Disclaimer: I received free entry to The Great Pumpkin Run 5K (Lansing) race as part of being a BibRave Pro. Learn more about becoming a BibRave Pro (ambassador), and check out BibRave.com to review find and write race reviews!
When signing up for The Great Pumpkin Run 5K, there was an additional option of the Tough Pumpkin challenge. This is where you select a pumpkin and carry it with you the entire race. Those who finished got an additional medal to go along with the 5K finisher's medal. There were small, medium, and large bins of pumpkins to choose from. Because I got to the race early, I had plenty of pumpkins to choose from. I went with one of the larger ones (turned out to be 13 lbs!). I wanted to make sure I earned that Tough Pumpkin medal.
Picture of the 13lb pumpkin, Linus, I carried with me the entire course.
The weather was great for a race. It was cool, but not cold. This was a welcome change from the recent heatwave from a few days ago. The course was through the woods and trails at Uncle John's Cider Mill, in St. Johns. There was one small hill near the first mile that was challenging to run up while carrying Linus. After that first mile, I worked hard on finding all the different ways I could carry the pumpkin. I carried it by the stem with both hands, holding on to it with both hands, carrying it on each shoulder.
Picture of myself taken during the race.
After crossing the finish line, I received by 5K finisher's medal and my Tough Pumpkin medal. I still had to carry Linus with me back to my truck. I had to make sure I had both hands available, so I could get a gallon of Uncle John's Cider and 1/2 dozen donuts. Freshly made apple cider is something I can't pass up!
This was the first race I've run that isn't the traditional road race. It was fun trying something new. Even with the struggle of carrying Linus with me the whole way, I wouldn't have changed anything. If I run this race again, I might even try a larger pumpkin!
