Last Saturday’s Buffalo Creek Half Marathon had more than 900 registered with 715 finishers, the most participants post-pandemic.

The grass at the start was crunchy with frost which quickly melted into perfect and perfectly beautiful conditions for this 19th annual event. Will Loevner of Allison Park averaged 4:53 per mile pace to finish in 1:03:53, which broke his previous record set last year by nearly a minute.

Congratulations to all finishers, organizers and volunteers for another good race. See you next year for the 20th running!

Another weekend, another rail trail.

The 2nd Annual Run for Your Life 5k starts at 10 A.M. on Saturday at Richard G. Snyder YMCA in Kittanning for an easy out-and-back on the mostly paved Armstrong Trail. The event welcomes runners and walkers of all abilities to the scenic path along the Allegheny River.

Race director Tabitha Bowser says pets and strollers are welcome too but should stay to the right to avoid the competitive runners. It may be extra crowded this year since more than 250 had preregistered (as of Monday.) Participation could more than double the 159 finishers for the inaugural race in 2023.

You may sign up online for the event until Friday, 2 P.M. Day-of-event registration begins at 9 A.M. at Kittanning YMCA with pre-race announcements at 9:30 A.M. for the 10 o’clock start. There will be an aid station at the turnaround point of the race with water and medical aid available. Post-race refreshments include water and bananas. There are also venders at the finish with coffee, donuts and breakfast items for participants and spectators.

The awards presentation takes place when the last finisher crosses the line. Awards for the 5k include trophies for first three male and female finishers and medals for first three age group finishers. Although Tabitha would like to see high participation numbers on the course, she welcomes spectators and community members to attend as well.

“It’s predicted to be beautiful weather,” she says, “whether you’re running or not.”

She invites all to watch CPR demonstrations and to find out about CPR and AED use classes presented by Run with Heart Foundation. Run for Your Life 5k is the largest fundraiser for this local foundation which provides free CPR training to non-medical individuals in our region.

Since its inception in February, 2023, Run with Heart Foundation has educated more than 200 community members in Armstrong and Butler Counties in CPR and AED use. The non-profit’s founders can testify to the importance of these lifesaving measures. Victoria Williams suffered a sudden cardiac arrest while shopping in 2022. Alexi Krajnikovich and Lauren Bradigan, both nurses, provided life-saving CPR until EMS arrived with a defibrillator to shock her heart.

In July, 2023, Greg Woodman suffered a cardiac arrest and collapsed while running the Presque Isle Half Marathon. Tabitha Bowser and Laura Overly, along with other runners, administered CPR for more than six minutes until EMS arrived. Neither Vicki nor Greg suffered lasting adverse effects from their heart emergencies due to quick action by bystanders.

In response to these events, Vicki, Lauren and husband Andy, Laura, Tabitha and husband Randy formed the foundation to train and educate as many people as possible in lifesaving CPR. Run with Heart Foundation conducts classes of 20-25 people monthly at Bradigan’s Career Center in Kittanning based on need and availability of certified instructors. They’ve also conducted classes for local church groups and students at Knoch High School.

If you or your group are interested in attending a class, email runwithheartfoundation@gmail.com.

Saturday, 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

Saturday, 6:30 p.m.: Quarry Shack 5 Miler, Vintonville. Nighttime run on Ghost Town Trail. runsignup.com/Race/PA/Vintondale/QUARRYSHACK5MILER

Sunday, 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

Sunday, 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, 7:30 a.m.: EQT Pittsburgh 10 Miler and 10k, Pittsburgh. 10-Miler starts at 8:30 A.M. p3r.org/races/eqt-10-miler

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 10, 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

November 3, 11 a.m.: Sweat for Vets Power Climb 10k and 5k, Altoona. Hill climb challenge. runsignup.com/Race/PA/Altoona/SweatForVetsChallenge

November 10, 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

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

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

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

November 30, 9 a.m.: Truthahntrab 5k, Saxonburg. runsignup.com/Race/PA/Saxonburg/SaxonburgTruthahntrab5k

Heartbeat 5k, July 28: Zachary Sharara, 1st 19 & Under M, 17:37; Silvio Andreassi, 2nd 19 & Under M, 19:36; Zac Baker, 1st 20-29 M, 20:40; Teagan Yurocko, 1st 19 & Under W, 20:57; Justin Sellinger, 3rd 19 & Under M, 21:41; Trevin Seskey, 2nd 20-29 M, 22:16; Nick Phillips, 1st 30-39 M, 22:22; Brian Apel, 2nd 30-39 M, 24:49; Taylor Marsinetti, 2nd 20-29 W, 25:44; Addison Shank, 2nd 19 & Under W, 25:45; Josie Arthur, 3rd 19 & Under W, 25:48; Jennifer Dudek, 3rd 20-29 W, 26:53; Karen Weiss, 1st 50-59 W, 27:58; Scott Baker, 2nd 50-59 M, 28:04; Kathie Blinn, 1st 60-69 W, 28:29; Scott Kavanagh, 3rd 50-59 M, 28:33; Lisa Arthur, 2nd 50-59 W, 28:38; Cindy Waltemire, 2ndf 60-69 W, 30:45; Joanna Sutton, 3rd 50-59 W, 31:20; Kathryn McNally, 3rd 60-69 W, 53:59; Cael Waltemire, 26:24; Lilly Hudac, 28:43; Bella Gross, 28:44; Ruby Ross, 29:19; Ben Sutton, 29:35; Lucy Arthur, 31:53; Morgan Slater, 32:27; Bria Stepp, 34:58; Anna Hensberger, 35:23; Zoe Craft, 36:29; Lilly Sperry, 36:54; Emma Lechner, 40:43; Kim Gorseth, 46:48; Hannah Gorseth, 46:48; Billie Jo Peffer, 47:55; Gary Peffer, 47:55; Kennedy Peffer, 47:59; Marcia Salsbury, 50:49; Steph Reese, 50:49; Jennifer Shank, 50:50; Bernard McNally, 54:03, Jessica Osterrieder, 54:24 Moraine Regatta 5k, August 3: David Valentine, 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, 3rd 30-45 M, 25:10; Jordan Eckenrode, 1st 17 & Under M, 26:50; J. Boosel, 2nd 17 & Under M, 31:04; S. Lacina, 3rd 17 & Under M, 31:44; Dominic Gargiulo, 2nd 18-29 M, 31:11; Jen Beachem, 1st 30-45 W, 31:56; Zachary Wright, 1st 46-60 M, 33:46; Sophie Huff, 1st 18-29 W, 34:44; Chris Sullivan, 3rd 46-60 M, 35:44; Mason McGuirk, 3rd 19-29 M, 35:48; G. Peth, 1st 17 & Under W, 38:11; Shannon, Sticinski, 2nd 18-29 W, 38:56; Julia Wright, 2nd 17 & Under W, 39:38; Amanda Choura, 3rd 46-60 W, 41:00; Cameron Bennick, 3rd 19-29 W, 41:08; M. O’Brien, 3rd 17 & Under W, 43:15; Michael Lacina, 32:33; Jennifer Eckenrode, 33:13; D. Martin, 33:18; Mark Cypher, 34:54; Wendy Fischer, 35:24; Clay Cunningham, 35:45; Pamela Farnworth, 38:59; Brittany Pope, 40:32; Richard Hysong, 40:35; Allison DeJides, 41:08; Jehrod Gregory, 41:12; Andrew Genaway, 45:52; G. Genaway, 43:16; Jason Boosel, 44:11; B. Boosel, 44:34; D. Sparacino, 49:26; Michelle Smith, 51:25; Abigail Smith, 51:35; Miranda Sparacino, 53:13; Jodi Sullivan, 53:24; Clint Warner, 56:40; N. Macurak, 1:00:44; Olivia Macurak, 1:00:45; Ryan Macurak, 1:03:37 Two Face 10k Road, August 3: Bennett Kerr, 1st Overall M, 34:35; Jill Leadbetter, 1st Overall W, 40:21; Elijah Gretz, 1st 19 & Under M, 43:28; Matt Bernardi, 3rd 40-49 M, 45:14; Morgan Kiebler, 1st 20-29 W, 45:30; Jeremy Jarrell, 47:36; Brad Jones, 48:28; Kim Platt, 49:35; Tim Simons, 50:09; Kyle Harriet, 51:10; Carrie Birckbichler-Smith, 51:50; Gerard Danosos, 52:11; Briana Dugan, 53:11; Vanessa Johnson, 53:50; Dana Nicklas, 54:21; Krista Geagan, 56:06; Angela Giori, 1:00:24; Kristen Kelly, 1:01:04; Sean Kelly, 1:01:05; Caleb Gretz, 1:03:22; Tom Neff, 1:03:27; Gypsy Dreveniak, 1:06:35; Kaylin Mazzetti, 1:06:36; Brittany Lawler, 1:08:11; Elizabeth Delaney, 1:08:11; Katie Gretz, 1:08:36; Curtis Corson, 1:10:47; TJ Erdlen, 1:10:53; Ashley Teutenberg, 1:11:17; Tanner Bartholow, 1:11:41; Maria Anderson, 1:17:31; Svetlana Tarassov, 1:23:28 Two Face 10k Trail, August 3: Stu Jones, 1st Overall M, 49:52; Wade Endress, 2nd Overall M, 50:21; Gretchen Swabe, 1st Overall W, 1:07:14; Morgan Kiebler, 3rd Overall W, 1:09:35; Elijah Gretz, 1st 19 & Under M, 1:02:16; Matt Bernardi, 3rd 40-49 M, 1:08:32; Keith Smetak, 1:20:12; Jeremy Jarrell, 1:23:31; Tom Neff, 1:23:51; Vanessa Johnson, 1:23:54; Kyle Harriet, 1:26:17; Sean Kelly, 1:28:22; Tim Simons, 1:32:05; Briana Dugan, 1:32:31; Kim Platt, 1:33:46; Gerard Danosos, 1:34:43; Kim Marshall, 1:35:27; Caleb Gretz, 1:37:43; Kristin Kelly, 1:41:40; Carrie Birckbichler-Smith, 1:43:51; Angela Giori, 1:49:01; Krista Geagan, 1:49:01; Katie Gretz, 1:55:04; Maria Anderson, 2:20:04; Ashlay Teutenberg, 2:26:20; Kadie Gault, 2:34:55; Marcy Byrne, 2:34:56 Send comments and suggestions: Patricia Neubert, phone 724-822-1577, Email lotzak@consolidated.net

Pat Neubert is a running columnist for the Butler Eagle