By Kathy Brown.
(Oct. 31, 2021) — After an otherwise rainy weekend, the day of the Pumpkin Run, Haddam Killingworth Youth & Family Services’ annual major fundraiser, broke sunny and cool.
Runners and spectators started arriving at the Haddam Killingworth High School track, some in costume, to grab their bibs, and warm up for the 9:00 a.m. race. Approximately 300 participants signed up for the race. 210 people age 6 to 76 ran or walked the 5k course. Full results can be found HERE.
The first runner to cross the finish line was Chris Mayer, age 43, and the first woman to cross the finish line was Grace Mitchell, age 13.
This year there were four colors of race shirts available, which made for a more colorful race than usual.
JB Sports managed this year’s race. Volunteers made individual grab-and-go bags for each runner, which included water and snacks. Volunteers were also scattered along the course to direct runners.
Participants showed up in costumes such as Wonder Woman, a pink bunny, the Pope, a devil and angel duo, Star Trek, skeletons, Waldo, a couple of pumpkins, some minions, a few unicorns, and many others. Some even decorated strollers.
The “Run 169 Towns Society” made a good showing at this year’s Pumpkin Run. Members of the club aspire to run in every town in Connecticut. If you would like more information about this club, click HERE.
After the 5k, there were two kids’ Fun Runs. There was a one-lap version (1/4 mile), and a two-lap version (1/2 mile). Twenty-five children participated in the one-lap Fun Run, and 24 children participated in the two-lap Fun Run. Each of the participants in those received a medal.
5k Results
Top three male finishers:
- Chris Mayer, age 43, 18:53
- Michael Slinskey, age 52, 19:36
- Brian Dreyfus, age 44, 19:56
Top three female finishers:
- Grace Mitchell*, age 13, 20:26
- Megan Farrell, age 27, 20:42
- Charlotte Behnke*, age 12, 21:32
Top three males, age 1-12
- Fischer Norton* 22:47
- Mason Coppola* 28:13
- Quinn Spector* 29:11
Top three females, age 1-12
- Charlotte Behnke* 21:32
- Alyssa Behnke* 25:09
- Annie Webster* 26:54
Top three males, age 13-19
- Gabriel Victoria 20:05
- Tyler Traczyk* 23:57
- Adam Livingston* 25:17
Top three females, age 13-19
- Grace Mitchell* 20:26
- Delaney Aronson* 22:33
- Emily Hickey 25:43
Top three males, age 20-29
- Louis Folly 21:45
- Skye Shogren 27:10
- Sean Brennan 28:49
Top three females, age 20-29
- Francesca Andranovich 26:39
- Shaina Rowley 27:24
- Jillian Stacer 29:00
Top three males, age 30-39
- Brock Currie 20:19
- Joshua Pawlicki 25:04
- Mike Luk* 25:57
Top three females, age 30-39
- Laura Christoph 21:38
- Jacqueline Crawley 24:29
- Helen Luk* 25:26
Top three males, age 40-49
- Chris Mayer 18:53
- Brian Dreyfus 19:56
- Jonathan Norton* 20:27
Winner of one-lap Kids Fun Run
Top three females, age 40-49
- Allison Behnke* 22:08
- Erin Chester* 24:09
- Karen Therrien* 26:24
Top three males, age 50-59
- Michael Slinskey 19:36
- John Minervino* 20:13
- Robert Backhaus 20:33
Top three females, age 50-59
- Marcy Withington 22:08
- Jennifer Glass 27:28
- Melissa Bushey 28:01
Top three males, age 60-69
- Derek McGlynn 21:54
- John Barrows 27:16
- Willy Jesek 29:16
Top three females, age 60-69
- Gail Reynolds* 33:48
- Marleen Grandia 34:44
- Judi Silliere 39:34
Top three males, age 70-79
- Rick Taff 27:39
- Guy Pulino 34:38
- Frederick Bond* 44:19
Top female, age 70-79
- Terry Buganski 35:51
Kids Fun Run – 1 Lap
- Joan Crawley 1:59
- Sebastian Luk* 2:07
- Maggie Ruggieri 2:12
Kids Fun Run – 2 Laps
- Mark Drega* 3:21
- Benjamin Bayley* 3:42
- Annemarie Ferrante Gouzie 3:46
*denotes Haddam/Killingworth residents
HK Youth & Family Services would like to thank the following sponsors and donors:
Silver Sponsors: Offerdahl, Emerson & Company (CPAs & Consultants); Coach and Carol Dupuis
Bronze Sponsors: Tower Laboratories LTD; Nutmeg Pharmacy; New Image Auto; SFL Scientific; The Holmes Family; Richard Gentile Building Co. LLC; Cornerstone Construction Services Inc.
Sponsors: Hillcrest Agency, LLC; Jack’s Country Restaurant; Fireworks Hearth and Home LLC; Dutch Oil & Propane; River Valley Oil Service; The Lee Company; The Huscher Group/Tanya Bottaro; Northeast Diesel; River Valley Excavating
Donors: Robert’s Food Center; CT Rental Center; 99.1 PLR; Lesser Evil; The Grange Building Co.; Killingworth Pharmacy
Photos by Kathy Brown.
