Pumpkin Run draws big crowd

Participants in Saturday’s 16th annual Pumpkin Run & Walk were greeted with a beautiful brisk morning for the 5K race, which started and ended at Cloquet’s Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College. A total of 211 runners and walkers finished the oldest Halloween-themed race in northern Minnesota.

Race participants celebrated the theme of the Pumpkin Run by wearing creative costumes or orange and black clothing. Competition was keen for the coveted Best Costume awards, with the winners covering a range of characters including an elaborate butterfly costume, a large group of M&Ms, a team of cats and more.

Overall winner Scott Behling of Duluth finished with a time of 15:17, coming very close to the course record of 15:13 set by Eric Hartmark in 2009. Gerrit Livingston of Duluth finished second in 16:37, and David Hyöppönen of Duluth was third with a time of 16:54. Susan Drache of Duluth finished first in the women's overall division with a time of 20:47, good enough for fifth overall. Second place went to Kelly Pechous of Hibbing in 21:19, followed by Anne Hyöppönen of Duluth in 21:31 for third place.

Another Pumpkin Run tradition is awarding medals to the fastest FDLTCC students in the race. Jesse Bahen of Cloquet was the men’s division winner in 24:19, and Jayden Karppinen of Esko won the women’s division in 24:35.

Upper Lakes Foods provided all the amazing post-race refreshments, and several local businesses sponsored the race through prize donations including Tortoise & Hare Footwear, Duluth Running Company, Austin Jarrow, Mellin Promotional Advertising and the Pine Knot News.