Around 4,000 kiddos will be racing around the Haymarket this Sunday, Oct. 13, for the the 23rd annual Pumpkin Run — the largest youth-only fun run in the nation.
The one-mile course will start heats every 30 minutes from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., divided by elementary school grade. The Nebraska Sports Council (NSC) coordinates with about 50 area elementary schools to help kids train for the event.
Dave Minarik, NSC president, says PE departments use it as a tool to demonstrate how you can stay active throughout your lifetime.
“The whole point is to be able to run or at least walk a mile without stopping. That’s the goal,” said Minarek.
Each runner receives a 2024 Pumpkin Run medal and souvenir cup when they finish. Runners and their families are also invited to attend the vendor fair inside Pinnacle Bank Arena to enjoy giveaways and games from more than 20 local businesses and organizations following their heat.
Those interested can still register and find details, including the full schedule and course map, at PumpkinRunLincoln.com. Minarik encourages parents with interested kids to register by the end of Friday, Oct. 11.
Lincoln Transportation and Utilities will be closing down several Haymarket streets from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. for the event.
The closures are as follows, and a map is available below.
• Canopy Street between “N” and “R” streets
• “N” Street between Canopy Street and Pinnacle Arena Drive
• “O” Street at Canopy Street
• “P” Street between Canopy Street and Pinnacle Arena Drive
• Pinnacle Arena Drive between Eighth Street and “N” Street
• “Q” Street between Seventh Street and Pinnacle Arena Drive
• “R” Street between Seventh Street and Pinnacle Arena Drive
