The J. R. Taylor Memorial 5k race and walk takes place on the Bethel Park Branch of the Montour Trail. This signature event raises funds for Trail maintenance and operations.
Following are the Montour Trail’s biggest annual events. Check the Events Calendar for more information.
- National Tunnel 10K/5K: Held every spring in Cecil Township since 2000 (late April)
The Tour the Montour biking event is one of western Pennsylvania’s finest fall bike rides. Watch a video of the 2021 event here.
- J.R. Taylor Memorial Race/Walk: A Bethel Park Branch 5K run and fun walk (late May/early June)
- Peters Friends Twilight Walk: An evening walk along the Trail in McMurray, including refreshments and raffles (last Friday in July)
- Tour the Montour: Fun bike rides of 6, 15, 24, 44 and 62 miles (late September)
- Annual Dinner & Meeting: A celebration of the year’s accomplishments (November)
Since the J. R. Taylor 5K was my first running race, I was apprehensive, but everyone was so supportive. Volunteers answered my questions and boosted my confidence. Fellow runners put my nerves at ease with encouragement.Â
— Margie Carl
Work and clean-up parties are held on the first Wednesday and the third Saturday of each month, and otherwise as needed.
Work and clean-up parties are every third Saturday, subject to change. Watch the non-affiliated Montour Trail Enthusiasts group on Facebook for announcements. Meet at the storage shed at Hendersonville.
Meetings are the fourth Wednesday of the month at 7:00 PM. From May to August, meetings are held at the Cecil Henderson Road (Kurnick) access area; otherwise, the group meets at the trail office (304 Hickman Street, Bridgeville, PA).
Work and clean-up parties are held every second and fourth Saturday of each month. Call for location and information.
Work and clean-up parties are held on the first Wednesday and the third Saturday of each month, and otherwise as needed.
Location
This pleasant 5K out-and-back run and walk, all on the Montour Trail, begins 800 feet north of the trail’s J. R. Taylor Memorial Bridge over Clifton Road in Bethel Park, near McMurray Road. Runners zoom along the flat, crushed-limestone surface of the Montour Trail’s Bethel Branch to a turn-around point north of Brush Run Road and then return to the start. Runners and walkers cross the bridge in both directions. All participants start together and receive chip-based times.
Fees
Schedule
Awards/Prizes
Registration/Packet Pickup
Proceeds from the event goes toward maintaining the Bethel Branch of the Montour Trail.
Sponsors
Meetings are the first non-holiday Monday of the month at 7:00 PM. The group typically meets in the Peters Township Community & Recreation Center, but occasionally selects other venues. For more information, see the group’s Face Book page.
Meetings are held every first Tuesday of the month in the Bethel Park Municipal Building Caucus Room located immediately behind council chambers. Anyone interested in the Bethel Park Trail segment is encouraged to come.
