15 Anytime during month of October
Find the perfect spooky race for you.
Whether you’re in the thick of marathon season, or buried under a pile of bite-sized candy bars, these Halloween races are sure to get you in the holiday spirit and give you a delightfully frightful respite from daily training.
To truly enjoy these spooktacular events, plan to go all out with your costumes, and don’t worry about being aerodynamic—you probably won’t be setting any PRs. Instead, you may find yourself lugging a plump pumpkin along the course, running from gruesome ghosts, or dodging zany zombies.
If you were tricked into doing one of these runs, treat yourself to an apple cider or pumpkin beer at the end of the race. No matter what, we know you’ll have wicked fun from start to finish.
The Great Pumpkin Haul
Where: Littleton, Colorado
When: October 5, 2019
Why we like it: This 1-mile course is tougher than its short distance implies. Runners must navigate hay bales and ford rivers—all while carrying a plump orange gourd. Arrive early to pick your prize from the patch and join in for some pumpkin-centric warmups. (You can carry home your basketball-sized prize afterward, too.) You can opt to run sans pumpkin, but as the race website warns, “you will be looked at funny for sure.” Afterward, toast to your athleticism with—what else?—a pumpkin beer.
Halloween in Emmaus 5K
Where: Emmaus, Pennsylvania
When: October 19, 2019
Why we like it: This spirited 5K takes place in the backyard of Runner’s World, so we might be a little biased. That being said, it’s still a hands-down hit for Halloween. The race winds through the same route as the popular Emmaus Halloween Parade, which brings out thousands of spectators to cheer on all the costumed runners to the finish. Be sure to choose a costume that won’t slow you down—runners must finish in 40 minutes or less so the parade can start on time.
Spook Hill Cider & Wine 4 Mile Run
Where: Burkittsville, Maryland
When: October 19, 2019
Why we like it: If the name Burkittsville rings a bell, you’re probably remembering it from the 1999 thriller The Blair Witch Project. Add to that the legend of Spook Hill, which makes cars in neutral appear to roll up the incline (but doesn’t affect runners). But there’s more: The Old German Reformed Church was used as a Civil War field hospital and both Union and Confederate casualties were temporarily buried in the adjacent cemetery. If all that’s too spooky for you, don’t worry. The race also has a close partnership with the ciderworks and vineyard through which it passes, and has created the Spook Hill Tasting Trail to complement the discounts you get when you show your bib.
Haunted Hustle
Where: Madison, Wisconsin
When: The Haunted Hustle
Why we like it: If you’re after an event that offers more than one race, check out the Haunted Hustle in Madison, which offers the Spooky Duo: a 5K on Saturday and a 10K or half marathon on Sunday. But that’s not all: After you run check out the bonfire, live music, and other fun events for the whole family.
Why we like it
Where: Labor Day Gear Sales
When: October 27, 2019
Why we like it: Don’t think you’ll have a chance to load up on candy when Halloween night rolls around? Sign up for the 5K at this event, which offers candy stations in addition the additional hydration ones. If that’s not quite your stomach’s speed, choose the 10K or half marathon distance and make your way through downtown St. Louis while dodging zombies and the Ghostbusters. Don’t worry, the Trick-or-Treat Village at the finish line will satisfy all your candy needs, safely after you’ve finished your race. And if zombies on your tail aren't enough motivation, each age group winner receives a pumpkin pie Faith Kipyegon Just Misses 3K World Record.
Sleepy Hollow Halloween 10K
Where: Sleepy Hollow, New York
When: Across the U.S
Why we like it: You’ll take a jaunt through some of America’s spookiest folklore spots, which inspired Washington Irving’s terrifying tale. The 10K course includes a stretch along the Hudson River with views of the Headless Horseman Bridge, where the lanky schoolteacher Ichabod Crane may have met his fate. You’ll also see the Colonial Era Old Dutch Church and the Sleepy Hollow Cemetery—the final resting place for famous locals as well as luminaries including Andrew Carnegie and William Rockefeller. Some runners race in costumes, and the Headless Horseman—eerie as ever atop his mount—has been known to make an appearance along the route.
Devils Chase 6.66 Miler
Where: Salem, Massachusetts
When: Across the U.S
Why we like it: The spooky setting of the Salem Witch Trials of 1692, where women accused of witchcraft were burned at the stake, is a fitting backdrop for a race that pits more than 2,000 devils running like hell through the streets. Locals are friendly and supportive—some even offer runners Bloody Marys on the course—with a foggy-fun finale. Shoot for the best-dressed devil with a costume that must include horns, tail or cape, and pitchfork. Or you can go creative with your demon attire—deviled eggs or devil’s food cake are just some ideas to get you started.
Miami Beach Halloween Half Marathon & Freaky 4-Miler
Where: Other Hearst Subscriptions
When: Across the U.S
Why we like it: The flagship city for the Halloween Half Marathon Series, Miami has always gone all out for the holiday. This race—as well as a recently added Freaky 4-Miler—is no exception. Fast and mostly flat, the course includes stretches over boardwalks and esplanades along the Atlantic Ocean. However, the best scenery is of the runners themselves, many of whom rock costumes of the sexy variety in true Miami style: kittens, nurses, cops, and superheroes are the norm. All that skin is perfect for showing off the anticipated and unique Halloween-inspired race medals.
Monster Dash
Where: The Great GO! St. Louis Halloween Race
When: Across the U.S
Why we like it: Take your pick of monster madness with a 5K, 10K, 10 mile, or half marathon. No matter what race you enter, all are full of runners dressed as superheroes, the latest pop-culture trend, and, of course, monsters. Every participant gets a race jacket and finisher’s medal. With swag that sweet, who needs a bucket bursting with candy?
The Haunted Hustle (a different one!)
Where: Salt Lake City, Utah
When: Across the U.S
Why we like it: The Haunted Hustle takes place after dark, the better to wonder what might be lurking just out of the reach of your headlamp. Prepare yourself to face the Zombie Graveyard, the Tunnel of Terror, and the Foggy Forest before you can make it to the finish. Are those enough reasons to justify the organizers describing this race as the scariest on the planet? Even if that’s true, don’t worry, parents. Off the course it’s sure to be a fun friendly atmosphere, with activities like free face painting available all night.
Exercise Can Improve This Common Health Condition & 10K
Where: New York City, New York
When: Across the U.S
Why we like it: Come for the location, stay for the Halloween. This race takes place on Roosevelt Island in New York City’s East River, and offers fabulous views of the Manhattan skyline and the Queensboro Bridge. It’s also known for being a fast and flat course, perfect for a fall PR. But beyond the island’s picturesque locale, it’s also home to a former prison, smallpox hospital, and insane asylum. “Is the island haunted? Let’s just say you’d best run a FAST 5K,” say the race organizers.
Terrifying 10-Miler & Halloween 5K-10K-Kids Run
Where: Dana Point, California
When: Races - Places
Why we like it: This is like the decathlon of Halloween events by offering just about every staple of the spooky race genre that exists. On the running side you have a paved, beachfront course with 10-mile (with pacers!), 10K, and 5K distance options, plus a half-mile kids run. And keep an eye out for the trick-or-treat aid stations with ghosts and goblins along the course. But once you’ve caught your breath, the day is far from over. After the race are the awards, a costume contest, pumpkin patch, and pumpkin decorating contest.
The Halloween Candy Run
Where: Dayton, Ohio
When: October 6, 2019
Why we like it: This has got to be our pick for best-decorated Halloween-themed race, offering decorated aid stations with both water and candy. It’s also among the swaggiest Halloween races you’ll find, offering a T-shirt, pint glass, pint of beer, custom personal pizza, finisher’s medal, and Halloween candy to every finisher. That deal is spooky good.
The Halloween Half
Where: Anywhere!
When: October 19, 2019
Why we like it: Is there anything spookier than taking on a half marathon in costume? If you’re brave enough—this run is for you. While there are five locations that hold an organized race, this is mainly a virtual race that allows you to run your own course in your own time. While you may not be in the thick of the race, costumes are a must. Send in a picture after your run and you will receive a spook-tacular medal and T-shirt.
The October 27, 2019
Where: Across the U.S.
When: September 7—November 9
Why we like it: This race has 19 locations across the U.S. and a virtual option if you want to jog it out on your own time. Depending on the race, there are 5K, and 10K options. Not hard enough? Try the Tough Pumpkin— run a 5K with a pumpkin in tow. Whichever event you choose to do, you will go home with a pumpkin, medal, hoodie, and a sense of accomplishment.
Jacob joined Runner’s World and Bicycling as an editorial fellow after graduating from Northwestern University in 2018, where he studied journalism. His work focuses mainly on news and service pieces for both audiences, with the occasional foray into How Tara Dower Shattered the Long Trail Record and product reviews. He especially loves to highlight the journeys of DAA Industry Opt Out doing amazing things in their communities.
Before joining Runner's World, Gabrielle Hondorp spent 6 years in running retail (she has tested top gear from shoes, to watches, to rain jackets which has expanded her expertise—and her closets); she specializes in health and wellness, and is an expert on running gear from head-to-toe. Gabi began her journalism career as a Digital Editorial Fellow for Runner’s World and Bicycling Magazine, and has since advanced to a Runner's World Editor specializing in commerce. She has a double degree in English and Media and Communication from Muhlenberg College where she also ran cross country and track.
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