Last year's race was so much fun I signed up immediately for the third Annual Cook Forest 25k Challenge. Little did I know, a pandemic would prevent me and 400 other trail runners from sharing the scenic trail event this year.

Cook Forest 25k Trail Challenge is a tour of 13 Cook Forest State Park trails with 3,600 feet of elevation change. The course is a good mix of some pavement, long climbs and steep descents, technical rocks and roots, soft pine needles, gravel fire roads and grassy paths. It isn't easy, but for trail runners, it's nearly perfect.

Race director Bob Bauer grew up a few miles from Cook Forest and ran cross country for North Clarion High School.

“These trails were my backyard,” he says. The 2018 Challenge, an event designed to share his favorite trails with a wider group of runners, was Bauer's first race directorship.

Bob had hoped to present a real race this year, but limitations on crowd size and social distancing requirements forced him to cancel at the end of June. A virtual race was the only way to share his favorite park and trails this year. He thanks everyone who supported the virtual race and who were flexible enough to still want to come to run.

There were already 200 registered when the actual race was cancelled. After the event went virtual, another 100 runners signed up for the Challenge. As of this Tuesday, 109 had submitted results. Bob is pleased with the turnout, but realizes that some who are registered may not be able to complete the event.

All finishers in the virtual event will earn a commemorative t-shirt, hat and bag. And since the post-race chicken barbeque won't happen, there's also a $10 credit waiting for finishers at Cooksburg Café.

Bob says the hardest part of organizing the virtual race was figuring out the logistics of registration and how to get information to a wide variety of people, some of whom are not on social media or don't have access to internet. He had to create systems from scratch.

But the best thing about the virtual event was the opportunity to complete the course with his wife, Nona. It was definitely a challenge for her and the longest distance she has completed. He credits her for at least trying it and says that more people should accept the challenge

“It's an adventure. People can hike the whole course if they want,” he said.

Part of the adventure of trail running is in following the trail. The previous Cook Forest Challenge courses had been marked by volunteers with more than 500 surveying flags, several bright yellow arrows and a few strategically-placed humans. That wasn't possible in a two-month long virtual event.

Even with printed maps and a course listed on the Trail Run Project app by North Park Runners' Matt Sudak, a few runners managed to, as Bob says, “go off trail, not get lost.”

Bob is very familiar with the Challenge course. The trails are some of his favorites and he has run the entire course four times in the past two months. But it's good training for his upcoming 100k Black Forest Ultra in October with 13,500 feet of elevation change in 65 miles.

In addition to finding their own way, runners in the virtual race are responsible for providing their own fluids and aid while on trail. Several groups brought their own support crews or stocked coolers for sharing with needy runners.

Bob would rather not hold a virtual event next year, preferring to direct an actual race with three days of work than an event that takes two months of a race director's attention.

“Still,” he says, “These are trying times. The virtual race was the only way to share the park this year.”

Registration for Cook Forest Challenge 25k in August of 2021 should open in September. Bob Bauer also directs Clear Creek Ultra Fest 21 or 34 Mile Runs in July and Highland Fall Scramble 12 Mile Run on North Country Trail in Cook Forest in October of 2021. Visit ultrasignup.com for information or registration.

Sunday, 9:30 a.m.: Elk Run Volunteer Fire Co. 5k and 10k Run-Walk, Punxsutawney. 814-938-6362Sept. 1 through Sept. 30: Richard S. Caliguiri City of Pittsburgh Great Race, Pittsburgh. Virtual 5k, 10k or both, also Dollar Bank Junior Great Race. Benefits amyloidosis research. www.rungreatrace.com or info@rungreatrace.comSept. 5, 8:30 a.m.: Daily American 5k/10k Run/Walk, Somerset. 814-444-5906 or beckyf@dailyamerican.comSept. 5, 9 a.m.: Kids Chance 5k Run/1 Mile Fun Walk, South Park. Also virtual 5k. runsignup.com/Race/Events/PA/SouthPark/KidsChance5KSept. 7, 9 a.m.: Ntense 5k, Grove City. Supports local competitive cheerleaders. 724-421-7036 or kateandgregyeager@gmail.comSept. 12, 8 a.m.: Rockin the Knob Trail Challenge Marathon, Half Marathon and 10k, Claysburg. Challenging trail runs at Blue Knob Four Seasons Resort. http://ultrasignup.com/register.aspx?did=71078Sept. 12, 8 a.m.: Youngstown Ultra Trail Classic 25k and 50k, Youngstown. Run through Mill Creek Metro Park. runsignup.com/Race/OH/Youngstown/YoungstownUltraTrailClassicSept. 12, 9 a.m.: Bags and Blessings 2nd Annual 5k Fun Run/Walk, Bridgewater. Supports those undergoing cancer treatments. runsignup.com/Race/PA/Bridgewater/BagsBlessingsSept. 13: NOTSOB (Boston Fever Reliever) Marathon, Lake Latonka. https://secure.getmeregistered.com/get_information.php?event_id=134686Sept. 13, 8 a.m.: FAAP 20k, 10k and 5k Trail Runs, North Park. No day of event registration. Packet pickup on September 12. http://ultrasignup.com/register.aspx?did=71060Sept. 13, 11 a.m.: Brookville YMCA Share the Love 10k, 5k and 1 Mile Run/Walk, Brookville. runsignup.com/Race/PA/Brookville/BrookvilleYMCASharetheLoveSept. 19, 9 a.m.: Community Food Warehouse of Mercer County 10th Annual 5k Run and 2 Mile Walk, Hermitage. Also kids fun run at 8:30 A.M. 724-981-0353 or sworthington@foodwarehouse.orgSept. 20, 8 a.m.: Boston Harvest 5k and Half Marathon, Boston. Run on Yough River Rail Trail. Limited to 50 participants in each distance. runsignup.com/Race/PA/Boston/BostonHarvest5k10kSept. 25, 6 p.m.: Elderton 5k Run/Walk. 724-354-3779 or runsignup.com/Race/PA/Elderton/Elderton5KRunWalkSept. 26, 8 a.m.: 5k Walk/Run for Veterans, Saegertown. Run on wooded trails at Woodcock Creek Dam benefits local veterans' organizations. 440-503-6216 or amatt@edinboro.edu

St. Killian 5k, July 25: Corey McClaine, 1st Overall M, 19:01; Melissa Conjack, 1st Overall W, 19:06; Ro Morgan, 1st Overall W, 18:41; Angela Jenny, 4th Overall W, 19:10;Leslie Kramer, 1st Masters W, 20:11; Tom Lammert, 1st 60+ M, 19:17; Ray Reinheimer, 1st 30-39 M, 19:36; Max Romano, 3rd 13-19 M, 25:04; Emma Lammert, 3rd 13-19 W, 26:53; Melissa Conjack, 1st 30-34 W, 19:29; Joni Clemente, 2nd 60+ W, 38:02; Evan Chess, 19:08; Daniel Deal, 19:25; Ethan Wymer, 19:35; Chris Smith, 26:21; Meghan Pohl, 26:59; Allison Romano, 28:17; Joe Pohl, 29:15; Callie Polce, 30:04; Spencer Croskey, 30:59; Doug Shebeck, 31:09; Seth Bolin, 35:49; Anthony Noone, 36:14; Hannah Derk, 40:40; Emily Brandt, 40:40; Gianna DeTemple, 40:42; Kylie Shebeck, 40:43; Maria Feki, 43:03; Tara Brandt, 45:51; Reagan Shebeck, 45:52; Ryan Means, 46:11; Chrissy Smith, 46:23; Cody LaNeve, 46:43; Brendan Burnham, 46:56; Nicholas Berexa, 47:07; Rachel Foster, 47:09; Isabelle Foster, 47:36; Hollis Urban, 48:44; Tim Cornetti, 51:51; Taylor Derk, 54:55; Ragini Derk, 55:01Road to Trail 5k, Aug. 8: Patrick Driscoll, 1st Overall M, 17:26; Natalie Mclean, 1st Overall W, 19:18; Meredith Price, 2nd Overall W, 19:36; Jacob Fisher, 3rd 13-17 M, 19:57; Alaina Hicks, 2nd 13-17 W, 20:53; Julia Zalenski, 3rd 13-17 W, 21:02; Makenzie Shandor, 3rd 18-25 W, 24:04; Chloe Verdin, 1st 12 & Under W, 30:48; Isabella Verdin, 2nd 12 & Under W, 32:57; Joan Petty, 1st 60+ W, 41:08; Ava Dzurenda, 22:20; Cami Noll, 23:58; Savannah Blosser, 23:59; Aiden Hicks, 25:21; Kyaujay Springs, 27:51; Carl Hanselman, 28:52; Eli Kite, 29:38; Alexis Blosser, 39:33; Alexa Krznaric, 39:51; Brett Kite, 41:13Ice Cream Race 5k, Aug. 19: Andy Morgan, 1st Overall M, 15:26; Gabriel Nichols, 3rd Overall M, 16:05; Ryan Thompson, 4th Overall M, 16:09; Mike Formica, 2nd 16-19 M, 16:19; Josh Jones, 2nd 13-15 M, 17:21; Seth Jenny, 1st 40-44 M, 18:03; Benjamin English, 2nd 35-39 M, 18:35; Rachel Martin, 1st 20-24 W, 20:23; Miles Jenny, 1st 11 & Under M, 20:30; Mikayla Montgomery, 2nd 16-19 W, 20:32; S. Mark Courtney, 1st 60-64 M, 20:32; Elyse Chess, 3rd 16-19 W, 20:34; Kyle Osborn, 3rd 11 & Under M, 23:04; Douglas Osborn, 2nd 30-34 M, 23:04; Amy Beth, 1st 45-49 W, 23:39; Hannah Gildersleeve, 2nd 35-39 W, 23:40; Vanessa Snyder, 3rd 30-34 W, 23:55; Kim Silvis, 2nd 45-49 W, 24:15; Tim Sloan, 2nd 50-54 M, 24:16; Jinny Hertweck, 3rd 45-49 W, 24:26; Mary Morgan, 1st 60-64 W, 27:02; Debbie Courtney, 1st 55-59 W, 27:09; Emily Funte, 3rd 25-29 W, 27:49; James Lakin, 1st 70+ M, 28:19; Patricia Neubert, 1st 65-69 W, 28:48; Stephanie McCreary, 2nd 40-44 W, 30:01; Suzanne Shaefers, 3rd 50-54 W, 30:02; Sherry Mazurek, 3rd 60-64 W, 32:48; Allison Karakis, 3rd 40-44 W, 33:23; Valerie Sands, 2nd 70+ W, 37:20; Cael McEwen, 18:03; Talan Conjack, 21:20; Mary Ella McCarthy, 21:34; Michael Stull, 21:59; Lauren Lomago, 22:12; Steve Nichols, 22:51; Andrew Daugherty, 23:12; Jocelyn Holko, 23:45; Bryce Dryden, 24:07; Ben Daugherty, 24:17; Elizabeth House, 24:38; Katie Jordan, 24:40; J.J. Dawson, 24:40; Logan Leskanic, 24:41; Zachary Morano, 24:48; Heather Leskanic, 24:59; Jaydon Crawford, 25:03; Grace Bogacz, 25:03; Addison Dannels, 25:09; Mandy James, 25:09; Emmaleah Davis, 25:12; Calvin Jenny, 25:34; Erin Kohlmeyer, 25:53; Tyler Gomez, 25:56; Jen Beachem, 26:13; Kathryn Kirby, 26:20; Michael Gildersleeve, 26:27; Anastasia Harmon, 26:39; Joe Funte, 26:53; R.J. Kissick, 27:00; Sidney Henriquez, 27:31; Karyn Senita, 27:46; Jael Funte, 27:53; Joshua Karakis, 28:17; Luke Rumbaugh, 28:19; William Rumbaugh, 28:19; Nathanael Nuss, 29:28; Charles Miller, 29:47; Timothy Miller, 29:53; Brynna Miller, 29:53; Daniel Dean, 29:57; Bailee Williamson, 30:26; Laura Augustine, 31:55; Kurt Gomez, 31:57; James Edmonds, 31:59; Lauren Vatalare, 32:03; Lisa Jamison, 32:19; Meegan Looper, 33:05; Trish McCarthy, 33:07; Isabelle Gamble, 33:17; Rosann Edmonds, 33:58; Anthony Sunseri, 34:25; Debbie Jamison, 35:00; Yvonne Gamble, 36:06; Carol English, 36:44; Robert Sands, 38:01; Michele Carson, 38:23; Terry Reeher, 38:24; Renae Shawgo, 38:31; Craig Nuss, 42:09Send 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>