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Maine grower Sarah Whitty, who posts as Pumpkinista, says her giant marrow named Secretariat weighed 170 pounds at an October 1, 2026 weigh-off. Dexerto reported the next day that the result set a North American record, but an official current record listing has not independently confirmed that claim.
Who grew the 170-pound zucchini?
Sarah Whitty of Maine grew Secretariat, the giant marrow at the center of the report. Online, she is known as Pumpkinista. Dexerto reported that Whitty’s post called the fruit “the new North American record marrow (zucchini)!!!”
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Why is it called a marrow?
The competition-facing name in the report is “marrow,” a term many Americans would recognize as zucchini. The Maine Pumpkin Growers Organization also lists marrow as a separate category in its state records. Its records page names Whitty of Veazie, Maine, as the holder of a prior Maine marrow record at 60.5 pounds; that listing is context for her growing history, not confirmation of Secretariat’s reported North American result.
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Was the North American record officially confirmed?
Dexerto reported the 170-pound weigh-in on October 2, 2026, describing it as a North American record. Its account says a video of the October 1 weigh-off showed the New Hampshire Giant Pumpkin Growers Association logo. A logo in a video is not, by itself, proof of an official ruling, and the Maine Pumpkin Growers Organization’s records page does not list Secretariat or a 2026 North American record. The available sources therefore support describing this as a reported record, not as an independently verified association certification. The evidence cited here also does not establish Guinness recognition.
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How does Secretariat compare with Whitty’s earlier marrow?
In a 2025 report, WABI said Whitty’s earlier giant marrow weighed 162.5 pounds but was disqualified after a split reached the fruit’s cavity. That was a different fruit from Secretariat. The Maine Pumpkin Growers Organization’s listed 60.5-pound state record is another distinct figure and should not be confused with either attempt.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.How Whitty got into giant-vegetable growing
WABI reported in 2025 that a volunteer pumpkin vine growing from a compost pile inspired Whitty to try growing giant pumpkins. She explained: “The old owners had put a jack-o-lantern into their compost pile, and a random pumpkin just grew all over my yard, and that inspired me to try growing giant pumpkins, and I’ve been growing giant pumpkins since then.” She later expanded to other giant vegetables.
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