The 36th edition of THE Great Pumpkin Classic 2026
- Date
- Sunday, October 18, 2026
- Start time
- 8:15 AM start (New York)
- Location
- TRUMBULL, Connecticut
- Entry fee
- From $17 · goes up to $20 on Oct 12, 2026
- Included with entry
- Includes a shirt
- Fundraising
- Takes optional donations when you register
Registration is open.
We earn a small commission when you register through this link, at no cost to you. Details
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Events and entry fees
| Event | Distance | When | Entry fee | Cap |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kids Fun Runs- ages 12 & under | Kids | Oct 18, 20268:15 AM | $17$20 after Oct 12, 2026 | – |
| 1+ Mile Health Walk ages 18 & under | Other | Oct 18, 20269:00 AM | $23$25 after Oct 5, 2026 | – |
| 1+ Mile Health Walk ages 19 & over | Other | Oct 18, 20269:00 AM | $31$35 after Oct 5, 2026 | – |
| 5k Run or Walk ages 18 & under | 5K | Oct 18, 20269:00 AM | $26$28 after Oct 5, 2026 | – |
| 5k Run or Walk ages 19 & over | 5K | Oct 18, 20269:00 AM | $34$37 after Oct 5, 2026 | – |
Entry fees exclude processing fees. Prices and dates come from the race's registration page and refresh nightly.
The Kids fee goes up to $20 on Oct 12, 2026.
Race day planning
Entry fee schedule
- Kids Fun Runs- ages 12 & under: $17 until Oct 11, then $20 until Oct 18.
- 1+ Mile Health Walk ages 18 & under: $23 until Oct 4, then $25 until Oct 18.
- 1+ Mile Health Walk ages 19 & over: $31 until Oct 4, then $35 until Oct 18.
- 5k Run or Walk ages 18 & under: $26 until Oct 4, then $28 until Oct 11, then $30 until Oct 18.
Online registration closes Oct 18, 2026, unless the race fills first.
How the price compares
At $26, entry is about 24 percent below a typical 5K in Connecticut, which costs $34 right now.
What a typical finish looks like
A typical finisher at a 5K in Connecticut runs 32:01, about 10:18 a mile, based on 235 races with published results. Women typically finish in 34:53 and men in 29:10.
Light and altitude
Sunrise on race morning is at about 7:06 AM, and the Kids Fun Runs- ages 12 & under starts at 8:15 AM. The start sits about 310 feet above sea level.
Fees exclude processing fees. Comparisons use current entry fees and published results from races nearby.
Start location and course
TRUMBULL HIGH SCHOOL, TRUMBULL, CT 06611
The pin marks the address the race lists, which is usually the start. Course maps are the organizers' own.
2022 results
All results (2 years)Aggregated from official results (The Last Mile Racing) for The 36th edition of THE Great Pumpkin Classic. Individual finisher names are not stored here.
How fast do you need to be at The 36th edition of THE Great Pumpkin Classic?
In 2022, the fastest tenth finished in 23:35 or better, the top quarter in 27:03, and half the field in 31:07; the last tenth came in after 43:00.
| Age | Women | Men |
|---|---|---|
| Under 20 | 24:13 | 23:31 |
| 20-29 | 26:00 | 21:20 |
| 30-39 | 25:18 | 20:32 |
| 40-49 | 23:57 | 20:58 |
| 50-59 | 24:59 | 21:09 |
| 60-69 | 31:47 | 25:09 |
| 70+ | n/a | 30:43 |
Groups with fewer than five finishers are left out. Awards vary by race; check the race's rules.
What would my time get me?
Where a finish time would have placed in 2022.
Finishers by year
Up 9 percent since 2021.
All events combined, from official results.
The 36th edition of THE Great Pumpkin Classic 5K year by year
From 2021 to 2022, the field went from 330 to 360 finishers, and the median time rose from 29:58 to 31:07.
| Year | Finishers | Median | Fastest tenth | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 360 (+9%) | 31:07 | under 23:35 | 17:17 |
| 2021 | 330 | 29:58 | under 22:38 | 17:10 |
From each year's official results for the 5K; virtual options are left out.
How fast is it?
About average for Connecticut 5Ks
The fastest quarter of the 2022 5K field finished under 27:03, against 27:02 in a typical Connecticut 5K, so times here are about average.
Compares the fastest quarter of each field, so walkers and first-timers do not skew it. It reflects the course and the field together: a flat course, cool weather, or a competitive crowd all make times faster.
Typical race-day weather
Around October 18 the day usually runs from 47°F at dawn to 63°F in the afternoon, with measurable rain on about 20% of days. Cold snaps dip to 41°F and hot years reach 72°F.
Based on 75 days within a week of the date over the last 5 years, from historical weather for the start area. Not a forecast.
Race details
- Where
- TRUMBULL HIGH SCHOOL, TRUMBULL, CT 06611Map
- Course
- Road
- Start elevation
- About 310 feet
- Included with entry
- T-Shirt; long sleeve T-Shirt; Long sleeve T-Shirt
- Donations
- Accepted when you register
- Distances
- 5K, Kids, Other
- Editions
- 2026 (Oct 18, 2026), 2025 (Oct 19, 2025), 2024 (Oct 20, 2024), 2023 (Oct 20, 2023), 2022 (Oct 16, 2022), 2021 (Oct 17, 2021)
Organize this race? Add details or a correction
Plan your race
Quick answers
- When is The 36th edition of THE Great Pumpkin Classic?
- Sunday, October 18, 2026, starting at 8:15 AM.
- How much does it cost?
- Entry starts at $17 before processing fees, and rises to $20 on Oct 12, 2026.
- When does registration close?
- Online registration closes Oct 18, 2026, unless the race fills first.
- Is the entry fee high for Connecticut?
- At $26, entry is about 24 percent below a typical 5K in Connecticut, which costs $34 right now.
- Do runners get a shirt or medal?
- Entry includes a shirt, according to the race's registration page. Check it for sizes and whether kids' races get the same.
- Can I donate to a cause when I register?
- Yes. The registration form offers an optional donation, usually for the charity or nonprofit the race supports. The race's own page names the cause.
- What distances can I run?
- 5K, Kids, Other.
- How big is it, and how fast?
- In 2022, 360 runners finished the 5k Run; the median finish was 31:07 and the winner ran 17:17.
- Is it a fast course?
- The fastest quarter of the 2022 5K field finished under 27:03, against 27:02 in a typical Connecticut 5K, so times here are about average.
- Where does it start?
- TRUMBULL HIGH SCHOOL, TRUMBULL, CT 06611.
- Is there a course map?
- Yes, the organizers publish the route on Plotaroute; the link is under Start location and course.
From the organizers
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.