After the long absence due to the 2020 COVID shutdown, many of us have returned to favorite races this summer.

One of my much anticipated events was last Saturday's 25k Cook Forest Trail Challenge, a scenic tour of 13 state park trails with more than 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.

After last year's virtual event in which runners independently completed the course and submitted results to earn a commemorative shirt and coveted finisher's cap, this fourth annual event was a reunion for veterans and a celebration for first-timers who surprisingly made up nearly 50 percent of the field of close to 250 participants.

I had run my first Cook Forest Challenge in 2019 on an unusually comfortable August morning following a cold front. Race director Bob Bauer remembers that conditions were nearly perfect with starting temperatures in the 50s and low humidity. Course records were set that year by Lee Strapello with a time of 1:57:49 in the men's division and Nicole Yokum with a women's record time of 2:05:36.

Times overall were slower this year as we sweated at the 70-degree, high humidity starting line on paved River Road at 9 a.m. and sweltered through the later miles in the pines of the Cathedral area of Cook Forest.

Brett Mason of Pittsburgh finished as first overall male with his time of 2:04:48 while Lauren Worrell was first female finisher in 2:24:15. Each earned a framed photograph of Cook Forest scenery from local Gallery in the Forest.

Although weather conditions slowed many runners' finishing times, only a few were forced to drop out of the 16-plus mile race, some in response to heat and others due to minor injuries. And a few runners, as is typical in a trail event, found themselves off-course even though the trail was marked by more than 500 bright pink survey flags.

Bob Bauer says that flags were placed at 50-stride intervals with extra flagging at critical turns. He suggests that runners learn to run flag-to-flag to stay on course.

Bob relies on co-race director, wife Nona, to handle behind the scenes race preparation and a corps of 20 volunteers on race day to make the event a success. Sigel Volunteer Fire Department has provided EMS and traffic control for each race.

Cook Forest Challenge aid stations at miles 6, 10 and 12 are staffed by runners and parents from cross country teams of North Clarion, Clarion and Clarion-Limestone high schools. The enthusiastic volunteers offer water, fruit, energy blocks and more along with much needed encouragement for the last tough miles.

I began to count down the final miles along with the last drops of water from my hydration pack and heard the sounds of the finish line in the distance. Finally bursting out of the forest on Cook Trail and across the timing mat, I was welcomed by cheers of friends and fellow finishers. I proudly donned my finisher's cap and walked stiffly in bare feet toward my reward of chicken barbeque from Wildfires Barbeque in Renova.

If you'd like to join me on the third Saturday in August, I'll be in Cook Forest State Park. Bob Bauer says they've contracted for four more years of the Cook Forest 25k Challenge. Registration for the limited 400 spots will open in about three weeks. Bob says to check the race Facebook page or Ultrasignup.com for information. He also promises to reveal big changes for the future.

If you can't wait for next summer, check out this Oct. 31 Highland Fall Scramble, a 12-mile point-to-point trail run with 1,800 feet elevation gain on North Country Trail along the Clarion River starting at Lucinda and running to Cook Forest State Park.

For more information, visit falconracetiming.com/event/highland-fall-scramble-lucinda-pa/, email cookforesttrailracing@gmail.com or register online at ultrasignup.com/register.aspx?did=80598 for one of the 200 available spots.

Saturday, 9 a.m.: Run Around the Square 5k, Pittsburgh. Run through Regent Square neighborhood. Also 1.5 mile run/walk at 8:15 A.M. runaroundthesquare.comSunday, 7:30 a.m.: Burning Coal Marathon and Half Marathon, Rimersburg. Run out and back along Allegheny River on level Armstrong Trail. runsignup.com/Race/Info/PA/Rimersburg/BurningCoalMarathonSunday, 8 a.m.: Indiana County Fair 5k, Indiana. Run starts at grandstands and runs in Fairgrounds. runsignup.com/Race/PA/Indiana/ICF5kSunday, 9:30 a.m.: Elk Run Volunteer Fire Company 5k/10k, Punxsutawney. runsignup.com/Race/PA/Punxsutawney/ElkRunVolFireCompany5k10kSept. 4, 7 a.m.: French Creek ½ Marathon and 5k, Meadville. Mostly flat course on paved Ernst Trail. 814-336-2196 or www.facebook.com/frenchcreekhalfmarathon/?ref=bookmarksSept. 4, 8 a.m: Big Savage Half Marathon, Meyersdale. Run on crushed limestone rail trail includes 3300-foot long Big Savage Tunnel. runsignup.com/Race/Info/PA/Meyersdale/BigSavageHalfMarathonSept. 4, 8:30 a.m.: Hampton Rotary Firecracker 5k, Hampton Township. Run starts at Hampton Community Park. Chris.loshner@hampton-pa.org or runsignup.com/Race/PA/AllisonPark/HamptonRotaryFirecracker5K2018Sept. 5, 7:30 a.m.: Race to Beat Women's Cancers 5k Run/Walk, Allison Park. Starts at North Park Boathouse. 412-641-8950 or mageewomens.org/events/race-to-beat-womens-cancers-5k-run-walkSept. 6, 9 a.m.: Buhl Day 5k, Hermitage. Starts and finishes at Buhl Farm Park. runsignup.com/Race/PA/Hermitage/HERMITAGEBUHLDAY5KSept. 11, 8 a.m.: Barber Beast on the Bay 10 Mile, Erie. Run 10 miles with 30 obstacles. 814-480-6810 or http://www.barberbeast.org/Sept.11, 8 a.m.: Youngstown Ultra Trail Classic 25k and 50k, Youngstown, OH. Run in Mill Creek Park. runsignup.com/Race/OH/Youngstown/YoungstownUltraTrailClassicSept. 11, 10 a.m.: Patti J Nelson Foundation 5k, Evans City. Benefits Evans City Public Library. 800-466-2119 or pattijnelsonfoundation.comSept. 12, 7 a.m.: Erie Marathon @ Presque Isle, Erie. Starts at Rotary Pavilion in Presque Isle State Park. runsignup.com/Race/PA/Erie/ErieMarathonSept. 12, 4:30 p.m.: Hoodlebug 5k Run & Walk, Homer City. Flat and fast course partly on Hoodlebug Rail Trail. 412-289-6299 or jswauger@comcast.net. Register online at runsignup.com/Race/PA/HomerCity/hoodlebug5kSept. 18, 8 a.m.: Rockin' the Knob Trail Challenge, Claysburg. Challenging runs at Blue Knob Resort. Choice of marathon, half marathon or 10k. www.alleghenytrailrunners.com/rock-n-the-knob-trail-challenge/Sept. 19, 8 a.m.: Boston Harvest Half Marathon, 10k and 5k, Boston. Also kids 100 meter dash. Out and back course on crushed limestone rail trail. runsignup.com/Race/PA/Boston/BostonHarvest5k10k?aflt_token=HrZcYWJT57TH3GH4vWg7QL584fEmdOnK&r=YSept. 25, 10 a.m.: Fool's Run 10k & 5k, Black Lick. Out and back on Ghost Town Trail starts at Saylor Park. 724-349-0501 or marathonauctions@gmail.com. Online at runsignup.com/Race/PA/Blairsville/FoolsRun10K5KSept. 26, 7:45 a.m.: FAAP Fall Classic, Allison Park. Choice of 20k, 10k or 5k on North Park Trails. ultrasignup.com/register.aspx?did=85992Sept. 26, 8 a.m: City of Pittsburgh Great Race 5k & 10k, Pittsburgh. Point to point with finish downtown. 10k start @ 9:30 A.M. www.rungreatrace.com

Strawberry Days 5k, June 23: Jed Christiansen, 1st Overall M, 15:51; Angela Taylor, 1st Overall W, 18:39; Jimmie Couch, 1st 12-15 M, 18:40; Nathan Depew, 2nd 50-54 M, 20:17; S. Mark Courtney, 1st 65-69 M, 20:33; Leslie Kramer, 1st 40-44 W, 21:22; Michael Brown, 2nd 65-69 M, 21:37; Todd Allman, 2nd 55-59 M, 22:06; Vanessa Snyder, 2nd 30-34 W, 22:14; John Armstrong, 3rd 55-59 M, 22:58; Ashley Henshaw, 1st 35-39 W, 23:58; Andrew Gildersleeve, 2nd 10-11 M, 24:25; Hannah Gildersleeve, 2nd 35-39 W, 24:27; Claire Allman, 2nd 25-29 W, 24:32; Brian Hammel, 2nd 45-49 M, 24:33; Mandy James, 3rd 35-39 W, 24:45; James Edmonds, 1st 9 & Under M, 26:12; Cindy Suber, 1st 60-64 W, 26:46; David Peck, 3rd 40-44 M, 27:33; Jim Lakin, 2nd 70+ M, 28:25; Debbie Courtney, 1st 55-59 W, 28:27; Mary Morgan, 2nd 60-64 W, 28:51; Janet Pudlo, 3rd 55-59 W, 29:46; Karen Steffanina, 2nd 65-69 W, 31:31; Lisa Jamison, 3rd 45-49 W, 31:56; John Siegfried, 3rd 45-49 M, 37:35; Valerie Sands, 2nd 70+ W, 37:47; Evan Miller, 19:29; Mitch Radella, 24:12; Alayna Bishop, 24:13; David Suber, 24:21; Marie Depew, 24:35; Kate Jordan, 25:35; Jen Beachem, 26:57; Jennie Couch, 27:50; Emmaleah Davis, 27:56; Bill Swanik, 28:23; Michael Gildersleeve, 28:29; Tom McMann, 29:09; Alexis Bishop, 29:28; Bruce Barnes, 30:37; Nathaniel Nuss, 31:04; Vicki Brendlinger, 31:53; Tony Sunseri, 32:33; Richard Honsaker, 32:40; Karyn Senita, 33:02; Heidi Fleming, 35:15; Robert Sands, 35:35; Ashley Tuzikow, 35:50; Michele Carson, 40:28; Debbie Jamison, 41:07; Angela Hammel, 46:59; Kaitlyn Boatwright, 47:57Strawberry Days Half Mile Kids Race, June 23: Ben Sabella, 1st Overall M, 3:18; Leo Gildersleeve, 2nd Overall M, 3:22; Stephanie Depew, 1st Overall W, 3:51; Audrey McMann, 2nd Overall W, 4:16; Alli Jordan, 3rd Overall W, 4:19; Porter Henshaw, 1st 6-7 M, 4:15; Klara Edmonds, 1st 6-7 W, 4:53; Lizie Jordan, 1st 5 & Under W, 4:57; Lydia Gordon, 3rd 5 & Under W, 5:18; Joshua Woodard, 2nd 5 & Under M, 5:32; Jack McMann, 6:15; Judah Woodard, 7:52; Xander Armstrong, 8:26Horsetrading Days Hot to Trot 5k, July 17: Lucas Cain, 1st Overall M, 20:26; Katie Lutz, 1st Overall W, 21:37; Phillip Silvis 2, 3rd Overall M, 22:34; Grace Vensel, 2nd Overall W, 23:38; Alyssa Siegel, 3rd Overall W, 24:06; William Marsh, 1st 50-59 M, 22:58; Ryan Filcheck, 1st 19 & Under M, 23:02; Kyle Barnes, 1st 20-29 M, 23:37; Brian Farkas, 1st 30-39 M, 23:55; Haley Filcheck, 1st 19 & Under W, 25:06; Ed Filcheck, 2nd 50-59 M, 25:08; Chris Yohe, 1st 40-49 M, 25:20; Rebecca Gellner, 1st 40-49 W, 25:35; Larry Roolf, 1st 60-69 M, 25:42; Kyle Conway, 2nd 30-39 M, 26:05; Stephen Hart, 3rd 30-39 M, 26:06; Greg Johnston, 2nd 40-49 M, 26:09; Amy Cataldi, 1st 20-29 W, 27:25; Cooper Zippler, 2nd 19 & Under M, 27:30; Shanda Wyatt, 2nd 40-49 W, 27:35; Erin Hart, 3rd 40-49 W, 27:40; Erin Kennedy, 2nd 20-29 W, 28:47; Mr Guo, 2nd 60-69 M, 30:08; Frank Yohe, 3rd 60-69 M, 30:16; Richard Wyatt, 3rd 40-49 M, 30:36; Michelle Burden, 2nd 30-39 W, 30:41; Brent Price, 3rd 19 & Under M, 32:18; Lauren Hopkins, 3rd 30-39 W, 32:19; Kimberly Matz, 1st 60-69 W, 33:26; Susan Renda, 1st 50-59 W, 35:34; Don Uber, 1st 70+ M, 38:29; Tamara Guo, 2nd 50-59 W, 40:39; Aubrey Krainer, 2nd 19 & Under W, 47:54; Jason Jovenall, 27:31; Robb Kipp, 33:44; Krista Crowley, 35:01; Jenna Davis, 35:01; Brandy Eckhardt, 37:25; Laura Smetak, 38:33; Jason Eckhardt, 41:02; Stephen Winikoff, 41:52; Caeden Zippler, 47:22; Karen Zippler, 47:24; Colton Zippler, 47:41; Sandra Krainer, 47:54Presque Isle Half Marathon, July 18: Brian Soder, 1st Overall M, 1:12:54; Roberta Groner, 1st Overall W, 1:18:24; Dave Convery, 1st Wheelchair M, 1:32:00; Jerry Kosar, 1st 60-64 M, 1:40:05; John Armstrong, 1st 55-59 M, 1:43:04; Joel Schaeffer, 3rd 45-49 M, 1:44:49; Jacob Shaeffer, 1:42:47; Mark Casteel, 1:44:07; Adam Luther, 1:45:50; Melissa Schaeffer, 1:50:21; Canden Kuskie, 1:53:14; Clint Kuskie, 1:53:16; David Luther, 2:00:49; Matthew Harnett, 2:08:34; John Sestak, 2:12:48; Rachel Singer, 2:16:55; Bill Swanik, 2:17:11; Lisa Jamison, 2:27:09; Paul Gary Lutz, 2:29:44; Gary Lutz, 2:29:47; Debbie Jamison, 3:15:09Send comments and suggestions: Patricia Neubert. Phone 724-352-4395. Email lotzak@consolidated.netPat Neubert is a running columnist for the Butler Eagle