5K races near Celebration

The Howl-o-ween 5K in Orlando is a Saturday-in-October run/walk at Blue Jacket Park with a Halloween theme and dogs welcome on the course. It starts at 9:00 a.m. Eastern, is open to ages 3 and up, and supports animal shelters, pet lovers, and animal charities rather than feeling like a strictly competitive road race. Participants can run or walk with or without a pet, and dogs do not need their own registration. Entry includes a short-sleeve shirt, finisher medal, chip-timed bib, live results, finish-line treats for both humans and dogs, and a doggie charm for every participant. J3 Timing handles scoring, results are posted online, packet pickup is available on race morning, awards are ready at the registration tent after the finish, and there is also a virtual option for people who cannot attend in person.

The Haunted 5K & 10K at Merritt Island, Florida, is a US Road Running event. It begins at 8:00 AM and offers two distances along the same asphalt path. Participants must register beforehand via RunSignup. Packet pickup is available from 30 minutes before the start until 10 minutes before it; on-site registration is not offered. The course follows a short out-and-back format. One full loop measures 1.56 miles. The 5K distance requires completing the loop twice, while the 10K requires four loops. The event has a 2-hour time limit. Parking is situated near the start, with additional overflow parking provided. The Haunted theme is reflected through finisher medals, awards, series points, and a best costume prize.

The AdventHealth Great Floridian Multisport Festival takes place over two days in October at Waterfront Park in Clermont, Florida, a World Triathlon Destination. The main event is the full-distance Great Floridian Triathlon, which has been held continuously in the continental United States longer than any other full-distance triathlon. The schedule also includes half-distance, sprint, duathlon, aquabike, aquathlon, relay, run, walk, and virtual race options. The most unique event is the Triple Triathlon, requiring athletes to complete three sprint triathlons consecutively. Triple Duathlon, Triple Aquabike, and Triple Triathlon Relay options are also available. The weekend begins with a 15K and 5K Run/Walk on the South Lake Trail for runners, and teams can participate in various relay categories.

The Shannon Pink Ribbon Run is an annual October community race supporting the Shannon Breast Center, with registration opening in August. Runners can choose a chip-timed 5K or 10K, while walkers and families have a 1-mile walk/run option. The event centers breast cancer awareness, especially the importance of early detection. Breast cancer survivors can enter for free and receive a special Survivors Shirt, and proceeds support local patient-focused programs at the Shannon Breast Center.

The Disney Wine & Dine Half Marathon Weekend is part of the runDisney race series held at Walt Disney World Resort in Florida. It includes a 5K, 10K, and a 13.1-mile half marathon. The half marathon begins at 5:00 AM Eastern Time. The weekend's theme draws inspiration from the flavors and narratives found within the World Showcase pavilions at EPCOT. The half marathon course guides participants through EPCOT and extends into other areas of Walt Disney World Resort. Mary Poppins serves as the race hostess. Each race awards finishers a unique medal, and participants completing the challenge receive an additional bonus medal. The weekend culminates with a post-race party at EPCOT. Entry is included for half marathon and challenge runners, with options for friends and family to purchase tickets.

TECH CORPS Group Registration is a charity-entry option within the Disney Wine & Dine Half Marathon Weekend in Kissimmee, Florida. The listing includes a 5K and another distance option, with registration starting at $112, and it sits under the event’s adventure-race category rather than a standard local road-race listing. Runners join the TECH CORPS team and fundraise in addition to the race fee, with individual fundraising pages and support from the organization. The #RunforPi campaign supports K-12 STEM learning, including professional learning for educators and student programs tied to software development, AI, mathematics, and data science. The group also asks runners to run for someone who inspires them, tying the Disney race weekend to a specific education mission.

Spooky Sprint Orlando is a Halloween-themed race at Jay Blanchard Park in Union Park, near Orlando, offering distances for many types of runners. The in-person events include a timed 5K, 10K, and half marathon, an untimed 1 mile, and a kids dash for children 10 and under. It is designed for families and regular runners alike, with youth pricing for the 5K and 10K and a free kids dash option for children not wanting the shirt and medal package. The race setup is straightforward: chip timing, live results, awards, free race photos, and treats at the finish line. The 5K, 10K, half marathon, and 1 mile entries include a custom bib, designer shirt, and finisher medal, while the kids dash comes with a mini bib, youth shirt, and its own medal. A virtual option is available for runners who want the merchandise but cannot attend in person, and a Volunteer then Run entry allows people to help with the event before participating themselves.

Costumes are part of the point at Monster Dash 5K, a Halloween-themed race in Manito Park on Spokane's South Hill. The morning starts with a chip-timed 5K, followed by a Kids' Fun Run with 1-mile, half-mile, and quarter-mile options, allowing families to choose a distance that fits younger runners. The kids' races end with candy goodie bags, and adults may walk or run beside their children for the full route. Many parents run the 5K first and then join their children afterward. Proceeds go to Active4Youth, a local nonprofit that teaches sports and healthy activities to children, including a free elementary running program in Spokane-area school districts.