AMHERST – Runners and walkers will take to the streets in spooky fashion later this month as Amherst hosts its first Pumpkin Run on Oct. 27.
The five-kilometre run will begin with a lap of Dickey Park followed by two laps of East Pleasant, Willow, Townshend and Charles Street and ending with a finish lap of the park.
“We had the Cross Border Challenge this summer and the Four Fathers half marathon was a big success as well, so we decided to hold another run to coincide with Halloween,” even organizer Paul Giroux said.
Registration for the event is $20 and can be completed at the Cumberland YMCA, at the park on the day of the event starting at 5 p.m. or at www.atlanticchip.ca/events/details.php?show=1026.
The race starts at 6:15 p.m.
While the runners themselves won’t be dressed in costumes, Giroux is hoping people along the route will decorate their homes in the Halloween theme and even wear costumes along the race route as they cheer on the participants.
“One of the comments we got during the Four Fathers Festival is how much the runners appreciate the people along the route cheering them on. There were even town workers and police officers cheering on the runners,” Giroux said. “We’re hoping to see some more of that on the night of the race.
Giroux said pumpkins and Jack-O-Lanterns will line the race route as well.
He is hoping to get a number of younger runners. He said schools such as Spring Street Academy, E.B. Chandler and ARHS have running programs. The race is also open to walkers.
Following the event there will a number of goodies including homemade pumpkin pie, Halloween cupcakes and apple cider. Each finisher will receive a special pumpkin medal.
Proceeds from the event will go to support the Cumberland YMCA.
The race will also coincide with the Cumberland Y Service Club and Y’s Menettes annual fall food drive in support of the food bank and participants are encouraged to make a donation of a non-perishable food item.
Giroux said he is also looking for volunteers to help out with the event. For more information, call him at 661-1103.
More information can be found online at www.pumpkin-run.com.
dcole@amherstdaily.com
