Scary Run

RUN FOR YOUR LIFE!

Join us for our 11th Annual Scary Run- on October 24th, 2026. ALL NEW RACE TIME (SATURDAY EVENING)

Get out your Halloween costumes and be prepared to be scared out of your wits. If the running doesn’t increase your heart rate, being chased by monsters, zombies and psycho freaks will!

We will make you earn your post-event party by running or walking a 15K, 10K or 5K in beautiful Washougal, WA. Festive snacks and drink to follow the race!

Every runner/walker is a winner in our eyes! But to reward those speedsters, here’s what we’ve come up with:

Awards for the Top 3 Overall Male & Female & Masters Champions

Top 3 Age Group Winners in the following categories

9 and under, 10-15, 16-19yrs, 20-24yrs, 25-29yrs, 30-34yrs, 35-39yrs, 40-44yrs, 45-49yrs, 50-54yrs, 55-59yrs, 60-64yrs, 65-69yrs, 70-74yrs, 75-79yrs, 80+

Note: We will not be able to provide awards for walkers due to the inability to control adherence to walking only during the event.

If you choose to race in the Clydesdale (220+ pounds) or Athena (165+ pounds) categories, you are not eligible for Age Group awards. You must choose one or the other.

RACE TO BENEFIT LOCAL SCHOOLS, SPORT CLUBS AND NON-PROFITS!

Why Racing Events is proud to support High School sports programs and other non-profit organizations through this event and all the races and fundraisers on the Why Racing Events calendar each year. Some of the High School sports programs rely solely on the donations made via these events.

Contributions over the years from these NW races and fundraisers have exceeded $3 million dollars. We are very thankful to the athletes, sponsors, vendors, partners and volunteers who contribute to the success of our events, allowing us to offer this support!

5K Course Map          10K Course Map          15K Course TBA

Course Details

This is a beautiful fast, flat and scenic 5K, 10K and 15K course – perfect for a PR!

The Half Marathon course will initially take you west through Washougal and then back towards the Start/Finish line. Then Half Marathoners will join the 5K and 10K course and run/walk along the mighty Columbia River with magnificent views of Mt. Hood and finish with an out and back section through the industrial area. The river trail is a dirt, gravel path so a minimalist shoe may not be appropriate for this course. We will be taking you off the main trail to provide a few surprises. Also, watch for the course split that takes the 5K athletes back to the finish line and the 10K/Half Marathon athletes further along the route. There is additional split for the Half Marathoners & 10K athletes that will have the Half Marathoners travel further east to pick up more mileage. There is one final course split where the Half Marathoners complete their out and back section through the industrial area when the 5K/10K athletes continue straight to the finish line. We will have advanced signage and volunteers but please pay attention.

Please do the course that you signed up for or it negatively affects results. If you need to change distances, please let us know asap.

Stay to the right – Be sure to always leave room for athletes to pass you along the trail. Avoid walking/running with multiple athletes abreast as it can make it very difficult to pass.

Speed Bumps – There are 2 speed bumps along Pendleton as we enter and exit the trail. We will mark them but please be very careful. They can be hard to see and can trip you if you’re not paying attention.

Self-seed – If you are fast, start near the front. If you are intermediate, start in the middle. If you are recreational and/or a walker, please start near the back. Parents – unless you know your kid is a cross-country or track star, please have them start at the back. Kids are notorious for starting at the front and then stopping abruptly posing a safety risk for themselves and others.

Pacers – We have pacers for the Half Marathon to help you achieve your goal finish time. Line up close to the pacer holding your goal-time. 

The initial Half Marathon section through Washougal and the final out-andback through the industrial area is not closed, so please be careful and alert at all times. We will have Flaggers en route to help you safely pass any key intersections but always run/walk defensively.

There are no refunds issued for your registration (no exceptions); however, we do understand that things come up that are beyond your control. As a customer service initiative, we do offer the ability to transfer your registration to next year’s event, another upcoming Why Racing Event that year, or to transfer your registration to another participant. There is a $20 fee for this deferral process, you can only defer and transfer up to 10 days before the event.

Here are some instructional links for these actions

• • How Do I Defer my Race?
  • How Do I Transfer my Race to Another Person?
  • look up my registration and claim it to my account?

TOP 10 REASONS WHY YOU DON’T WANT TO MISS SCARY RUN

1. The COSTUMES – Half the fun at this event is all the AMAZING Scary (and not so scary) Halloween costumes!
   
   
2. Three distances! You can run or walk the Half Marathon, 10K or 5K distances. Whether you are an experienced racer, a weekend warrior, new to running, or a walker, we will scare you all the same!
   
   
3. The course! This is a beautiful (but scary) course in quaint Washougal WA along the Columbia River with views of Mt. Hood and the Gorge! The course is extremely flat and perfect for a Personal Best – especially since you’ll be running for your life!
   
   
4. SWAG! The Finishers’ shirt and Medal Bling is darn SCARY!
   
   
5. Friends & Family! What a wonderful (yet SCARY) way for friends and family to get together and do something fun, active and healthy for Halloween! It will help burn off any of those treat-size candy bars!
   
   
6. Kid-friendly! The 5K course is along a trail away from traffic so perfect for the kiddos. Teach them that Halloween isn’t just about the candy! Plus Kids 12 and under get to register for FREE and kids 13 ~ 17 receive 50% off on their registration!!
   
   
7. It’s so EASY! Washougal is just a quick drive from Vancouver and Portland and parking is super easy. Washougal will quickly become one of our favorite spots to run, bike or hang at the beach. Downtown Washougal has some great restaurants so you can make a day of it! Plus Washougal is one of the oldest established communities in Washington so there’s lots of SCARY history!
   
   
8. Soup, Sandwiches and FREE Beer! Get your run or walk in and then sit back, relax and enjoy the Halloween Festivities with your buddies!
   
   
9. Free race photos and social media fun! Yep, FREE thanks to IQ Credit Union! Your scary smiles will be captured throughout the day, emailed to you for FREE and then you can share on social media.
   
   
10. Scary Run is a fundraiser for local schools, clubs and non-profits.

Can I register on Race Day? Can my friend pick up my packet? Can I get a refund? Can I transfer my registration to another race or athlete?
All registration and packet pickup related questions can be found under the main navigation heading titled “Registration & Packet Pickup”. If you cannot find the answer to your question, please email us at registration@whyracingevents.com

What are the rules?
We currently adhere to the USAT Rules for Triathlon & Duathlon. Please click here to review complete list of USAT Rules. Important rules include no drafting, you must wear a helmet and music is ABSOLUTELY NOT allowed during the bike for obvious safety reasons.

Can I use a personal music device while cycling?
Absolutely no music devices are allowed during the bike segment for obvious safety risks and will result in immediate disqualification.

Can I use a personal music devise while running?
During any running segments, we prefer for athletes to NOT use music devices to maximize safety, assure a fair competitive environment and assure athletes can hear all course marshal instructions. With that said, we also understand that many athletes rely on music to help endure the challenge of running. To accommodate the needs of our athletes while still assuring maximum safety and a fair, competitive environment, here is the arrangement that we can accommodate. 

• If you chose to use a personal music device, you must always keep one ear open for instructions so only one ear-bud can be used at any time. In addition, if you opt to use music, you will not be eligible for awards, points and rankings. So as an athlete, you have to make a choice…music or awards/points/rankings.
• If you are using a personal music devise with two earbuds, you will be immediately disqualified. Trust us, we don’t want to have to enforce a disqualification but in order to assure the safety of all athletes, this is a very important rule.
• We also request that if you chose to use a personal music device that you keep the volume to a minimum to assure all instructions can be heard.

Do I need to wear a wetsuit?
No, you do not need to wear a wetsuit. Many will not wear a wetsuit while others will choose to wear a wetsuit because of the buoyancy and warmth factor. 

Will there be on-site mechanical/bike support?
Yes, we will have a bike mechanic on-site to provide basic Bike Service/repairs.

Where can I find lost items?
Any equipment that is unmarked will be returned to the stage during the event. After the event, we will take to the Why Racing office and you can contact us to locate. Please come to the event with all personal belongings well marked with your name and/or race number.

What should I do if my shirt doesn't fit?
If the size of the shirt you ordered does not fit, we will be hosting a ‘Shirt Swap” after the event at the information booth. We cannot guarantee you will be able to swap, since it will depend on left over shirts, but we will do our best to accommodate your request.

Do I have to use a road or racing bike?
No. We welcome any type of bike as long as it is functioning properly with brakes and endcaps at the end of your handlebars. For the Off-Road event, you will want to use an off-road or mountain bike to be able to accomodate the trails.

Do I have to run?
No, you could walk, jog, wog, hop or prance your way to the finish line. As long as you get there under your own volition, that is acceptable!

Will there be water on the course?
Water Aid Stations will be approximately every 2 miles. You will have to carry your own hydration and fuel on your bike during the bike courses. Energy Drink and Gel will be available at the Aid stations.

Will there be bathrooms on the course?
We’ve ordered Porta-potties for the start/finish!

Where should I tell my friends and family to go to cheer me on?
The best approach for your family, friends and cheerleaders is to park within Frenchmans Bar. They can see you start and finish. They can take a short walk up the access road and see you bike out, bike past you, bike in, run out and finish! Tons of action for them! Or they can just hang in the expo area after you start and then they can sit and enjoy the music and watch you swim/run in, bike out, bike in, and then head to the finish line to watch you finish. Frenchmen’s Bar is a great venue for spectators to watch. There’s a playground and beach for the kids, and volleyball nets for fun after-event activities so bring the whole family – just make sure they get their early before the race starts – otherwise they’ll be walking 3 miles to get to the start/finish area since the roads will be closed once the race begins to assure the safety of the cyclists. Be sure to tell them to make signs for you, bring cowbells, and bring you flowers for the finish. Especially if this is your first race, you’ve got to celebrate! It’s a big accomplishment!
Note – It is very important that your supporters understand that they must arrive to Frenchmans’s Bar 15-30 minutes before the race starts because once the race begins, no vehicles will be allowed on the road for the safety of the cyclists. They should also understand that they will not be able to leave the parking lot until the last cyclist is off their bike.

Are dogs allowed on the course?
Unfortunately due to insurance requirements, only Service Dogs are allowed on course and must start at the end of the race after all other participants have started.

Are strollers allowed on the course?
Yes, but due to insurance requirements, strollers must start at the end of the race after all other participants have started.
 

Kids 12 and under get to register for FREE and kids 13 ~ 17 receive 50% off on their registration!

 If you’re picking up a package for someone else, please be sure to have their signed authorization form and a copy of their ID.

Registration package pick-up location changes so pay attention to the times and days listed below. If you are unable to pick up at any of the times listed below, please email us at registration@whyracingevents.com to make other arrangements.

Foot Traffic Vancouver Saturday, October 25th from 10 AM to 4 PM
Foot Traffic, 305 SE Chkalov Dr., Vancouver, WA 98683

Bi-Mart, Washougal WA 7 AM - 9 AM

 
Your friends and family can also register to participate in Scary Run at Packet Pickup.

NOTE: Now that our events are sanctioned by USATF, you are required to pick up your own packets. In the event you cannot make it to Packet Pickup, you can have someone else pick up your package, but you must sign and print this form and send it with them as well as a copy of your ID. This is an insurance requirement helping to assure that athletes don't give their Bib to someone else to race - an act that would be strictly prohibited for safety reasons.

Go to http://visitwashougal.com/ for restaurant options.

This race is a fun, costume-themed run/walk. Although titled ‘Scary Run’ your costume doesn’t need to be scary. Be creative and dress in any costume you like as long as you can comfortably and safely run and walk. Feel free to get together with friends and come up with a fun costume theme.

The ‘Scary’ component will surface while you are running along the course and should guarantee some solid personal bests!

Washougal and SW Washington have so much to offer so come for the entire weekend and make it a fun and memorable RACE-cation! Although a weekend is not nearly enough to see all the beauty in this area, so feel free to extend your stay or be sure to come back for one of our other local races. You can check off one bucket list item each time you visit – there really is that much to see! Go to Visit Washougal for more information and accommodations in Washougal, WA.

For our out of town guests, if you are flying, you will need to schedule your flight arriving into Portland Oregon. The event start and finish and local hotels are a 20 minute cab ride from the airport.

  
 
BOOK YOUR RESERVATION*

OR

Call our front desk directly at (866) 238-4218 to reserve a room.

701 SE Columbia Shores Blvd, Vancouver, WA 98661

Bring the obvious – Costumes are optional but definitely makes the photos more enjoyable and makes it more fun for all! Remember your running/walking shoes & gear, your bib number etc. Watch the weather closely. The show goes on no matter what the weather is doing. Fortunately, if you’re dressed correctly, it shouldn’t matter. If it’s raining, you may want to layer with a water-proof running jacket. If it’s cold, wear some running gloves. Vaseline is always a good idea on any spots that might rub (underarms, inner thighs, feet). Wear your Bib Number on the front of your shirt/jacket which also includes your disposeable chip timing piece. Watch for the cameras en route and give us a big cheesy smile!

Plus remember to bring a warm, clean change of clothing so you can enjoy the post-event festivities.

As a reminder, if your family is going to be cheering you along en route, remind them to bring cowbells, music, fun signs and pom poms to help keep your energy up along the course. Or perhaps, they should dress up and try to scare you as well!