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Running Scared 5K

Sat, Oct 3, 2026, 8:30 AM EDT

Location
Fort Myers, FL
9200 Corkscrew Palms Blvd, 10501 FGCU Blvd South, 33965
Featured distance
5K
Type
RUN
Official registration

Sign up and verify details on the organizer’s official page.

At a glance

Run a 5K with a twist: carry a pumpkin for Special Olympics Florida. Choose your challenge, earn a medal, and enjoy a festive fall morning.

  • Fun
  • Competitive
  • Quirky
  • Festive
  • For a Cause

Great for

  • For a Cause

Great for: cause-driven runners, runners who like a competitive edge

Lace up for the Running Scared 5K – Pumpkin Challenge at Florida Gulf Coast University. This unique event invites you to test your strength and endurance by carrying a pumpkin along the course, with choices to go light and long or heavy and short. Beyond the fun challenge, all proceeds support Special Olympics Florida, adding a meaningful purpose to your run. Enjoy a high-energy, festive atmosphere with community activities and post-race excitement, making it a morning of fitness, laughter, and giving back. Awards are presented for overall and age group…

What to expect

  • Engage in the unique Pumpkin Challenge, choosing your pumpkin size and carry distance.
  • Contribute to a great cause, with all proceeds benefiting Special Olympics Florida.
  • Enjoy a festive atmosphere, receive a finisher's medal, t-shirt, and compete for age group awards.

Standout details

  • Unique Pumpkin Challenge
  • Benefits Special Olympics Florida
  • Finisher medal & t-shirt
  • Age group awards by chip time

Auto-drafted from the public listing — confirm details on the official event page before signing up.

Vibe Check

Easygoing

warm-day exposure

  • Warm season

Based on terrain, weather, and distance data.

The course

  • Flat
  • Timed race
From the organizer

Join us for the 2026 Running Scared 5K – Pumpkin Challenge on Saturday, October 3rd, 2026 at Florida Gulf Coast University (FGCU)! This year we’re switching things up with a morning race starting at 8:30 AM, bringing the same high-energy fun to an exciting new location. Lace up your running shoes and get ready for a race that supports an incredible cause — all proceeds benefit Special Olympics Florida.

But remember — this is not your ordinary 5K… this is the Pumpkin Challenge!

Are you ready to test your strength and endurance? In the Pumpkin Challenge, you won’t just run the course — you’ll carry a pumpkin along the way! At the start of the race, you’ll have the option to choose from pumpkins placed at various points throughout the course. Smaller pumpkins near the start must be carried the longest distance. As you move along the course, the pumpkins get bigger — but the distance you carry them gets shorter. Will you go light and long, heavy and short, or find the perfect balance in between? The choice is yours! And yes — the pumpkin you carry is yours to keep as you get ready for fall.

In addition to the race, participants can enjoy a fun, festive atmosphere with community activities and post-race excitement. It’s a morning filled with fitness, laughter, and purpose.

Race Details Saturday, October 3rd, 2026 Florida Gulf Coast University (FGCU) Start Time: 8:30 AM

5K Awards Overall Male & Female – 1st, 2nd, 3rd

Age Groups (awards based on net chip time): 0–10 | 11–19 | 20–29 | 30–39 | 40–49 | 50–59 | 60–69 | 70+ Top 3 Male & Female in each category will be awarded.

All participants will receive a Running Scared t-shirt and a finisher’s medal.

Packet Pickup Packet pickup will be held at Fleet Feet Fort Myers and on race morning prior to the start

Friday October 2nd 2026 at Fleet Feet Fort Myers 5:00-7:00pm

Race Moring at FGCU 7:30am-8:15am

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