Put together a family-friendly event at a family-friendly location and you have a winner for organizers, spectators, and participants.
The 4th annual Great Pumpkin Run and Little Pumpkin Fun Run were held in Colorado Springs, Colorado, on Saturday, October 2. With an entry limit of 600 runners distributed between a 5k, 10k, and pair of kids trail races, it was sure to fill to capacity. Not only were the courses fun and challenging, the weather on the day was nothing less than spectacular, and the venue was fantastic.
The race site was a fully operational Venetucci Farm, with all race proceeds benefiting the farm and the adjacent Pinello Ranch. This historic 190-acre urban farm, known as the “Pumpkin Farm,” was established by the Venetucci Family in 1936. The Venetucci's put it the property into conservancy and gifted the farm to the Pikes Peak Community Foundation in 2006.
Prior to the race, participants and their families enjoyed visiting with chickens, pigs, draft horses, and wandering through recently cut corn fields and a large pumpkin patch.
Although the course profile boasted a mix of gravel roads and trails, there was much more variation in the terrain. The 5k and 10k started together on a level dirt patch next to the pumpkin patch. After 20 yards, a quick downhill to the most challenging part of the course due to the precarious footing which including shaved corn stalks, rocks, clumps of dirt, and rutted dirt pathways underfoot. The course also included mostly flat sections, a jaunt through forested single track, and many twists and turns.
Following the 5k and 10k, the kids ¼ mile and ½ mile fun runs were staged for participants 10 and under. Each finisher received a blue ribbon and a pumpkin. There were lots of happy children toting their much-coveted pumpkins after the race.
In addition to pumpkins for the kids, there were wonderful post-event prizes including random giveaways. The winners of the 5k and 10k received a basket of organically-grown vegetables, a few bottles of recently-brewed Pumpkin Ale, and a $50 gift certificate from one of the race sponsors, Runners Roost. Second- and third-place finishers in the events received $40 and $30 gift certificates respectively. The top three in 10-year age groups received bags and mugs sporting the Venetucci Farm logo. The race was also the final race of the 2010 Grand Prix Running Series.
In subsequent years, the race could benefit by offering a post-race band, barbecue, and perhaps a tour of the farm to encourage runners to stay for the awards ceremony. With the awards ceremony held at 10:30 a.m., many participants had finished the races and were already headed home.
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