How Challenges Work
Over the years, Gourdy has added various challenges to make your run even better. And, it certainly makes it even more rewarding! The first challenge we introduced was the Tough Pumpkin challenge where you carry a pumpkin with you on your 5K. In 2020, we added the Fall-natic Challenge which holds you accountable to run or walk 3.1 miles each month during fall. Further, we have a brand new challenge for 2021, which we’ll reveal later this summer!
Read through the sections below to see how each one works, some tips to complete it, and even some inspiration:
Tough Pumpkin®
The OG challenge we introduced back in 2013. Running is tough enough, but when you add Tough Pumpkin, it becomes an even greater challenge! Run or walk your 5K while carrying a pumpkin and you’ll earn the exclusive Tough Pumpkin challenge finisher’s medal in addition to the regular finisher’s medal.
How it works for the Virtual Run
If you’re joining us virtually this fall, you’ll want to head out a couple days prior to your race and find the perfect pumpkin. We suggest supporting a local farm and purchasing there, but you can always find them at the grocery store, gardening center, and even home improvement stores. Weigh your pumpkin on a scale so you know how many pounds you’re hauling!
Run your 5K with pumpkin in tote. You can carry it by hand or throw it in a small backpack/sling. Be sure to take before and after pictures!
Post-race, you’ll upload your finishing time in RunSignup. You can also enter the weight of your pumpkin next to your time (i.e. 2 pounds, 5 pounds, etc.)
Get social! Anytime you’re training for Tough Pumpkin as well as on race morning, tag @gourdyspumpkinrun and use #toughpumpkin
How it works for the location-based events
If you’re joining us at one of the location-based events this fall, you’ll pick out your pumpkin at the Tough Pumpkin tent. You can do this at Friday night packet pick-up or on race morning after you’ve grabbed your race packet. While size selection is very dependent on the crop yield, we try to have an equal mix of lightweight and heavier pumpkins. Those range in size from a pie pumpkin (~2 pounds) up to a small jack o’ lantern (~10 pounds).
Run the 5K with pumpkin in tote. You can carry it by hand or throw it in a clear backpack/sling. All bags that enter the start chute must be clear.
After you cross the finish line, head to the finish tent where you’ll receive both your medals (and apple cider, of course!)
Get social! Anytime you’re training for Tough Pumpkin as well as on race morning, tag @gourdyspumpkinrun and use #toughpumpkin
Tips
- When selecting a pumpkin, find one with a strong stem. This way, it’s less likely to break if you carry it by the stem during your run.
- Don’t go too heavy. You’ll be amazed how even a 2 pound pumpkin can make the entire run a much bigger challenge!
- During your run, switch arms often to allow the other arm a rest. Whether you do it every couple of minutes or every 1/4 mile, come up with a plan.
- Train! During the months leading up to the race, head outside with a seasonal fruit and log some miles. Start small with a lemon, graduate to an orange, then really challenge yourself with something like a cantaloupe or mini-watermelon in August!
How to add on Tough Pumpkin
Virtual Run
- You can add this on when you go to sign up. During registration, you’ll be asked if you want to add it on.
- Already signed up for the Virtual Run? You can add it to your registration by heading to Gourdy’s General Store here.
Location-based event
- You can add this on when you go to sign up. During registration, you’ll be asked if you want to add it on.
- Already signed up for a location-based event? Go to your RunSignup profile, find your race registration, and manage add-ons. Under add-ons, you’ll be able to add Tough Pumpkin to your registration.
Fall-natic Challenge
Run more, earn more!
The Fall-natic Challenge is an optional challenge to keep you going all season long! Instead of just running once this fall, this challenges you to keep up with your training goals and complete a 5K each month. Here’s how it works:
- September to Remember: Celebrate the start of fall by doing a 5K in September!
- Rocktober: Leaves are changing colors and fall is in full swing! Rock 3.1 miles in October to take it all in!
- Novem-brrr Dash: As the temps start to drop, keep up the momentum by heading out one last time.
You can pick and choose what months you want to add on, or set the bar high by adding on all three (while saving some money!) Each challenge has its own unique medal. After you complete each challenge, you can upload your results to RunSignup. More bling, more running, and more celebrating our favorite season!
Tips
- While you can pick what month you want, the most popular choice is to go with all three. This way, you hold yourself accountable to running a 5K each month while also saving some money!
- What if my race is scheduled for September. Does that count as my September to Remember challenge? Well, that’s up to you! You can use it as both or you can run twice that month.
- Make each one memorable. Celebrate each challenge by choosing a different route, end with a celebratory happy hour, or get social and run with a different pal every time.
- The medals come sealed in separate bags. We suggest keeping ’em that way and opening each one after you’ve completed the corresponding month.
How to add on the Fall-natic Challenge
- You can add this on when you go to sign up. During registration, you’ll be asked if you want to add it on.
- Already signed up? You can add it to your registration by heading to Gourdy’s General Store here.
Stay Tuned
We have an all-new challenge that we’re not quite ready to announce yet. Rest assured it works in concert with the other ones, so you can add all of them if you wish. Follow Gourdy on Instagram so you’ll be among the first to see the new challenge once we reveal it!
