Cats & Bats Haunted 5K
Cats & Bats Haunted 5K is a running race on October 31, 2026 in Aberdeen, MD, with entry fees from $25 to $30.
- Date
- October 31, 2026 (100 days to go)
- Location
- Festival Park, Aberdeen, MD
- Price
- $25–$30
- Sport
- Running
From the Organizer
The 2026 Cats & Bats 5K - Saturday, October 31, 2026
For 12 years, this has been the race of choice for your pre-Halloween fun! The famous Cats & Bats 5K is your spot for #HalloweeninAberdeen
SATURDAY, October 31st - 8:00 am start time. USATF Certified Course - view map here
Location: Festival Park, Aberdeen, MD
We are planning for a Group, In-Person 5K and also have a Virtual 5K component. The virtual component is in place for anyone who is non-local, will not be able to attend the live race, or is not comfortable racing in a group environment.
Packet pickup will begin on race morning at 6:30 am, under the pavilion.
Details for early packet pickup will be announced
Race Fees
5K - Live Run or Walk - $30 per person (through September 30, 2026 - includes chip timing, shirt, and race medal, post race food and drinks, awards for overall & age group winners. Price increase to $35/per person October 1, 2025. Race day registation, if available, is $40. Registrations may sell out prior to race day.
Virtual 5K Race - $35 per person - if you can't attend the race but want the swag & brag, sign up for the virtual race! Complete the distance on your day, your place, your time. Race bib, shirt, and medal will be mailed to all virtual race participants.
One Mile Fun Run - $25 per person - for those who want to join in the fun but don't want to do the distance! The 1-Mile is untimed. Race shirt and medal included. Price increase to $30 on October 1. Race day registration is $35.
This is a Rain or Shine event! No refunds will be offered for weather or other reasons.
RACE DAY PACKET PICK-UP INFO - Race day packet pickup will begin at 6:30 am in Festival Park.
We are also offering a mailing option this year ($8.00), please see registration for details and cut-off date.
CUSTOM EVENT SHIRT - Please register by 10/15 to guarantee your shirt size choice. We will do our best to have shirts for all but cannot guarantee sizes or availability for those who register after 10/15
Come on out to beautiful Festival Park in Aberdeen, MD and participate in the ONLY 5k to feature a Custom Commemorative Finisher's Medal for all participants.
This is THE area's spookiest fall running event, so don't miss out! Registration is open but we expect a sellout crowd.
In addition to a beautiful flat-and-fast course, you also get great swag, food, drink, shirts, awards, and don't forget. .. . an AWESOME Finisher's Medal for all participants!
Our run will benefit The National PTSD Foundation, a 501(c)3 that works to support our local first responders who suffer from this affliction.
Medals will be awarded to our overall Male and Female Winners, and age group awards will be announced, first, second & third place for 9 & under, 10-14, 15-19, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, 70+). Winners to be announced on-site. Please check your results and plan to stick around if you are a Gender or Age Group winner!
We'll see YOU at the Cats & Bats 5K!
This event is RAIN OR SHINE!
Ticket sales are final and there are no refunds for any reason.
This race is owned, managed, and professionally timed by Blue Cheetah Sports Timing, LLC
Events
Weather
Typical Conditions
It's too far out for a forecast, so here's what weather on this date is normally like in the area. A race day forecast will replace this as race week approaches.
Typical High
61°
Typical Low
41°
Based on US Climate Normals data from Aberdeen Phillips Fld, 3 mi from the venue.
Host City
About Aberdeen, MD
Population
16,831
as of 2023
City Elevation
92 ft
Nearest Airport
ILG
Wilmington Airport · 33 mi
Major Hub
BWI
Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport · 35 mi
Time Zone
Eastern Time
From Endurance Grid
A mid-size host city. Enough lodging and amenities to keep race weekend easy, without big-city sprawl.
Race Location
Your Next Start Line
What Are You
Waiting For?
Every finish line starts with a single decision. Claim your spot at Cats & Bats Haunted 5K, put it on the calendar, and turn “someday” into a start date.
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From Endurance Grid
About This Sport
Endurance Grid is here to help you understand the sport, decide if it’s the right fit, and learn how to prepare. For course distances, logistics, and race-day specifics, always defer to the race organizer’s event page.
With running, there's a distance for every fitness level, a community at every start line, and nothing beats the feeling of crossing a finish line you trained for.
Running is an endurance sport that rewards consistency, and showing up every week compounds in ways that will surprise you.
Running
From 5K to marathon, running races are an accessible entry point into endurance sport. There's a distance for every fitness level and a community at every start line.
Coming Up
More Running races near Aberdeen, MD
Airfield Run
5K · 3538 Aldino Rd
4 miles away
The Mermaid Run
1 Mile · 5K · From $30 · Festival Park
Less than a mile away
Aberdeen 250 Freedom 5K Run and Walk
1 Mile · 5K · From $24 · 60 N. Parke St.
Less than a mile away
Medal Madness 5K, 10K, & 13.1M at Bel Air, MD (36)
5K · 10K · Half Marathon · From $30 · 1100 Cedar Ln
5 miles away
Plan your trip
Make it a Racecation
Coming from out of town? There's more to Aberdeen than race day. We'll help you line up nearby lodging, flights, a rental car, and things to do so you can make the most of your racecation.
Plan your trip to AberdeenFrequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
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Cats & Bats Haunted 5K
Oct 31, 2026