The 16th Annual
MVP Health Care presented The 16th Annual Great Pumpkin Challenge
and raised close to $17,000 (NET) to benefit Saratoga Bridges
On Saturday, October 15, MVP Health Care presented the 16th Annual Great Pumpkin Challenge that benefitted Saratoga Bridges. Held in the Saratoga Spa State Park, over 1,400 runners, walkers, spectators and volunteers packed the Columbia Pavilion — raising close to $17,000 NET for Saratoga Bridges’ programs and services. The 5 & 10K races resulted in the overall Male & Female 5K winners – Jeffrey Slaven from Albany, NY and Meghan Mortensen from Glenville, NY. The overall Male & Female 10K winners – Michael Nickerson from Clifton Park, NY and Stefanie Fresenius from Ballston Spa, NY. For 5K results CLICK HERE and for 10K results CLICK HERE. For 5K awards report CLICK HERE. For 10K awards report CLICK HERE. Anyone that placed 1st, 2nd or 3rd in their age group received a special gift from Saratoga Bridges. If winners missed the awards ceremony, they can call the Saratoga Bridges Administrative Offices to arrange for pick up anytime Monday – Friday between 8a.m. and 4p.m.
The event also included the popular Kids Fun Run for children 12 & under. Many children dressed in costume as did some adults. The winners of the costume contests are as follows: Adult Costume – 1st place Ben Townsend “Bunny” & 2nd place Blake Wynia “Cow”; Boys Costume Winner – Ryder Lynch “Jockey” and Girls Costume Winner Lola Ferrillo “Haunted Ghost Bride”.
The event featured NET Chip Timing from Albany Running Exchange, give-a-ways from their friends at MVP Health Care, homemade refreshments, pumpkins decorated by their day programs and many raffle prizes. They had over 120 volunteers from Criminal Justice Students from BOCES, Quad Graphics, Saratoga Sponsor-A-Scholar and Saratoga Bridges staff, board members and friends. Ainsley’s Angels and Saratoga Bridges’ own “Bridges Buddies” also finished the 5K, some of them for the very 1st time.
Our sincere appreciation to our 2016 Season Sponsors:
Presenting Season Sponsor: Constance & Thomas D’Ambra
Lead Season Sponsors: The Adirondack Trust Company; DIAGEO; Relph Benefit Advisors
Featured Season Sponsors: Coca-Cola; Stewart’s Shops; Tarella Financial Group
Associate Season Sponsors: Champlain Wealth Management
Friend Season Sponsors: The Bonadio Group; Camoin Associates, Inc.; The D.A. Collins Companies; O’Connell & Aronowitz Attorneys at Law; Richard A. & Ann C. Peters; Saratoga Casino Hotel
Special thanks to our 2016 Great Pumpkin Challenge Sponsors:
If you would like more information on becoming a Sponsor, CLICK HERE.
Presenting Sponsor: MVP Health Care
Featured Sponsors: Druthers Brewing Company
Monster Sponsors: BPAs; The Fitzgibbons Family
Vampire Sponsors: HIXNY; Lia Auto Group; OrthoNY; Price Chopper; Roohan Realty; TRAC-The Registered Agent Company
Mile Marker Sponsors: Law Office of Stephen Mastaitis; Northshire Bookstore; Staples Business Advantage
In Kind Sponsors: Ben & Jerry’s Saratoga Springs; Cabot Cheese; Clear View Bag Company; Clif Bar; DeVoe’s Rainbow Orchards; Prestige Vending Refreshment Catering Services; Saratoga Today; Stone Industries
Media Sponsors: Saratoga Today; WSBR
Great Pumpkin Challenge Planning Committee
Race Director: Jane Mastaitis
Skip Allen, Lena Benvenuto, Marjorie Brown, Karen Callan, Kim Fowler, Renee Hicks, Patty Paduano, Mark Sammler, Marissa Scally, Catherine Spaneas, Clark Spickerman, Tammy Thomas, Patty Twigg, Jackie Wright
If you have any questions, please contact Heather Varney at 518.587.0723, ext. 1266 or email hvarney@saratogabridges.org.