Washington Park hosts Albany's Trick or Trot Pumpkin Run 5K this Saturday, Oct. 24, bringing costumed runners and walkers out for an afternoon of racing alongside a family-friendly pre-party with candy. The event invites runners and walkers of all ages to take on a Halloween-themed course through the park, with the competitive race and a separate fun run and walk both open to anyone willing to lace up — or wear a costume while doing it.
The day kicks off well before anyone crosses a starting line. According to WNYT, a KeyBank-presented pre-party runs from noon to 4 p.m. and is free and open to the public with no sign-up required, according to the City of Albany Office of Cultural Affairs. The pre-party offers free pumpkins, candy, vendors, a bounce house, a photo booth, decorations and a DJ, plus food trucks and photo ops for anyone just there for the atmosphere rather than the run.
Race Times and What Runners Get
Those planning to actually run or walk the 5K need to register ahead of time, per the event listing. Warmups and lining up begin by 3:15 p.m., with the competitive race starting at 3:45 p.m. for competitive runners who expect to finish in under 35 minutes. A separate fun run and walking portion follows at 4:30 p.m., built for participants expected to finish in 35 minutes or more.
Every registered runner receives a wicking fabric shirt, and the race features chip timing handled by ARE Event Productions, the same outfit that timed last year's run, per a low-confidence listing from the Albany Running Exchange. Strollers are welcome on the course, though organizers strongly encourage anyone pushing one to start toward the back of the pack.
Costumes, Awards and Bragging Rights
Costumes are encouraged for both the run and the walk, and organizers will hand out age-based divisional awards once results are tallied. The City of Albany will also host an awards recognition posting of race results following the race, the event listing notes. Beyond the clock, there's a costume contest with four categories up for grabs: Best Adult, Best Duo, Best Original and Best Kids.
Anyone who wants more details before Saturday can call 518.434.2032 or follow @albanynyevents on Facebook and Instagram. The Trick or Trot Pumpkin Run has become a fall fixture for the city, with the 2025 edition having taken place in Washington Park last October, according to the same Albany Running Exchange listing.
