The Pink Pumpkin Run took over the streets of Hartford this past Saturday, October 4 to help raise money for a good cause.
The Pink Pumpkin Run is a 5k walk and run event that has been held in the area for 11 consecutive years. Afterwards, the Pink Pumpkin Fest gives families the chance to celebrate their community and come together for an afternoon of fun and friendship.
The run is designed to bring awareness and provide support for individuals and the loved ones of those who have been affected by breast cancer.
The run helps raise money to assist these families with daily basic needs, which may come in the form of direct assistance to gift cards that help alleviate some financial pressure.
The organization ill often purchase, gas, grocery, restaurant, and cleaning service gift cards that they then distribute to impacted families.
The run is led by a group of board members who work year round to help raise awareness for breast cancer and secure donations that help their program assist those in need.
In 2024, the organization
“Participated in the Music & Uncle Larry’s Fish Fry events put on by Friends of Pike Lake on Fridays, joined Chix4aCause in West Bend for the Survivors Day in the Sun. , and returned to Girls Night Out event at Lammscapes. [They] also continued [their] cherished pumpkin painting parties at Black’s Flower Shop, decorating hundreds of pumpkins that beautifully lined the downtown river walk.”
Last year’s run raised over $200,000 and had over 700 participants.
This year, the Pink Pumpkin Run broke the previous year’s attendance records. 753 participants were involved in the race, including 72 brave cancer survivors.
Before the race kicked off at 9 a.m., attendees were encouraged to head down to Main Street to visit the vendor area. Coffee, treats, face painting booths, and pink hair tinsel were aplenty.
The runners and their supporters both showed up decked out in pink, filled with energy on the sunny October morning.
After the music, the Pink Pumpkin Fest encouraged everyone to continue showing their support by watching some fantastic live music, picking up some delicious food, and doing a little shopping.
Businesses had their doors open and were excited to join in.
Each year, the extraordinary event grows, and this record breaking year is a sign of a bright future for the foundation.
