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Halloween lands on a Saturday this year. After this, it doesn’t happen again until 2037.
So if you’ve ever fancied a tourist run with a theme, this is the week. Here are the UK parkruns with the spookiest names, the darkest history or the most unfortunate run number. Fancy dress optional. Headtorch not required, it’s a 9am start.
Before you set off: at the time of writing, twenty-five parkruns are listed as cancelled on 31 October, including Trentham Gardens and Vale Park. Check the full list or get a free alert for wherever you’re heading.
The big one
Arrow Valley Country Park, Redditch
On Saturday 31 October, Arrow Valley holds its 666th event. On Halloween. You could not plan that if you tried.
The course is two laps around the lake on tarmac paths, then a short loop by the visitor centre to finish. One slight incline and that is about it. Fast, friendly, and this year, slightly cursed. The visitor centre café is where everyone gathers afterwards.
If you are only going to do one Halloween parkrun, make it the one with the number of the beast on the results page.
Best name
Graves Park, Sheffield
It had to be on the list. Disappointingly, the park is named after J.G. Graves, the businessman who gave it to the city, not anything buried there.
The course is not disappointing. Two laps on mostly tarmac with some gravel and grass, a sweeping descent to the lake, and a climb past the cow fields towards Norton Hall. Your legs will feel haunted by the end.
Witch country
Holt House Playing Fields, Colne, Lancashire
Pendle is famous for one thing, and it is the 1612 witch trials. Run here on Halloween and you are in the middle of the most notorious witch story in English history.
Two laps on grass, tracks and tarmac. The route dips through the woods into Alkincoats Park, around the bandstand, then back up a hill to the pavilion. Bring shoes with some grip if it has been wet.
The witch trail continues
Williamson Park, Lancaster
The Pendle witches were tried at Lancaster Castle in 1612, which makes Lancaster the natural second stop on a witchy weekend.
Williamson Park is genuinely hilly. Three climbs a lap, two laps, and the event team itself calls it brutal. The Ashton Memorial looming over you on a misty Halloween morning is quite something.
Straight out of a horror film
Black Park Country Park, near Slough
Hammer Films used Black Park’s lake and pine forest as Transylvania in The Brides of Dracula. Few parkruns can say they have stood in for Count Dracula’s back garden.
One flat lap on wide gravel and compacted earth tracks through forest and heathland. Fast times are normal here, which is useful if something is chasing you.
Haunted castle
Muncaster, near Ravenglass, Cumbria
Muncaster Castle has long had a reputation as one of the most haunted castles in England, and it leans into it every October.
It was cancelled on Saturday 24 October because the course was unsafe or blocked. It isn't on the list for 31 October as of the latest update, but check the cancellations list before you make the drive.
Ruins at dawn
Studley Royal, near Ripon, North Yorkshire
No gimmick here, just atmosphere. Huge medieval abbey ruins, a deer park and an autumn mist that rolls in off the water. If your idea of Halloween is gothic rather than gory, this is the one.
Most haunted city
York Racecourse, York
York likes to call itself one of the most haunted cities in Europe, and the ghost walks around the old city are busy all year.
The parkrun itself is the opposite of spooky. Very flat, tarmac, few turns, on the racecourse service road. Run a quick time in the morning, then do a ghost tour in the evening.
For the name alone
Killerton National Trust estate, near Exeter, Devon
We could not leave it out. One lap of the National Trust estate on grassy tracks and stony trails, through the deer park, woodland and farmland. Beautiful, muddy in the wet, and not remotely murderous.
I asked parkrunners where the spookiest place to run on Halloween would be, and the replies were brilliant. Here are the best of them, with thanks to everyone who chipped in.
A few of you backed picks that are already above. Greg Wood flagged Arrow Valley's 666th, Vikki Casey is heading to Graves to finish her "Staying Alive" challenge, and Ceara Fisher says to stay on at Muncaster Castle for its Halloween festival.
Desborough, Northamptonshire
The Plens is marking its 100th event on Halloween with a spooky theme. Come in costume, or dress in black for the 100.
Suggested by Lisa GibbonGet alerts
East London
A proper Halloween themed event. Full costumes, devil's horns and face paint are all welcome, and there's a buffet table at the end if you bring something to share.
Suggested by SunnyBeet3426Get alerts
Derry, Northern Ireland
Derry hosts what it calls Europe's biggest Halloween festival, and Sarah says the parkrun is part of the festival calendar.
Suggested by Sarah GreenerGet alerts
Banchory, Aberdeenshire
A castle with proper Halloween atmosphere, and Ian says the team is planning a Halloween parkrun on the 31st.
Suggested by Ian GregoryGet alerts
Wellingborough, Northamptonshire
Not scary, but very much in the spirit. Irchester celebrates its birthday on Halloween with a Jurassic theme, so dinosaur fancy dress is encouraged. A dinosaur print was once found in the park.
Suggested by Eleanor FitzpatrickGet alerts
Aylsham, Norfolk
Blickling Hall comes with an Anne Boleyn ghost legend attached.
Suggested by Ian GregoryGet alerts
North Yorkshire coast
The old railway line runs to Whitby, and Whitby is Dracula country.
Suggested by Ian GregoryGet alerts
West London
Sounds like an ingredient in a witch's potion.
Suggested by Ian GregoryGet alerts
Waltham Abbey, Essex
More bonfire night than Halloween, though it earns its place in an October list.
Suggested by Ian GregoryGet alerts
Know one we've missed? Email me and I'll add it, with credit. Always check the event's own page before you travel, as plans can change.
Dress up, by all means. Just keep it runnable. Nothing that covers your eyes, nothing that trails on the floor, and give people room on narrow paths. If your costume needs its own marshal, it’s probably too much.
Running somewhere new? Our parkrun tourism guide covers the etiquette of turning up as a visitor, and the rain, cold and dark mornings guide has you covered for whatever late October throws at you.
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