A GREAT CHALLENGE
Event raises funds for Saratoga Bridges
Over 1,300 people were at Saratoga Spa State Park on Saturday morning for Saratoga Bridge’s 17th annual Great Pumpkin Challenge.
The event, which included 5K and 10K races, helped raise over $18,000 net for the agency’s programs and services, a news release said.
Both 5K and 10K male winners were from Saratoga Springs. Chase Baker won the 5K, while new Saratoga Springs resident Thijs Kolet won the 10K.
Elizabeth Predmore from Ballston Lake, was the female 5K winner, while Leigh Parker from Glenmont was the female 10K winner.
“I felt good. It was a competitive field. You never know who is going to show up on a race like this. We started off with six guys, probably up at the two mile mark we were all together, so it was really exciting and it’s cool if you have a good pack to run with,” said Kolet. “Then three of us broke off, and on the second to last hill there was just two of us, and on the downhill I managed to get a little gap and hold onto it.”
The crowded field didn’t bother Kolet as he got off to a quick start, but he appreciated how the course went.
“On the way back, you loop back past all of the other 10kers and so everybody is applauding and so it’s just great support on the final hill,” said Kolet.
Kolet lived in Rhode Island for eight years before moving to Saratoga Springs about two months ago. He’s a nurse at Fresenius Kidney Care Saratoga Springs.
Kolet hasn’t always been a runner. He grew up in the Netherlands.
“I was never a real runner until the U.S. brought out the competitiveness in me, I guess,” said Kolet, 36, with a laugh.
An ambulance had to rush a man to the hospital during the race, authorities said, but did not provide further details on the matter.
Saratoga Bridge’s Chief Financial Officer Jane Mastaitis could been seen encouraging the runners on as they inched closer to the finish line.
“The most important thing about this race to us is it’s a huge community event,” said Mastaitis. “It brings a lot of the community to get to know Saratoga Bridges and from an agency perspective all of our departments help with the race. Our day programs make the pumpkins for the pumpkin contest. The residential program does a lot of the baking. And we have just tons and tons of staff volunteers out here and people running.”
About 34 people in the Bridges Buddies Walking and Wheeling Program, which was created by their Wellness Committee for their employees and individuals from day programs and residents, participated.
“A lot of our guys have a mentor that they are walking or running with, so that’s pretty cool,” said Mastaitis. “It’s a real community event for us.”
Usually the race happens closer to Halloween but it’s based on the availability of Spa State Park. Even though Halloween is weeks away, many attendees wore costumes during the race.
Prizes were even awarded for the best adult and children’s costumers. Scott LeFevre dressed as Beast from “Beauty & the Beast” for the best Adult Costume, while Mackenzie LeFevre dressed as Belle to secure the Girls Costume Winner. Christopher Mason wore a Dwarf from Snow White as the Boy’s Costume Winner.
“We are a little early, but who doesn’t want to celebrate Halloween?” Mastaitis asked.