Great Pumpkin Classic

MORE IMPORTANT NEW INFORMATION: The LINK CREW will be serving pancakes after you’re finished!   And MORE NEWS- PLASKO’S Farm Cider Donuts will also be waiting for your enjoyment!

 

GOLD LEVEL SPONSORS 2023 *My Smile Orthodontics  https://www.mysmilect.com/    *River Road Pediatric Dentistry  https://www.riverroadkids.com/  *Link Crew - Trumbull High School  *Anonymous   Supporting Sponsors     *203local.com - Let's work together *Odin Capital Partners *Stop & Shop- Trumbull     In Kind Partners PLASKO'S Farm and Creamery SPORTea  www.SPORTea.com  Nut Butter Bites   https://sweetnothings.com/  Bigelow Tea

 

AWARDS SPONSORS *Trader Joes Fairfield- 'Grand Prize Table' *Marathon Sports of Fairfield - gift cards

 

It’s 2024 and for the 34th time we will be hosting THE Great Pumpkin Classic 5K Run!  We are looking forward to seeing you. Last year the Great Pumpkin was blessed with a beautiful Fall day, and we had a blast! We have had a race every year since 1991. Even in 2020 we were able to host the “Pumpkin Reboot” in November to celebrate our 30th year! More than 20 people of the 349 finishers from our first GPC in 1991 joined us for the historic occasion.  
This year we will use the same course as the last four years. This route is very much like our original course from 1991 with a bit of an uphill the first mile. Then a GREAT DOWNHILL for .3mi that you’ll love! We do have that short ‘Laurie Rd Hill’ at the start of the third mile some of you may remember... but it’s only 1/10 mi!  We promise that you can enjoy the downhill & flats right after!  The untimed Walk For Health will again be an easy 1.7mi. The Kids Fun Run will again be on the nice, flat track! And and good as  ever thanks to Jon Dizney and his team. The run, walk & kids committees, sponsors, and volunteers truly appreciate you joining us as we return to THS. You will be helping to add to our proceeds which have totaled over $325,000 in scholarships since our start in 1991.
 
Our charities include the Trumbull High School Scholarship Foundation and the Trumbull Schools PTSA.         
 
PLEASE PRE REGISTER ONLINE ASAP to avoid race day stress and TO ENSURE SHIRT SIZING & AVAILABILITY.  Online reg only on event day ends ten minutes before the start.
 
EVENT FEES:  The 5k, 3.1mi distance is a computer chip-timed event. Participants of all abilities are welcome to run or walk this event.
5K                       19 & over    18 & under
2/29 - 6/30             $27               $20    7/1 -   8/31             $30               $22.50 9/1  -  10/13           $32.50         $24 10/14 - 10/20        $35              $26.50   REG IS ONLINE ONLY.
              NO PAPER/NO CASH on site on event day

 

1.7 MILE WALK  - this event is not timed 2/29 - 8/31            $27 for 19 & over,   $25 for 18 & under   
9/1 - 10/20            $30 for 19 & over,   $25 for 18 & under 
                                REG IS ONLINE ONLY. NO PAPER or CASH 

 

KIDS FUN RUNS - varying distances and not timed. Kids get a shirt, finishing medal & snack!! 2/29 -10/20       $15  Note- fee may increase in Oct, shirts or kids run could sell out!  

 

CALENDAR
2/29     Registration opens  10/6     6pm!  Guaranteed shirt sizing ends. After that ‘as available’ and we could definitely run out! 10/19   Early pickup 8:30-10:30am in the front (right side) foyer of Trumbull High School 10/20   EVENT DAY - ALL REG IS ONLINE ONLY -  NO PAPER & NO CASH On site 7:30 am  Pickup & late reg online only for the 5k & walk - in the THS cafeteria  7:45 am  Pickup & reg for the kids runs - on the track at the football field  8:10 am  Kids Runs - various distances for age groups on the THS track 8:50 am  Introductions, Men's & Women’s Ensemble sing the National Anthem START LOCATION - on the driveway of the 'A House' side of the building- near the big lot. Look for the start banner! 9:00 am  GPC 5K & untimed 1.7mi Walk START

 

9:30 am POST RACE Party - FEATURING THE LINK CREW PANCAKES AND PLASKO'S FARM DONUTS! Plus more Snacks, fruits & fluids OUTSIDE NEAR THE START 10:00 am 5K Awards & prizes from Trader Joe’s & Marathon Sports.
Introduction of guests - outside near the finish, weather permitting.                    TRADER JOES FAIRFIELD 5K AWARDS  - AWESOME MERCHANDISE AND TJ's PRODUCTS TO CHOOSE FROM!  1st, 2nd & 3rd in age groups 9 & under, 10-13, 14-18, 19-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, 70-79, 80+ MARATHON SPORTS 5K AWARDS- 1st M&F overall champions $50 gift card each, 1st in age groups 19 and above ($20 GC)    5K TROPHIES & MEDALS 1st, 2nd, 3rd for age groups 9 & under, 10-13, 14-18  

 

SWAG- long sleeve shirts as available for 5K & walk. We may add GPC MUGS, GPC Pens, or other items from sponsors Please note-  Supply chain issues are always a part of our lives. T-shirts are included in this dilemma. We may need to switch to a different ‘give away’ later in the pickup process without any warning. We appreciate your understanding.  

 

5k COURSE - you can run it, walk it, or any combination thereof. It has some hills, flat spots, and a GREAT DOWNHILL from 1 mile to 1.3mi that everyone seems to forget about, lol... it is Trumbull so enjoy the scenery.  https://www.gmap-pedometer.com/m/?r=7539973  This course is actually a throwback. Over 75% of it is from the original 1991 course which 349 people ran the first year! It has some changes (at the suggestion of the TPD) and it does bring back the famous "Laurie Rd hill" that will challenge you in the last mile. But don't worry, the last 6/10 mi is downhill and flat!
NOTE- due to safety issues or a lack of volunteers there may not be any water stop on the course with open water cups. Please be prepared to pre-hydrate and carry your own fluids and NOT drop anything along our neighborhood! 

 

The 1.7mi non-timed walk only course- https://www.gmap-pedometer.com/m/?r=7620343  It’s PRETTY DARN FLAT the whole way!

 

The kids runs are on the track!   YES, THE TRACK IS STILL FLAT     WE WELCOME THE LINK CREW AT THS AS A GOLD LEVEL PARTNER  Link Crew is a program that focuses on helping incoming freshmen transition to the high school by providing guidance from trained upperclassmen. We support freshmen as we share and face challenges together. We run programs and events through the year to help freshmen have the best possible experience (social, emotional and academic) at THS. Link Crew offers the opportunity to give back by fostering a welcoming atmosphere for freshmen and by nurturing leadership roles for our upperclassmen.  Some of our annual events: Freshmen Orientation, Bus Helpers, Advisory Assistants Academic visits to freshman classes, 8th Grade Open House, Leader contact to share upcoming events, Raffles and Awards for Outstanding Freshmen, Pumpkin Run sponsor for THS scholarships, Cocoa & Cram Exam support, Support clubs, activities, and memorials throughout the school year, Offer Link Crew Scholarship(s), Tour guides for all new students, Freshman Field day   LOCATION & PARKING DETAILS- at Hillcrest Middle School (the best spot if you want to get out fast!), or the back lot of Trumbull High, and the side lot of Trumbull High. The driveway between THS & Hillcrest Middle School will be closed at 8:45 am for the safety of our new course. Police will be on duty at the lot and at key intersections on the course.

 

HISTORY- The temperature was in the low 60's, warm for a late Fall run. It started at 10 am on Sunday, Oct 27, 1991, with Biology Teacher (now retired) Marty Schaivone yelling "GO!". The inaugural 5k run had 349 finishers- a very high number for a new, local event. Pat Swift and Allison Suchenski (Trumbull High alum) were the inaugural champions.
Within a few years, it became one of the top races in CT reaching a high of over 800 registrations in the late '90s. Featured runners included the iconic Bill Rogers, top American Laura Mykotok, two Olympians, and champions from six different countries! Residents from nearly all 169 towns in CT have finished our event. It also played host to an amazing “Marisa’s Pasta Party” the night before for over 15 years.
THANK YOU ALL- As we celebrate our 33rd year we thank our past and current school administrators, faculty, students, neighbors, and friends who have contributed immeasurably. The countless committee members that have helped keep the GPC alive and fun. We thank YOU for joining us on any level whether live, virtual or as a donor. Our students will benefit from your commitment.

 

WE WELCOME SPONSOR PARTNERS AT ANY LEVEL. There are many opportunities and a great need to cover our costs for shirts, timing, facilities, police, food and much more. Every partner helps us to donate to our scholarship fund, clubs teams, and the students involved. Sponsor a mile! Or the starting line. Or our student teams that are fundraising. Get your name on the shirts or even the bibs. Become a ‘named’ sponsor underneath the Great Pumpkin Classic! There’s a lot to choose from. 
CONTACT Marty Schaivone msrunningproductions@yahoo.com  ASAP!  We will keep this site updated and let all pre-registered know what’s going on. If we are forced to go virtual please understand we can’t refund your registration. We purchase shirts, bibs, pins, etc., at least two weeks in advance. We pay nonrefundable deposits on some items and buy food and fluids ahead of time. 


IF THE PUMPKIN GOES VIRTUAL This will occur only if mandated by Federal, State, Local, or School administrators. Your health and safety are our top priority.  We understand that this event has a great impact on the community, supports many wonderful causes, and is great for the town of Trumbull.  We encourage you to participate this year in a meaningful way and do so on your own terms.  You may decide to go virtual on your own though you entered to run or walk in person. If you chose to do this on your own you will be able to enter your time and see where you stack up!  Just let us know. If you decide on your own to participate in a virtual form we would still appreciate it if you could pick up your swag ahead of time. It is difficult and very costly to mail these items. We will do our best to drop off locally after the event.    MSRP helps to direct over 35 other events which raised over $250,000 for charities. Other events in Trumbull include the Cow Chip Cross Country Run, Jingle Bell Run, & Trumbull Sunset. Other races include the Colony Grill Hot Oil 5K, the Bigelow Tea 5K, and the Bach Bunny 5K in Fairfield. In Stratford we direct The Turkey Trot, Little Pub Margarita run, the ‘Hair of the dog’, Happy HalloWINE, & Holiday Run. (and many others in Milford, Bridgeport, Westport & beyond).   

The 2024 MSRP schedule link will be posted soon  ALL MSRP EVENTS CAN BE FOUND ON www.runsignup.com

 

THANKS TO OUR 2023 PARTNERS AND THEIR DONATIONS TO THE TRUMBULL HIGH SCHOOL SCHOLARSHIP FOUNDATION we were able to donate $9,000 to the THS Scholarship Foundation!!