For a while, I had other races to run. Then there were injuries and recoveries.

When I finally registered, the pandemic stole the 2020 event from everyone. But last weekend I finally fulfilled a goal of participating in the Glacier Ridge Trail Ultramarathon and Trail Race.

Glacier Ridge Trail, part of the larger North Country Trail, runs through Moraine State Park and Jennings Environmental Center. The Ultramarathon and Trail Race is a fundraiser for those parks and for nearby McConnells Mills State Park, contributing more than $110,000 over the past ten years to trail maintenance and improvements.

Glacier Ridge Ultra was the brainchild of Bob Fargo and Dan Adley, who directed the event from 2011 until 2016 when trail runners Tammy McGaughey and David Murray took over as co-directors. The event has always included three distances, 30k, 50k and 50 miles, but a 50-mile, 5-person team relay was added in 2015.

Any race longer than 26.2 miles is considered an ultramarathon and the 50k (31 miles), an out-and-back course from McDanel's Boat Launch in Moraine State Park to Jennings Environmental Center, and 50-mile, which adds a tour of Frank Preston Conservation Area, fit that description. The 30k distance is billed as an introduction to long distance trail racing and encourages hiking the course as well. Approximately 10 to 20 percent of the 30k participants choose to hike the entire course.

Originally held in April, Glacier Ridge Ultra has been held in mid-May since 2015. Tammy McGaughey explained that his gives runners longer to train in the spring and the weather is much better.

“Before that,” she says, “we had a couple years where it snowed on race day.”

She also remembers a race in which temperatures reached 90 degrees.

“We had a lot of DNFs that year,” she said.

This year's weather was typical for the season and nearly perfect for running the scenic trails. There were a few muddy areas, but nothing that could suck shoes off or fill our socks with muck. And I managed to avoid twisting an ankle or stubbing a toe on roots or rocks on the mildly technical terrain of the well-used and well-maintained trail.

My biggest challenge in the 30k was the elevation gain of more than 3,150 feet. The 50k has a rise of 4,700 while 50-mile runners ascend more than 6,600 feet on the course. Most runners choose to hike the ups, run on the level and downhills.

Hills didn't seem to slow Anna Balouris, who finished first in the 50-mile race. Anna set a new women's course record by over 45 minutes at 8:08:44. This was also the first time a woman finished first overall in the race. I also managed to score a record as the oldest woman to complete a Glacier Ridge race, though I don't consider myself old — I'm just experienced.

I felt fortunate to be running in the event which routinely sells out quickly. Normally, state parks restrictions limit the size of the field to about 350. COVID mandates cut that number to 245 this year. The 229 participants this year included 139 who had deferred their registrations when the event was forced to cancel in 2019.

Tammy says that the event sells out because of the great course, support by volunteers and the camaraderie of the runners. “We get a lot of repeat participants,” she says, “and they bring their friends.”

There are also a number of repeat volunteers. They know what to do to give runners a great experience before, during and after the race. And volunteering at a 50-mile event means a long day for the crew.

Tammy also thanks volunteers who tirelessly maintain the trails throughout the year. Three in particular, Dick and Sue Boettner and Joe Hardiskey, build bridges, cut downed trees, clear brush and do anything else that's needed.

Registration for 2022 Glacier Ridge Trail Ultramarathons and Trail Race opens in October. Visit their website http://glacierridgetrailultra.com/ or find them on Facebook for more information. And visit the trail anytime for training or just to experience nature.

Friday, 7 p.m.: Elderton 5k, Elderton. rfrailey@windstream.net or register online at runsignup.com/Race/PA/Elderton/Elderton5KRunWalkSaturday, 8 a.m.: Old Turnpike Half Marathon, Waterfall. Run on abandoned PA Turnpike through Sideling Hill and Rays Hill tunnels. wolfcreektrackclub.com/old-turnpike-half-marathon/Saturday, 10 a.m.: Phenomenal Hope 5k, Pittsburgh. Run at Riverfront Park on Northshore. Also 1 Mile and Half Mile Kids' Runs and virtual option. runsignup.com/Race/PA/Pittsburgh/phenomenalhope5kMay 28, 7 p.m: Fryburg Mayfest Fun Run 5k, Fryburg. Kicks off local festival. runsignup.com/Race/PA/Fryburg/FryburgMayfestFunRun5KMay 29, 8 a.m.: Path of the Flood Historic Races, Johnstown. Run the entire 14 mile course of the 1889 Johnstown Flood or 5k or 8 Mile portions. www.jaha.org/events/path-flood-races/May 30, 9 a.m.: Dahoga Dash 5k, Wilcox. 814-512-1374 or randylindberg@hotmail.comMay 31-June 19: *Virtual* Run on the River 5k & 10k, Lower Burrell. Register before June 7 and complete the distance by June 19. Earn a t-shirt and finisher's medal. runsignup.com/Race/PA/LowerBurrell/RunOnTheRiverJune 5, 7 a.m.: God's Country Marathon, Half Marathon and Relay, Galeton. Scenic and challenging point-to-point course. 814-558-5353 or amy_eppley@yahoo.comJune 5, 8 a.m.: Boston Trail ½ Marathon and 5k Run/Walk, Elizabeth Township. Run on Yough River Trail of Great Allegheny Passage. 412-780-7802 or thebostontrail.com/half-marathon-and-5k-run-elizabeth-pa/June 5, 9 a.m.: Freeport Flash 10k and 5k, Sarver. Starts at Monroe Road trailhead on Butler-Freeport Community Trail. runsignup.com/Race/PA/Sarver/FreeportFlash5K10KJune 5, 9 a.m.: Art & Sole 5k Run/Walk and 1k Fun Run, Erie. Run through downtown Erie. 814-455-5508 or kstolar@neighborhoodarthouse.orgJune 6, 7 a.m: Lake Wilhelm Marathon and Half Marathon, Sandy Lake. Run on paved trail around scenic Lake Wilhelm in Maurice Goddard State Park. No strollers, no dogs. wolfcreektrackclub.com/lake-wilhelm-marathon-half-marathon/June 6, 8:30 a.m.: Kenny's Coaster Race 5k, West Mifflin. Run through Kennywood Park. Registration $50, includes park admission. Also virtual option. runsignup.com/Race/Info/PA/WestMifflin/KennysCoasterRaceJune 12, 9 a.m: High Street Body Shop 5k, Ebensburg. runsignup.com/Race/PA/Ebensburg/HighStreetBodyShop5kJune 12, 9 a.m.: Beartown Rocks Trail Race 25k and 5.5 Mile, Sigel. 5.5 mile race starts at 10 A.M. www.runreg.com/9747June 16, 7 p.m: Summer Solstice 5k and 1 Mile Run/Walk, Portersville. Run starts and finishes at Moraine State Park's Pleasant Valley Beach on the South Shore. Free kids (12 & under)race starts at 6:30 P.M. starts at 7 P.M.June 19, 9 a.m.: 46th Annual Butler Road Race 5 Mile and 2k Run/Walk, Butler. Early bird discount registration now until April 17. https://bcfymca.org/Butler-Road-RaceJune 19, 7 a.m: Run Between the Suns Endurance Trail Lap Race, Titusville. Run as many 5k challenging but runnable mostly double-track loops as you wish until 7 P.M. www.runrace.net/findarace.php?id=21170PAJune 20, 9 a.m.: Oakmont 5k Run, Oakmont. Out and back course starts at Riverside Park. 412-726-6116 or http://www.oakmontrecreation.org/main-page/annual-5k-run/June 23, 7 p.m: Strawberry Days 5k (QUAD I), Grove City. Starts at East Main Presbyterian Church and runs through town. 724-866-1274 or smc@runhigh.com

Latonka Marathon, May 2: Bruce Jenkins, 1st Overall M, 2:57:15; Tammy Slusser, 1st Overall W, 3:36:57; Leslie Kramer, 3rd Overall W, 3:48:00; S. Mark Courtney, 1st 60+ M, 3:33:14; Chad Coblitz,1st 40-49 M, 3:51:04; William Musser, 1st 30-39 M, 4:30:19Muskie 5k, May 12: Matt Mettille, 1st Overall M, 16:39; Angela Taylor, 1st Overall W, 19:08; Jonathan Jewett, 1st 11-14 M, 21:30; Mitch Radella, 2nd 55-59 M, 23:17; David Suber, 2nd 60-64 M, 23:48; Michelle Jewett, 2nd 45-49 W, 25:23; Anthony Sunseri, 3rd 70-74 M, 30:39; RJ Johnston, 2nd 40-44 M, 32:12; Dan Hogan, 23:45; Bill Porterfield, 45:32Glacier Ridge Trail 50 Mile Race, May 15: Anna Balouris, 1st Overall W, 8:08:44; Brett Mason, 1st Overall M, 8:20:32; Michael Roberts, 9:21:53; Michal Jones, 11:58:27; Adam Shoup, 12:07:01; Nicholas Meriwether, 12:07:01; Krista White, 12:43:16; Morgan Siebka, 12:45:52Glacier Ridge Trail 50k Race, May 15: Mike Bonarski, 1st Overall M, 4:37:11; Leslie Kramer, 1st Overall W, 6:03:28; William Suber, 4:43:01; Braden Corliss, 5:50:50; Chris Caton, 6:03:28; Josh Edmiston, 6:31:10; Traci Hanna, 7:08:28; Connie Hoffer, 7:12:47; Jamie Shouse, 7:16:08; Michael Bossola, 7:19:05; Ron Hartle, 7:23:31; Brian Welsh, 7:24:21; Dan Tack, 7:31:49; Murray Hofmeister, 7:38:00; Sean Harcar, 8:11:19; Bobbie Griffith, 8:37:14; Elizabeth Dickey, 9:44:07Glacier Ridge Trail 30k Race, May 15: Dan Goldstein, 1st Overall M, 2:43:29; Laura Gailey, 1st Overall W, 3:29:04; Brandon Wise, 2:51:33; Nathan Sydlik, 2:59:57; Gregory Banyay, 3:12:43; Jonathan Bost, 3:24:12; William Milliron, 3:40:56; Donna Barker, 4:01:29; Luke Eckley, 4:04:19; Scott Meiser, 4:12:32; Suzette Cappola, 4:25:21; Jeff Syphrit, 4:26:43; Christina Traynor, 4:31:11; Bryce Benic, 4:34:39; Jeffrey Lynn, 4:46:17; Lisa Myers, 4:55:42; Patricia Neubert, 4:56:11; Jessica Moslander, 5:13:59; Erin Hartle, 5:56:21; Bee Barkley, 6:12:20; Lily Murray, 6:12:22; Mark Zeigler, 7:26:04; Claudia Truche, 7:44:07; Amy Lehman, 7:44:21; Jennifer Wimer, 7:44:22Rails to Trails 5k, May 15: David Lee Wiselka, Jr., 1st Overall M, 17:48; Kenzie Bice, 1st Overall W, 20:41; Douglas Basinski, 1st Masters M, 19:13; Summer Jenkins, 1st Masters W, 24:38; Mitch Radella, 3rd 55-59 M, 22:44; Grace Starr, 2nd 13-19 W, 28:51; Violet Fisher, 41:44; May Brownstein, 43:55Ohio River Trail Spring Race 10k, May 16: Travis Myers-Arrigoni, 1st Overall M, 32:45; Jessica Horvath, 1st Overall W, 44:32; Glenn Battle, 1st 55-59 M, 49:31; Kevin Walzer, 2nd 45-49 M, 54:09; Anthony Sunseri, 1st 70-74 M, 1:03:23; Tasha Werner, 2nd 45-49 W, 1:05:43; Beth Ann Skinner, 2nd 55-59 W, 1:13:13Ohio River Trail Spring Race 5k, May 16: Connor Young, 1st Overall M, 19:28; Stella Balzli, 1st Overall W, 21:15; Jim Nescot, 1st 35-39 M, 21:40; Mitch Radella, 1st 55-59 M, 23:27; Craig Huba, 2nd 35-39 M, 24:28; Troy Stiffler, 3rd 55-59 M, 33:05; Deborah Takacs, 2nd 55-59 W, 34:36; Tammy Kelosky, 2nd 50-54 W, 35:58; Jennifer Walzer, 3rd 45-49 W, 43:42; Kim Kenetz, 3rd 55-59 W, 54:30; Michael Balzli, 31:35Send comments and suggestions: Patricia Neubert. Phone 724-352-4395. Email lotzak@consolidated.net<i>Pat Neubert is a running columnist for the Butler Eagle</i>