GULF SHORES, Ala. — The City of Gulf Shores will bring back its Haunted Hustle Halloween celebration on Saturday, Oct. 17, at Gulf Place Town Green and Public Beach, 101 Gulf Shores Parkway.
The family-friendly event will feature a 5K Walk/Run, the Wicked Walk Costume Parade and the Monster Dash Fun Run on the beach, along with new activities added to this year’s lineup, according to a news release from the city. Residents and visitors are invited to put on their best Halloween costumes and spend the evening enjoying games, candy and other festivities.
“We are excited to once again host the Haunted Hustle,” said City of Gulf Shores Fitness Coordinator Holly Howell in the release. “This family-friendly event is great for all ages. We encourage everyone, no matter your fitness level, to come out and enjoy the night with us!”
Schedule of Events
Festivities will begin at 4 p.m. with a live DJ, youth activities and more. Local businesses and organizations will also participate by hosting games and handing out candy to attendees.
The Wicked Walk Costume Parade begins at 6 p.m. Participants are encouraged to wear creative Halloween costumes and take part in a festive walking parade while tossing candy to spectators along the route.
The Monster Dash Beach Fun Run starts at 6:30 p.m., taking participants along the sand and surf, with friendly ghouls providing Halloween-themed scares along the way.
The Haunted Hustle 5K Walk/Run starts at 7 p.m. The nighttime 3.1-mile race encourages participants to compete in Halloween costumes.
Registration Costs
| Event | Early Registration | Event Day |
|---|---|---|
| Wicked Walk Costume Parade | $15 through Oct. 16 | $20 |
| Monster Dash Beach Fun Run | $20 through Oct. 16 | $25 |
| Haunted Hustle 5K Walk/Run | $30 through Sept. 30; $35 Oct. 1–16 | $40 |
All Wicked Walk participants receive a goody bag and event T-shirt. Monster Dash participants receive a finisher’s medal, goody bag and event T-shirt. All 5K participants receive a goody bag and event T-shirt.
The tiered 5K pricing rewards early commitment, which is standard practice for races — organizers need accurate headcounts to order shirts and medals, and registrations that arrive on event morning make that difficult.
Where the Money Goes
Proceeds from Haunted Hustle benefit the Dolphin Foundation for Education and Arts. The foundation will also be on-site selling pizza and refreshments, including beer and wine.
Running 3.1 Miles After Dark
A 7 p.m. October start in Gulf Shores means the 5K runs largely in darkness, which changes the experience in ways participants may want to plan for. Costumes should not obstruct vision or footing, and anything that trails — capes, long fabric, oversized shoes — is worth reconsidering for the running events, though it is well suited to the walking parade.
The Monster Dash on sand is a different discipline from road running. Soft sand is significantly harder on calves and Achilles tendons than pavement, and the firm strip near the waterline is generally the easier surface. It is a fun run rather than a timed competitive race, and the format is designed for families.
October evenings on the Alabama Gulf Coast are typically mild, with temperatures well suited to an outdoor evening event — a substantial improvement over a summer race in the same location.
A Full Evening, Not Just a Race
The structure of the event is worth noting for families deciding whether to attend. The 4 p.m. start with a DJ, youth activities, games and candy from local businesses means the festival portion runs for hours before any race begins, and attending costs nothing. Registration fees apply only to the three timed or organized events.
Haunted Hustle takes place Saturday, Oct. 17, at Gulf Place Town Green and Public Beach, 101 Gulf Shores Parkway. Registration is available through the City of Gulf Shores.