8 Halloween-themed races in and around Charlotte this month
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Black Light Run
It’s the most wonderful time of the year and, yes, I mean right now. Sure, I prefer the scorching heat of the summer but as far as holidays go, the Halloween season is hands down the greatest time to be alive. I know it’s supposed to be “for the kids” but adults who are living life right never really let go of this holiday, and for good reason. It’s because the magic of Halloween is age neutral.
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There’s the universal appeal of candy, the fascination with pushing the limits of our own fear and the always alluring opportunity to pretend we’re someone (or something) else for a night. Those things, I think, appeal to young and old alike. Or maybe I’m delusional and my fellow 30-somethings have moved on with their lives.
If not, here are eight seasonally appropriate races that combine a responsible adult activity (running a 5K) with whimsical Halloween-inspired elements – from apples to zombies – that will make you feel like a kid again.
Black Light Run
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Date: Saturday, October 17
Time: Check in 4:15 p.m., Race start 7:15 p.m.
Location: Charlotte Motor Speedway
Cost: $50
Race Distance: 5K
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Apple Festival 5K
Date: Saturday, October 17
Time: Check in 7 a.m., Race start 8:30 a.m.
Location: Matheson Park (Taylorsville, N.C.)
Cost: $20 for adults, $15 under 13, $12 1-mile fun run and under 12
Race Distance: 5K, 1-mile fun run
Distance from CLT: 1 hour
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Rogue Alpha Rush Zombie Mud Run
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Date: Saturday, October 17
Time: Gates open 5 p.m., Race start 7:30 p.m.
Location: 5184 Saint Andrews Road, Sanford, NC
Cost: $67 (includes a headlamp) for humans, $10 for zombies
Race Distance: not specified
Distance from CLT: 2 hours
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Old Town Zombie Crawl
Date: Saturday, October 24
Time: Check in and zombie makeovers 12 – 3 p.m., Race start 3:30 p.m.
Location: Downtown Rock Hill
Cost: $30 for humans, $30 for zombies
Race Distance: 5K, 1-mile fun run
Distance from CLT: 30 minutes
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Mummy Shuffle
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Date: Saturday, October 24
Time: Check in 8 a.m., Race start 8:30 a.m.
Location: Clover First Baptist Church (Clover, SC)
Cost: $15 early, $20 day of
Race Distance: 5K
Distance from CLT: 45 minutes
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Transylvania’s Flight of the Vampire
Date: Saturday, October 31
Time: Check in 7 a.m. Race starts 9 a.m.
Location: 55 E. Jordan Street, Brevard, N.C.
Cost: $25 – $35
Race Distance: 5K, 10K
Distance from CLT: 2 hours
Belmont Costume Dash
Date: Saturday, October 31
Time: Check in 7 a.m., Race start 8:30 a.m.
Location: 6600 Wilkinson Boulevard, Belmont, N.C.
Cost: $20
Race Distance: 4 mile, 2 mile, 1 mile
Distance from CLT: 20 minutes
Wadesboro’s Escape the Zombies 5K
Date: Saturday, October 10
Time: Check in 6:30 a.m., Race start 7:30 a.m.
Location: Wadesboro Police Department
Cost: $25 for humans $12 for zombies
Race Distance: 5K
Distance from CLT: 1 hour
(Photo credits: Old Town Zombie Crawl and Belmont Costume Dash via Facebook pages for the events. Black Light Run and Rogue Alpha Rush via the events’ websites.)