The 36th edition of THE Great Pumpkin Classic
Date and time
Saturday, October 17, 2026 · 7:00 PM
Location
TRUMBULL HIGH SCHOOL, TRUMBULL, CT
Date and time
Saturday, October 17, 2026 · 7:00 PM
Location
TRUMBULL HIGH SCHOOL, TRUMBULL, CT
Date and time
Saturday, October 17, 2026 · 7:00 PM
Location
TRUMBULL HIGH SCHOOL, TRUMBULL, CT
WELCOME TO THE 36th CONSECUTIVE YEAR OF THE GREAT PUMPKIN CLASSIC!!!
PLEASE HELP US CELEBRATE OUR AMAZING EVENT-
STARTED IN 1991 BY OUR RACE DIRECTOR MARTY SCHAIVONE -
A BIOLOGY TEACHER AT THS (1977-2012)
It's difficult to remember that far back - none of us were thinking how long this 5k would last.
But 349 people started on a journey that has continued to raise money for the
Trumbull High Scholarship Foundation for 35 years.
Marty has retired from THS, a lot has changed, but the reputation built over 3+ decades is solidly in place.
We are planning a party and we hope you'll be part of it.
Our food has always been a large part of the attraction.
Back again- PLASKO’S Farm Cider Donuts will also be with us for your enjoyment!
Village Bagels with pumpkin mini bagels. And lots more snacks.
WE ORDERED 450 SHIRTS & sold out last year so don't wait.
Sign up fast and have a chance for our long sleeve beauty!
Guaranteed sizing ends 10/4, after that ‘as available’
Shirt color to be determined by our professional shirt color picking team.
Fabric and colors may also depend on inventory, tariffs and what's on sale.
OUR NEW 2026 PRESENTING SPONSOR is RURAL FUELS of Monroe CT
Locally Trusted & Family Operated https://www.rural-fuels.com/save-now
Committed to fueling homes, and now runners, for over 75 years!
OUR GOLD LEVEL 2025 SPONSORS
*My Smile Orthodontics https://www.mysmilect.com/
*River Road Pediatric Dentistry https://www.riverroadkids.com/
*Link Crew - Trumbull High School
*ODIN Capital Partners
*Anonymous!!
Supporting Sponsors 2025
*Refine Fitness Trumbull.
*Stop & Shop- Trumbull
In Kind Partners 2025
PLASKO'S Farm and Creamery
NEW AMRITA Protein bars - https://www.amritahealthfoods.com/
AWARDS SPONSORS
*Trader Joes Fairfield- 'Grand Prize Table'
*Marathon Sports of Fairfield - gift cards
It’s 2026 and for the 36th time we will be hosting THE Great Pumpkin Classic 5K Run!
Last year the Great Pumpkin was blessed with a beautiful Fall day, and we had a blast!
We have had a race every year since 1991. Even in Covid 2020 we were able to host the
“Pumpkin Reboot” in November to celebrate our 30th year!
More than 20 people of the 349 finishers from our first GPC in 1991 joined us for the historic occasion.
Last year many returned again to celebrate our 35th !
Our 5k course remains the same as the last six years. This route is very much like our original course
from 1991 with a bit of an uphill the first mile. See the map link and details below.
The untimed Walk For Health will again be an easy 1.7mi.
The Kids Fun Run will be on the nice, flat track! And as good as ever thanks to Jon Dizney, Donna Cramond and their team.
The run, walk & kids committees, sponsors, and volunteers truly appreciate you joining us as we return to THS.
You will be helping to add to our proceeds which have totaled over $340,000 in scholarships since our start in 1991. Our charities include the Trumbull High School Scholarship Foundation and the Trumbull Schools PTSA.
Please help us and donate any extra you can for our students that need the help of our foundation!
PLEASE PRE REGISTER ONLINE ASAP to avoid race day stress and TO ENSURE SHIRT SIZING & AVAILABILITY.
Online registration only on event day - it ends five minutes before the start.
EVENT FEES:
The 5k is a 3.1mi distance and a computer chip-timed event. Awards only for this event.
Participants of all abilities are welcome to run or walk this event.
REG IS ONLINE ONLY. EVEN RACE DAY IF WE ARE NOT SOLD OUT. (we pay all tariffs)
5K 19 & over 18 & under 2/14 - 4/30 $28 $20 (just about 1991 pricing!)
5/1 - 7/31 $31 $23
8/1 - 10/4 $34 $26
10/5 - 10/11 $37 $28
10/12 - 10/18 $40 $30
NO PAPER/NO CASH on site on event day
1.7 MILE WALK - this event is not timed- there are no awards
2/14 - 4/30 $28 for 19 & over, $20 for 18 & under
5/1 - 10/4 $31 / $23 10/5-10/18 $35 / $25 REG IS ONLINE ONLY. NO PAPER or CASH
KIDS FUN RUNS - varying distances and not timed. Kids get a shirt, finishing medal & snack!!
4/4-10/11 $17 10/12-10/18 $20 Note- shirts for the kids run could sell out ahead of time!
CALENDAR 2/14 Registration opens
10/4 Guaranteed shirt sizing ends. After that ‘as available’ and we could definitely run out!
10/17 Early pickup 8:30-10:30am in the front (right side) foyer of Trumbull High School
10/18 EVENT DAY - ALL REG IS ONLINE ONLY - NO PAPER & NO CASH
7:30 am Pickup & late reg online only for the 5k & walk - in the THS cafeteria
7:45 am Pickup & reg for the kids runs - on the track at the football field
8:10 am Kids Runs - various distances for age groups on the THS track
8:50 am Introductions, THS Men's & Women’s Ensemble sing the National Anthem
START LOCATION -
On the driveway of the 'A House' side of the building- near the big lot. Look for the start banner!
9:00 am GREAT PUMPKIN CLASSIC 5K & untimed 1.7mi Walk START
9:30 am POST RACE Party - FEATURING PLASKO'S FARM APPLE CIDER & PUMPKIN DONUTS!
Plus more Snacks, fruits & fluids OUTSIDE NEAR THE START/Finish
10:00 am 5K Awards & prizes from Trader Joe’s & Marathon Sports. Introduction of guests - outside near the finish, weather permitting.
TRADER JOES FAIRFIELD 5K AWARDS - AWESOME MERCHANDISE AND TJ's PRODUCTS TO CHOOSE FROM!
1st, 2nd & 3rd in age groups 9 & under, 10-13, 14-18, 19-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, 70-79, 80+
MARATHON SPORTS 5K AWARDS- 1st M&F champions $50 gift card each, 1st in age groups 19 and above ($20 GC)
5K TROPHIES & MEDALS 1st, 2nd, 3rd for age groups 9 & under, 10-13, 14-18 and maybe more if available.
SWAG- long sleeve shirts as available for 5K & walk.
We may add other items from sponsors- like fall/Halloween socks!
Please note- Supply chain issues, tariffs and craziness are always a part of our lives.
T-shirts are included in this dilemma. We may need to switch to a different ‘give away’ later
in the pickup process without any warning. We appreciate your understanding.
5k COURSE - https://onthegomap.com/s/a8jgjd8a
you can run it, walk it, or any combination thereof. It has some hills,
flat spots, and a GREAT DOWNHILL from 1 mile to 1.3mi that everyone seems to forget about...
it is Trumbull so enjoy the scenery.
This course is actually a throwback. Over 75% of it is from the original 1991 course!
It has some changes (at the suggestion of the TPD)
and it does bring back the famous "Laurie Rd hill" that will challenge you in the last mile.
But don't worry, the last 6/10 mi is downhill and flat!
NOTE- due to safety issues or a lack of volunteers there may not be any water stop on the course with open water cups.
Please be prepared to pre-hydrate and carry your own fluids and NOT drop anything along our neighborhood!
The 1.7mi non-timed walk only course- https://onthegomap.com/s/3bu3pkfo
It’s PRETTY DARN FLAT the whole way!
The kids runs are on the track! YES, THE TRACK IS STILL FLAT
WE THANK THE LINK CREW AT THS AS A GOLD LEVEL PARTNER
Link Crew is a program that focuses on helping incoming freshmen transition to the high school by providing guidance from trained upperclassmen.
We support freshmen as we share and face challenges together. We run programs and events through the year to help freshmen have the best
possible experience (social, emotional and academic) at THS.
Link Crew offers the opportunity to give back by fostering a welcoming atmosphere for freshmen and by nurturing leadership roles for our upperclassmen.
Some of our annual events:
Freshmen Orientation, Bus Helpers, Advisory Assistants Academic visits to freshman classes,
8th Grade Open House, Leader contact to share upcoming events,
Raffles and Awards for Outstanding Freshmen, Pumpkin Run sponsor for THS scholarships,
Cocoa & Cram Exam support, Support clubs, activities, and memorials throughout the school year,
Offer Link Crew Scholarship(s), Tour guides for all new students, Freshman Field day
LOCATION & PARKING DETAILS- at Hillcrest Middle School (the best spot if you want to get out fast after you are done!),
or the back lot of Trumbull High, and the football side lot of Trumbull High.
The driveway between THS & Hillcrest Middle School will be closed at 8:45 am for the safety of our runners on course.
Police will be on duty at the lot and at key intersections on the course.
A BIT OF HISTORY-
The temperature was in the low 60's, warm for a late Fall run. It started at 10 am on Sunday, Oct 27, 1991,
with Biology Teacher (now retired) Marty Schaivone yelling "GO!". The inaugural 5k run had 349 finishers-
a very high number for a new, local event.
Pat Swift and Allison Suchenski (Trumbull High alum) were the inaugural champions.
Within a few years, it became one of the top races in CT reaching a high of over 800 registrations in the late '90s.
It was redesigned as a four mile course in 1993 to acommodate a unique State Championship and stayed that way till 2016.
Featured runners included the iconic Bill Rogers, top American Laura Mykotok, two Olympians, and champions from six different countries!
Residents from nearly all 169 towns in CT have finished our event. It also played host to an amazing
“Marisa’s Restaurant Community Pasta Party” the night before for over 10 years.
THANK YOU ALL- As we celebrate our 36th year we thank our past and current school administrators,
faculty, students, neighbors, and friends who have contributed immeasurably.
The countless committee members that have helped keep the GPC alive and fun.
We thank YOU for joining us on any level whether live, virtual or as a donor.
Our students will benefit from your commitment.
WE WELCOME SPONSOR PARTNERS AT ANY LEVEL.
There are many opportunities and a great need to cover our costs for shirts, timing, facilities, police, food and much more.
Every partner helps us to donate to our scholarship fund, clubs teams, and the students involved. Sponsor a mile!
Or the starting line. Or help the student fundraising teams.
Get your name on the shirts or even the bibs. Become a ‘named’ sponsor underneath the Great Pumpkin Classic!
There’s a lot to choose from.
SPONSOR CONTACT Marty Schaivone msrunningproductions@yahoo.com ASAP!
We will keep this site updated and let all pre-registered know what’s going on.
If we are forced to go virtual please understand we can’t refund your registration.
We purchase shirts, bibs, pins, etc., at least two weeks in advance. We pay nonrefundable deposits
on some items and buy food and fluids ahead of time.
IF THE PUMPKIN GOES VIRTUAL
This will occur only if mandated by Federal, State, Local, or School administrators. Your health and safety are our top priority.
We understand that this event has a great impact on the community, supports many wonderful causes, and is great for the town of Trumbull.
We encourage you to participate this year in a meaningful way and do so on your own terms.
You may decide to go virtual on your own though you entered to run or walk in person.
If you chose to do this you will be able to enter your time and see where you stack up! Just let us know.
If you decide on your own to participate in a virtual form we would still appreciate it if you could pick up your swag ahead of time.
It is difficult and very costly to mail these items. We will do our best to drop off locally after the event.
MSRP helps to direct over 30 other events which raised over $250,000 for charities last year.
Other events in Trumbull include the Cow Chip Cross Country Run, Jingle Bell Run, & Trumbull Sunset.
Other races in the area include the Colony Grill Hot Oil 5K, the Bigelow Tea 5K, and the Beach Bunny 5K in Fairfield.
In Stratford we direct The Turkey Trot, Little Pub Margarita run, Happy HalloWINE, Holiday Toy Run & five more.
(and many others in Milford, Bridgeport, Westport & beyond).
The 2026 MSRP schedule link will be posted soon
ALL MSRP EVENTS CAN BE FOUND ON www.runsignup.com
THANKS TO OUR PARTNERS AND THEIR DONATIONS TO THE TRUMBULL HIGH SCHOOL SCHOLARSHIP FOUNDATION
we were able to donate $8,000 to the THS Scholarship Foundation!!
5K
1.9 mi
2.0 mi
402 m
805 m
1 mile