So many races, so little time.

September is a great month to run in Western Pennsylvania. The cooler days make this month ideal for racing as well. It's too bad that three fine events take place on one September Saturday.

The 15th Annual Festival in the Woods 5K Run-Walk combines suburban greenery with charity. The course begins at the Bradford Woods Fire Hall and loops through wooded and rolling Wexford roads to Bradford Community Church, site of a weekend-long community festival.

Although many participants choose to walk the course, the walk is considered a non-competitive event.

All participants are eligible to win random drawing prizes and to stay for the festival activities beginning at 10 a.m. and concluding with a spaghetti dinner and bingo games later in the day.

The race and festival benefit ongoing missions of Bradford Community Church.

For information about the race, which begins at 9 a.m. Saturday, call 724-935-3135.

While Festival in the Woods combines scenery with charity, another Saturday run manages to combine large-scale shopping with wilderness running.

The IKEA-Montour Trail Half Marathon, 5K Run and 5K Fun Walk begins in the parking lot of busy Robinson Towne Centre in Robinson Township, but runners quickly leave the suburban concrete to run on the soft rail trail surface of Montour Trail.

Runners in the 10th annual half marathon and competitive 5K events at IKEA start at the parking lot and dash downhill for the first mile before entering the trail. The course then runs out and back on level ground.

Thankfully, the finish line is on the trail with shuttle bus transportation back up the steep hill. Shuttle buses also take 5K walkers to a 3.1-mile point on the trail for a leisurely stroll back to the pick-up point.

IKEA Half Marathon and 5K rewards top five overall finishers with IKEA gift certificates.

If you recall, last September's floods had washed away a portion of the course only a week before the 2004 event. Proceeds from this annual running event benefit ongoing Montour Trail maintenance and expansion.

Race day registration opens at 6:30 a.m. Saturday and closes promptly at 7:30 for the 8 a.m. start. For information, call 724-695-2638 or email race@montourtrail.org. Visit the trail website at www.montourtrail.org.

Saturday's third area race combines rural scenery with rural friendliness. The 20th Annual Saxonburg Festival of the Arts 5K Run-Walk tours the village streets and roads of a nearby farm. The course passes by the start-finish area twice, so runners are treated to lots of cheers from spectators.

Along with the scenery, the event features good competition. Saxonburg Festival 5K offers awards to top three overall finishers, top two overall walkers and top two male and female finishers from local Knoch High School.

Although the run is a competitive event, it is also very beginner-friendly. Many Saxonburg residents turn out to stroll the course and to stay for the community's arts, crafts and history festival taking place throughout the town.

For information, call 724-352-9325.

Saturday, 9 a.m.: Lee Foster Memorial 5-Mile Run, St. Marys. 814-781-1249Sunday, 7:30 a.m.: Erie Marathon and 5K, Presque Isle, Erie. Marathon, 2-person relay, half marathon and 5k - all flat and scenic. 814-454-7191 or www.erie-runnersclub.orgSunday, 9 a.m.: Heel to Heal 5K Run-Walk and Family Fun Day, Schenley Park, Pittsburgh. Benefits Crohn's and Colitis Foundation. 800-627-6467wpawv.ccfa.orgSunday, 9 a.m.: Jackrabbit 5K, Cleveland, Ohio. 216-752-5151Sunday, 10 a.m.: Dennis J. Donelly Memorial Hartwood Tour Run, Hartwood Acres, Dorseyville: Choice of 6 miles, 3 miles, 1 mile; part of GPRRC series. 412-373-4319 or acpig@msn.comSunday: Cleveland Clinic Sports Health River Run Half Marathon and Relay, Berea, Ohio. 216-623-9933Sept. 16, 6 p.m.: Run for Liberty 5K Run and Walk, Moraine State Park. Benefits veterans. 724-368-9078 or echeman02@yahoo.comSept. 17, 8 a.m.: Run Shadyside 5K, Pittsburgh. Benefits Ronald McDonald House. 412-683-2309Sept. 18, 9 a.m.: Adams Ridge 5K and 8K, Adams Township. Popular neighborhood race with unique awards adds challenging 8K option. 724-779-7661Oct. 2, 9 a.m.: 30th Annual Johnstown Marathon, Johnstown. 10K starts at 10. 814-535-8381 or www.johnstownpaymca.org

Roebling's Run 5K, Aug. 13:Kevin Doyle, 1st Overall M, 16:25; Artie Black, 2nd Overall M, 17:30; Ben Hutterer, 3rd Overall M, 18:07; Julie Porter, 1st Overall W, 20:05; Missy Shaeffer, 2nd Overall W, 20:24; Meaghan Conroy, 3rd Overall W, 21:02; Mike Zuzan, 1st Masters M, 20:08; Bill Schmidt, 2nd Masters M, 20:11; Mitch Radella, 3rd Masters M, 20:45; Shirley Macefe, 1st Masters W, 22:11; Diana Marangui-Lutz, 2nd Masters W, 23:28; Patricia Neubert, 3rd Masters W, 24:03; Joel Shaeffer, 1st 30-34 M, 18:12; Kyle Reeping, 1st 16-19 M, 18:16Travis Hendell, 2nd 16-19 M, 18:25; Brian Forester, 2nd 30-34 M, 18:47; Tyler Park, 3rd 16-19 M, 18:51; Dan Carlino, 1st 20-24 M, 19:30; Brad Cubbage, 2nd 20-24 M, 19:52; Jacob Montag, 1st 12-15 M, 20:17; Alex Fertelmes, 3rd 20-24 M, 20:43; Harry Green, 1st 55-59 M, 20:51; John Ciafre, 1st 50-54 M, 21:08; David Howes, 1st 25-29 M, 21:12; Brian Tackett, 2nd 12-15 M, 21:17; Megan Prazenica, 1st 16-19 W, 21:59; Tom Ockree, 2nd 50-54 M, 22:12; Nicholas Pfeiffer, 3rd 12-15 M, 22:15; Joelle Scarnati, 1st 12-15 W, 22:19; Buddy Turner, 2nd 55-59 M, 22:22; Aaron Depew, 3rd 30-34 M, 22:30; David Fugate, 1st 40-44 M, 22:32; Melissa Macefe, 1st 25-29 W, 22:40; Patrick Reitz, 1st 35-39 W, 22:42; John Siegfried, 2nd 25-29 M, 22:43Tasha Wheatley, 2nd 16-19 W, 22:44; Frank Macefe, 3rd 55-59 M, 22:55; Chrissy Krutz, 3rd 16-19 M, 23:09; Clifford Hoey, 2nd 40-44 M, 23:21; Laura Hoover, 1st 20-24 W, 23:22; Roger Murray, 1st 45-49 M, 23:23; Jim Gemperlein, 3rd 40-44 M, 23:57; David Cassassa, 2nd 45-49 M, 24:31; James Gascoine, 3rd 45-49 M, 24:42; Ralph Ross, 1st 65-59 M, 24:53; Nicole Khoury, 1st 30-34 W, 25:29; Joelle Patterson, 2nd 30-34 W, 25:46; Mark Brice, 2nd 35-39 M, 25:39; Kayla Zboran, 1st 11 and under W, 25:51; Andrew Przybylek, 3rd 35-39 M, 25:56; Catherine Close, 1st 35-39 W, 26:06; Lauren Williams, 2nd 12-15 W, 26:23; Julie Bajuszik, 2nd 25-29 W, 26:25; Mary Williams, 2nd 35-39 W, 26:40Joe Zboran, 3rd 50-54 M, 27:17; Julie Murray, 3rd 35-39 W, 7:51; Ann Cheman, 1st 50-54 W, 28:03; Beth Zboran, 1st 40-44 W, 28:08; Heidi Christy, 3rd 25-29 W, 28:15; Mary Bickley, nd 50-54 W, 28:37; Linda Grubb, 2nd 40-44 W, 28:57; David McConahy, 2nd 60-64 M, 8:57; Kimberly Tarosky, 3rd 12-15 W, 29:03; Nancy Natale, 3rd 40-44 W, 29:07; Margretta Lutz, 1st 70 and over W, 29:44;April Duncan, 2nd 20-24 W, 30:12; Abby Tarosky, 2nd 11 and under W, 31:14; Pat Tarosky, 2nd 45-49 W, 31:16; Deirdre Johnson, 3rd 20-24 W, 32:22; Barb Alexander, 3rd 50-54 W, 33:35; Meru Witt, 3rd 65-69 M, 34:15; Connie Riesmeyer, 1st 55-59 W, 40:08; Emily Ekas, 3rd 11 and under W, 42:53 Derek Ekas, 1st 11 and under M, 42:56; Becky Crissman, 3rd 30-34 W,48:52; Paula Vaugan, 3rd 45-49 W, 50:16; John Bresee, 3rd 25-29 M, 53:40Chris Reccio, 19:01; Devin Howes, 19:33; Justin Bui, 19:39; C.J. Burns, 19:50; Cory Steinhagen, 20:42; Doug Vogus, 20:52; Mark Marsico, 21:05; Thomas Steinhagen, 21:33; Stephen Edwards, 21:41; Curtis Pavlik, 22:02; Michael Zakor, 22:10; Matt Mahan, 22:29; David Fawkes, 22:48; David Montag, 23:02; Jeff Kiley, 23:12; Owen Venesky, 23:18; David Ashendon, 23:22; Katelyn Kendle, 23:32; Scott Ekas, 24:03; Wayne Eakin, 24:46; Ed Hepler, 25:13; Meghan Howes, 25:18; Dennis Murko, 25:24Chad Brahler, 25:27; Dana McCarren, 25:33; Joel Geibel, 25:37; Kevin Flaherty, 25:44; K.J. McCrea, 25:53; Erin Robb, 25:55; Bonnie Doyle, 26:14; Scott Wetzel, 26:33; Eric Nebel, 26:36; Ryan McKinney, 26:37; Frank Braceland, 26:44; Michael Fugate, 26:46; Scott Williams, 26:54; Mark Tarosky, 27:08; Renee Walker, 27:47; Stephanie Seibert, 27:57; Nick Ashendon, 29:05; Gretchen Geibel, 29:11; Veronica Trettel, 29:12; Ashley Cetnar, 29:15; Melissa Balsinger, 29:17; John Kane, 29:18; Geoff Patterson, 29:24; Ben Pfeiffer, 29:27; Philip Edwards, 29:28; Amy Bateman, 29:29; Van McCarren, 29:30; Mark Heck, 29:31; Emily Rowley, 29:35; Colleen O'Toole, 29:47; Nathan Travis, 30:09; Sarah Robb, 30:12; Rachel Tano, 30:13; Nicole Fleishner, 30:14; Joe Norris, 30:28; Frank Prazenica, 30:33; Al Lane, 30:34; John Gizienski, 30:42;Gretchen Perschke, 30:59; Shenda Hendell, 31:00; Jolene Tarosky, 31:14; Wendy Flynn, 31:18; Pam Campbell, 31:23; Justine Beck, 31:26; Susie Geibel, 31:34; Michelle Beamer, 32:05; Erin Black, 32:24; Miranda Tano, 32:26; Tom O'Toole, 33:23; Kristin Robb, 33:34; Bill Rebert, 33:35; Faith Carney, 33:55; Ed Carney, 33:56; Gabriel Robb, 34:10; Gary Tano, 34:48; Ashley Burns, 35:25; Tina Ekas, 37:14; Kim Kenetz, 37:46; Erin Moxie-Dempster, 38:12; Jean Duncan, 38:48; William Park, 41:25; Wendy Flynn, 44:32; Heather Beatty, 44:33; Amy Magill, 44:35; Jamie Crissman, 44:36; Lisa Vulakovich, 44:38; Jenny Tano, 45:34; Brian Llewllyn, 45:34; Ian Adkins, 45:37; Megan Adkins, 45:49Ron Ekas, 45:56; Krista Gialanella, 46:33; Mallory Bateman, 46:34; Norri Kubala, 46:35; Gary Kubala, 46:36; Mary Tackett, 48:42; Karen Robb, 48:43; Samantha Klein, 48:51; Fae Greenway, 49:23; Spencer Bateman, 49:32; Elizabeth Alexander, 50:06; Joyce Hamilton, 50:14; Tara Bennett, 52:59; Emily Seibel, 53:00; Joan Park, 58:20; Robert Park, 58:21; Maura Vulakovich, 58:35; Kassi Crissman, 58:39Send comments and suggestions: to: 435 Cherry Valley Road, Saxonburg, Pa. 16056. Phone or fax: 724-352-4395. Email bigp@highstream.net