Last Sunday I ran with a handful of trail runners at the 10th Annual Trailfest in North Park.

The event hosted by Trail Pittsburgh is an annual celebration of outdoor exercise with hikes, bikes and runs followed by food, music and raffles.

Mark Knapp, head of North Park Trail Runners, led a small group, some who had never run trails before, on a hilly six miles through pine forest and around North Park’s golf course. Although the newbies were surprised at the difficulty of negotiating rocky, rutted and rooted ascents and descents, they all agreed that trail running was liberating and playful — along with exhausting.

Southern Butler County runners have easy access to challenging trails of North Park, Deer Lakes Park and others and the camaraderie of North Park Trail Runners’ almost daily group runs. But what about the rest of Butler County?

Butler Babes and Beyond, a loosely organized running/hiking group has offered Butler County runners weekly off-road fun since 2007. According to the group’s leader, Tammy McGaughey, Butler Babes began as a training group for five or six women preparing to complete the 30+ miles of the Rachel Carson Challenge. Connie Shoemaker, one of the original six, suggested the name.

McGaughey began running more than 15 years ago after giving up swimming due to family commitments. But after her first run on trails, she quit road running. “I love trails,” she says. “It’s my ‘happy place.’ Everything melts away when I’m on the trail.”

Tammy is an ambassador for trail running and says that her main goal is to get people interested in getting out to run or hike. “I’d love for everyone to experience trail running just once,” she says.

Butler Babes and Beyond has increased its membership to more than 50 and averages eight to 12 participants for their weekend runs. The group is open to anyone, men included. Tammy says that male runners are the “and beyond” in Butler Babes and Beyond.

The Butler Babes typically run early on Saturday or Sunday mornings. Although their home trail is the North Country Trail, they periodically visit Baker Trail, North Park and McConnell’s Mills, Tammy’s favorite. Distances vary (5 to 30 miles) according to training plans of the members, but since most runs are out-and-back, runners are free to turn back at any distance.

This week’s event is an easy five miles on the North Country Trail through Moraine State Park, leaving from McDaniel’s boat launch at 8 a.m. on Sunday. Tammy says that she and several others will take it easy following the Oil Creek 100 ultramarathon last weekend. And she promises that no one, no matter their pace, will be left behind.

Next year, Tammy will see trail racing from a different perspective. As a board member of Moraine Preservation Fund, she will be involved with the group’s inaugural Winterfest 5k to be held in conjunction with Winterfest on Jan. 16, 2016.

Tammy will also be race director for the Glacier Ridge Ultra, a trail run with distances of 30k, 50k and 50 miles held on Glacier Ridge Trail on May 14.

If you’d like to run with Butler Babes and Beyond, call Tammy at 724-355-5926 or email tamsuemcg@embarqmail.com for their weekly schedule. Visit www.glacierridgetrailultra.com for information about the event in May.

Note for this Saturday’s Buffalo Creek Half Marathon: The race will finish in Laneville this year but there is no parking in Laneville. Spectators must park in Freeport and walk to the finish area.

Upcoming events

Saturday, 9 a.m..: Franken-Run 5k Run/ Walk, Franklin. hubern@students.fasd.k12.pa.us

Saturday, 9 a.m.: Buffalo Creek Half Marathon, Freeport. Downhill run on Butler-Freeport Rail Trail. No race day registration. quaranta@consoliated.net

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

Oct. 24, 5 p.m.: Haunted Hay Run 5k, Beaver Falls. Costume contest and postrace party for this haunted course at Brady’s Run Park. kserna@primary-health.net

Oct. 24, 6 p.m.: Great Pumpkin 5k Run/Walk, New Castle. Costume race and party in Cascade Park. 724-652-5105 or dreed@aol.com

Oct. 25, 8 a.m.: EQT 10 Miler, Pittsburgh. Run through Pittsburgh neighborhoods. www.pittsburgh10miler.org

Oct. 25, 8 a.m.: Sasquatch Race 5k Trail Run and Fun Walk, Clarendon. Challenging trail run through Chapman State Park. 814-688-0393 or jesarnold1967@gmail.com

Oct. 25, 11 a.m.: 41st Annual Youngstown Peace Race 10k, Youngstown, OH. Also 400 meter kids run (ages 10 & under) at 9 a.m. and 2 Mile Run/Walk at 9:30 a.m. www.peacerace.org

Oct. 31, 8 a.m.: Harrison Hills 5k/10k Trail Run, Natrona Heights. Costume and pumpkin carving contests, postrace hot meal. Clarksk7@gmail.com

Oct. 31, 9 a.m.: Zombie Run, Knox. Outrun sliming zombies. 814-229-4136 or frontporchfarms@venustel.com

Oct. 31, 10 a.m.: Trick or Trot 5k, Grove City. Starts behind Carnegie Alumni Center, benefits Wounded Warrior Project. 330-881-4097 or bennettcg1@gcc.edu

Nov. 1, 9 a.m.: Farmer’s Inn Halloween Half and 5k, Sigel. Post race buffet. bonnherb@yahoo.com

Nov. 7, 8 a.m.: Marathon on the Mountain, Champion. Run full or half marathon or 5k at Seven Springs Resort. www.active.com/seven-springs-pa/running/distance-running-races/marathon-on-the-mountain-2015?cmp=26-450

Nov. 7, 9 a.m.: Buffalo Township Veterans Day 10k and 5k Fun Run, Sarver. Run on Butler-Freeport Trail begins at Monroe Rd. trailhead. 724-882-9953 or tjt@salsgiver.com

Nov. 7, 9:30 a.m.: Dirt Monster 5 Mile Trail Race and 1 Mile Trail Walk, North Park. Challenging trail run with team competition begins at Grant Pavilion. ocdirections@verizon.net or www.ocfwpa.org

Nov. 7, 10 a.m.: Butler YMCA Turkey Trot 5k and Kids 1 Mile, Butler. 724-287-4733 or jknauff@bcfymca.org

Nov. 8, 9 a.m.: Indiana First Bank Veterans Marathon and Half Marathon, Black Lick. Run out and back on Ghost Town Rail Trail. 724-349-3200 or www.indianaroadrunners.com

Nov. 14, 7 a.m.: Marshall Mangler 5 Mile, 25k and 50k rail Runs, North Park. 724-986-3513 or www.runreg.com/marshall-mangler-trail-runs

Nov. 14, 9 a.m.: YMCA Fall Classic 5k and 10k, Kittanning. 724-659-3116 or briggle@rgsymca.org

Nov. 21, 9 a.m.: Fight for Life 5k, Apollo. Benefits American Cancer Society. 724-568-2517 or dzukas@cancer.org

Nov. 21, 10 a.m.: Foxburg Turkey Trot 5k, Foxburg. Thanksgiving themed costume contest, kids activities. shile@foxburginn.com

Race results

Positive Steps 5k, Sept. 20: David Bacher, 1st Overall M, 24:04; Bethany Flage, 1st Overall W, 24:52; Crystal Huey, 2nd Overall W, 24:54; Becky Monhemius, 3rd 30-39 W, 27:08; Rob Cavert, 1st 40-49 M, 27:09; Denise Traubert, 1st 50-59 W, 27:49; Jim Reeder, 2nd 30-39 M, 28:04; Tom Dunning, 2nd 40-49 M, 30:42; Cory Rossman, 1st 20-29 M, 30:55; Brian Neff, 2nd 20-29 M, 31:43; Jake Lunz, 1st 10 & Under M, 33:00; Patrick Cunningham, 1st 50-59 M, 33:22; Beth Kloss, 2nd 40-49 W, 33:34; Jake Bacher, 1st 11-14 M, 35:39; Tony Kovatch, 1st 60+ M, 37:28; Elena Butler, 1st 11-14 W, 37:57; Feather Bacher, 1st 11-14 W, 37:57; Austin Gnesdo, 2nd 10 & Under M, 38:26; Peter Louies, 3rd 20-29 M, 39:12; Annette Guercio, 3rd 50-59 W, 44:25; Kaelyn Lunz, 2nd 10 & Under W, 48:54; Carlo Grassucci, 2nd 50-59 M, 52:46; Nathan Lyle, 29:52; Ronald North, 32:08; Elizabeth Bacher, 32:37; Jolene Gallagher, 33:14; Rick Gay, 33:39; Stella Balzli, 33:39; Colleen Wilson, 34:06; Jennifer Moreau, 34:07; Jonah Bacher, 38:24; Amber Villella, 48:52; Dominique Walker, 48:56; Sarah Grassucci, 52:45; Tammy Weaver, 58:42

Butler Scoot and Toot 5k, Sept. 27: Tim Monfre, 1st Overall M, 19:24; Matt Drohan, 2nd Overall M, 21:12; David White, 3rd Overall M, 21:17; Karen Geesey, 1st Overall W, 21:22; Kristen Collins, 2nd Overall W, 23:49; Barbara Tenney, 3rd Overall W, 24:45; Ross Tenney, 1st 20 & Under M, 23:09; Nicholas Horuatic, 1st 21-39 M, 25:15; Rick Conroy, 1st 60+ M, 25:25; Missy Jungling, 1st 21-39 W, 25:32; David Voland, 1st 40-59 M, 25:35; Jill Conroy, 1st 40-59 W, 25:35; Dave Voland, 2nd 20 & Under M, 27:23; Art Black, 2nd 60+ M, 28:14; Gary Miller, 2nd 40-59 M, 30:06; Dezso Csizmadia, 3rd 60+ M, 30:10; Carol English, 2nd 40-59 W, 30:43; Brenda Waid, 1st 60+ W, 31:18; Barbara Tenney, 3rd 40-59 W, 31:36; Darren Waid, 3rd 20 & Under M, 33:37; Lynda Miller, 1st 20 & Under W, 35:44; Addison Tenney, 2nd 20 & Under W, 37:22; Brooke Tenney, 3rd 20 & Under W, 37:43; John Hertzog, 3rd 40-59 M, 38:12; October Lowe, 2nd 60+ W, 1:00:00; Johnny Patrus, 31:36; Kim Greco, 37:06; Douglas Hayes, 40:02; Gary Falloner, 52:25

Elderton 5k, Oct. 2: Ean King, 1st Overall M, 17:55; Jeannie Bujdos, 1st Overall W, 19:37; Patti Offstein, 1st 60+ W, 35:48; Alan Offstein, 29:45

Applefest 5k, Oct. 3: Matt Lipsey, 1st Overall M, 16:20; Andrew Brosius, 3rd Overall M, 17:22; DeAnn Salvo, 1st Overall W, 20:25; Kristen Savick, 3rd Overall W, 20:58; John Warner, 1st Masters M, 19:33; Jinny Hertweck, 2nd Masters W, 23:03; Brett Mason, 1st 35-39 M, 17:26; Lee Bunyak, 3rd 35-39 M, 20:09; Eric Slagle, 2nd 45-49 M, 20:24; Tony Ruth, 2nd 50-54 M, 20:38; Stacey Stevenson, 1st 25-29 W, 21:40; Gary Bell, 1st 70-79 M, 24:41; Heather Leskanic, 1st 40-44 W, 24:55; Margaret Kolesar, 3rd 12-15 W, 24:57; Jack Greenlee, 23:52; William Kolesar, 24:31; Peter Mitchell, 25:51; Mike Bruno, 26:24; Grace Anne Reitz, 26:24; Josh Williams, 26:54; Lacey Williams, 26:56; Jessica Richards, 27:26; Sarah Maffet, 29:17; Ryan Dickey, 29:21; Jessica Moslander, 29:27; Kyle Bell, 30:32; Fran Hughes, 31:37; Shelly Bell, 32:39; Keith McFall, 33:45; Brittany Bakalar, 34:10; Harry Wenner, 34:49; Pamela Beck, 37:51; Carson Kerr, 40:27

Harvest 5k, Oct. 3: David Wise, 1st Overall M, 21:32; Janelle Grafton, 1st Overall W, 24:26; Don Smith, 1st 30-39 M, 21:34; Gary Waddell, 2nd 50-59 M, 22:34; Hudson Fuller, 1st Under 14 M, 22:49; Jeff Gaul, 3rd 50-59 M, 24:56; Chris David, 2nd 40-49 M, 25:09; Lainey Pastoria, 2nd 20-29 W, 25:46; Lacy Smith, 1st 30-39 W, 26:10; Emily Claypool, 1st 14-19 W, 26:20; Kelly Pastoria, 1st 50-59 W, 27:56;; Cami Stevens, 1st Under 14 W, 37:16; Vionno Pugliese, 2nd Under 14 W, 39:18; Taylor Stevens, 2nd Under 14 W, 39:18; Sally Stevens, 2nd 40-49 W, 39:19; Lydia Barth, 2nd 14-19 W, 45:06; Paula Barth, 2nd 50-59 W, 46:25; Glenn Troup, 1st 60+ M, 56:06; Raymond Newell, 2nd 60+ M, 1:02:33; Norman Eckler, 3rd 60+ M, 1:02:34; Pam Newell, 1st 60+ W, 1:02:37; Chelsea Sharpe, 32:24; Chris Barth, 45:07; Chris Kabay, 56:06; Emily Brodrick, 1:00:52

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

Pat Neubert is a running columnist for the Butler Eagle