By Catherine Rees
Frankenthon Monster Marathon
This race is held on the Saturday before Halloween in Cedar Park, Texas. It begins at 7:00 a.m. and is limited to six and a half hours. It is a Boston Marathon qualifying race and is certified by USATF.
Temperatures in Cedar Park are typically around 50 degrees F at start time and warm up to the mid 70s F by the end of the race.
The trail goes along Bushy Creek Trail and makes three loops of 8.75 miles. The trail is pavement and crushed granite, but runners are also able to run on the adjoining grass.
The race is limited to 150 runners and there are awards for the top three runners in each five-year age group. Finishers receive a long-sleeved shirt and Frankenthon Monster socks.
3300 Brushy Creek Road
Cedar Park, TX 78613
frankenthon.com/index.asp
Monster Dash 1/2 Marathon, 10 Mile, 5K and 5K-9
This USATF certified race in Minneapolis typically fills to capacity. The course takes runners past Lake Harriet, Lake Calhoun and the Minnehaha Creek Parkway. The half marathon and 10-mile run begin at 8:30 a.m.; the 5K starts at 10:30 a.m. Finishers receive a long-sleeved shirt and half marathon finishers also receive a Monster Half Marathon belt buckle.
A Monster Bash party is held in the evening, with drinks, a DJ and dancing. The party is for participants who are at least 21 years old.
The 5K-9 race allows runners to bring their dogs along.
Minneapolis Convention Center
1301 Second Avenue South
Minneapolis, MN 55403
(612) 335-6000
teamortho.us/monster_dash
Healdsburg Wine Country Half Marathon
Runners at this half marathon in Sonoma County, California, often wear costumes to celebrate Halloween. The race begins at the Francis Ford Coppola Winery and finishes at the Warm Springs Recreation Area where participants can enjoy the Wine & Music Festival.
A race expo and pasta dinner are part of the event and are held at the Vintners Inn, which also offers a special room rate for participants.
There is a Halloween Carnival and Kids Pumpkin Run at the Francis Ford Coppola Winery at noon. This includes a short run through the vineyard, games, face painting and a pumpkin patch. Kids are encouraged to come in costume.
Vintners Inn
4350 Barnes Road
Santa Rosa, CA 95403
(707) 575-7350
Francis Ford Coppola Winery
300 Via Archimedes
Geyserville, CA 95441
(707) 857-1400
runhealdsburg.com
The Peninsula Pumpkin Run
This race in Newport News, Virginia, includes a 5K run/walk and a half-mile kids run. The 5K begins at 8:00 a.m. and runners are encouraged to wear costumes and participate in the costume contest. (Masks are not allowed.) The children's race begins at 9:00 a.m. Runners will enjoy healthy treats and can earn awards in several race categories.
Finishers are awarded T-shirts and the kids' race participants get a finishers' medallion. The race begins at city center, near the fountain.
11815 Fountain Way
Newport News, VA 23606
pumpkinrun5k.com
Halloween Races and Marathons originally published on Trails.com
Trails.com is the largest outdoors site on the web, covering dozens of activities and more than 46,000 trails in North America. For more information, visit http://www.trails.com
Related Articles on Trails.com
Built Stamina Running
The Best Marathons for Women Runners
How to Choose a Marathon
