Saturday morning was cool and cloudy, yet by 9 a.m. kids lined the corner of Fifth Avenue and Michael Schwerner Way with their parents. They were all waiting for Pelham’s annual Kids Fun Run run, which is a part of the Pelham Children’s Center’s Pumpkin Fest.

Many of the runners were dressed in costumes such as milk and cookies, unicorns, ladybugs, firefighters, astronauts and a cactus. All of the kids were 12 and under, as the rules required. The course of the half mile run was from the starting line down 5th Avenue to the Pelham Art Center and back.

“I think it was mostly easy, but I was tired by the end,” said Henry Burke, who tied for first place in the race. “My favorite part of the race was in the middle, when I saw a cookie (costume) running. That was cool.”

“I liked the run because it’s fun to run with friends,” said Russell Burgess. “I’ve run it for four years, and I used to do it with my parents.”

Winners of the race earned pumpkin pies, and all race participants earned pumpkin medals. The Kids Fun Run is hosted by the Pelham Children’s Center and is part of a big event that includes a pumpkin sale, book sale, pony rides, raffles and other events.

“It’s fun to see the kids get excited and all of the costumes they wear,” said Cara Moore, a board member of the PCC who’s been involved in the Kids Fun Run for two years. “One of my favorite parts of helping out with the race is watching them cross the finish line.”

“My favorite part of the Kids Fun Run is watching the kids have fun,” said Steve Madey, director of the PCC. He has also been involved with the run for two years. “I also like watching the kids grow up as they come back every fall to run the race.”

For more photos of the entire PCC Pumpkin Festival, go here.