There seems to be one day each summer when everything is perfect — weather, friends, and for runners, a run through the wilds of Pennsylvania.

Last Saturday was that day.

The second annual Cook Forest 25k Trail Challenge was a tour of Cook Forest State Park on 13 trails and with 2,100 feet of elevation change. The run isn't easy, but for the 340 finishers of this year's event, it was nearly perfect.

Race director Bob Bauer has run for five years, but grew up a few miles from Cook Forest.

“These trails were my backyard,” he says.

Although the race took about a year to plan, Bob says the course, a good mix of a paved start, long climbs and steep descents, technical rocks and roots, soft pine needles, gravel fire roads and grassy paths, “almost marked itself.”

That's not quite true since the entire loop was marked by volunteers with 500 surveying flags, several bright yellow arrows and a few strategically placed humans. Even with adequate course directions, a few runners, including me, managed to stray off course. Bob says he will add additional signage and volunteers next year to try to eliminate any course confusion.

It's always a possibility in any endurance event, but Cook Forest Challenge had two injuries during the race. Bob reported that both runners who did not finish were not seriously hurt. After helping one runner to reach medical assistance, Good Samaritans Samantha Weaver and Mike Lowe continued on to finish the race.

The Cook Forest Challenge offered much more than beautiful scenery and perfect running conditions. Friendly volunteers from Brookville, North Clarion and East Forest, and Clarion high school cross country teams staffed aid stations and offered enthusiastic encouragement.

Stations were placed at 5-1/2, 10-1/2 and 12-1/2 mile points, as Bob stated, “where runners needed aid the most,” not what was logistically easier to access, and offered water, sports drink, gels, fruit and more. After last year's hot and humid race conditions, stations were stocked with extra ice, which thankfully, wasn't needed.

All participants in the event received a technical singlet featuring a course map. All finishers earned a commemorative running cap. There are no age group prizes at Cook Forest Challenge, but overall male and female finishers received photography from local Gallery in the Forest. This year's award winners were Lee Strapello, first male finisher with a time of 1:57:49 and first female finisher Nicole Yokum in 2:05:36. All finishers enjoyed music and a post-race picnic with chicken barbeque.

Bob Bauer credits dedicated volunteers, including his wife Nona, with making the event a success and for making it possible for him to not only direct the event, but run in the event. He finished the course in 2:39:41 this year.

Bob says he runs trails “because I feel like a kid when I do it.” He directs trail races so that others can have the same experience. “It's in the dirt, the trees, and the air. All we want to do is share what we feel when we are running in the dirt.”

Although Cook Forest 25k Challenge was his first race directorship, Bob plans to share his forest trails by organizing other events in the area. Highland Fall Scramble on Oct. 13 is a point-to-point run along the Clarion River on the North Country Trail. There are also plans to hold a trail run through Clear Creek State Park next July with distances of 50k, 25k and 5k trail runs.

Online registration is now open for Highland Fall Scramble with a limit of 300 participants. The next Aug. 3 Annual Cook Forest 25k Challenge registration with a cap of 400 runners will open in two to three weeks. For more information or to register, visit www.cookforesttrailracing.com.

Friday, 7 p.m.: Passavant Hospital Foundation 8k/4k, Allison Park. 412-748-6640 or posaaa@ph.upmc.eduSaturday, 8:30 a.m.: Lawrence County Fair 5k, New Castle. Held at Lawrence County Fairgrounds. Lawcofair@gmail.comSaturday, 10 a.m.: MUDD Monster Miler 5k+, Blairsville. Obstacles, mud, 400 feet elevation climb on Penn View Mountain. 724-599-2349 or jennireaugh@yahoo.comSunday, 8 a.m.: Hamot/Mayor's Cup 5k/10k, Erie. Also 5k and 1 mile walk at 8:15 A.M. and Toddler Trot at 9:45 A.M. runsignup.com/Race/PA/Erie/Hamot10kMayorsCupAug. 24, 9 a.m.: Latrobe Banana Split 5k Run/Walk, Latrobe. Flat and fast course celebrates creation of the banana split. 724-537-4331 or dawn@latrobecreation.orgAug. 25, 8 a.m.: Indiana County Fair Inaugural 5k and Fun Walk, Indiana. Held at Indiana County Fairgrounds. tconrad@nextierbank.comAug. 31, 7 a.m.: French Creek Half Marathon and 5k, Meadville. Mostly flat on Ernst Trail. 814-336-2196 or kristoph.ymca@zoominternet.netAug. 31, 9 a.m.: Easterseals Centennial 10k and 5k Run and 2 Mile Walk, Kittanning. Run out and back on level bike trail. 724-841-6528 or bonnherb@yahoo.comAug. 31, 11 a.m.: 2nd Annual Fireman's Mud Run 5k and Fireman's Trail Run, New Bethlehem. 814-229-8127 or hemann728@outlook.comSept. 2, 7 a.m.: Buhl Day Half and 5k, Hermitage. 5k start at 9 A.M. 724-981-3700 or buhlrun.orgSept. 2, 9 a.m.: Ntense 5k, Grove City. Supports local competitive cheerleaders. 724-421-7036 or kateandgregyeager@gmail.comSept. 2, 5 p.m.: Spartansburg Fair 5k Spartansburg. 814-664-0190 or spartansburgcommunityfair.orgSept. 6, 6:30 p.m.: St. Alphonsus Harvest Home Festival Twilight 5k, Allison Park. Run starts at North Park's Harmar Pavilion. Coach.flames@gmail.comSept. 7, 9 a.m.: Lee Foster Memorial 5 Mile, St. Marys. redstorm@windstream.net or Facebook.comSept. 7, 9:30 a.m.: Sarah Kasunic Memorial 5k, Butler. Run at BC3 Campus, walkers start at 10 A.M. nmbrink@gmail.com or Facebook.comSept. 8, 7 a.m.: Erie Marathon @ Presque Isle. Starts at Presque Isle State Park's Rotary Pavilion. 814-504-2631 or www.eriemarathon.orgSept. 8, 8 a.m.: FAAP Fall Classic, North Park. Choice of rugged trail 20k, 10k or 5k followed by Filipino dancers & food. Ultrasignup.comSept. 8, 4:30 p.m.: Hoodlebug 5k Run & Fun Walk, Homer City. 412-289-6299 or www.indianaroadrunners.comSept. 8, 5 p.m.: Run to Remember 9/11 5k, West Kittanning. Kids race at 5:45 P.M. Free post-race ice cream sundaes. 724-919-9396 or harleigh316@gmail.comSept. 11, 6 p.m.: First Responders 5k, Pulaski. 724-944-9424 or Pulaskivfd5k@gmail.comSept. 14, 9:30 a.m.: Rockin the Knob Trail Challenge 10k and 22 Miler, Claysburg. 10k starts at 10:30 A.M. bmazur@intelmarx.comSept. 15, 8 a.m.: Green Cathedral Half Marathon, 5k and Kids Fun Run, Youngstown, OH. Run at Mill Creek Metro Park's Wick Recreation Area. 330-740-7107 or carolv@millcreekmetroparks.org

Rube’s Run 5k, July 27: Garret Daugherty, 1st Overall M, 18:29; Matthew Nichols, 3rd Overall M, 20:50; Bonnie Smerk, 1st Overall W, 22:19; Samantha Frazier, 3rd Overall W, 24:35; Wendy Wick, 1st Masters W, 26:14; Tucker Vouga, 1st 18-29 M, 21:08; Isaac Boring, 1st 13-17 M, 21:33; Domville Harold, 2nd 13-17 M, 21:40; Mike Kirin, 1st 30-39 M, 21:56; David Suber, 1st 60-69 M, 23:43; Ryan Purvis, 2nd 18-29 M, 24:10; Andrew Menchyk, 1st 40-49 M, 24:35; Rick Cratty, 1st 50-59 M, 25:00; Abby Benninger, 1st 18-29 W, 25:57; Courtney Bell, 2nd 18-29 W, 25:58; Hannah Plunkard, 1st 13-17 W, 26:48; Jennifer Landau, 1st 40-49 W, 27:08; Sarah Miller, 3rd 18-29 W, 27:53; Tammie Brown, 1st 50-59 W, 28:21; Jarod Kemple, 2nd 30-39 M, 28:23; Jim Hrabosky, 2nd 50-59 M, 28:24; Caleb Nichols, 1st 12 & Under M, 28:32; Amy Nichols, 2nd 30-39 W, 28:50; Cindy Suber, 2nd 50-59 W, 28:53; JoAnn Carrasquilla, 1st 60-69 W, 29:03; Tiffany Konar, 2nd 13-17 W, 29:08; Isaac Guenther, 3rd 13-17 M, 29:09; Anthony Sunseri, 2nd 70+ M, 29:25; Luke Birckbichler, 2nd 12 & Under M, 29:37; Carrie Birckbichler-Smith, 2nd 40-49 W, 29:37; Emily Frazier, 1st 12 & Under W, 29:44; James Lopresti, 3rd 50-59 M, 30:05; Miriam Ortiz, 2nd 60-69 W, 30:41; Susie Beardsley, 3rd 40-49 W, 30:50; Kendall Strawbridge, 2nd 12 & Under W, 31:15; Matthew Strawbridge, 2nd 40-49 M, 31:16; Eric Miller, 3rd 30-39 M, 31:47; Joann Gordon, 3rd 50-59 W, 32:04; Jenette Cline, 3rd 30-39 W, 32:53; Kathy Shoaf, 1st 70+ W, 33:26; Alexis Menchyk, 3rd 12 & under W, 38:41; Sondra Hall, 2nd 70 + W, 39:50; Katerina Menchyk, 3rd 13-17 W, 40:44; Peggy Goehring, 3rd 70 + M, 44:59; Tom Gorka, 27:48; Julie Brown, 28:27; Ken Purvis, 29:47; Erica Lutz, 30:10; Eric Schultheis, 30:11; Alison Carey, 32:15; Shannon Gallagher, 32:46; Laura Benninger, 32:49; Ellisyn Mularski, 32:53; Jodi Mularski, 32:53; Drew Menchyk, 32:59; Taylor Plunkard, 33:38; Mark Dublin, 33:40; Becki Williams, 33:54; Ed Graham, 34:13; Cindy Barnes, 35:21; Peter M. Winkler, 36:17; Debra Kuminkoski, 37:07; Pamela Beck, 38:11; Ann Cheman 38:47; Kim Kenetz, 39:02; John Snyder, 39:13; Dezso Csizmadia, 39:16; Dylan Nichols, 41:48; Kathee Gallagher, 42:50; Russel Hall, 43:36; Bruce Miller, 44:20; Anastasia Menchyk, 45:59; Melinda Meader, 49:59; Michael Marra, 55:21; Robert Meals, 55:22; Brenda Davis, 59:31; Lee Ann Kradel, 59:33; Diane Bishop, 1:03:11; Jennifer Winkler, 1:03:13Rube’s Run Kids’ Run, July 27: Jamison Strawbridge, 3:01; Crosby Nichols, 3:06; Lucius Beck, 3:49; A. Beck, 4:36; Bella Frazier, 4:43; Clara Plunkard, 4:48; Brody Smith, 5:55; August Nichols, 8:002nd Annual Cook Forest 25k Challenge, Aug.10: Nick Strapello, 1st Overall M, 1:57:49; Nicole Yokum, 1st Overall W, 2:05:36; Michael Ferraro, 2nd 40-49 M, 2:18:06; Clark Hapler, 3rd 40-49 M, 2:23:13; Matthew Slagle, 2nd 20-29 M, 2:25:34; Gwendolyn Musser, 3rd 30-39 W, 2:41:56; Jeff Lynn, 2nd 50-59 M, 2:42:00; Matt Sudak, 2:30:23; Daniel Henry, 2:32:07; Jarl Snyder, 2:35:38; Timothy Wyant, 2:46:19; Craig Fleming, 2:47:27; Gary Hayden, 2:48:38; Eric Slagle, 2:51:53; Ruth Werne, 2:56:31; Alex Lauer, 3:00:25; Eric Shumaker, 3:04:34; Jinny Hertweck, 3:05:34; Darla Ferraro, 3:07:40; Mark Knapp, 3:09:21; Randy Wilson, 3:10:21; Renee Goodman, 3:11:06; Daniel Beggs, 3:13:11; Renea Shaffer, 3:18:38; Randy Shaffer, 3:18:38; Victoria Miller, 3:34:52; Heather Nelson, 3:37:49; Kelly Hibbler, 3:39:34; Samson Wyant, 3:39:38; Brad Goodman, 3:47:02; Kim Keeley, 4:03:24; Patricia Wyant, 4:33:36; Matthew Nichols, 4:37:43; Amy Nichols, 4:37:44; Janaan Todd, 4:38:45; Matt Hepler, 4:39:01; Elizabeth Dickey, 5:08:33; Becky Riberieh, 5:08:37; Joe Krepp, 5:08:37Send comments and suggestions: Patricia Neubert. Phone 724-352-4395. Email lotzak@consolidated.netPat Neubert is a running columnist for the Butler Eagle