Her Times 5k, Erie. Women only race with free babysitting followed by kids’ fun runs for boys and girls. Starts at Presque Isle Park’s Rotary Pavilion. https://runsignup.com/Race/PA/Erie/HerTimes

Oct. 7, 9 a.m.: Teddy Bear Trot 5k, New Castle. Helps fight dyslexia. 724-654-5408 or mmerritt@valleyofnc.org

Oct. 13, 9 a.m.: Mahoning Shadow Shuffle Half Marathon and 5k, Punxsutawney. www.punxsutawney.com

Oct. 13, 9 a.m.: West Penn Trail Triathlon, Saltsburg. Sprint triathlon with 7 mile paddle on Conemaugh River, 14 mile bike on West Penn Trail, 5k run on West Penn Trail. 724-676-4712 or barrytuscano@verizon.net

Oct. 14, 8 a.m.: Trail to Eagle Trail Run 10k, Beaver Falls. Run through Brady’s Run Park. 724-480-9250 or troop423@comcast.net

Oct. 14, 8 a.m.: Pittsburgh Penguins 6.6k Run and 3.3k Family Walk, Pittsbugh. https://www.mariolemieux.org/our-events/6-6k-run-and-family-walk

Race results

Run for Joy 5k, Aug. 18: Lauren Laroche, 1st Overall W, 20:24; Alexander Spiess, 1st Overall M, 21:16; Caitlin Rushlander, 1st 30-34 W, 21:44; Dan Pollock, 1st 60-64 M, 23:56; Aidan Thomas, 1st 11-14 M, 25:15; Erin Hart, 2nd 40-44 W, 25:45; Yannich Thomas, 1st 45-49 M, 26:41; Grant Motzgor, 2nd 11-14 M, 28:17; Brittany Loveland, 1st 25-29 W, 28:38; Mac Metzger, 3rd 11-14 M, 28:42; James Metzger, 1st 40-44 M, 28:42; Damien Wissolik, 1st 50-54 M, 29:11; David Goldberg, 3rd 45-49 M, 29:41; Danielle Schiebel, 1st 20-24 W, 30:11; Rob Massy, 2nd 40-44 M, 31:47; Gregg Heinemann, 3rd 40-44 M, 32:14; Elaine Wissolik, 2nd 50-54 W, 33:15; Nick Wisnick, 3rd 15-19 M, 34:40; Carol Dachille, 2nd 60-64 W, 37:30; Mara Dean, 3rd 10 & Under W, 1:08:28; Lucinda Racioppo, 1st 65-69 W, 1:14:07; Jocelyn Rowe, 28:31; Alyssa Kostick, 37:48; Brendan Murphy, 38:16; Erin Hartman, 40:45; Elizabeth Green, 41:38; Dana DePasquale, 42:50; Nicole Sikora, 44:53; Steve Snyder, 45:00; Amanda Snyder, 45:14; Holly DePietro, 45:34; Koren Sprinkle, 45:35; Noel Goldberg, 51:43; Lisa Faraone, 59:51; Michelle Burden, 59:51; Wills Scholz, 1:05:29; Caroline Weletz, 1:09:08; Jaci Dean, 1:09:14; Jen Catalano, 1:09:16

1st Annual Lawrence County Fair Stampede 5k, Aug. 11: Jacob Winters, 1st Overall M, 20:50; John Armstrong, 3rd Overall M, 22:09; Erin Chrobak, 1st Overall W, 27:52; Mike Kirin, 1st 30-34 M, 24:51; Matt Mularski, 2nd 30-34 M, 29:18; Anthony Sunseri, 1st 65-69 M, 29:32; Lindsay McKissick 1st 25-29 W, 30:39; Dawn Reese, 2nd 45-49 W, 31:23; Callie Baker, 1st 9 & Under W, 32:31; Phil Baker, 2nd 35-39 M, 32:33; Emily Withers, 1st 15-19 W, 33:15; Jenette Cline, 1st 30-34 W, 33:50; Sarah McKissick, 2nd 30-34 W, 35:24; Julia Boyle, 1st 10-14 W, 58:30; Nancy Kosciuszko, 3rd 40-44 W, 58:32; Jodi Mularski, 42:55

French Creek Half Marathon, Sept. 1: Michael Fagan, 1st Overall M, 1:34:42; Lauren Wentz, 1st Overall W, 1:40:59; David Dawson, 2nd 45-49 M, 1:47:40; Jim Lombardi, 1st 70+ M, 1:50:49; Rod Brest, 2nd 70+ M, 1:55:35; Ron Krystek, 1st 60-64 M, 1:58:33; Heather Harmon, 3rd 35-39 W, 2:00:23; Isabel Wroblewski, 1st 19 & Under W, 2:08:40; Sara Mehler, 3rd 40-44 M, 2:13:05; Leanne Finney, 3rd 45-49 W, 2:16:54; David Convery, 3rd 60-64 M, 2:18:11; Patrick Prazenica, 1:59:45; Nicole Jennings, 2:13:06; Sarah Cassano, 2:14:50; Gene Litke, 2:18:34; Pete Wiencek, 2:22:03; Tina Davison, 2:23:19; Natalie Sweeney, 3:06:52

French Creek 5k, Sept. 1: Kyle Rogers, 1st Overall M, 19:48; Mitch Radella, 3rd Overall M, 23:27; Sumer Reese, 1st Overall W, 25:05; Jessica Walen, 2nd 35-39 W, 27:15; Mark Perrine, 1st 60-64 M, 29:15; Ron Bennett, 1st 65+ M, 35:23; April Wetherspoon, 2nd 25-29 W, 53:17

Erie Marathon at Presque Isle, Sept. 9: Israel Merkle, 1st Overall M, 2:24:42; Emily Nist, 1st Overall W, 2:56:04; Daniel Spaulding, 1st 30-34 M, 2:33:25; Jack Kelley, 3:16:36; Melissa Conjack, 3:19:29; Clint Hartle, 3:44:39; Joseph Beilstein, 3:45:05; Michael Brown, 3:45:32; Chuck Sarver, 3:45:54; Elizabeth Maskal, 3:50:20; Christie Beaver, 3:50:45; January Scheidlmeier, 3:51:22; Molly McGinnis, 3:53:24; Joseph Hudeck, 4:10:05; James Franks, 4:12:12; Lori Fromlak, 4:13:43; Calum Munro, 4:17:27; Eric Pursh, 4:19:06; Kevin Kandra, 4:26:44; Matthew Voynik, 4:27:45; Katie Jamison, 4:34:21; Gabrielle Hock, 4:39:03; Zane Slater, 4:39:24; Erin Hartle, 4:41:51; Michelle Brochetti, 5:02:29; John Sestak, 5:07:07; Kelley Baumgartel, 5:16:34; Samson Wyant, 5:20:45; Kelly Strutt, 5:29:12; Elizabeth Robie, 5:37:36; Michael Bal, 5:38:07; Chad Schwendemann, 6:15:59

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

Pat Neubert is a running columnist for the Butler Eagle