Gourdy's Pumpkin Run Akron, Ohio

This was my fist time competing in the Gourdy’s Pumpkin Run 5K.  This race is offered each fall in several cities around the country.   Prior to the race they announced that the Akron race was the largest race field of the year so far with almost 2.300 runners and walkers participating.  

The weather was very nice for a fall race with temperatures at start time in the 50’s with some fairly strong winds.  All participants were given fun orange tech hoodies that looked like pumpkin faces.  Most of the race field actually wore their participation shirts so there was orange as far as the eye could see on the course.  I missed the memo about wearing the shirt to race in so I stuck with my Team ER gear.  

The course was fairly fast and runner friendly.  The start and first mile had runners on the road racing down the heart of Main Street.  I got off to a slower start then I would have liked.  There was a very strong headwind that made the first mile tough.  A quick right turn and then runners made their way to the towpath trail along the canal.  I enjoyed this part of the course.  The wind was not as much of a factor in the second and third mile.  The fall trees and canal made for nice scenery.  I was hoping to increase my pace but some recent lower back pain was causing my glutes to be extremely tight and it prevented me from running much faster then what I was.   I saw a runner just ahead of me that looked to be in my age division.  I hade hoped to be able to catch him but my glutes were just too tight to generate any power.  He finished just ahead of me and won my age division.  I finished 36th overall and 2nd in my age division with a time of 22:03.   

Many runners participated in the Tough Pumpkin division which  required you to carry a pumpkin for the entire race in order to earn an additional medal.  All participants received custom medals at the finish line.  The finisher celebration included each runner taking home a pumpkin and a small cup of cider.   There was a merchandise tent with some nice stuff.  I thought of purchasing a sweatshirt , but by the end of the race they had sold out of most sizes.  They do have an online store with additional inventory.  

This race was very well organized.  It was great to see such a huge race field.  I would like to see them offer more at the finisher celebration and offer awards for overall winners and age group winners.  This was a great event for families, walkers, and people looking for a less competitive race.