NYCRUNS Haunted Island 5K
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NYCRUNS Haunted Island 5K
The NYCRUNS Haunted Island 5K takes place on October 25, 2026 on Governors Island at Colonels Row in New York, NY. Now in its 15th year, the event is a Halloween-themed 5K where entry includes a ferry ride for the runner and guests, race entry, an official tech shirt, and post-race food including Halloween candy.
The course is a single full loop around Governors Island and is USATF-certified. The route offers views of New York Harbor and the city skyline. Start corrals are pace-based and assigned by letter (AA through F) using the pace listed in the NYCRUNS Dashboard.
The Festival Area is a short walk from the ferry terminal and is the location for bib and shirt pickup on race morning, bag check, portable bathrooms, and post-race recovery. Hydration stations with water and electrolyte fluids are available on course and at the finish. Post-race refreshments include fruit and a bagel with schmear. Participants receive one complimentary race photo with options to purchase additional photos.
Bag check requires a single clear bag (18 x 24 inches); organizers may search bag contents. NYCRUNS members can receive mailed bibs at no cost; non-members may add mail delivery for a fee and only if registration occurs 20 or more days before the event and ships to a U.S. address. Shirts are available for race day pickup only.
Results are emailed and posted online. Overall awards are given to the top three male, female and non-binary finishers by gun time, with age-group awards by net/chip time for categories from 9 and under through 70 and over. Handcycle and wheelchair athletes are not advised due to many turns. Standard policies apply, including no refunds or transfers, restrictions on strollers and dogs, rules about earbuds, prohibition of confetti cannons, and time limits on course support and official finish times. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.
