Great Pumpkin Smash

The Great Pumpkin Smash MTB Race at Hale Education in Westwood, MA is on Sun. Oct. 4. The start location will be at Cat Rock field using the 80 Carby Street entrance, approximately 1 mile past the main offices. Designed as an XC short track format race, the Great Pumpkin Smash will feature a 4-mile course on some of Hale’s best trails. Due to the growing interest in racing at Hale, we’ve added additional categories and are planning a new course for this series!  

This course will have A-Lines and time consequence B-lines for the less adventurous racer. Features on the A-Lines will be more challenging but quicker if you can ride them. The course will be open on Oct. 3 for racers to preview. Times are a suggestion. Ideally, all youth races will go out at or around 9 AM. Everyone else starts at 11 AM ( not arriving at a race venue on a Sunday for 6 AM. But rolling out of bed for your start before noon. Priceless!) 

Open loop riders will go out around 10 AM OPEN LOOP. We’ve added a new category for riders who just want to check out the course and ride a few laps. No timing. Just riding. Open-loop riders will go out around 10 AM. 

This is a “run watcha brung” no-frills mountain bike race that celebrates skills over gear. Bring what you’ve got and race hard for a classic three-podium finish with unique trophies. 

Team tents will be allowed and set up in a specified area. We are hoping to have a food truck and live music again. More to come!

The course will open for registrants to pre-ride before the first heat rolls out and during the race. We ask that when pre-riding on the race course, folks yield to active racers and move to the side. Participants will have until 30 minutes before their race to check in, warm up, and explore the route. Please pick up your timing plates at registration. Race plates will have timing chips. We ask that you not be in or around the timing area or race start/finish mat unless you are actively racing.