PUMPKIN RUN FULL OF FUN

By BROGAN JOHNSON

Every Halloween, Taft Elementary School hosts its very own Pumpkin Run for the students and their families to enjoy.  This tradition entails a one mile race throughout the school grounds created as an addition to the cross country run.  The Pumpkin Run gives students the ability to show off their personal best running capabilities along with their Halloween costumes.  

BROGAN JOHNSON FOR THE WIZARD WEEKLY

In previous years, only students in  fourth and fifth grade were able to participate, however, P.E. teacher, Mrs. Mullady expressed, “This year a select group of exceptional third grade cross country runners were also asked to participate, setting the stakes even higher." Even though these students were the youngest participants, they were able to make the race’s top twenty effortlessly.  

At precisely two o’clock, the girls took off on the mile long race while being cheered on by their families and friends.  At the course’s final stretch, the male participants were cheering on their classmates giving them that final push to finish strong.  Oliva D. came in first place for the girls, finishing at a time of 6:52.

Following the girls’ race, the boys were eagerly ready to begin the Pumpkin Run.  At the blow of the airhorn, the swarm of boys darted away from the starting line in record time.  Along their journey through the course, the female participants cheered on their friends just as the boys had done previously.  First place winner, William Rosario, was able to finish the mile in an astounding time of 6:19!

After the Pumpkin Run had concluded, both winners agreed they “were thinking about joining the track team” due to their stellar performances.  William Rosario exclaimed, "Running through the finish line was really intimidating, but it feels good to have fun and race with other people.”  The top three winners for the boys and girls all received their very own pumpkins for their jobs well done.

Overall, the Pumpkin Run was a fantastic event for the students, faculty and families of Taft Elementary.  Putting a creative twist on a one mile race was able to inspire more students to participate as well as more families to attend.  Hopefully, the annual Pumpkin Run tradition lives on and continues to grow each year giving students an exciting way to celebrate Halloween!