Phoenix Children's Spooktacular Sprint & 5K

Phoenix Children's is turning Wesley Bolin Memorial Plaza into a Halloween block party on Saturday, October 24, for the Phoenix Children's Spooktacular Sprint & 5K. It's a 3.1-mile course that you can run, jog, or walk in your Halloween costume, and the whole thing goes toward pediatric care in Arizona.

The day is built around the run, but the plaza becomes more than just a starting line. They set it up as a Halloween block party, with costumed runners, trick-or-treating, and spooky festivities. It's one of those events where the costume is part of the point—you're encouraged to show up in your Halloween best and take it through the course.

There's a fundraising side to it, too. Participants can choose a specific area of care to raise money for, including the Hope Fund, which supports more than 170 donation-funded programs and services. So if you're the type who likes to put a specific cause behind your miles, you can pick where your efforts go.

The run is a 5K—3.1 miles—and you can tackle it at whatever pace works for you, whether you're actually running it or just walking through with the kids. It all kicks off at Wesley Bolin Memorial Plaza, 1700 W Washington St, Phoenix, AZ 85007, on Saturday, October 24, at 8 AM.