Half Moon Bay's World Championship Pumpkin Weigh-Off shattered a record today with a 1,658-pound winning pumpkin from Des Moines, Iowa. Winning grower Don Young attributed his first place win to "good weather, good seeds and good luck!" Young's winning pumpkin was over 100 pounds more than Thad Starr's winning pumpkin last year - and it broke California's record of 1,535 pounds. Young's winning prize: $9,948 - not bad for a pumpkin!

Second place went to Leonardo Urena, of Napa, who had a 1,470-pound pumpkin. Pete Glasier, also from Napa, took third place with a1,174-pound pumpkin. Joel Holland, of Washington, took fourth place with his 1,121-pound pumpkin.

The "Most Beautiful Pumpkin" was awarded to Eric and Betty Carlson of Portola Valley... and beautiful it was

Hundreds of people turned up this morning to see the annual event - it's usually held on Columbus Day, so a lot of people are off work and most kids are home from school. And the weather cooperated - a big storm is expected to roll through the area later tonight and tomorrow.

This year, 13 pumpkins were over 1,000 pounds - two from Half Moon Bay Coastside. 

FYI... last Saturday, Christy Harp of Jackson Township, Ohio, took first place in the Ohio Valley Giant Pumpkin Weigh-Off - her winning pumpkin (the world's heaviest) weighed an impressive 1,725 pounds. Way to go!

See More Pictures of Half Moon Bay World Championship Winning Pumpkins