Halloween morning in Charlotte starts at a run, not a party. The Running Scared 5K & Monster Mile returns for its 9th Annual edition on Saturday, October 31, 2026, at MOTION Fitness in SouthPark, combining a competitive 5K, a fun one-mile race, costumes, and a cause. Whether you are chasing a personal best, running with the family, or just want a festive way to start Halloween, this is one of the most cheerful ways to spend the morning before the evening’s costumes and candy take over.
The event is presented by National Gypsum, and proceeds benefit Carolina Breast Friends, so every entry also supports a local nonprofit. Costumes are encouraged, which means the start line is usually a mix of serious runners, superheroes, witches, skeletons, and inflatable characters, all warming up together. It is a community race first: friendly, well organized, and easy to enjoy even if you are not a regular runner.
Event Details
- Date: Saturday, October 31, 2026
- 5K: 9:30 AM — $44.99
- Monster Mile: 10:15 AM — $24.99
- Awards: 10:30 AM
- Venue: MOTION Fitness
- Address: 2101 Rexford Rd #50W, Charlotte, NC 28211 (SouthPark)
- Presented by: National Gypsum
- Proceeds benefit: Carolina Breast Friends
- Costumes: Encouraged
- Registration: RunSignup
Two races, one Halloween morning
The 5K starts at 9:30 AM and is the main event for runners who want a timed, Halloween-themed race to kick off October 31. Entry is $44.99. The Monster Mile follows at 10:15 AM for $24.99, offering a shorter, family-friendly distance that still delivers the full costume-party atmosphere. Awards are scheduled for 10:30 AM, so the morning wraps up in time for the rest of your Halloween plans.
If you are deciding between the two, the 5K is the better pick for runners who want a real race effort, while the Monster Mile is ideal for younger runners, walkers, and anyone who wants to join in without committing to 3.1 miles. Many participants treat the morning as a group outing, arriving in matching or themed costumes and staying for the awards and photos afterward.
A run that gives back
Running Scared is more than a costume run. Proceeds benefit Carolina Breast Friends, a Charlotte nonprofit supporting people facing breast cancer, which gives the event a meaningful purpose beyond the finish line. The SouthPark setting at MOTION Fitness, 2101 Rexford Rd #50W, Charlotte, NC 28211, puts the race in a convenient, familiar part of town, with shopping and dining nearby for a post-race brunch.
Arrive early, wear a costume you can actually run in, and bring layers for a cool October morning. Comfortable shoes matter more than an elaborate outfit, and a race bib over a costume is part of the fun. If you are new to racing, the Monster Mile is a welcoming first step; if you run regularly, the 5K is a festive way to close out October.
Registration
Registration for the Running Scared 5K & Monster Mile (9th Annual) is available on RunSignup: the 5K at 9:30 AM is $44.99, the Monster Mile at 10:15 AM is $24.99, and awards follow at 10:30 AM at MOTION Fitness, 2101 Rexford Rd #50W, Charlotte, NC 28211, on Saturday, October 31, 2026. For more Halloween weekend ideas, browse Charlotte events this weekend, and for a very different Halloween night out, see our guide to Trick or Drink: Charlotte Halloween Bar Crawl at Lucky Strike.