The Screaming Pumpkin Marathon and Relay

Come and take part in the PATFC's 3rd annual Screaming Pumpkin Prediction Marathon and Relay, where running fast won't necessarily win you the race! The Screaming Pumpkin event promises to be one of the hilliest and darkest running events in the country. Run by yourself, or with a team of 2, 3, or 4. Either way, you'll have no watch and no clock on the course… just you (in costume if you choose), the cemetery, and the full moon lit night sky. Whoever finishes closest to midnight without going over, wins the race! Participants can begin running any time after 6:00 PM on October 28th, depending on the length of time they predict it will take them to complete the 26.2 mile distance before, or ideally, ON the stroke of midnight. All finishers who make it back before Midnight, will receive a wand, a tiara and a finisher's photo. Finishers who make it back after midnight will receive a pumpkin. Finisher Medals will be provided for all those in the Marathon and Marathon relay. The marathon course will close and all runners will be asked to leave the course at 1:00 AM.

*PLEASE NOTE: Runners will not be allowed to enter the final 6.55 mile loop of the course if they do not reach the 18 mile mark by 11:20 PM.

6.55 Run and 2 Mile Walk: 10K RUN AND 2 MILE WALK: Not up to the 26.2 mile distance? The 6.55 run is one loop on the hilly marathon course. Additionally, participants can choose to participate in a 2 mile walk that will begin at the lower entrance to Glen Oak Park, and will follow the trail into historic Springdale Cemetery. Costumed actors will perform along the trail. Though the actors will do their best to be a little bit spooky, please do not worry, the actors will do nothing to interfere with your run. The 2 mile walk course will be on mostly flat, paved roads and trails, and will finish back at the park entrance. The 10K and 2 mile walk will begin at 6:00PM when the course opens for any marathon participants.

All proceeds from this event benefit the PATFC and the E.L.I.T.E. Youth Outreach Program.

The start and finish of the Screaming Pumpkin race and walk will be held in lower Glen Oak Park. This is located directly across from former Woodruff High School located at 1800 NE Perry St. in Peoria, IL. Participants are encouraged to park in the Woodruff High School parking lot.

Founded in 1854, Springdale Cemetery is one of the oldest and largest cemeteries in the state. Over 78,000 citizens are buried along the 230 acres of hills and valleys and 6.55 miles of roads

The Screaming Pumpkin Marathon course is a 6.55mi loop which will be lined with over 1500 glow sticks and takes the participants through Lower Glen Oak Park and historic Springdale Cemetery. Make no mistake, this course is hilly. In fact, this marathon course may be the hilliest you've ever attempted. But that's alright because your time on this race does not matter! Slower runners and even run/walkers have a chance of winning on this challenging course because all that matters is whether or not you finish closest to midnight without going over! The majority of the race will be on paved streets and paths. One section, at the beginning of the first loop, will follow along a wooded trail where costumed actors will perform for you along the trail. Though the actors will do their best to be a little bit spooky, please do not worry: the actors will do nothing to interfere with your run. The only traffic on the course will be course monitors or bike safety patrol.

The ~10K (6.55mi) will use the same loop as the marathon and relay.

The 2 Mile Walk course is relatively flat and begins and ends in Lower Glen Oak Park while looping through a portion of the beautiful and historic Springdale cemetery.

No watches or GPS devices allowed on the course. Relay runners, their families and/or friends are not permitted to exchange time or pace information with runners during the race. No warming up or cooling down will be allowed on the actual race course. Spectators will not be allowed in Springdale Cemetery.

Costumes are encouraged! An overall best costume award will be announced on www.screamingpumpkinrace.com within one week of the race and the winner will be awarded a $150 gift certificate to Running Central.

The prediction marathon will be held on Friday, October 28th. Participants choose their own starting time based on the predicted pace with a finish time goal of 12 Midnight. The course will open at 6:00PM for individuals and relay teams in the marathon. The last time an individual can begin the marathon is 9:00PM.

*PLEASE NOTE: As this is a loop course (4 x 6.55 mile loops), no participant will be allowed to start a new loop after 11:20PM.

The prediction marathon relay will be held on Friday, October 28th. Teams of 2, 3, or 4 people choose their own starting time based on the predicted pace with a finish time goal of 12 Midnight. The course will open at 6:00PM for individuals and relay teams in the marathon. The last time a relay can begin is 9:30PM.

*PLEASE NOTE: As this is a loop course (4 x 6.55 mile loops), no participant will be allowed to start a new loop after 11:20PM.

The 10K (6.55) race and 2 Mile Walk will start promptly at 6:00PM. The 10K is one loop of the marathon course. The 2 Mile Walk consists of a route beginning in lower Glen Oak Park, up the bike path along Perry Street, with a small loop through lower Springdale Cemetery, and returning to lower Glen Oak Park via the same bike path. Unlike the 10K loop, this course is flat. For safety purposes, walkers are asked to line up behind the runners.

*PLEASE NOTE: All kids under the age of 12 are free to participate in the 2 Mile Walk. Kids who do not pay for the event will not receive a long sleeve shirt or free post-race meal. However, food and drink can be purchased from the concession stand.

The first 500 participants to register will receive an orange long sleeve technical shirt ($30 value). Marathon and Marathon Relay participants will also receive a pair of Mizuno Breath Thermo Fleece gloves ($30 value). All registrants will receive complementary glow-stick jewelry and a post-race meal. In addition to the items listed above, participants in the Individual Marathon will receive an embroidered Mizuno jacket ($125 value)!! Finisher's medals will be given to all the Marathon and Marathon Relay team finishers.

Individual Marathon - $125.

Marathon Relay - $200.

~10K and 2 Mile Walk - $40.

On-line registration will end at 12 Midnight on Wednesday, October 25rd. Yes, this means online registration WILL BE CLOSED at 12:01AM October 26th.

Mailed applications will not be accepted with a post mark after Friday, October 21st.

Late registration will be accepted IN PERSON ONLY at Running Central from 10AM-7PM on Wednesday October 26th - Thursday, October 27th.

Race day registration will be available on Friday, October 28th at lower Glen Oak Park from 3PM-6PM.

Late registration fees (10/24-10/27) are as follows: $150 for the marathon, $225 for the marathon relay, $45 for the 10K. RACE DAY REGISTRATION: $175 for the marathon, $250 for the marathon relay, $50 for the 10k.

The 2 Mile Walk is $40 regardless of registration time.

LATE REGISTRATION DOES NOT GUARANTEE A SHIRT, JACKET, OR GLOVES DEPENDING ON YOUR RACE.

The Marathon & Relay: Awards will be given to the top 3 individuals and relay teams, finishing closest to - but not after - midnight. An overall best costume award will be announced on www.screamingpumpkinrace.com within one week of the race and the winner will be awarded a $150 gift certificate to Running Central. All individual and relay finishers, completing the race before midnight will receive a tiara and wand. All individuals and relay finishers completing the race after midnight will receive a pumpkin. A finisher's medals will be provided for all those in the Marathon and Marathon Relay.

The ~10K will give awards to the overall top 3 female and male finishers.

No awards will be given for the 2 Mile Walk.

Packet Pick-up is available Thursday, October 27th at Running Central, 4450 N. Prospect Rd., Suite C-1, Peoria Heights, IL 61616 from 10:00AM -7:00PM.

Race day packet pick-up for the ~10K and 2 Mile Walk will be available from 3:00PM -5:30PM in lower Glen Oak Park across from Woodruff High School.

Race day Marathon and Marathon Relay registration will be available in lower Glen Oak Park from 3PM- 6:00PM.

Extended Marathon and Marathon Relay packet pick up will be available at the course until 9PM.

*PLEASE NOTE: EACH PARTICIPANT MUST PICK UPHIS/HER PACKET IN PERSON!!! In order to obtain a written release of liability waiver from each participant, this policy will be strictly enforced.

Chip timing will be provided for all participants of the ~10K, the Marathon and the Marathon Relay.

Although the marathon course will be lit with over 1500 green luminaries, we ask that our participants consider wearing headlamps for their own safety.

First aid and course security will be managed by Peoria Area Mountain Bike Association. 2-4 bikers will be on the marathon course at all times to assist runners and maintain safety on the course. To find out more about PAMBA, visit: www.pambamtb.org

In addition to the aid at the start/finish of the 6.55 mile loop, there will be 2 aid stations (one manned and one self-service) located inside Springdale cemetery. The "manned" aid station inside Springdale will provide water, Gatorade, gels, and warm soup, and moral support. In addition, this aid station will be equipped with a port-a-john. Participants will pass the manned aid station at approximately the 1.25, 4, and 5.25 mile mark of each loop. The second aid station in the cemetery is self-service and will provide water and Gatorade. It is located at approximately the 2 and 3 mile mark of each loop. Any additional fueling will need to be self-supported. Gels and race fueling options will be available for sale at the Running Central tent, prior to the race.

Port-a-Potties will be available in lower Glen Oak Park, near the start of the race. There will be an additional port-a-john at the aid station located in lower Springdale Cemetery.

Post race food and drink will be provided for both the 10K and 2 mile participants as well as the Marathon participants. Food will be available until 1:00AM. There will also be food for sale for people not participating in the event.

There will be bags sets to play while you wait for your relay and face painters will be there from 5-7.

Local band, "O-Face" will be playing from 7:00-10:00, performing a variety of 80's and 90's cover music and a DJ will be playing music from 10-1:00 AM.

The Peoria Area Track & Field Club is a nonprofit organization based on the same fundamentals as the USATF. From road racing to field events, the P.A.T.F.C. is geared toward providing developmental programs and community events that support the sport of track and all of its avenues to members of all ages. The Peoria Area Track & Field Club has also partnered with the E.L.I.T.E. Youth Outreach Program to help reinforce the values of determination, dedication, and desire - the very ideals they promote in the classroom.

Please email info@screamingpumpkinrace.com for additional information.