The Evergreen Pumpkin Run 5K and 10 Miler is a beloved Jacksonville staple, set in the heart of this historic Evergreen Cemetery. I’ve run both distances through the years, and confess that while I love the concept and the vibes, the course and weather usually challenge me quite a bit. How did it go this year? Let’s see!
About The Evergreen Pumpkin Run 5K
This Jacksonville fall favorite is one of the most popular events on the local Grand Prix circuit. It often sells out, and for very good reason. The course winds through the historic Evergreen Cemetery, a unique and peaceful setting beneath towering oaks and along quiet pathways. Runners are encouraged to dress up because in addition to age group and overall winners, there is a costume contest with prize. To make things even more festive are hundreds of pumpkins along the course: runners are invited to take them home after the 10 mile race is finished. How’s that for swag?
The Night Before
I confess that I signed up for this pretty late, so I didn’t have much time to do any hardcore prep. I had a Beetlejuice themed tank top that I pulled in for the occasion, and that’s about it. For dinner, I had enchiladas verdes at one of our favorite Mexican restaurants. It was later than I would have liked, but it was a band performance night and we had to work with what we had. I tried to get myself to bed as early as possible, because it was going to be an early morning.
Race Morning
With an 8AM start time, my plan was to leave the house at around 5:45AM. It was a 40 minute drive to the cemetery and parking is a nightmare. The lot inside the venue fills quickly, and then runners have to park along the side streets. It’s not the best area, and I had zero desire to be walking by myself on unfamiliar streets. When I arrived, people were already heading down the main parking street (right up against the walls of the cemetery), so I figured I would take my chances there. Luckily, I got a decent spot.
From there, I immediately went to the portapotties. For some reason, this race never has enough and lines get long. I was early enough that there was no line, and that was a relief. I met up with T and we chatted for a bit, and then used the restroom (second time for me).
I also met up with the Jacksonville run group. It was smaller today with huge races in DC and Disney pulling from our numbers.
The Start Line
There was a course change up from the last time I ran, with the start line closer to the restrooms instead of the main driveway of the cemetery. It wasn’t a huge shift, but it did throw me a little. We lined up, but the director delayed the start due to… backups in the bathroom line. Ugh. Temperatures were about 15 degrees warmer than they had been all week, and the sun was up. Even with the oak canopy it was going to be hot. But finally, we were off.
Miles 1-1.5
The Evergreen Pumpkin Run course makes a 3ish mile loop inside the main gates of the cemetery. From there, the 10 mile runners split off and take to the surface streets for a bit, before coming back in for a second 5K loop. This makes for a crowded course for almost the entire race.
That being said, it is quite lovely and peaceful. The paths deter people from veering off into the grounds too much, so runners can take in the views without much distraction.
Miles 1.5-3.1
There was a water stop at about 1.5 miles, perfectly positioned, but crowded, so I skipped it. At this point, I was really ready to be done. It was humid and getting hotter, and a few younger runners kept bobbing and weaving through the course, making things a little frustrating.
The Finish Line
Once I crossed the finish line, I had to make my exit. It was a bit of a hike to the car, so I got some photos, decided I didn’t want to haul a pumpkin for the last 3/4 mile of my journey, and headed out. Sometimes, you just have to go.
The Good, The Bad, And The Ugly
The Good: I love the location of this race. The costume contest is a fantastic way to encourage everyone to participate in a little fun. And the pumpkins lining the course make for a really fun and festive touch. The swag is great, with a gorgeous medal and a long-sleeve, gender-specific, technical top. There are snacks and drinks after the race, and a nice community vibe. Love it.
The Bad: For all that, this is a crowded race, with uneven pavement, and that can be tricky. it’s not the end of the world, but you do have to be aware at all times to avoid colliding, especially with some of the less experienced runners who may not be as up to date with race etiquette.
The Ugly: As much as I hate to say it, there are some ugly spots to thi srace. As mentioned, parking is tight, although the organizers do try to make it as pleasant as possible. Next, I’ve run this event mabe five times and it’s never started as planned due to bathroom delays. Finally, the train. There is a train that can run through the course, without warning. While I haven’t had the displeasure of that, it’s a risk of which runners must be aware.
Final Thoughts
This race and I are not on the best of terms. I’m really not sure what it is, but every time I toe that start line, I end up having a rough time. And that’s ok. I still enjoy the experience, and the peace that comes with the location. Will I be ready to take on the 10 Mile again any time soon? Probably not. But I do have high hopes that I can get to a good place with this race in the future. If not, I’ll just enjoy the spooky vibes, all the costumes, and having a beautiful morning with running friends around Halloween.
Have you run a Halloween race this year?
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Congrats! Sounds like you made the best of it. Its important for runners to be aware of the uneven pavement and the train! But otherwise seems like a fun festive race.
Oh, 15 degrees warmer and a delay for bathroom lines is a brutal combo! Still, the cemetery setting sounds so atmospheric (and just the right amount of spooky).
You summed it up perfectly, sometimes it’s not your day, but it’s still worth showing up for the vibe. Who knows, maybe next year this race will be better organised!
The holiday themed races and costumes are always just fun! Way to tackle the heat and long lines. A train really??