Great Pumpkin Race

More than 500 people with developmental disabilities participate in Special Olympics program throughout Stark County. The year round programs include: basketball, bocce, bowling, softball, swimming, and track and field. Proceeds from this event help purchase uniforms, equipment, field/venue rental and much more for these athletes.

What is our course like??  Our course is a USATF Certified Course (OH 04078PR) that was first design by runner and Plain Township Fire Chief John Sabo back in 1998. The course is maintained and supervised on race day by the Plain Township Fire and Rescue department in Canton, Ohio. The course loops through the beautiful Avondale neighborhood that adjoins the Whipple-Dale Centre. The neighborhood is heavily wooded, but the fire and rescue crews are out in the dark prepping the course and clearing any leaves from the road.

From one of our veteran course runners:

"The start is flat.  We tell the runners to watch out for wet leaves if the ground is wet around the corners.  Be careful!  Eaton & 26th is the First hill turn left on Ridgedale down hill curves left on Lake Heights - left on 22nd somewhat flat with slight grade turn right on Lakeside to 21st little grade then flatten out.  Right on Lake Heights right to Ridgedale - climb up to 26th turn left on Eaton - with a downhill finish.  Overall the course is a little rolling with some hills.  Not that bad!"