It’s hard to imagine Allegheny County’s North Park with no trail races. But that was the case 19 years ago.

Last Saturday, Dirt Monster 5-Mile Trail Race celebrated its 18th running on North Park’s scenic and sometimes difficult single-track trails.

Race director Elaine Davis said 19 years ago, county and park officials were skeptical of her plans to hold a trail race entirely within park boundaries.

“I had to prove that a race could be done without crossing a road and that people would want to do one,” she said.

Building on the success of Dirt Monster, Davis helped trail racing grow in the park. She volunteered to help as many races as she could and, with other race directors, influenced policy on conducting races in county parks.

Davis expressed a love for North Park and the work with a team that mapped and maintained trails. In addition, the team helped build and mark new trails, including the popular Red trail.

Dirt Monster Race originally offered a shorter distance walk in conjunction with the race until the event’s popularity made the course too crowded for both walkers and runners. The 5-mile distance remains.

Over the years, Dirt Monster has seen blustery days and heat waves. This year’s conditions were perfect, with temperatures in the 40s under dappled sunlight. A volunteer used a leaf blower to clear the steep downhill finish for safety. Otherwise, leaves crunched underfoot on single-track and gravel drives on the course.

No matter the weather, Dirt Monster participants appreciate the post-race awards presentation with Davis’ hot soups, always including one vegetarian recipe. There’s also an assortment of beers, occasionally one of Davis’ home brews, for those over 21.

Dirt Monster offers cash prizes for the top three male and female finishers and first masters winners. There are also medals for age groups and a team competition.

Next year’s Dirt Monster on Nov. 1 will be Davis’ last as race director. Trail racer Paul Stugart will carry on the tradition for at least 5 more years.

“I love the park and hope my work will inspire others to work together to promote this healthy sport,” Davis said.

I followed up with Tabitha Bowser, race director of Run for Your Life Run and Walk in Kittanning, who was featured in my last column.

She was happy to report a successful event. In its second year, the race saw 249 finishers, more than the 2023 event.

“It was wonderful,” she said. “It was a beautiful day and we had a great turnout.”

Bowser called the course on Kittanning streets and the Armstrong Trail flat and fast. Dean Banko of New Florence won this year’s 5K in a time of 17 minutes, 51 seconds while Kara Shirley of Oakmont finished first among women in 19:41. She also said it’s scenic, especially at this time of peak fall foliage.

Weather was perfect for runners and spectators. Many took part in a hands-only CPR demonstration and enjoyed breakfast and coffees from several food trucks.

The race benefits Run with Heart Foundation, founded in February, to offer free CPR and AED training. Although numbers aren’t in for this year’s fundraising effort, Bowser said the race will be back next year.

Saturday, 9 a.m.: PA 50K Run4Resilience+(20 Miler & 5K), Hookstown. Run on Racoon Creek State Park trails. runsignup.com/Race/PA/Hookstown/RESILIENTSERVICEMEMBERSCLASSIC

Sunday, 9 a.m.: Operation Troop Appreciation Veteran’s Day 5K, Allison Park. Run through Hampton Community Park. Entertainment and post-race buffet. Gerardmac977@aol.com or runsignup.com/Race/PA/AllisonPark/OPERATIONTROOPAPPRECIATION5K

Sunday, 9 a.m.: One Day to Remember Bo Run 5K and 1 Mile, Allison Park. Starts at North Park Boathouse. runsignup.com/Race/PA/AllisonPark/OneDaytoRemembersBoRun

Nov. 16, 10 a.m.: Marshall Township Festival Fall Fun Run, Wexford. Run or walk on scenic trails of Knob Hill Park. runsignup.com/Race/PA/Wexford/MarshallTownshipFestiveFallFunRun

Nov. 17, 7:15 a.m.: Last Trail Standing 50k, 25K, 8 Miler and 5K, Pittsburgh. Run every Settler’s Cabin Park trail. runsignup.com/Race/PA/Oakdale/LastTrailStanding

Nov. 23, 5 p.m.: Merry Christmas Mile @ Light Up Night, Hermitage. Kicks off Light Up Night Parade. 724-981-8750 or prodenbaugh@hermitagesd.net

Nov. 24, 6 p.m.: 2nd Annual Festival of Lights Twinkle Trot 5K, Wheeling, WV. Run or walk through the lights of Oglebay Park. Dress festive and bring your own light. Kids under age 8 run for free. runsignup.com/Race/WV/Wheeling/OglebayTwinkleTrot5K

Nov. 28, 7:30 a.m.: 34th Annual TMCA Turkey Trot, Pittsburgh. Run 5 miles, 5K or both. p3r.org/races/ymca-turkey-trot

Nov. 28, 9 a.m.: 27th Annual Gobbler’s Gallop, Ellwood City. Run 10K or 5K, finish on Riverside High School track. runsignup.com/Race/PA/EllwoodCity/GobblersGallop

Nov. 28, 9 a.m.: Seneca Valley Turkey Chase 5K, Cranberry Township. Run through Graham Park benefits Seneca Valley XC Boosters. runsignup.com/Race/PA/CranberryTwp/svccturkeytrot

Nov. 28, 9 a.m.: 30th Annual Latrobe Turkey Trot 5K, Latrobe. Run from Latrobe Stadium. 724-537-4331

Nov. 30, 9 a.m.: Truthahntrab 5K, Saxonburg. runsignup.com/Race/PA/Saxonburg/SaxonburgTruthahntrab5K

Nov. 30, 9 a.m.: 9th Annual Grateful Gallop 5K, Grove City. Run at Hunters Farm with cookies, hot cider, scenic course. runsignup.com/Race/PA/GroveCity/GratefulGallop5K

Dec. 7, 8 a.m.: New River Gorge Trail Festival – Winter Edition, Fayetteville, WV. Challenging but scenic 50K or half marathon on New River Gorge National Park trails. runsignup.com/Race/WV/Fayetteville/NewRiverGorgeTrailFestivalWinterEdition

Dec. 7, 3 p.m.: Santa’s Spirit Sprint 5K & 1 Mile Run or Walk, Barnesville, OH. Raises money for needy kids during Christmas. Dress up for the season. runsignup.com/Race/OH/Barnesville/8thAnnualSantasSpiritSprint

Dec. 8, 9 a.m.: Run Santa Run 5K, Oakdale. Run on Panhandle Trail starts at Helicon Brewing. runsignup.com/Race/PA/Oakdale/RunSantaRun5KOakdale

Dec. 8, 10 a.m.: Nittany Valley Half Marathon, State College. Starts on Penn State campus. 814-231-4043 or runreg.com/nittany-valley-half-marathon/

Dec. 14, 9 a.m.: Run Santa Run 5K, Cranberry Township. Run through Graham Park. runsignup.com/Race/PA/CranberryTownship/RunSantaRunCranberryTownship

Ice Cream Race 5K, Aug. 14: Jed Christiansen, 1st Overall M, 15:01; Megan Puleio, 1st Overall W, 19:06; Michael Braun, 1st 16-19 M, 15:34; Mike Williamson, 1st 30-34 M, 16:25; Quintin Weaver, 1st 20-24 M, 16:26; Melissa Conjack, 3rd 35-39 W, 21:04; Todd Allman, 1st 60-64 M, 21:29; Olivia Drohan, 2nd 25-29 W, 22:23; Jill Molnar, 3rd 40-44 W, 24:29; Joe Malone, 3rd 65-69 M, 24:32; Tabitha Bemis, 3rd 30-34 W, 24:53; Paul Johnson, 2nd 75-79 M, 30:22; Jacki Karenbauer, 3rd 55-59 W, 30:47; Kennedy Cirillo, 1st 7 & Under W, 35:20; Freya Moen, 2nd 7 & Under W, 54:08; Tully Caiazza, 16:53; Andrew Maxwell, 17:11; Benjamin Brestensky, 18:13; David Kristine, 18:51; Jacob McClymonds, 19:16; Calvin Lindsay, 19:18; Easson Molnar, 20:10; Kyle Gragg, 20:55; Raine Grazmiller, 21:02; Zac Trudgen, 21:16; Patrick Daugherty, 21:27; Talan Conjack, 21:29; Andrew Edmonds, 21:37; Evan Michelini, 22:22 Mario Lesko, 22:23 Tom Karenbauer, 22:26; Matt Drohan, 23:03; Grace Kristine, 23:06; Mike Drzewiecki, 23:20; Greg Huth, 23:23; Eliza Drohan, 23:29; Adam Watson, 23:40; Aliana Montgomery, 23:44; Richard Stewart, 24:14; Jarek Moon, 25:16; Vanessa Drohan, 25:22; Kelsey Burris, 25:35; Lucas Shrawder, 25:46; Jen Beachem, 25:48; Vanessa Johnson, 26:06; Bill Swanik, 26:13; Lurena Stewart, 26:14; James Stewart, 26:18; Nicholas Moen, 26:34; Haley Graham, 27:12; Calandra Verba, 27:31; Trista Huth, 27:34; Daryl Martin, 27:36; Jinny Hertweck, 27:41; Scarlett Sather, 27:54; Wendy Wick, 27:58; Terry Yarian, 28:41; Christopher Parker, 28:49; Mandy James, 29:00; Alexis Skelley, 29:27; Carson Schweiger, 29:28; Carlie Doerr, 29:50; Cindy Suber, 30:36; Christopher Kimrey, 31:27; Allison Young, 32:00; Ella Benec, 32:41; Connor Henricks, 32:44; Chrissy Dummer, 33:20; Lacey Anderson, 34:04; Joann Carasquillo, 34:10; Evan Maxwell, 34:26; Samantha Drohan, 34:33; Levi Hoffer, 35:35; Ashley Burns, 36:03; Anthony Gahler, 36:05; Deborah Jamison, 36:10; Kathy Schnarre, 36:17; Maria Cosme, 38:07; Valerie Sands, 39:14; Jon Moon, 39:15; CJ Burns, 39:56; Richard Honsaker, 40:19; Amy Lehman, 41:53; Olivia Sutara, 42:37; Lauren Shipton, 44:18; Carole Zwigart, 46:04; David Suber, 47:30; Gina Moen, 54:08; Aryn Micaletti, 56:22

Ice Cream Race Kids Half Mile, Aug. 14: Roman Scott, 1st Overall M, 2:53; Julia Peterson, 1st Overall W, 3:15; Sam Hassan, 2nd 10-11 M, 3:26; Owen Elmer, 3rd 10-11 M, 3:29; Layne Serball, 2nd 8-9 W, 3:31; Nathan Shrawder, 3rd 6-7 M, 3:31; Audriana McMann, 3rd 8-9 W, 3:32; McKenna Walker, 2nd 10-11 W, 3:50; Callan Bonner, 3rd 5 & Under M, 4:52; McKinley Cirillo, 3rd 5 & Under W, 5:22; Edie Verba, 3:34; Riley Springirth, 3:40; Preston Jeannerat, 3:41; Scarlett Blake, 3:45; Sam Schmidt, 3:57; Emmett Conjack, 3:57; Ryan Verba, 4:03; Jack McMann, 4:09; Mia Wagler, 4:11; Lili Unverzagt, 4:17; Nora Rumbaugh, 4:20; Isabella Holtz, 4:20; Jenna Peterson, 4:20; Easton Perrine, 4:21; Emily McGee, 4:26; Sylya Hasselback, 4:36; Nate Schmidt, 4:37; Henry Outhwaite, 4:39; Genevieve Karnish, 4:40; Kloe Seliga, 4:53; Anthem Funte, 5:34; Max Perrine, 5:36; Brody Moen, 5:39; Sadie Jeannerat, 5:48; Theo Perrine, 5:54; Jackson Isoldi, 6:02; Aubrey McGregor, 6:11; Salem Funte, 6:16; Benaiah Funte, 10:14

Cook Forest 25K Trail Challenge, Aug. 17: Jevon Kauffman, 1st Overall M, 2:30:54; Cleo Bradybush, 1st OverallW, 2:42:28; Ryan Geerr, 1st 40-49 M, 2:31:43; Amy Brown, 1st 40-49 W, 2:47:46; Rebecca Clark, 2nd 30-39 W, 2:48:34; Mike Stimac, 3rd 30-39 M, 2:52:39; Timothy Wyant, 1st 50-59 M, 2:56:54; Ruth Wern, 2nd 50-59 W, 3:28:35; Patricia Wyant, 2nd 60+ W, 5:15:48; Sarah Sadaka, 2:51:08; Adrienne Harmon, 3:03:03; Todd Faulk, 3:06:46; Bruce Fielding, 3:08:53; Matthew Sydlik, 3:11:01; Daniel Henry, 3:11:23; David Snyder, 3:17:41; Keith Hastings, 3:21:4; Kyle Sikorskas, 3:25:48; Leanne Shaffer, 3:35:18; Brad Coulson, 3:38:17; Michael Wallace, 3:4:35; Eric Slagle, 3:58:36; Seth Stallard, 4:09:10; Samson Wyant, 4:09:28; Ariel Laur, 4:15:47; Sara Porter, 4:2:45; Jinny Hertweck, 4:36:51; Sara Zimmerman, 5:42:33

Pat Neubert is a running columnist for the Butler Eagle. Send comments and suggestions: Patricia Neubert, phone 724-352-4395, email lotzak@consolidated.net