Halloween – Runner Style

My local running store, Movin Shoes, puts on Monday night fun runs, leaving from the store. Most weeks there is a rep from a shoe company allowing runners to test out new shoes and there is always a raffle at the end of each run, sometimes with schwag as good as a free pair of shoes! Although Monday nights aren’t always the ideal night for me to run based on the fact that I often do my long run on Sundays, I try to make it out to Movin Shoes when I can for an easy run with the community. This Monday night was an extra fun night because Movin Shoes hosted a Halloween Costume Run!

Asia had suggested we go and I knew it’d be fun but didn’t really put much thought into my costume until about 4 p.m. the afternoon of the run. After trying out the various costumes I have tucked away under my bed or at the back of the closet, I decided the most comfortable (and most appropriate) costume would be an old German Beer Girl costume. I subbed in a sports bra for the typical push up bra, swapped my high heels for running shoes, threw on my new Oiselle Lesley running tights and was ready to go!

Asia was quite angelic in an all-white running outfit complimented by a halo and wings. We arrived a little early to the run and I nearly turned around when I saw no one in costume! Luckily a school girl was arriving at the same time and a guy dressed as an astronaut came out of the store as we were arriving so at least we had some friends! By the time we started the run, there were about 12 or so of us in costume (I  was surprised by how many came without costumes!).

The route was a short 3 miler and purposely focused on getting us as much attention as possible. It was pretty fun running the streets in costume! And actually quite comfortable. It encouraged me to get more creative in future races when costumes are encouraged (i.e. a holiday race or Rock n Roll race). After we got back there was a costume contest which was determined by cheers/claps (I thought Asia would at least make the top 3 but the School Girl flashed her ruffle panties when her name was called and the applause was immediate) followed by a bobbing for apples relay. I was quite impressed with the party and I was glad that we decided to participate since we haven’t really had a lot of Halloween festivities to attend this year.

After the run I started thinking of more creative costumes that could be incorporated into running. Here’s some of what I came up with:

1)      Steve Prefontaine (U of O tank, mustache, short shorts)

2)      Forest Gump (khakis, white tennis shoes, checkered blue and white collared shirt, Bubba Gump hat)

3)       Tarahumara Runner from the book Born to Run (flowing red blouse, white flowing running skirt, basic sandals

4)      Phidippides, the first marathoner (Greek garb such as a robe with running shoes)

5)      Dean Karnazes (wear short running shorts, no shirt or just a sports bra if you’re a woman, carry a pizza box and some North Face apparel/garb)

Have you ever done a Halloween costume run? What did you wear? Do you have any other Halloween Runner costume ideas?