13 Races to Scare You in to the Halloween Spirit

Written by
Taylor Danser
Don't be ashamed if you're that person buying Halloween decorations when they hit the shelves in August. And go ahead, buy two costumes: You can wear that extra witch costume at any on of these unlucky 13 Halloween-themed events.
1. Miami Beach Halloween Half Marathon & Freaky 4-Miler
Oct. 24, 2015, in Miami
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The Miami Beach Halloween Half is an event that adds a creative twist to the traditional running event. Participants run to celebrate Halloween by getting decked out in full costumes. The course features scenic South Beach views: enough to make a weekend vacation out of it. There's also a four-mile option for those worried about their costumes chafing for 13.1 miles.
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2. Bogeyman
Oct. 29, 2015, in Pensacola, Fla.
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Join Harley Sports for its first Bogeyman 5K or 1.5-mile road and beach adventure race. The 5K is an all-road course that goes through residential neighborhoods, while the 1.5-mile adventure race is half road and half beach. All adventure runners wear a belt with Velcro flags and will be chased by "bogeymen" who try to steal your flags. Participants are encouraged to wear a Halloween costume.
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3. Scare in White Bear
Oct. 29, 2015, in White Bear Lake, Minn.
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In keeping with the Halloween theme, this race takes place in the dark along the beautiful shore of White Bear Lake. The 5K course is lit with torches that play off of the incredible decorations put up by homeowners along the route. Floodlights illuminate the kids' fun run, which features three distances for children up to age 12. Kids can start their trick-or-treating at the finish line with a goody bag.
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4. Eastern Shawnee Zombie Run
Oct. 30, 2015, in Wyandotte, Okla.
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The zombie apocalypse is upon the Eastern Shawnee Trail. Participants will have to outsmart zombies in the darkness on this 3.1-mile trail. Everyone has a flag, representing their non-zombie life, and an objective to keep your flags until the end of the race, as groups of zombies try to steal them. (Of course, if you lose your flag, you'll be classified as infected and become one of the walking dead.) This will be a run-for-your-life event, not a timed one.
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5. Freaky Friday Run 2015
Oct. 30, 2015, in Northport, Ala.
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This eighth-annual event goes through a scenic and scary course during the darkness of Halloween Eve. The post-race event has food and drinks at Dreamland Barbecue, along with a costume contest. The Alabama State Trooper Association hosts this event.
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6. Nightmare Run 5K
Oct. 30, 2015, in Monterey, Calif.
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Runners and walkers dress in their favorite Halloween attire as zombies and creatures of the night chase after them. No matter the age, everyone is welcome to this event, where costumes, neon gear and illuminating lights are encouraged.
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7. Salina rUNdead Hunted 5K & Haunted 1 Mile
Oct. 30, 2015, in Salina, Kan.
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Oh no! The Great Life Golf and Fitness center has been contaminated by a plague that has wreaked havoc on its members and turned everyone into zombies. Your only hope is to brave your way to the finish, where a team of antidote specialists will await to administer you the zombie antidote. Runners will be hunted by rambling zombies across the abandoned, zombie-fied golf course, inhabited only by demented creatures and all things spooky. All participants are encouraged to dress up and asked to take a headlamp or flashlight.
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8. Trick or Trot Glow 5K & Foam Party
Oct. 30, 2015, in Sebring, Fla.
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Before folks even start running, they'll have opportunities to get colored up and receive lots of glow goodies. People can arrive in costume and warm up with a "Thriller" tutorial. After the daylight goes, the black lights come on, and foam fills the after party. From 2 to 5 p.m. on Oct. 31, there will be a festival with games, inflatables and face painting for kids and families to enjoy. Admission is $2, or free for those who participate in the 5K or 1-mile fun run.
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9. Cats and Bats Haunted 5K Run/Walk
Oct. 31, 2015, in Grace, Md.
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This family-friendly 5K features a marathon quality finisher's medal, and a flat and fast course. All proceeds go to the National PTSD Foundation, helping America's first responders recover from trauma and addiction while assisting them in leading successful and productive lives.
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10. Halloween Hustle 5K
Oct. 31, 2015, in Gaithersburg, Md.
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This fun 5K is on a challenging course that will take you along the ghostly trails of Watkins Mill Road. The Fun Run is a spooky mini-trail run for all ages. Parents are invited to push their little gremlins along the course in strollers. Costumes are encouraged, though not required. Proceeds benefit Family Services, Inc., and the Montgomery Village Rotary Club Foundation.
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11. Halloween Shine 5K
Oct. 31, 2015, in Virginia Beach
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This year's Shine 5K takes place at scenic Mt. Trashmore Park on a crisp Halloween morning. Kids and adults are encouraged to run in glittery costumes. Arrive early to purchase your face painting or glitter spray down.
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12. OMS Halloween Fun Run
Oct. 31, 2015, in Orland, Calif.
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This is the third year for this event, sponsored by the Orland Music Supporters, a nonprofit for the Orland Unified School District Music Departments. Take your friends and family to run, jog or walk through the beautiful town of Orland on a fun course starting at the high school. Funds support the music programs at all four Orland Schools.
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13. Atlanta Halloween Half Marathon & 5K
Nov. 1, 2015, in Cumming, Ga.
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This event features 13.1 and 3.1 miles of costume fun, focusing on a good time more than anything else. There are traditional age group running categories, but as race organizers love seeing runners decked out in full costume, there are prizes available for various costume categories, too. It's not mandatory to wear a costume, but it is definitely more fun.
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