The 36th edition of THE Great Pumpkin Classic

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 10/7- after that ‘as available’

Fabric and colors may depend on inventory, tariffs and what's on sale.

OUR NEW 2026 PRESENTING SPONSORS

NEXT DIMENSIONS GYMNASTICS of Trumbull 

https://www.nextdimensiongymnastics.com 

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!

AND OUR NEWEST SUPPORTING SPONSORS

MASSAGE ENVY SHELTON WILL HAVE VOLUNTEERS AVAILABLE BEFORE & AFTER YOUR RUN

Massage Envy Shelton supports runners by helping them care for their bodies before, during, and after their training and race-day efforts. After you cross the finish line, stop by the Massage Envy booth for a post-race massage designed to help you relax, recover, and feel your best!

RABINE

Family & Cosmetic Dentistry Shelton www.rabinefamilydentistry.com 

OUR GOLD LEVELSPONSORS

*My Smile Orthodontics  https://www.mysmilect.com/   

*River Road Pediatric Dentistry  https://www.riverroadkids.com/

*ODIN Capital Partners 

Supporting Sponsors 2025/26

*Refine Fitness Trumbull. 

*Stop & Shop- Trumbull  

In Kind Partners 2025 & 26

NEW AMRITA Protein bars - https://www.amritahealthfoods.com/ 

AWARDS SPONSORS

$100/$75/$50 GC to top 3 M&F finishers from  *Marathon Sports of Fairfield 

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. AND the VIDEO!

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.

WATCH THIS AMAZING VIDEO RECORDED BY OUR COURSE RECORD HOLDER SPENCER BROWN- as he was running and setting the record!!!  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rDruHfEtyT8&ab_channel=TheAthleteSpecial 

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 

10/7    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 Marathon Sports

Awards & medals

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!

And DEFINITELY Carolina Instant Rice packages!

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://www.plotaroute.com/route/3440431

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! 

SEE THE VIDEO HERE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rDruHfEtyT8&ab_channel=TheAthleteSpecial 

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

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. 

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. 

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:

www.hitekracing.com/msrp

ALL MSRP EVENTS CAN BE FOUND ON www.runsignup.com

THANKS TO OUR 2025 PARTNERS AND THEIR DONATIONS TO THE TRUMBULL HIGH SCHOOL SCHOLARSHIP FOUNDATION 

we were able to donate $8,000 to the THS Scholarship Foundation!!