State Games Pumpkin Run rewards top team

Published 10:31 am Friday, October 25, 2024

The Newton County Cross Country Team was recognized recently by the State Games of Mississippi for having the most participants in the State Games’ annual Pumpkin Run.

Held each October, the Pumpkin Run offers participants the chance to win medals, take home prizes for costumes and rewards a local school that fields the most runners. For the 2024 Pumpkin run, the Newton County Cross Country team had the most participants from one organization and took home the $200 Walmart gift card.

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The Newton County Cross Country team is coached by Michael Franklin, with assistant coach Richard Burton.

“We are so appreciative of the gift card and will use it for our upcoming banquet,” Franklin said.

This year, more than 40 runners and walkers took part in the annual Pumpkin Run event.

“We always anticipate the Pumpkin Run,” said Missye Dozier, executive director of the State Games. “It gives us the opportunity to hold a fall event and enjoy some Halloween fun. Thanks to a generous donation from McDonald’s, we were able to award gift cards to the winners of the costume contest.”

This year’s Pumpkin Run was sponsored by Meridian Coca-Cola and SunSouth/John Deere.