Halloween is just around the corner, and that means two things: crazy costumes and candy. If you’ve eaten more than your fair share of candy corn, caramel popcorn, or Baby Ruths already, sign up for one of several Halloween-themed races in the area designed to bring runners of all levels together for a seasonally good time. You’ll be too busy evading zombies and ghouls to even notice you’re working out.
5K Glo Run
October 27
Get ready to rage your way through strobe lights during this glow-in-the-dark race. Throw on your glow-in-the-dark race shirt and bedeck yourself with glow necklaces, bracelets, and sunglasses as you dance your way through the black-light-and-music-filled National Harbor course. $45. 7 PM.
Ghost, Goblins & Ghouls Spooktacular 5K
October 27
Race to be the best dressed at the third annual Ghost, Goblins & Ghouls Spooktacular 5K in Leesburg. Head to the Paxton Campus on October 27 for a 4 PM costume contest and 5 PM race start. Take home a long-sleeve race tee and bag full of trick-or-treat goodies. $32; $35 on race day.
Mud Dog Run: Zombie Edition
November 3
If a mud run isn’t already adrenaline-inducing enough for you, Mud Dog Run: Zombie Edition has the additional thrill of a zombie-infested obstacle course with 16 challenges to tackle, ranging from cargo nets to climbing walls. The object of the race in Frederick is to complete the course with at least one of the flags you’re given at the start. Sounds easy? The catch: Zombies hidden along the course attack you as you progress and try to steal your flags as you maneuver the obstacles. If you lose all your flags during the race, you join the zombies on their human hunt. Celebrate your victory at the End of the World Party with Flying Dog Beer, food, and eight hours of bands and deejays. $77; the price increases to $85 at the door—if there are still spots available. Swag includes a T-shirt, beer, $5 in Mud Dog Bucks to use on food, and entry to Crumland Farms’ corn maze and indoor haunted maze.
Blood and Guts 5K
November 4
Run for your lives, or at least for 3.1 miles, at the Blood and Guts 5K obstacle run. Try to evade the zombies, monsters, and goblins who invade the course at Pev’s Paintball Park in Aldie, all while navigating obstacles like the blood and guts pit, the tire gauntlet, and hay pits. The race will be run in waves starting at 7 AM through 4:30 PM. $69, and don’t forget to snag your Blood and Guts T-shirt and medal at the finish line.
LivingSocial’s Glow-in-the-Dark 5K Dance Party
November 9
Light up the night and dance your fears away at LivingSocial’s first ever Glow-in-the-Dark 5K dance party on November 9. Don your best all-black race gear and head to RFK stadium for the brightest fun run you’ll find, as runners can load up on glow-in-the-dark swag and a race shirt. Forget about your time, though, and work on your dance moves as the only prizes given will be to the best-dressed and best dancer. You’ll feel better knowing that 1,000 solar lamps were donated to children in Somalia without electricity. The race starts at 7 PM and is followed by a rage inside Stadium Armory with a complimentary beer (or soda for those under 21) for each racer. $45; the price increases to $50 after October 26.
And if you need a respite from the racing, head to Dupont Circle and watch as Washington’s queens race down 17th Street. Starting at 9 PM, costumed drag queens will run from P to S streets in their most outrageous getups and heels. An informal block party typically follows, lasting for hours.
