Brunswick Pumpkin Run benefits Brunswick Food Pantry for fifth straight year - cleveland.com

BRUNSWICK, Ohio -- More than 200 runners -- along with friendly ghosts, witches and all manner of Halloween revelers -- converged on the Panera Bread parking lot Oct. 12 for the fifth annual Pumpkin Run 5K and 1-mile run to benefit the Brunswick Food Pantry.

The race included a Ghostbusters-themed pace car provided by the Ghostbusters: Cleveland group, prizes for the top two 5K finishers in various age groups, medals being passed out by Brunswick National Honor Society students, and an after-party at race sponsor Panini’s Bar and Grill. The restaurant also donated a portion of race day sales to the Brunswick Food Pantry.

Race founder Alex Johnson said this was the first year that the Hermes of Cleveland-sanctioned 5K “chip timed” participants. The race also included a sundown trek through a live-action haunted forest behind the Susan B. Hambley Nature Center at Brunswick Lake Park.

Johnson said the event has raised approximately $8,000 for the food pantry since 2015, adding that there are plans to expand the haunted forest attraction in future years.

“This is the perfect time and the perfect time of the day to do this,” he said of the 6 p.m. race start time.

First-time attendee Gloria Tangi, of Berea, came to the race with her grandson, Anthony, an avowed Ghostbusters fan.

“It is just a great event to come to and see all the people,” she said. “And there is a Ghostbusters car.”

Bill Biscoff, of South Euclid, said the Pumpkin Run is a fun, well-organized event, if somewhat shorter than what the Fleet Feet-sponsored runner is used to.

“I just got back from a 100-miler,” Bicoff laughed.

Read more news from the Brunswick Sun.