Fall is my favorite time for my favorite activity – trail running.

On Saturday, I ran 10 kilometers of familiar but challenging North Park trails at the 17th Annual FAAP Fall Classic. The 10k, gentler 5k and adventurous 20k, help Filipino American Association of Pittsburgh’s support Queen of Peace Orphanage in the Philippines.

The Fall Classic is a scenic run and a celebration of culture with American and Filipino national anthems sung at the race start, hand-made bamboo competitive awards, and post-race Filipino food along with dance demonstrations by youth from the association. For more information about FAAP and the Fall Classic, visit filampgh.org/fall-classic/.

Next weekend, offers two different trail running/racing experiences in which to enjoy the beautiful Butler County fall. On Saturday, October 19, Buffalo Creek Half Marathon returns for its 19th running on the Butler-Freeport Community Trail and Sunday brings Preston Park 5k/10k/15k Challenge to Butler.

Buffalo Creek Half Marathon is the highlight of many runners’ fall season with a scenic, mostly-downhill run on the traffic-free, soft-surfaced rail trail. And at the finish, there are cheering spectators, custom finisher medals and hot cider and pizza for all. With a cutoff time of 3:30, runners have plenty of time to enjoy to morning’s run. But the fast Buffalo Creek course can produce personal best times, too.

The race offers a $100 cash prize for setting a course record, but collecting it won’t be easy. Sara Rasciatore’s women’s record, 1:16:58, was set in 2013 while Will Loevner shattered the men’s record last year with his 1:04:57. Masters and age group finishers from 19 and under through 70+ also earn awards. Based on current signups, race director Chris Ziegler expects the largest participation in more than 10 years.

You may register for this year’s event (unless it sells out the 1,250 available spots) online until October 18 at 10 p.m. or in-person at packet pick-up on Thursday, October 17, noon to 6:30 and Friday from 11:30 to 5:30 at Up-N-Running in Valencia. You may check the race website for anyone looking to transfer a race bib. There is no day-of-event registration. If you’re not running, you can be a part of the event by volunteering. Register to run or volunteer for a variety of jobs at runsignup.com/Race/PA/Cabot/BuffaloCreekHalfMarathon.

Proceeds from this year’s Buffalo Creek Half Marathon will be spent on growth and improvements to the trail. Chris hopes to fund finishing the southern terminus of the trail under the Rt. 356 bridge. That will become the race finish in 2025. On Sunday, October 20, trail running returns to Butler Township’s Preston Park with the 5k/10k/15k Trail Challenge. This will be the fourth running of the scenic 5k starting at 9 a.m. and first year for a new 10k at 10 a.m. That gives ambitious runners the option of doing both distances to complete the 15k Challenge and earn a special award.

Both courses are within scenic Preston Park boundaries. While the 5k course is mostly a mix of pavement, gravel road and grass, the 10k ventures into a less-used area of the park. It features more elevation change, two pedestrian bridge crossings and views of former ski slopes. Race Director Anthony Stagno and his crew of volunteers will mark the course with spray paint and signs. Volunteers from the park’s Monday Morning Maintenance Crew and Butler High School students will be staged to offer directions and encouragement along the racecourses.

Hazards like roots and rocks will be marked for safety on the 5k route. First overall in each distance will earn a gift card while top three in age groups receive medals. All 10k and 15k finishers also get a free lunch. You may register online at runsignup.com/Race/PA/Butler/PrestonPark5k until October 19, 5 p.m. or on race day beginning at 7:30 a.m. in the park.

Saturday, 6 a.m.: Oil Creek 100 Trail Runs, Titusville. Choice of 100-Miler, 100k or 50k. (25k is sold out.) runsignup.com/Race/PA/Titusville/OilCreek100TrailRuns Saturday, 9 a.m.: Mahoning Shadow Shuffle Half Marathon, 10k and 5k, Punxsutawney. Also free kids fun run. runsignup.com/Race/PA/Punxsutawney/PUNXSUTAWNEYMAHONINGSHADOWSHUFFLE

Sunday, 8 a.m.: Pens 6.6k Run, Pittsburgh. Also 3.3k Walk benefitting Mario Lemieux Foundation. runsignup.com/Race/PA/Pittsburgh/PittsburghPenguins66KRunandFamilyWalk Sunday, 9 a.m.: HAEE 5k, Allison Park. Also 1.5-mile untimed walk. Run through Hampton Community Park benefits innovative programs at Hampton Township School District. runsignup.com/Race/PA/AllisonPark/HAEE5k

October 19, 7:30 a.m.: Sinnemahone Ultra Trail Run, Emporium. Choice of 50k, 26k or 12k trail runs through Elk State Forest. runsignup.com/Race/PA/Emporium/SinnemahoneUltraTrailRun

October 19, 8 a.m.: Lecom Costume Caper 5k, Pittsburgh. Part of Monster Pumpkin Festival. runsignup.com/Race/PA/Pittsburgh/PittsburghLECOMCostumeCaper5k October 19, 9 a.m.: 19th Annual Buffalo Creek Half Marathon, Cabot. Scenic point-to-point, mostly downhill run on scenic crushed limestone Butler-Freeport Community Trail. runsignup.com/Race/Info/PA/Cabot/BuffaloCreekHalfMarathon

October 20, 9 a.m.: Preston Park Prance 5k, 10k and 15k Challenge, Butler. Run on Preston Park trails. runsignup.com/Race/PA/Butler/PrestonPark5k

October 20, 9 a.m.: ATTACC the Run Costume 5k and 1 Mile Fun Run, Mars. Run through Adams Township Park. runsignup.com/Race/PA/Mars/ATTACCtheRunCostume5k1MileFunRun

October 26, 10 a.m.: Run for Your Life 5k Run and Walk, Kittanning. Flat and fast out-and-back on Armstrong Rail Trail. runsignup.com/Race/PA/Kittanning/KittanningRunforyourlife5k

October 27, 9:30 a.m.: MCTA Marathon Series Fall Creek Road Challenge, Jefferson Township (Mercer County.) Run 6 mile of dirt road in this social race. 724-301-6775 or www.mctrails.org/race-registrations/2024creekroad

October 27, 3 p.m.: Great Pumpkin 5k & 1 Mile, Zelienople. Outdoor post-race party. runsignup.com/Race/PA/Zelienople/8thAnnualGreatPumpkinRace

November 2, 9 a.m.: North Ridge Nightmare, Allison Park. Halloween-themed trail race of 13k or 6.66k starting at North Park’s Rose Barn. ultrasignup.com/register.aspx?did=114363

November 2, 9:30 a.m.: Dirt Monster 5 Mile Trail Race, Allison Park. Run on North Park trails, cash awards for first 3 open and masters. ultrasignup.com/register.aspx?did=108327

November 2, 10 a.m.: Butler YMCA Turkey Trot 5k & 1 Mile, Butler. Run from YMCA to Memorial Park and back. runsignup.com/Race?raceId=152203

November 3, 9 a.m.: Indiana First Bank Veteran’s Marathon, Half Marathon & Marathon Relay, Black Lick. Run on Ghost Town Rail Trail. runsignup.com/Race/Info/PA/Blairsville/IndianaFirstBankVeteransMarathonHalfMarathonandMarathonRelay

November 3, 9 a.m.: Ryan Gloyer Memorial 5k Run/Walk, Harmony. runsignup.com/Race/PA/Harmony/RyanGloyerMemorialRun

November 9, 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

Rube’s Run 5k, July 27: Chase Bowen, 1st Overall M, 16:08; Michaella Roth, 1st Overall W, 23:09; Elizabeth Keffalas, 2nd Overall W, 24:00; Elliette Smith, 3rd Overall W, 24:08; Matthew Sydlik, 1st Masters M, 19:36; Carrie Birckbichler-Smith, 1st Masters W, 24:31; Trent Beachum, 1st 13-17 M, 21:31; Luke Bowden, 1st 18-29 M, 21:38; Robby Mertz, 2nd 18-29 M, 22:39; Brack Beachum, 3rd 18-29 M, 23:43; Tim Sloan, 1st 50-59 M, 23:52; Alex Keffalas, 2nd 50-59 M, 24:08; Jeremy Cameron, 2nd 40-49 M, 24:54; Braden Beachum, 2nd 13-17 M, 25:32; Josh Tustin, 3rd 13-17 M, 25:41; Emily Frazier, 1st 13-17 W, 26:01; Samantha Frazier, 1st 18-29 W, 26:04; Kayla Daugherty, 2nd 18-29 W, 26:32; Bruce Soule, 3rd 50-59 M, 26:34; Amanda Zavidny, 1st 30-39 W, 28:41; Suzanne Schaefers, 2nd 50-59 W, 30:56; Jared Webber, 1st 60-69 M, 31:25; Julia Murray, 3rd 50-59 W, 31:51; Anthony Sunseri, 2nd 70+ M, 33:40; Crosby Nichols, 1st 12 & Under M, 33:52; Robin Trinko, 1st 60-69 W, 34:15; Derrek Cherry, 2nd 30-39 M, 35:39; Alex Tustin, 2nd 12 & Under M, 36:07; Pamela Beck, 3rd 40-49 W, 37:51; Rick Orlowski, 3rd 60-69 M, 38:56; Carol English, 3rd 60-69 W, 39:24; Grace Bickert, 2nd 70+ W, 58:21; Betsy Forrester, 3rd 70+ W, 1:02:07; Madelyn Olsheski, 2nd 13-17 W, 1:09:29; Jim Gallagher, 23:56; Justin Robinson, 25:23; Caleb Nichols, 26:00; Keaton Olsheski, 27:38; Hannah Plunkard, 28:33; Eric Lewis, 29:56; Zach Marra, 30:06; David Murray, 31:55; Brittany Osborne, 34:49; Heidi Tustin, 41:49; Mark Schaefers, 42:35; Greg Ochaba, 50:21; Christopher Olsheski, 54:09; Maria Williamson, 58:46; Denise Shirey, 1:01:24; Steve Shirey, 1:01:30; Patricia Vagasky, 1:06:05; Louise Phetteplace, 1:06:07 Rube’s Run Kids Race, July 27: Emelia Olsheski, 1st Overall W, 1:40; Braxton Pritts, 1st Overall M, 1:45; Brody Smith, 1:47; Gracie Pritts, 1:54; Clara Plunkard, 2:04; Declan Olsheski, 2:12; Annabelle Miller, 2:16; Jeremy Zavidny, 2:26; Ryleigh Pritts, 2:32; Shiloh Miller, 3:38; Joseph Pritts, 3:55 John Cossy Costantino Memorial 5k, July 27: Bob Teagarden, 1st Overall M, 19:37; Travis Domhoff, 3rd Overall M, 21:59; Aubrey Grafton, 1st Ovarall W, 25:23; Kathleen Bruno, 2nd Overall W, 30:33; Irina Zabbarova, 3rd Overall W, 31:19; Matt Mitchell, 22:41; Steve Banks, 22:56; Brad Patsy, 24:05; Kenny Dorian, 25:17; Scott Seeley, 25:32; Jackson Lager, 26:37; Liam Breski, 28:03; Matthew Canzoneri, 28:27; Tyler Deacon, 28:35; Hayden Good, 29:59; Tyler Long, 30:52; Kelly Pastoria, 32:38; Adam Salinas, 32:41; Rick Domhoff, 32:55; Breanna Drane, 33:41; Julie Eckman, 41:17; Olivia Sutara, 42:13; Xavier Binz, 42:29; Danielle Binz, 42:31; Haley Watkins, 45:18; Sarah Drane, 45:23; Valerie Lager, 48:43; Roger Chilton, 1:10:46 John Cossy Costantino Memorial 10k, July 27: Herman Weihrauch, 48:14; Katey Sharick, 55:45; Stephen Hepler, 49:44; Chuck Sarver, 52:53; James E. Gascoine, 54:40; James Helmick, 1:02:19; Dianna Craig, 1:06:56 Moraine Regatta 5k,August 3: David Valentine, 1st Overall M, 1st Overall M, 22:07; Vern Morrow, 2nd Overall M, 23:05; Scott Choura, 3rd Overall M, 23:07; Deirdre Harrison, 1st Overall W, 26:54; Annelise Dykstra, 2nd Overall W, 28:46; C. Boosel, 3rd Overall W, 31:06; Bernie Kurten, 25:10; Jordan Eckenrode, 26:49; J. Boosel, 31:04; Dominic Gargiul, 31:11; S. Lacina, 31:44; Jen Beachem, 31:56; Jennifer Eckenrode, 33:13; D. Martin, 33:18; Melissa Dykstra, 33:23; Zachary Wright, 33:46; Sophie Huff, 34:44; Mark Cypher, 34:54; Wendy Fischer, 35:24; Mason McGuirk, 35:31; Chris Sullivan, 35:44; Clay Cunningham, 35:45; G. Peth, 38:11; Shannon Sticinski, 38:56; Pamela Farnworth, 38:59; Julia Wright, 39:38; Brittany Pope, 40:32; Richard Hysong, 40:35; Amand Choura, 41:00; Cameron Bennick, 41:08; Allison DeJidas, 41:08; Jehrod Gregory, 41:12; Andrew Genaway, 42:52; Karen Greenawalt, 43:13; M. O’Brien, 43:15; G. Genaway, 43:16; Jason Boosel, 44:11; B. Boosel, 44:34; Ksleesha-Teres Grant, 46:08; D. Sparacino, 49:26; Michele Smith, 51:24; Clinton Warner, 56:40; N. Macurak, 1:00:45; Ryan Macurak, 1:03:37

Send comments and suggestions: Pat Neubert, phone 724-352-4395, Email lotzak@consolidated.net

Pat Neubert is a running columnist for the Butler Eagle.