Irchester Spooktacular: A Halloween Night Run for the Whole Family
For families who love a good excuse to get outdoors after dark, Irchester Spooktacular turns a Friday night run into a proper Halloween adventure for the whole family.
This is a Halloween-themed night-time run over 5k, and a 2k Family Fun Run, at Irchester Country Park. Run at night with your family and friends on the wonderful woodland trails and tracks in Irchester Country Park. There’s an awesome finishers medal for all participants and Halloween themed sweet treats after your run.
Race information
We know that you love running in the dark, so what could be better than a spooky Halloween-themed night-time run (fancy dress encouraged), over 5k or 2k?
We’ve created two new and exciting routes on the established woodland trails and tracks within Irchester Country Park which will be fully marked and marshalled by witches, wizards, goblins, ghosts and ghouls.
Entries
Online entries are open, priced at:
- £20 for the 5k
- £12 for the 2k Fun Run
As well as an awesome finishers medal, entry also includes free event photos and a bag of Halloween-themed chocolates for all participants.
Minimum age for entry on race day is 11 years old for the 5k and 4 years old for the 2k. Children under the age of 11 must be accompanied by a responsible adult.
Entries, and transfer of entries, will close 7 days before the event.
Start time and location
Registration opens on the Royal Meadow at Irchester Country Park at 5.00pm on the day of the event for you to collect your race numbers.
The start times are:
- 2k Family Fun Run – 6.00pm
- 5k Race – 7.00pm
Both runs will start on the Royal Meadow, and finish on the Little Meadow, in Irchester Country Park.
Parking
There is parking available at Irchester Country Park, but parking fees do apply.
Event support
As with all Race Harborough events, there will be professional first aid on hand at the start and finish with the ability to access participants across the park. Race Harborough volunteers will also be out on the course, in suitable fancy dress, to ensure you stay on course.
What to bring
The surface is suitable for road or trail shoes as it is mostly hard packed track. As it will be dark though, you will need to bring a head torch or small handheld torch to help you on your way.
Prizes
All finishers will receive an Irchester Spooktacular event medal. There will also be the usual prizes for the top 3 male and female finishers in the 5k.
Free event photos
As with all Race Harborough events, you don’t pay for your event photos. Free digital downloads of the event will be available to download soon after the event finishes, announced on the Race Harborough Facebook page.
Charity
For 2026, the main focus of Race Harborough’s charity support will continue to be the Jubilee Foodbank, Market Harborough, and the Weston Favell Centre Foodbank, Northampton. Everyone who enters a Race Harborough event will be given the opportunity to make a donation to support these good causes.
This event is organised and run by Race Harborough, not Northants Families. Please check the official event page for the latest details before booking, as information is correct at the time of writing and may be subject to change.
If you’re after more family-friendly ways to get outdoors this autumn, take a peek at our nature scavenger hunt for another excuse to explore the woods together, and sign up to our weekly newsletter for more Halloween and half-term ideas like this one.
