HOUSTON (September 26, 2008) — The Great Pumpkin returns in just one month!  Grab your tennies and your Halloween mask and dash to downtown Houston for the Great Pumpkin Fun Run on Saturday, October 25 at 8:00 a.m.

As always, the fun run includes the 5K Great Pumpkin Dash, a 3K Goblin Gallop, a 1K Witches Walk, a Children’s Costume Contest, food and beverages, and a live band. Wheelchair participants are welcome. All participants are encouraged to wear costumes. The post-race party will be held in Hermann Square (at Smith and Walker, across from Tranquility Park). That’s where a costume contest for children from infants to five years old will also be held.

Presented by Blue Cross Blue Shield, the fun run helps raise funds to support cardiovascular research at the Texas Heart Institute at St. Luke’s Episcopal Hospital. Participants enjoy exciting door prizes and runners’ awards, as well as the colorful long-sleeved t-shirts. Sponsors for the event this year include Continental Airlines, CiCi’s Pizza, Coca-Cola, Bank of Houston, Dian and Doug Huddle, Joe Levit Family Foundation, Pin Oak Interests, Porter & Hedges, L.L.P., The Sports Authority, St. Luke’s Episcopal Health System, Texas Children’s Heart Center, Tony’s Restaurant, Frankel Building Group, Kickerillo Companies, and Watermill Express.

The Great Pumpkin Fun Run is a fun event for kids of all ages and a terrific–and healthy–family event as well. The easiest way to register is online at www.texasheart.org . Registration forms are also available at The Sports Authority, located at 2131 South Post Oak Boulevard. Registration is also available during packet pickup at The Sports Authority on October 18, 23 and 24. October 18 is the last day for early registration.

The Great Pumpkin Fun Run would not be possible without the help of volunteers. Anyone interested in volunteering is encouraged to call 832-355-9584.