Doug Crytzer describes South Buffalo Township firefighters as “get off the tractor and go fight a fire” volunteers. Crytzer is honored to raise funds for this dedicated group at Saturday’s Buffalo Stampede trail run in Freeport.

Crytzer, founder and race director of Buffalo Stampede, says he’s personally experienced a horse accident, tractor accident and a brush fire in which the firefighters have responded. “You can always depend on them,” he says.

Buffalo Stampede has raised money for South Buffalo Fire and Rescue Squad for the past 10 or 11 years. Crytzer can’t remember exactly when the race was first staged. But it has been held in conjunction with American Adventure Sports Dash for Cash mountain bike race for all of its existence.

Crytzer, himself a mountain biker and adventure racer for TeamSOG, recalls the year that he was recovering from a biking accident and unable to participate in Dash for Cash. He ran the course instead, sporting a cast and sling, and decided that it would make an excellent trail running course.

Since then, Buffalo Stampede runners have raced the Dash for Cash riders to the finish line. The runners get a head start at 12 noon, while mountain bikers follow at 2 p.m. Both groups follow trails laid out and maintained by the Buffalo Riders.

The Buffalo Stampede trails offer a challenge for runners and riders. Participants have a choice of the beginners’ five mile course, sport level 14.5 mile course or the expert 19.5 miles which repeats the first five mile course.

All of the distances share plenty of quad-throbbing ascents, death defying descents, ankle twisting roots and rocks, and chilly stream crossings. The longer runs also include a unique tunnel passage.

Buffalo Stampede is not for city slickers and road racers. It’s unsupported, so runners must carry their own water and food. I’d also advise carrying a cell phone in case of emergency, though reception is sometimes an issue in the deep valleys.

Those who survive the Buffalo Stampede’s challenge are treated to what Doug Crytzer calls “an old-fashioned hoe-down” with barbeque, music and beer. Non-participants are welcome to attend the party for a $10 fee and the donation of a covered dish to share. Kids are also welcome to participate in special children’s activities.

The barbeque and party starts at 5 p.m. following awards ceremonies for both the Buffalo Stampede and the Dash for Cash. In addition to competitive awards, all participants are eligible to win one of the generous raffle prizes, including shoes, technical clothing and more.

If you’re going to the Stampede, bring a blanket or lawn chair. Better yet, bring a tent and stay overnight. Crytzer says that those who like to turn in early may want to set up on the other side of the farm pond, as the party typically lasts past midnight.

Registration for this Saturday’s Buffalo Stampede Trail Run opens at 10 a.m. at the Lindsay Farm at 207 Iron Bridge Road, Freeport for the noon race start. Day of event sign ups are welcome.

For more information about Buffalo Stampede or other American Adventure Sports races, visit americanadventuresports.com or call Doug Crytzer at 814-397-4316.

If you like the Buffalo Stampede, check out Doug Crytzer’s planned fall trail event, the Halloween Trailapalooza at Hidden Valley. This event features trail courses of 5k, 10k and 20k in length and options of running individually or in a number of team combinations. The object of Trailapalooza is to accumulate the most points, based on distance completed, in a 24-hour period. For more information, visit trailapalooza.com.

Pittsburgh Marathon news: Dick’s Sporting Goods Pittsburgh Marathon has announced that the May 5, 2013 marathon and half marathon will be run on the same courses as this year’s events.

Upcoming Events

Saturday, 8 a.m.: Up-N-Running Group Run, Valencia. Your choice of mileage, post run coffee and snacks. 724-898-2525 or shoes@runpa.com

Saturday, 8:30 a.m.: Deckers Creek Half Marathon, Morgantown, WV. 304-296-6185

Saturday, 9 a.m.: A Dam Good Race 5k, Shenango Dam, Hermitage. 724-730-1437 or fpm.colucci@gmail.com

Saturday, 9 a.m.: Freeport Flash 5k, Sarver. Same course as 2011. 724-353-1945

Saturday, 11 a.m.: Punxsy Phil Fighters 5k Run/ 1 Mile Walk, Punxsutawney. 814-938-0495 or kellyferrent@yahoo.com

Saturday, 12 p.m.: Buffalo Stampede Trail Race, Freeport. Choice of 4.5, 14.5 or 20 miles of rugged trail followed by barbeque dinner. 814-397-4316 or americanadventuresports.com

Sunday, 8:30 a.m.: Greenfield Glide 5k, Schenley Park, Pittsburgh. 412-422-6546 or jon.coyne@pittsburghpa.gov

Sunday, 9:30 a.m.: Animal Friends Mutt Strut 5k and Dog Walk, Soth Park. Starts at South Park Fairgrounds. 412-847-7055 or cbostard@thinkingoutsidethecage.org

June 9, 9 a.m.: Twin Boro 5k, Oakmont. 412-965-9303

June 9, 10 a.m.: Friends of Buhl Park 5k Run/ 2 Mile Walk, Hermitage. 724-456-2373

June 10, 9 a.m.: Royal 5k, Clearfield. Run on Clearfield Fairgrounds. 814-592-2661 or cat_crazy_chick@yahoo.com

June 12, 7 p.m.: Quality Life Services 5k, Sarver. Starts at Fair Winds Manor. 724-431-0770, ext. 2139 or tkupec@qualitylifeservices.com

June 16, 8:30 a.m.: Cecil Jarvis Greater Clarksburg 10k, Clarksburg, WV. 2 mile race at 10 A.M., cash prizes. 304-848-3086 or runwithhat@yahoo.com

June 16, 9 a.m.: Dayspring Harvest Ministries 5k Race and 2 Mile Fun Walk, Ellwood City. 724-752-1600

June 17, 8 a.m.: Father’s Day 5k, Pittsburgh. 724-328-0013

June 20, 7 p.m.: Strawberry Days 5k, Grove City. First race in Mercer County Twilight QUAD series. 724-866-1374 or smc@runhigh.com. Download application at www.runhigh.com

June 23, 9 a.m.: 37th Annual Butler Road Race 5 Mile Run/ 2k Run & Health Walk, Butler. Butlerroadrace.org

June 30, 9 a.m.: Chardonnay 5k, Mercer. 724-662-1910

Race Results

UPMC Health Plan Pittsburgh Half Marathon (finishing times under 2:05:00), May 6: Julius Koskei, 1st Overall M, 1:02:57; Fatuma Sado, 1st Overall W, 1:12:43; Jerry Maher, 1st 45-49 M, 1:22:48; Margretta Lutz, 1st 70+ W, 3:02:19; Lyndsey Snyder, 3rd 25-29 W, 1:25:31; Owen Venesky, 1:16:20; Andrew Steiner, 1:27:09; Michael Smocer, 1:28:53; Matthew Sudak, 1:29:18; Van McCarren, 1:30:10; John Holtz, 1:31:50; Kyle Connell, 1:32:12; Jack White, 1:33:00; Alex Taylor, 1:33:50; Meg Kays, 1:34:03; Kyle Lowe, 1:35:40; RichHackenberg, 1:36:00; Melissa Schaeffer, 1:36:03; Michael Yankel, 1:36:13; Erin Nicotra, 1:36:42; Ryan Patrick, 1:36:58; Justin Emanuel, 1:37:56; Bradley McGill, 1:40:22; Ann Gagliardi, 1:40:23; Christopher Lazarra, 1:40:42; Greg Marburger, 1:41:04; Sarah Locke, 1:41:14; Joe Schmidt, 1:41:26; Torrance Shepherd, 1:41:34; Dianne Zalenski, 1:41:42; Patrice Paul, 1:42:31; Kenneth Fredericks, 1:43:16; Sarah Gill, 1:43:18; Joe Bauer, 1:43:20; Kevin Koken, 1:43:20; Thomas Majeski, 1:43:31; Emily Pietrucha, 1:43:38; Severine Paul, 1:44:05; Jon Ambrose, 1:44:15; Matt Clark, 1:44:28; Greg Gaghan, 1:44:43; T.J. Pynos, 1:44:44; Lary McDonough, 1:44:44; Kevin McDonald, 1:44:53; Michelle Carnicelli, 1:44:56; Jonathan Bornak, 1:44:57; David Ursiak, 1:45:03; Jason Fawcett, 1:45:10; Heather Healy, 1:45:13; Jenna Wilcox, 1:45:16; Timothy Washko, 1:45:21; Jarrod Synowsky, 1:45:24; Tim McFarlane, 1:45:28; Steven Walter, 1:45:37; Olivia Reddick, 1:45:39; Robert Simpson, 1:45:44; Keith Frosch, 1:46:09; Stephen Salvatore, 1:46:16; Karen Bruch, 1:46:42; Joyce Harrell, 1:46:43; Elizabeth Morris, 1:47:14; Nicholas Scutella, 1:47:18; Don Accamando, 1:47:20; Dianna Sieberkrob, 1:47:34; Conlan Walsh, 1:47:39; Will Gramlich, 1:47:43; Nathan Manuel, 1:47:43; Jennifer Bole, 1:47:45; Christopher Rowoth, 1:48:18; Mark Breedlove, 1:48:31; John Haggerty, 1:48:37; Carol Powers, 1:48:37; Sam Poloyac, 1:48:54; Briana Whisner, 1:48:55; Eric Melo, 1:49:04; Chris Romito, 1:49:13; Aaron Kniess, 1:49:18; Emma Sledge, 1:49:47; Tim Converse, 1:49:55; John Choma, 1:50:22; Corey Gens, 1:50:22; Paul Dibuci, 1:50:23; Diane Bucknum, 1:50:27; Steven Mix, 1:50:31; Jonas Hatajik, 1:50:37; David Jungling, 1:50:44; Thomas Durkin, 1:50:53; Emily Utz, 1:51:01; Anita Werner, 1:51:17; Kristina Paracca, 1:51:19; Carleen Burns, 1:51:38; Erica Drew, 1:51:38; Michael Rossi, 1:51:52; David Adams, 1:52:12; Michael McGovern, 1:52:18; Carolyn Lees-Holton, 1:52:28; Michael Ingram, 1:52:33; Lonnie Birckbichler, 1:52:37; Troy Christie, 1:52:40; Melanie Christie, 1:52:40; Holly Bauer, 1:52:43; Kris Nelson, 1:52:53; Scott Sweat, 1:53:00; Christi Novak, 1:53:02; David Heakins, 1:53:06; Carley Riggin, 1:53:09; Gregory Ditullio, 1:53:20; Benjamin Mauti, 1:53:38; Phillip Shinsky, 1:53:55; Matthew Kravec, 1:53:59; Kevin Wildrick, 1:54:00; Steve Moore, 1:54:05; Megan Rippin, 1:54:09; Michael Cratty, 1:54:09; Tanya Longo, 1:54:11; Cameron Miller, 1:54:22; John Ristey, 1:54:24; Julia Strejcek, 1:54:25; Patty Schmidt, 1:54:26; Katie Turnbull, 1:54:31; David Cole, 1:54:39; Karen Lyle, 1:54:49; Orryn Sledge, 1:54:52; Leigh Anne Shubert, 1:54:55; Rick Puese, 1:54:56; Michelle Acker, 1:54:57; David Teorsky; 1:54:58; Barbie Rohm, 1:55:20; Marie Palano, 1:55:21; Wils Cooley, 1:55:35; Robert Dummer, 1:55:38; James Druschel, 1:55:43; Courtney Dalrymple, 1:55:49; Kristy Martino, 1:55:51; Ryan Henrie, 1:55:55; Brittany Vogel, 1:56:12; Nicole Grisnik, 1”56:14; Karl Hart, 1:56:31; Michele Pascal, 1:56:47; Ben Franck, 1:56:56; Christi Hoffman, 1:56:57; Stacy Juchno, 1:57:20; Nigel Hooker, 1:57:43; Jason Bowser, 1:57:56; Caitlin Sullivan, 1:58:05; Craig Brocklehurst, 1:58:05; Mike Zatchey, 1:58:13; Richard Wisniewski, 1:58:14; Kristen Casteel, 1:58:17; Kimberly Speers, 1:58:27; Landon Wood, 1:58:28; Corinne Gressang, 1:58:39; Emily Thompson, 1:58:39; Adam Benjamin, 1:58:43; Nancy Bilger, 1:58:49; Cara Esola, 1:58:55; Paul Cooper, 1:58:56; Cassoe Hyland, 1:58:58; Joella Richard-Baker, 1:58:59; Douglas Cygan, 1:59:04; Joseph King, 1:59:09; John George, 1:59:21; John Verona, 1:59:26; Bill Daly, 1:59:26; Andrew Tobolewski, 1:59:28; Vicki Acker, 1:59:29; Julie Skal, 1:59:32; Valerie Walker, 1:59:38; Mancy McCaskey, 1:59:38; Mary Sykes, 1:59:49; Jeffrey Kopinski, 1:59:51; Toni Wright, 1:59:54; Maggie Secunda, 2:00:06; Lori Scott, 2:00:12; Michael Sablowski, 2:00:16; Jill Hanna, 2:00:16; Gariel Hock, 2:00:20; Jerry Heinz, 2:00:29; Stacey Schontzer, 2:00:30; Deborah Olayer, 2:00:39; Michael Carnicelli, 2:00:42; Mary Blom, 2:00:45; Kevin Maloberti, 2:00:47; Adam Cesnales, 2:00:57; Alana Rudolph, 2:01:08; James Kreber, 2:01:14; Dana Nicklas, 2:01:28; John Scungio, 2:01:37; Jason Logue, 2:01:38; Maria Tekelenburg, 2:01:38; Emily Bowser, 2:01:54; Amanda Bradford, 2:01:54; Alicia Swanson, 2:02:14; Cory Kamer, 2:02:15; Christopher Federowicz, 2:02:16; Elaina Smiley, 2:02:23; Amy Grossman, 2:02:25; Donald Saluga, 2:02:26; Vick Ward, 2:02:37; Nick Harper, 2:02:45; Bill Swanik, 2:02:49; Steph Zezza, 2:02:53; Chad Ellis, 2:03:05; Brianne Voelp, 2:03:20; Nancy Thenthongkham, 2:03:24; Jennifer Bushee, 2:03:28; Paul McCartney, 2:03:29; Carly Stevens, 2:03:30; Jim Houser, 2:03:50; Cindy Waltemire, 2:03:51; Jackie Berkstresser, 2:03:53; James Csonka, 2:03:54; Becky Monhemius, 2:03:54; Stephen Dafner, 2:03:55; Samantha Scacchitti, 2:03:59; Sarah McAfee, 2:03:59; Sean Bannon, 2:04:00; Robin Smith, 2:04:01; Richard Price, 2:04:17; Nicole Khoury, 2:04:26; Leah Stephen, 2:04:34; Scott McBride, 2:04:35; Camden Sybert, 2:04:36; Lisa Fennick, 2:04:39; Tonia Godown, 2:04:43; Jana Lake, 2:04:46.

Send comments and suggestions: Patricia Neubert, 435 Cherry Valley Rd., Saxonburg, Pa. 16056. Phone 724-352-4395. Email lotzak@consolidated.net.

Pat Neubert is the running columnist for the Butler Eagle