There’s an interesting story behind this race.

Early in my running life, in 2010, I mentored a group of women who wanted to run a 5k. I had already run several 5ks at that point.

After their 5k, they signed up for a 10k. I had never run that far nor did I intend to but they begged me to run it with them. It was the Great Pumpkin Challenge 10k.

Right before the race, I had a terrible migraine (and never had one since) and wound up in the ER with scary high blood pressure.

I was so disappointed (and pissed) that the next day, I signed up for my first half marathon.  (My motto was “Life is too short. Just do it!”)

And I ran it in January of 2011 (I told no one but my hubby that I was doing it since I was afraid that I would fail). Says the runner who has since run almost 80 of them. LOL)

So I guess this race was a turning point for me.  I realized that you are capable of more than you think.

I went back to eventually run the Pumpkin Challenge 10k.  In fact, I ran it 4 times from 2014-2017.

In fact, many of my local running friends used to do this race with me. They did not last or this year:(

I remembered that each time that I ran the 10k, I had wished that I could stop after the 5k.  The 5k was rather flat and the 10k was all hills.

So in 2022, I returned to the race but decided to run the 5k and even won an age group award.

Due to marathon training, I skipped the race in 2023 and 2024 but I signed up again last year.

I wanted to run a longer distance than the 5k and the 10k was the same price as the 5k. Si O chose the 10k.

My 10K PR is 57:03 and as you can see above, I was in the ballpark in those early years but last and this year, no way!

My 2026 10k times are now pretty slow! (Jan- 1:02:24, March – 1:09:11, April – 1:05:44, June – 1:15:21, August – 1:18:12).

My hope for the race was enjoy it, to finish uninjured.

But you never know.  If the other old ladies didn’t show up, I could maybe win an AG award.

The weather, hopefully, will not be a factor as with my March, June and August 10ks.

Pre-Race Activities and Preparations:

Surprisingly I had time to run several short runs during week.

My legs felt pretty good even though I had run a half marathon two weeks before.

Race Day:

The race takes place in Saratoga State Park which is a beautiful place to run especially in the fall.

The weather in the fall is very unpredictable. It could be warm and then it could be cold.

Not knowing what the weather will do makes it hard to dress. I’m not ready to dress for winter. (I am wearing that skirt as long as I can stand it.)

I planned to wear that same orange race shirt, a skirt and compression socks and then wear a jacket to leave behind and put on after the race.

You probably heard about the Nor’easter. First there was hard rain and wind predicted for race day. Then it changed to that the storm would miss us and finally rain looked like a definite possibility.

But when I got up it was almost 60 so I changed to a tank.

Of course, on the 45 minute drive, it was raining!!! Ugh.

This is a very popular race. They usually get almost 100 runners. So I left for the race early in case I had to park where I needed to get a shuttle to the start. The race was to start at 9:30 and I left at 8:00 am.

I had plans to meet a friend later to go to MA to go shopping and have dinner. I was worried about getting stuck  in the parking lot (I usually park in) until the 10k was over.  Asa result, I wasn’t paying attention and missed my turn into the park.

I wasn’t worried because in the next parking lot, there was shuttle and the shuttle left right after the 5k. And the rain had stopped!!!

Wait! Why were there so many people?? And they all had their bibs already. (I had planned as usual to get my bib that morning…)

Well, the shuttle filled up and it took forever for another one to come. That one filled up too and runners had to squeeze and stand.

And it didn’t leave until 9:00 am.

The race started at 9:30. Bib pick up was to end at 9:00. I still wasn’t worried. I knew I could still get my bib.

But they closed  the road into the park at 9:00.

Now I was worried.  They had to drop us off… and it was almost a mile (but felt like 2) to get to bib pick up.

The runners were all lined up at the start as I had to push my way through them… and sprint to get my bib.

I picked up my race bib and shirt… left the shirt, my umbrella and jacket nearby and I had to sprint to the start..

If I had gotten there earlier, I could have voted for my favorite pumpkin…

and  chattwith the other runners. There were many runners that I knew there.

Some runners dressed up costumes though not as many as past years. The two below were my favorites:

I sprinted past the finish line

The start was not close!! (below are pics from last year):

Both the 5k runners and 10k runners started together.

I arrived at 9:30 just as they were preparing to start. Phew! I made it but I was already tired. LOL.

This race for me can be divided into two parts: The first 5K and the second 5k.

Course:

The start of the race is between the Columbia and Ferndell pavilions on the North-South road. Runners will run north past the toll building and will make a left onto the Roosevelt Bath Drive for several hundred feet and then  make a right onto the stone path that rectangles the entire grassy mall area. The path goes by the Administrative building with the reflecting pools in the center, to the far end by the Avenue of the Pines and around the path past the Hall of Springs, ending by the Roosevelt Bath’s. A right is then taken at the end of the path onto the road continuing to the end of the parking lot and through a gate leading into SPAC. Runners will continue on the paved path bearing left and will cross over the bridge (2-way traffic) and through the gates that leads around the right side of the SPAC Box office, you will then head south along the edge of the SPAC parking lot. Approximately 2/3 way down the lot, the runners will make a right, left, left (see map below) around the edge of the lot as preparing to funnel into a relatively tight area on the course. The runners will enter the paved path going up and around the Coesa Pavilion and will circle around on the pavement which will connect on the park road taking a left with Hawthorn Pavilion to your right. Runners will re-enter the bottom of the SPAC parking lot and will stay on the paved path heading back to the SPAC box office (staying to the right), through the entrance gates and over the Bridge (2-way traffic) on the road and will bear to the right and leave the SPAC grounds, heading back on Roosevelt Bath Drive and taking a right onto North-South Road and back to the Columbia Pavilion to the finish for the 5k’ers.

The 10k’ers will continue on the North-South Road and take a left onto East-West road heading east past the toll building to the turnaround (where large park map is located- near the entrance to Route 9). From the turnaround, runners will continue going the opposite direction going west on East-West Road past the Peerless Pool and Carlsbad Pavilion. They will make a right at the top of the hill heading down past the Hawthorn Pavilion continuing down the hill and around the loop passing Geyser Area and will reenter the East-West Road taking a left. Runners will go up the hill and take a left onto North-South Road and will finish the 10k at the Columbia Pavilion.

Map:

Miles 1-3:

The 5k had a few inclines but was basically flat.

I wanted to take it slow so I wouldn’t die the second (and hiller) half.  My legs were already tired so that wasn’t a problem.  I bumped into al old friend, Elisa, who was recovering from a hip stress fracture.  We chatted while we ran until the mile 2 water stop. I let her go ahead as I knew that I couldn’t  keep up with her.

The park is pretty especially along the tree-lined paths.

The 5k ended and my time was around 34 minutes. Slow compared to the past but where I am currently so I was happy.

Due to humidity and my pre-race running , it still exhausted me and we hadn’t hit the hills yet.

Miles 4-6.2

At this point, I was sweating, and wished that it might rain  a little and the rest of the course was filled with hills. I tried to run up them but was pretty unsuccessful. So I walked many times during the second half of the race … during every hill.

I also stopped and walked at the water stops.

Well, by the end, I had no energy… at all… and the biggest hill was 1/2 mile before the finish line…GRRR!!!

I really wasn’t paying attention to the time on my watch and I walked one last time on the last turn and saw that the clock said 1:12:xx which was faster than I expected.

Yes, a BIG course PW.  But faster than my previous two 10ks.  Grateful for small victories!!

Post Race Activities:

As soon as I finished, a runner (named Lauren( came up to me and told me how much she loved my blog (someone reads it? lol)

Then I headed to get food. The line was long but moved quickly. There was fruit, bagels, lots of delicious homemade goodies (cookies, apple, pumpkin, zucchini breads, etc.) and hot chocolate. Everything was so good!

It was getting late but I bumped into a few friends and decided to stick around for the awards.

Yup, I won my age group (as I was the only one!!)

My next challenge was locating the shuttle.

Of course, it was the same walk as to the start and I just missed one.  Eventually I arrived  back at my car..

Still no rain!!

Additional Race Reflections:

The weather was warmer than usual for this time of year but could have been worse. We could have had that Nor’easter than hit NYC.

I always enjoy the race atmosphere.  This one did not disappoint.

My finish time was slower than my past times on this course but that was not unexpected. I’d love to be back finishing sub 60 minute 10ks.

Not thinking that will happen but it may if I could run negative splits. (however that never seems to happen as well).

Just happy to be to out there. and healthy enough to run.

I am glad that I didn’t settle for a 5k and took the challenge.

There are many 5ks but not many 10ks around here.

Next time I will NOT take the shuttle!

Positives:

• Ample parking.
• Well marked course.
• Varied park scenery.
• Both 5k and 10 options.
• Virtual option offered.
• Indoor restrooms nearby
• Flatish 5k course.
• Immediate results.
• Great age groups award swag
• Lots of homemade baked goods
• Hot coffee pre race
• Fireplace to stay warm (if needed)
• Lots of familiar races.
• Costume option

Negatives:

• Late start (9:30)
• Hills if you choose the 10k
• My shuttle experience

Would I recommend this race?

Yes. Great organization. You may be able to PR for the 5k but the 10k would be a challenge.

I will probably sign up again for the 10k next year.

Final Stats:

Next Up:

A local 5k:

Happy Running!! Have you run any fall-themed races?  Do you prefer 5ks or 10ks?  Ever almost miss a race start?   Please share.

 

 

 

 

 

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