October is the perfect month to take one’s fitness path to the next level by participating in the Forest Preserve District of Will County’s Harvest Hustle Virtual 5K and Pumpkin Fun Run.
If you prefer running on a day when it’s convenient for you, complete the Harvest Hustle Virtual 5K on any date in October. If you love to run surrounded by others, choose the Pumpkin Fun Run on Saturday, October 14. If you’re really motivated and want to get moving this fall, tackle both runs. Don’t worry about your pace; both runs are for people of all abilities. Participants can run, jog, or walk the virtual 5K, which is 3.1 miles, or the fun run, which is just under 2.5 miles.
Harvest Hustle: The Harvest Hustle can be completed from Sunday, October 1, through Tuesday, October 31. Preregistration is not required. Harvest Hustle participants need to track the self-guided 5K on their smartphone and complete the online submission form with a screenshot of their run. The first 100 participants to finish their virtual 5Ks will receive long-sleeved Harvest Hustle T-shirts. The online submission form goes live on the Forest Preserve website on October 1. All runs must be completed on one of 11 designated Forest Preserve trails. For a list of the trails, visit the Event Calendar at ReconnectWithNature.org.
Pumpkin Fun Run: The Pumpkin Fun Run is set for 10 a.m. to noon, Saturday, October 14, at Hadley Valley – Gougar Road Access, on Gougar Road north of Rt. 6/Maple Road in Joliet. Registration is required by Wednesday, October 11. Register online on the Event Calendar at ReconnectWithNature.org or call 815-727-8700. A decorated booth will be set up for photos to commemorate the day. Pumpkin Fun Run participants will receive water bottles and can pick out a pumpkin to take home. Strollers are welcome at the Pumpkin Fun Run, but in-line skates, bicycles, and dogs are not.
Funding for both the Harvest Hustle Virtual 5K and the Pumpkin Fun Run generously has been provided by The Nature Foundation of Will County.