Racing for a Pie

By Sarah Olson ’26

NMH’s Bemis-Forslund Pie Race is a favorite tradition among students, faculty, and alumni. This year, 369 runners participated in the 134th annual race, held on Nov. 11. 

The week before the event, Pie Race Pete, Athletics Director Rick Hendrickson's alter ego, was seen preparing for the race around campus and encouraging students to run in it. The assistant athletics director, Grace Sokolow, also known as Pie Race Patty, said, “The Pie Race isn’t about running super fast. It’s about showing up for each other and honoring our traditions. You can run, walk, or crawl through the woods if you want.”

The 5K race began on Thorndike Field and ran through the woods before finishing in front of Forslund Gym. Students, faculty, alumni, dogs, and kids gathered on the start line, and Head of School Brian Hargrove sent them off. Spectators cheered and waited for them to return.

Bryanna May '26, one of the pie winners, said, “Jacob's Ladder in the woods was the hardest part as always, but my favorite part was the finish line.”

The top 25 runners in each category received their very own pie, made by NMH Dining Services, while the dorm with the most participants won a pizza party. Grace Huang, ’26, another pie winner, said, “I wanted to run the pie race because it’s the oldest cross-country race in New England, and it’s really nice to be part of this tradition.”

After the pie race, the annual Tart Race, for kids ages 12 and younger, took place. Spectators cheered them on, ringing cowbells as they completed their course. Every tart race participant finished the race successfully. Elliot Simpson, age 2, son of science teacher Katie Simpson said, “My favorite part was the pie.”

The top finishers in Pie Race 2025:

Male Under 40: Will Olsen ’25 16:03.7
Male 40+: Issac Bingham 18:50.9
Male 65+: Richard Easton 30:56:6
Female Under 40, Student: Xela Nestel ’27 21:23.9
Female Under 40: Elizabeth Edwards 20:10.0
Female 40+: Melissa Nestel 21:20.0
Female 65+: Sidney Letendre 26:34:7

Photos by Matthew Cavanaugh. See more photos of Pie Race 2024 in Flickr.

Sarah Olson, a junior from Ketchum, Idaho, is a workjob student in the NMH communications office.