Submitted by Alli Behnke, HKYFS
(November 1, 2025) — Haddam-Killingworth Youth and Family Services is thrilled to share that the 32nd Pumpkin Run was an incredible success!
“The staff and Board of Directors at HKYFS are so proud and grateful to the Haddam-Killingworth community for an outstanding Pumpkin Run! Our sponsors, community partners, vendors, volunteers, and participants blew us away with your support, positive energy, and community pride,” said Alli Behnke, HKYFS Director of Programming. “The Pumpkin Run is so much more than a race. It is a chance for us to connect as neighbors and support the youth and families of Haddam-Killingworth. The fact that thirty teenagers came out early on a Sunday morning to face-paint, cheer on runners, move in vendors, serve as positive role models, and celebrate their community showcases what makes HK special!”
Runners, spectators, sponsors, volunteers, and their pets started arriving at the Haddam Killingworth High School track, some in costume, to grab their bibs, and warm up for the 10:00 a.m. race on October 26, 2025. More than 400 participants signed up for the race, walk, and Kids Fun Run. The Pumpkin Run continues to grow and we can’t help but acknowledge the important role local schools, groups, and organizations had in cultivating energy and helping HKYFS make this a wonderful community event raising much needed funds. Youth, families, and runners/walkers were seen painting pumpkins, getting their faces painted, crafting, enjoying delicious food from Café Laurel, playing games, listening to the Madison School of Rock Band, and taking photos at beautiful displays, all activities offered by community partners and friends of HKYFS.
Karen Therrien, co-owner of HK Health and Fitness (photo above, right, with Kasha Kutka, Candy Veazie, Shari Bugaj) shares, “I’ve run the Pumpkin Run every year possible since moving to town 13 years ago. I have always loved the energy of the crowd, from the runners and walkers to the community’s ‘cheerleaders’ along the route and at the finish line. But the past few years have been extra special for me. Now that I own HK Health and Fitness, along with Cortney Swokla, I have a platform to truly encourage both movement and community involvement ranging from young children to the elderly, all while supporting HKYFS. My goal this year was to have a team of 50 people sign up as part of my 50th birthday gift to me. We ended up with 51 signed up and I am beyond grateful. Our Youth and Family team works tirelessly and provides both needed support for our youth as well as amazing programs for the whole community and the least I can do is help raise awareness and support for their cause.”
The volunteer support was absolutely incredible, including many youth and adults from the HK community! All of HKYFS’ Girls on the Run Teen Mentors were present to volunteer at registration and on the course while also presenting home-made Top Finisher prizes with Team GOTR youth.
“We were thrilled to be involved in the HKYFS Pumpkin Run and have a presence at the event this year. It was a perfect day and we are so grateful to the sponsors, vendors, volunteers, participants and event attendees who helped to make it a successful fundraiser for HKYFS while also highlighting incredible programs in the community – including our Girls on the Run Camp GOTR program. The mission and values of Girls on the Run align with so many of the priorities of HKYFS and we are excited to continue to grow our partnership in the coming years”, says Kate McDonald, Executive Director- GOTR SE CT
Haddam-Killingworth Youth and Family Services would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to all our participants, vendors, race sponsors, volunteers, runners, board members, and town officials who came out to support the Pumpkin Run and the work of the agency to support youth and families.
Haddam-Killingworth Youth and Family Services would like to thank the following sponsors and donors:
Title Sponsors
Nutmeg Pharmacy, Sensorworx, The Holmes Family, Mikes’ Auto Service
Fun Run Sponsors
Kelly Orthodontics, Coach and Carol Dupuis, The Hartford
Jogger Sponsors
Tower Labs, New Image Auto LLC, HK Health & Fitness, Higganum Veterinary Clinic, Our Home Realty, Da Vinci’s pizza Higganum,
Walker Sponsors
The Fish Tale, Dutch Oil & Propane, River Valley Oil Service, The Lee Company, Hillcrest Agency, RWC LLC, Liberty Bank, Teri’s Package Store/HWS, Higganum Hardware, East Coast Manufacturing, Killingworth Family Pharmacy, Jack’s Country Restaurant, The Huscher Team Realtor-Real (Tanya Bottaro), Essex Bank, The O’Connor-Sidlow Family, Lexi’s Place Farm, Hi-Way Package Store, Lance-Scaping, Ice Cream Emergency, Ascend Bank, CAT Team, Shoreline Therapy Center, Northeast Diesel, The Bread Girl, What’s On My Roof?, Connecticut Rental Center, Glenwood Barber
Photos provided by HKYFS
