The Pumpkin Run is the first race of the Winter Run Series in SE Wisconsin. For the last 15 years, Lighthouse Events has been in charge of these races, but this year ownership changed to Race Day Events. There were definitely some bumps in the road with new ownership, which we'll get to below.

Packet pickup was held either on race morning or the day before at Performance Running Outfitters. I went the day before. This was mostly smooth, other than the fact that packet pickup was delayed about 10 minutes. Of course, I only knew that because I was there for pickup after the morning run from the store.

Parking in downtown Oconomowoc on a Sunday morning can be a bit tricky due to church, restaurants, etc. I arrived early enough that I was able to land a spot in one of the bigger lots, but I did see a lot of cars driving around looking for spots. Mentally, it also didn't help me that the map provided by the race wasn't laid out too great. Oh well.

My only other negative about race morning was the lack of an indoor shelter. For most races this isn't a huge deal, but in a Winter Series you'd like to have it. 40 degrees is a bit cool for being outside before a race (yes I know, I could've sat in the car). I did think there could have been more porta-pods in the start area, but I know space can be an issue in downtown.

The race itself went off without a hitch. The course was easy to follow, mile markers were accurate, and the only tricky turn had a sign directing runners where to go. It was a mostly flat route, a couple small hills, but a good run through the neighborhoods around Fowler Lake.

The biggest hurdle with this race was the post-race. In past years, runners could head over to the race tent, give their bib number, and get there official time, overall place, and age group award. It literally took less than a minute. New ownership did not have that in place. For age group awards, and results, they directed runners to their website, but did not have anyone available to pass out awards to age group winners. It took a solid hour before they had someone in that tent for awards/age group, and it was all done manually checking through overall results. Wildly inefficient.

Now let's talk swag! The shirts had a nice design this year (way better than last year TBH). The drawback was that the shirts are definitely not running shirts, as they are just soft cotton. I always struggle with cotton running shirts. Comfortable? Yes. Practical for running? Nope. And not all of us wear our running shirts just...around.

The race also gives out finisher medals (which I don't love for a 5k/10k). My issue was that the race gave out the SERIES finisher medals at packet pickup, before the first race. I get that they're all about the swag. But come on, that's not something that should be passed out before the first race of a series that ends in March.

Definitely some issues with the first race under new ownership. The next race in the series is held in November. Hopefully some of these issues (mainly timing) get fixed up as the series goes on