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11 Halloween Themed Races You Can Run

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It’s October which means two things: you can finally order a pumpkin spice latte and not feel bad about it, and you can wear a costume during your half marathon. When deciding on a Halloween half marathon costume, above all, prioritize leg mobility. So leave your fitted-sheet ghost costume at home! Here’s a list of our favorite jaunts through spooky haunts if you’re still working on your upcoming race calendar.

The Witch Run Half Marathon

The Witch Run Half Marathon

WitchFest is held each year in West Jordan’s Gardner Village, a brick-lined destination for locally-owned specialty shops. Tourists and locals alike flock in their most magical garb to shop, eat, and fraternize with the charming life-sized witches that are hidden around town. (You can mark them off with a scavenger hunt as you go by!) The half route is along and back Jordan River Parkway, a flat 40-mile urban park, and concludes with a race buffet featuring either Fatboy’s ice cream (if the weather is warm) or hot chocolate (if the day is cooler.)

Hallowed Half Marathon Weekend

Hallowed Half Marathon Weekend

Hallowed Half Marathon Weekend is both a half marathon race or you can split the distance with a friend as part of a two-person relay team. The paved, mostly flat course takes runners past seaside sights and Victorian homes. Costumes are encouraged during the race and you should expect a Halloween-themed post-race party!

Michigan Monster Dash

Michigan Monster Dash

The Michigan Monster Dash takes runners along the shoreline of Maple Beach and through the peaceful woodlands of the park. The course is relatively flat and fast (only 529 feet of elevation gain), and is perfect for powering through to that PR. Want to make it a family affair? There’s also a 1K Kids Run/Walk with on-course trick-or-treating!

The Haunted Forest Half Marathon

The Haunted Forest Half Marathon
  • Where: Canal Fulton, OH
  • When: Sunday October 30, 2022
  • Registration | Read More

The race boasts a fast, flat, and fun course – don’t believe us? If you smash your PR, you’re invited to celebrate by smashing a pumpkin at the race’s finish line party. The course gives runners a taste of both cityscape and trail. The first half of the race starts on Erie Street in downtown Canal Fulton, and finishes the last 6.5 miles on the Towpath Trail along the Erie Canal.

Zombie Half Marathon

Zombie Half Marathon

This late-season race is perfect for those looking for a once-in-a-lifetime Halloween runcation. The point-to-point course is a scenic trail run, covering Goose Lake to Kincaid. Runners begin following along the West Chester Creek Lagoon before moving onto the coastal trail to Kincaid Chalet. Take note that the race is held regardless of weather and trail conditions, according to organizers—so be prepared for conditions that may be cold and wet!

Howl-oween Half Marathon & 5k

Howl-oween Half Marathon & 5k
  • Where: Draper City, UT
  • When: Saturday October 22, 2022
  • Registration | Read More

This Halloween-themed run carries participants along the trails nearby the Jordan River. The half marathon course begins and ends in Draper City’s Galena Park. The course features out-and-back segments that take runners past the start and finish line twice—the best to get pumped up by the spectators and support teams milling around the park

All-Out Kooky-Spooky Half Marathon, 10K & 5K

All-Out Kooky-Spooky Half Marathon, 10K & 5K
  • Where: Golden, CO
  • When: Sunday October 30, 2022
  • Registration | Read More

Participants are invited to take part in a costume contest – whether you’ve got a creative group costume, a stunning individual one, or even a canine companion you’d like to dress up, this is the time to bust out your finest Halloween apparel! The course takes runners from Jefferson County’s North Area Athletic Complex (NAAC) through Ralston Creek Trail and Arvada’s Blunn Reservoir before finishing back at the Athletic Arena. Stay until the end for the costume contest judging!

Halloween Half Marathon

Halloween Half Marathon

  • Where: Miami Beach, FL & Atlanta, GA
  • When: Saturday October 22, 2022 and October 30, 2022
  • Miami Beach Registration & Atlanta Registration

The Halloween Half Marathon was born in 2009 when South Pointe Park on the south side of Miami Beach was looking to host an October event. Thus, this event’s combination of costumes and running was born! Every year, finisher medals are inspired by Halloween characters, including werewolves, bats, vampires, and skeletons, and have quickly become collectibles amongst the races’ regular runners. The Miami Beach race also includes a 4-mile race and the Atlanta race a 5K!

The Haunted Half

The Haunted Half

The Haunted Half Marathon is Utah’s favorite Halloween costume party run. Participants are invited to dress up in their best (non-chafing) costume and get ready to run for their lives… and treats, of course.  The half course gets a shuttle up to Provo Canyon and finishes at University Mall next to The Orchard Park. 

The Hairy Gorilla Half Marathon

The Hairy Gorilla Half Marathon

  • Where: Voorheesville, NY
  • When: Sunday October 30, 2022
  • Read More

There’s a bit of trickery up in Voorheesville, New York! The Hairy Gorilla Half course will take you on a loop through John Boyd Thacher State Park. In the spirit of Halloween, runners are encouraged to wear costumes, parts of the course are adorned with Halloween decorations, and there’s even a special prize for the runner that picks up the most bananas off of the course!

Queens NYC Halloween Half

Queens NYC Halloween Half

The course begins and ends at New York’s famous Unisphere, designed and added to Flushing Meadows for the 1964 World’s Fair. You’ll run past the Unisphere four times on the course, with two small uphill sections, which allows you to pass by the spectators four times for maximum cheer support!

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