KENT, Conn.—With the blast from Jack Rafferty’s cannon on Sunday, the 50th anniversary of the Kent Pumpkin Run was off on a glorious fall day.
The five-mile event has become synonymous with community spirit and volunteerism and this year those key elements ensured the race ran smoothly.
“This race runs on volunteers; they keep it going” said race organizer Ellen Corsell. “This event celebrates the community spirit that makes Kent such a great place.”
For the first time in its history, the race started one hour earlier than the traditional noon start. Walkers were sent off on the course one half hour earlier than that and at the same time more than 50 children ran in the Kent Kids Run in a looped grass course adjacent to town hall.
A total of 477 runners and walkers finished the five-mile course.
Corsell said the thinking behind the earlier start is that it would be more helpful for merchants since Main Street parking is off limits during the race. Traffic along that stretch also becomes more congested as the day wears on as sightseers flock to Connecticut’s Northwest Corner to view the gorgeous foliage.
Costumes were in no short supply Sunday as runners and walkers traversed the course dressed as witches, vampires, pumpkins and even Peter Pan and Superman. Prizes were given out for Best in Costume.
“Just a beautiful day to be here. A perfect day,” said Athena Colucci of Kent. She was impeccably dressed as the Queen of Hearts and traversed the course with Darin Hudson.
Overall, Will Sanders, 39, of Marlborough, Conn., continued his dominance, easily winning for the third year in a row in a time 25 minutes and 45 seconds. Nick Conway placed second in 26:32, with Ryan Pignataro, finishing third in 28:27.
On the women’s side, Hayley Collins, 27, of Tolland, was the first female and finished fourth overall in 29:24, followed by Nina Koobatian (sixth overall) in 30:58 with Jeanna Sondag of South Kent (13th overall) third in 33:23.
Just as impressive was 85-year-old Tom Hartch of Kent, who finished the race.
The Kent Pumpkin Run is billed as the longest continuous road race in Connecticut. “It’s such a great race, good community spirit,” Hartch said. “Fabulous weather but you never know what you’ll get this time of year. I remember 20 years ago it snowed.”
Singer, songwriter and Kent resident Rob Zombie, who finished the race, jokingly cautioned anyone considering running the course.
“Oh, it’s beautiful but it has its hills. Running the race is miserable. I don’t recommend it,” said Zombie with a sly grin.
Special pint glasses engraved with the race logo, were awarded to the top three finishers. All registrants also received a hoodie with the race logo, designed by movie mogul and Kent native Seth MacFarlane. The logo features the tough-talking Teddy Bear from MacFarlane’s film, “Ted.” MacFarlane is also the creator of the animated television series “The Family Guy.”
Race organizer Gary Kidd said the race anniversary coincides with the 50th anniversary of Kent’s Emergency Medical Services. Kidd mentioned that the EMS team was on site yesterday as were state police, along with members of the Kent Volunteer Fire Department.
“People have really come out and made the effort to make this race what it is,” Kidd said. “Mother Nature also really helped us out today too.”
