I’ve run colder races. I’ve run longer races. But last Saturday’s Cook Forest Half Marathon was the coldest half marathon I’ve ever run.

It’s been a long cold winter for everyone, but these past few frosty months have hit runners especially hard. With limited opportunities to train, runners are unprepared to race long distances in early spring.

Cook Forest race director D.J. Bevevino cites cold weather as the reason preregistration numbers were down by at least a third for this year’s event. Unseasonably cold and windy weather also kept race day registrations down, even for the associated 5K distance race. While combined finishers had numbered more than 900 in each of the previous three years, 2015 saw 605 cross the finish line.

New assistant coach Eric McLaughlin ran the event as a Clarion High-schooler back in the late 1980’s and a few times as a Slippery Rock University distance runner. He says that this year’s Cook Forest Half may have been the coldest in the event’s 31-year history.

Because of the unusually deep snow cover, parking was limited near the starting area by Pale Whale Canoe Rental on River Road. Runners were shuttled in school busses and vans from a parking area more than two miles from the start.

Race organizers made runners as comfortable as possible by offering warming tents at the starting area and bag check to store extra layers of clothing. Bevevino reported that one of the more interesting and unexpected problems of the day was that spigots on the Gatorade coolers kept freezing.

Runners who chose to brave the swirling snow on the drive to Cook Forest and a breezy 18 degree temperature on the starting line enjoyed dry roads, plenty of room to run on the out-and-back course and an occasional burst of sunlight through the trees along the ice-lined Clarion River. I found conditions to be quite comfortable for running in tights, fleece pullover, hat and mittens.

Conditions were also great for winners Justin Weaver of Greensburg and Indiana, Pa’s Jeannie Bujdos. Weaver finished the half marathon in 1:11:58 while Bujdos ran 1:26:15. Mike Williamson won the men’s 5K event with a 16:49 finishing time while Kayce Bobnar’s 20:29 was first among women’s 5K times.

Race volunteers along the course, members of Clarion University’s track and cross country teams, had the toughest jobs of the day. The college athletes smiled through chattering teeth as they offered encouragement along with cups of sometimes slushy water at the four water stops along the 13.1 mile course.

Coach Bevevino stressed that the volunteers appreciate the runners’ efforts. Proceeds from the event benefit the Clarion track and cross country team’s biennial spring trip to Myrtle Beach, S.C. Because race participation was down this year, the team may hold an additional fund-raising event or team members will be forced to contribute more individually toward travel expenses.

Average low temperature for this time of year in Cook Forest is 26 degrees with an average high of 50. Coach Bevevino hopes that this year’s chilly run will prove to be an aberration and he looks forward to continued success of the half marathon and 5K.

Cook Forest Half Marathon wasn’t the only race hit hard by the weather. The popular Just a Short Run in North Park on the same day suffered approximately the same percent of participation loss when compared to last year and only half the number of finishers as 2013.

Upcoming events

Saturdays, 8 a.m.: Up-N-Running Group Run, Valencia. Winter weekly run. 724-898-2525 or shoes@runpa.com

Saturday, 9 a.m.: Dirty Kiln Half Marathon and 5 Mile Trail Races, Hollidaysburg. Challenging trail runs in Canoe Creek State Park. This event is sold out. bmazur@intelmarx.com

Saturday, 10 a.m.: PREP4PITT-3, Sandy Lake. Half marathon and 5K on paved bike path around Lake Wilhelm. 724-301-6775 or info@mctrails.org

Saturday, 10 a.m.: Lock Stock and Barrel Easter Bunny Hop 5K, Sharpsville. Also half mile kids run. Barrymclaughlin59@yahoo.com

Golden Tide Baseball 5K, Curwensville. debharzinski@atlanticbb.net

Saturday, 10 a.m.: Fool’s Run 10K and 5K, Indiana. An area favorite for 37 years. New 5k distance. 724-349-0501 or jswauger@comcast.net

Saturday, 11 a.m.: Hop for Hope 5K, Harmony. Starts at Race Church. devinshopforhope@gmail.com

April 11, 9 a.m.: Bigfoot Half Marathon and 5K, Kittanning. Starts at YMCA. 724-545-9622

April 11, 9 a.m.: Achilles Pittsburgh Hope and Possibility Race 5k, 10k and 1 Mile Fun Walk, North Park. Run one or both starting at Boathouse. www.achillespghrace.comS412-326-9110

April 18, 8 a.m.: Pirates Charities 5K Home Run, Pittsburgh. Starts at PNC Park. 412-325-4781 or www.pirates.com

April 18, 8 a.m.: Bud Shuster Run for Your Life 5K Run, 2 Mile Run, 2 Mile Walk, Hollidaysburg. Sponsored by Hollidaysburg YMCA. 724-695-4467 or www.hollidaysburgymca.org

April 18, 9 a.m.: Roaring Run Water Association 5K and 15K, Apollo. Run on Roaring Run Rail Trail. www.roaringrun.org

April 18, 9 a.m.: Big Dog 5K, Baden. Run through Economy Park benefits Huntington’s Disease Society of America. 724-683-9738 or bigdog5k@hotmail.com

April 19, 9 a.m.: 15th Annual Burgh’s Pizza and Wing Pub 5K, Cecil. Out and back on Montour Trail with cash awards and big post race party. 412-860-0551 or frankdaily@hotmail.com

April 25, 9 a.m.: Sugar Rush 5K Run and Walk, Hermitage. 724-981-2950, ext. 234

April 25, 9 a.m.: Superhero 5K and 1K Fun Walk, North Park. Participants encouraged to dress as superheroes; lots of family activities. 412-760-0483 or www.superhero.org

April 25, 2 p.m.: Pittsburgh Craft Beer Week Hash, Hampton Township. Run with Hash House Harriers, “the drinking club with a running problem.” 724-265-4267 or www.pgh-h3.com

April 26, 11 a.m.: Hunter’s Heroes 5K, Beaver. Benefits child with disabilities and Children’s Institute of Pittsburgh. 724-777-6261 or m.k.barney@eagle.clarion.edu

April 29, 7 p.m.: Sunset Sprint, Grove City. Speerkn1@gcc.edu

May 2, 7 a.m.: Cinco Races and Walks, Warren. Six races from 2.5K through 26.2 miles. 954-675-4684 or chuckgray@me.com

May 2, 10 a.m.: Home Run 5K, Knox. 814-797-1290 or sellfam6@windstream.net

May 2, 8 a.m.: UPMC Sports Medicine Pittsburgh Marathon 5K, Pittsburgh. Run from North Shore to downtown Pittsburgh. www.pittsburghmarathon.com

May 3, 7 a.m.: Dick’s Sporting Goods Pittsburgh Marathon, Half Marathon and Team Relay, Pittsburgh. www.pittsburghmarathon.com

Race results

Prep for Pitt Series 8.5 Miles, March 14: Dan Dygert, 1st Overall M, 52:55; Nichole Murray, 1st Overall W, 1:22:35; Cory Gibson, 1st 30-39 M, 1:21:30

JC Stone 50K March 21: Sam Skeels, 1st Overall M, 3:20:18; Stacey Kopchak, 1st Overall W, 4:02:47; Michelle Ellery, 1st 40-49 W, 4:30:48; Jim Arthur, 4:29:22; John Armstrong, 4:45:20; Tim Tannert, 4:48:26; Steve Nichols, 4:52:58; Mary Siegel, 5:23:48; Katherine Colton, 5:36:01; Valerie Shoaf, 5:40:14; Katherine Miller, 5:44:07; Holly Matsko, 5:59:42; Chad Schwendemann, 6:39:50

Megan Durst Memorial 5K, March 28: Ryan Bowser, 1st Overall M, 17:51; Aidan Domencic, 3rd Overall M, 20:21; Bonnie Smerk, 1st Overall W, 20:52; Kris Poloyac, 3rd Overall W, 22:58; Michael Romano, 2nd 10-14 M, 21:07; Stephen Salvatore, 1st 40-49 M, 21:31; Jeff Smith, 2nd 40-49 M, 21:36; Bryan Wilson, 1st 30-39 M, 22:55; Sean O’Shea, 3rd 40-49 M, 23:24; Jessica Morris, 1st 15-19 W, 23:28; Jacob Geil, 3rd 10-14 M, 23:43; Daniel Loeffler, 1st 15-19 M, 23:54; Mike Bredl, 3rd 50-59 M, 25:31; Shannon O’Shea, 3rd 10-14 W, 25:58; Tricia O’Shea, 2nd 40-49 W, 27:26; Sarah Anthony, 2nd 30-39 W, 27:29; Shannon Mick, 3rd 20-29 W, 28:02; Leslie Bredl, 1st 50-59 W, 29:07; Sean O’Shea, 1st 9 & Under M, 29:13; McGinnis O’Shea, 2nd 9 & Under M, 29:17; Ann Cheman, 1st 60+ W, 32:16; Delaney O’Shea, 1st 9 & Under W, 32:49; Sophie Geil, 2nd 9 & Under W, 41:25; Ben Hess, 23:43; Owen Blazer, 25:08; Abby Andrews, 26:00; David Ebersole, 26:04; Megan Park, 26:06; Madeline Randall, 26:09; Jennie Stiefel, 26:10; Brooke Stahlmann, 26:22; Joe Simoes, 27:13; Olivia Bonvenuto, 27:16; Ally Smith, 27:54; David Bonvenuto, 29:03; Mark Bidoli, 29:20; Maggie Storti, 29:31; Morgan Sinan, 29:38; Ken Sammons, 30:48; Seth Cowell, 31:35; Mackenzie Ebersole, 31:36; Todd Wearing, 32:58; Colleen Wilson, 33:33; Jennifer Moreau, 33:34; John Ropelewski, 34:06; Matt Donaldson, 35:09; Elena Geil, 35:35; Shayan Farooq, 35:50; Trent Wilson, 36:58; Amy Wilson, 36:58; Sandy Stanick, 37:21; Waynie Pirt, 38:08; Abaigeal O’Shea, 38:16; Dennis Malley, 41:03; Steve Geil, 41:27; Steve Geil, 47:46; Ellen Casey, 50:41; Natali Lachowski, 50:43; Stephen Mick, 52:00

Cook Forest Half Marathon, March 28: Justin Weaver, 1st Overall M, 1:11:58; Ryan O’Dowd, 3rd Overall M, 1:16:21; Jeannie Bujdos, 1st Overall W, 1:26:15; Melissa Kemp, 3rd Overall W, 1:31:16; Benjamin English, 2nd 30-34 M, 1:16:47; Jeff Lynn, 2nd 45-49 M, 1:31:40; Mark Courtney, 2nd 55-59 M, 1:34:07; Jinny Hertweck, 2nd 40-44 W, 1:50:47; Scott Hepler, 2nd 14-19 M, 1:59:33; Patricia Neubert, 2nd 60-69 W, 2:14:06; William Osche, 1:41:43; Jim Csonka, 1:42:53; Eric Fritch, 1:45:39; Tim Brack, 1:47:36; Steven Nichols, 1:47:53; Stephen DiAntonio, 1:48:37; Megan Burr, 1:49:30; Eric Slagle, 1:49:53; Greta Wicks, 1:51:38; Nikki Boyles, 1:56:13; Beth Jackson, 1:58:42; Kelley Morrone, 2:00:16; Fred Weaver, 2:01:52; Brandon Chute, 2:02:47, Shari Allen, 2:05:53; Brady Wise, 2:06:38; Michael McNamara, 2:07:38; Erin Brock, 2:07:45; Justin Cooper, 2:08:27; Cheryl Fox, 2:08:41; Justin Reinard, 2:10:23; Nichol Murray, 2:13:52; Ian Ashbaugh, 2:15:10; Deborah Rastelli, 2:16:55; Traci McKenna, 2:17:02; Hollie Stevenson, 2:24:17; Karen Steffanina, 2:24:37; Steve Drew, 2:26:04; Dawn Cox, 2:27:13; Joe Latess, 2:31:53; Sandy Radmanich, 2:35:58; Robin Trinko, 2:44:45; Vickie Turner, 2:44:45; Jennifer Stoops, 2:48:16

Cook Forest 5K, March 28: Mike Willianson, 1st Overall M, 16:49; Kace Bobnar, 1st Overall W, 20:29; Olivia Lowe, 1st 16-19 W, 21:42; Eric Peirce, 2nd 20-24 M, 21:44; Doug O’Donnell, 22:00; Marie Rhoades, 1st 25-29 W, 24:46; Alayna Lowe, 2nd 14 & Under W, 26:06; Amy Milanovich, 3rd 60-69 W, 32:58; Margretta Lutz, 1st 70+ W, 43:53; Evan Lowe, 26:06; Jason Regal, 26:35; Victor Stahlman, 26:35; Katelyn Snyder, 27:21; Emma Nasser,28:02; Jessica Hofinger, 29:17; David Lockerman, 30:36; Kelly Pastoria, 30:40; Anna Timko, 30:44; Leah Kletzli, 31:12; Angie Fritch, 31:17; CJ LoGiudice, 31:19; Chris Barnes, 33:01; Oleva Slaughenhoupt, 33:14; Rebekah McNeish, 34:01; Kristen Chodkowski, 34:18; Craig Chodkowski, 34:18; Rachelle Lyons, 34:19; Randy Irwin, 35:21; Jesse Rosenberger, 35:47; Caleb Brownley, 37:55; Pamela Rippee, 38:03; Lakota Nolder, 41:53; Nakoma Nolder, 42:57; Dean Rippee, 43:01; Emma Weaver, 43:10; Kim Weaver, 43:10; Brenda Murray, 53:27; Donna Campbell, 53:27; Jeff Campbell, 54:51; Maxwell Stahlman, 1:06:00

Send comments and suggestions: Patricia Neubert, 435 Cherry Valley Rd., Saxonburg, PA. 16056. Phone or fax 724-352-4395. Email bigp16@connecttime.net

Pat Neubert is a running columnist for the Butler Eagle