Pumpkins in the Park 5K Draws 1,400 Runners
Costumed runners took part in the Halloween morning race at Cobbs Hill Park in Rochester.
Updated on Oct. 31, 2026 in Running
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Pumpkins in the Park 5K took place on Halloween morning at Cobbs Hill Park in Rochester, drawing more than 1,400 people. Runners wore full costumes as the race started at 9 a.m. on Norris Drive.
Why it matters
The race drew a large crowd to Cobbs Hill Park and benefits the Rochester Youth Sports Foundation. Traffic restrictions in surrounding areas affected drivers during the morning.
More than 1,400 people took part, including 270 registered children. The source does not provide a prior-year comparison or the total funds raised for the Rochester Youth Sports Foundation.
The players
Rochester Youth Sports Foundation
The Rochester Youth Sports Foundation is the local nonprofit that receives the proceeds from the race.
The details
The 5K started at 9 a.m. on Norris Drive and looped through neighborhoods around Cobbs Hill before returning to the park. A kids' half-mile race followed at 10 a.m. between two inflatable cats, and the finishing chute was lined with pumpkins provided by the City of Rochester.
Timeline
Traffic restrictions ran from 8:45 to 10 a.m. on Halloween morning, October 31, 2026.
The 5K race started at 9 a.m. on Norris Drive.
The kids' half-mile race started at 10 a.m.
Season Trajectory
Themed fun runs such as this Halloween 5K have become a common fundraising format for local youth programs, placing this event within a seasonal pattern of community races. The race is one of many October events that combine competition with family participation.
Runners who want to take part in a similar costumed event can look for local fun runs that offer costume categories and finisher medals. Families with young children can note that the kids' half-mile race is a separate event with its own start time.
The takeaway
Community fun runs offer a low-pressure way to join an organized race, with costumes and kids' events widening who can participate. Checking race start times and traffic notices in advance helps participants and neighbors plan the morning.
Further reading
Find more race coverage in the Running section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by WHEC.
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