It's hard to beat Western Pennsylvania for autumn beauty, and one of the best ways to see the sights up close is by running on one of the region's trails.

Fall trail running through the back country can be exhilarating. It also can be ankle-twisting, knee-busting and head-bruising. And you don't really see much autumn splendor when your focus is the ground 5 feet ahead of your shoes.

To get back to nature without getting dirty, try one of the region's gentler trail races. These events on rail trails and nature paths will give you a tour of some of the most colorful woodlands and an introduction to off-road racing.

The 20th Annual Fall Foliage Classic 5K and 10K begins at 9 a.m. Saturday in Schellsburg. The event is held in conjunction with the Bedford Fall Foliage Festival.

While festival goers in Bedford push through crowded streets of crafts, music and food, 5K and 10K runners kick through maple and oak leaves on a tour around Shawnee Lake.

The nearly level 5K course hugs the shoreline while the 10K adds a paved loop through the Shawnee State Park campground with one moderate hill. A Tot Trot follows for kids 8 and under.

For information, call the Bedford County Visitors Bureau at 800-765-3331 or visit www.bedfordcounty.net.

Closer to home, the second annual Matt Brown and Bob Hall Memorial 5K Run and Walk, at 9 a.m. Sunday, has a Butler County connection.

The run and walk, which begins in Cecil Park and follows a section of the Montour Trail, honors the memories of fallen soldiers Bob Hall Jr. and Seneca Valley High School graduate Matthew Warren Brown.

Brown was a kind and compassionate Zelienople resident. While in high school, he aided and wrote about the Jubilee Soup Kitchen in Pittsburgh before entering the military. He was killed in action in Afghanistan in 2008.

Preregistration for the Memorial 5K is now closed but runners and walkers can register at Cecil Park on race day beginning at 8 a.m. For information, call 412-257-4716 or e-mail VetCenter5k@gmail.com

The Peters Township Chamber Chase at 9 a.m. Oct. 16. gives runners a look at fall foliage and a chance for a personal record. The 5K race starts at Peters Township Recreation Center and runs out and back on the Arrowhead Trail. This level rail trail is part of the Montour Trail, a familiar site for races.

The Chamber Chase 5K is USATF certified and sanctioned. Proceeds benefit Peters Township Chamber Scholarship Fund and Peters Township Food Pantry. Participants are urged to bring a nonperishable food item to donate on race day.

Register online at www.active.com or download an application from www.smileymiles.com. For information call 724-941-6345 or e-mail info@peterstownshipchamber.com.

One of my favorite fall trail runs has become a favorite of 599 others. The fifth annual Buffalo Creek Half Marathon at 9 a.m. Oct. 16 reached its 600-runner limit this week and cannot accept additional registrations.

If you're not running, you can volunteer for this scenic half marathon. E-mail Chris Ziegler at president@butlerfreeporttrail.org or call 724-898-2525.

Saturday, 8 a.m.: Up-N-Running Group Run, Valencia. Your choice of distance and pace. 724-898-2525 or shoes@runpa.comSaturday, 9 a.m.: Butler Lions Club Scoot and Toot, Butler. Starts at Carousel Shelter in Alameda Park. 724-287-4059 or jbindernagel@theblindassociation.orgSaturday, 9 a.m.: Race for Pace 5K, Churchill. Also 1-mile Paws for Pace dog walk. 412-244-1900 or www.paceschool.orgSunday, 9 a.m.: Crisis Shelter of Lawrence County 5K Run-Walk, New Castle. 724-758-8662 or www.crisisshelter.orgSaturday, 9 a.m.: Her Times 5K, Erie. 814-870-1821 or www.hertimes.comSunday, 2 p.m.: Quality Life Series 5K, Emlenton. Final race in series. 724-431-0770, Ext. 2104 or mikel@qualitylifeservices.comOctober 16, 10:30 a.m.: Crooked Creek Environmental Learning Center Fall Foliage 5K, Ford City. 724-763-6316 or www.crookedcreekelc.orgOct. 29, 6 p.m.: St. Gregory's Great Pumpkin 5K Race and 1-Mile Fun Run, Zelienople. 724-452-9731 or lrmaloney@zoominternet.netOct. 30, 10 a.m.: Ghostly Gray Trail Race, Prospect. Mountain bike race, 5K or 10K run through Camp Lutherlyn trails. 724-284-1134Nov. 7, 9 a.m.: Operation Troop Appreciation Veterans Day 5K, Hampton Twp. Gerardmac977@aol.com

<B>IKEA Half Marathon, Sept. 11: </B>Thomas Lipsie, 1st Overall M, 1:14:38; Lisa Cron, 1st Overall W, 1:24:57; Bill Melfi, 3rd 40-44 M, 1:26:33; Jennifer Shea, 35-39 W, 1:45:15; Mark Shipley, 1:31:28; Robert Pudlo, 1:31:39; John Millea, 1:38:07; Todd Allman, 1:38:22; Philip Mathew, 1:39:25; Dana Benedict, 1:39:38; Bob Markovich, 1:42:32; Steve Podlaski, 1:42:47; Lawrence Ross, 1:42:56; William Marsh, 1:43:08; Michael Stitt, 1:43:20; Erin Sondej, 1:47:08; Bob Todd, 1:48:22; Paul DiBucci, 1:48:47; Ron Hartle, 1:50:11; Avery Lawson, 1:51:02; Carleen Burns, 1:51:18; Pamela MacMurdo, 1:51:32John Riswtey, 1:51:41; Michele Bamburak, 1:55:59; Evan Lunt, 1:58:30; Fred Stover, 1:58:30; Tom Murray, 2:00:25; Carl Hill, 2:01:35; Tracy Page, 2:02:22; Lisa Barber, 2:02:56; Nathan DeFanti, 2:05:08; Ada DeFanti, 2:06:36; Shay Houser, 2:06:54; Christina Bochy, 2:12:41; Manal Jordan, 2:13:16; Jeremiah Friday, 2:13:27; Alfred Schnabel, 2:14:08; Amy Browne, 2:14:40; Wayne Toy, 2:15:34; Heather Oros, 2:17:29; Nicholas Prugar, 2:18:27; Heather Arnold, 2:20:09; Sarah Lunt, 2:27:01; Heidi Keefer, 2:30:22; Erin Elkin, 2:48:53<B>IKEA 5K, Sept. 11: </B>Daniel Pike, 1st Overall M, 16:51; Debbie Skinger, 1st Overall W, 19:28; Karen Lyle, 2nd 30-34 W, 21:15; Brian Rankin, 2nd 25-29 M, 21:49; Shauna Marski, 1st 20-24 W, 21:55; Anna Gordon, 2nd 12 and under W, 37:43Mitch Radella, 19:54; Robert MacMurdo, 21:53; Mike Bauer, 25:14; Troy DeMaster, 29:03; Leslie Baldwin, 32:46; Carrie Miloser, 34:18; Wendy Pachas, 35:02; Jennifer Pastorek, 35:18; Aryn Micaletti, 36:20<B>Presque Isle Marathon, Sept. 12: </B>Brent Henderson, 1st Overall M, 2:38:40; Katie Aldridge, 1st Overall W, 2:54:59; David Terrill, Sr., 2nd 50-54 M, 3:11:53; Erin Nicotra, 2nd 35-39 W, 3:34:22; Dianne Zalenski, 3rd 35-39 W, 3:34:32Adam Leskanic, 3:08:23; Jeff Lynn, 3:15:13; Jim Carr, 3:25:15; John Armstrong, 3:34:59; Mark Fleming, 3:37:50; Chris Romito, 3:39:56; Todd Roberts, 3:42:16Heather Healy, 3:47:32; Rick Colonello, 3:48:17; Stacy Juchno, 4:00:23; Marilyn Larocca, 4:02:52; Milagras LaBeau, 4:06:31; Bob Lozowski, 4:08:38; Amanda Jordan, 4:17:38; James Hodgson, 4:22:51; Daniel Lynch, 4:24:15; David Thaman, 4:28:41; Nicole Khoury, 4:36:47 Kelley Morrone, 4:50:34; Rhonda Kuminkoski, 4:56:37; Becky Hinterlang, 4:56:37; Rita McGrogan, 4:57:31<B>Presque Isle Half Marathon, Sept. 12:</B> Andrew Musinguzi, 1st Overall M, 1:22:53; Tara Jones, 1st Overall W, 1:31:22; Jeffrey Platt, 1st 30-34 M, 1:28:37; Ben English, 3rd 25-29 M, 1:31:22; Eric Fritch, 3rd 35-39 M, 1:37:17; Catherine Close, 3rd 40-44 W, 1:48:06Mark Courtney, 1:37:29; Ronald Schmoll, 1:40:55; Tim Mouser, 1:41:37; Scott Pearson, 1:45:06; Sam Poloyac, 1:48:15; Steve Mix, 1:49:20; Bob Stanionis, 1:49:34; Enrique Garcia-Lamelas, 1:50:10; Fernando Zertuche, 1:50:12; Kris Poloyac, 1:51:26; Lori Scott, 1:51:27; Kim Keeley, 1:51:50; Chris LaBeau, 1:52:09; Christi Novak, 1:55:35Gregory Gaghan, 1:55:43; Angie Fritch, 1:59:31; Anne Bernacki, 2:00:22; Pamela Neely Aldridge, 2:00:34; Amy Condrick, 2:01:32; Richard Price, 2:01:36; Kate Yeager, 2:02:47; Mary Caton, 2:02:54; Traci McKenna, 2:04:24; Michelle McGregor, 2:04:44; Jason Chappell, 2:05:48; Kaitlyn Witmer, 2:12:23; Rita Greenstein, 2:15:57; Nathan Blakeley, 2:18:28; Jay Zitkovich, 2:19:04; Andrew Ryan, 2:20:05James Ryan, 2:20:06; Julie Zitkovich, 2:34:1 9; Jamie Cox, 2:37:06; Derek Kenniston, 2:38:41; Kristie Kenniston, 2:38:50; Kathleen Testa, 2:40:57; Rachel Rutkowski, 2:43:07; Linnea McAfoose, 2:45:43; Mindy Dibello, 2:47:21; Rebecca Woods, 2:47:21<B>Presque Isle 5K, Sept. 12: </B>Mike Vybiral, 1st Overall M, 19:47; Kaitlyn Bosy, 1st Overall W, 23:22; Joel Normand, 28:34; Sam Poloyac, 28:34; Jenna McAfoose, 40:42Send comments and suggestions to: 435 Cherry Valley Road, Saxonburg, PA 16056. Phone: 724-352-4395. E-mail: lotzak@consolidated.net