20 Awesome Race-Day Costumes

Written by
Carolyn Bossmann
There’s nothing better than spicing up a race with a crazy costume. Whether you’re going for spooky, crazy, trendy or fun, there are endless possibilities. Here are some of the craziest costume ideas from the ACTIVE community to help inspire you to take your race gear to a whole new level.
Family Zoo
The Great Pumpkin Haul; Littleton, Colo; Oct. 24, 2015
1 of 21
Running with a group? Have everyone be a different animal. The zoo's all here with this bee, zebra, giraffe, tiger and honey badger.
Register Now
Find a
race.
Wonder Woman and Superman
The Great Pumpkin Haul; Littleton, Colo.; Oct. 24, 2015
1 of 21
The Great Pumpkin Haul is all about, well, hauling pumpkins. Who better to conquer this feat than Wonder Woman and Superman?
Register Now
Find a
race.
Skeleton Face Paint
7th Annual Florida Halloween Halfathon & 5K; St. Petersburg, FL; Oct. 31, 2015
1 of 21
These skeletons took their costume to the next level by adding Dia de los Muertos face paint flair.
Register Now
Find a
race.
Incredibles Family
The Super Run; Lansing, Michigan; Sept. 24, 2016
1 of 21
How do you fit the whole family into one costume idea? Take a cue from the most famous superhero family around: The Incredibles!
Register Now
Find a
race.
Pot of Gold at the End of a Rainbow
Chicago Shamrock Shuffle; Chicago; 2014
1 of 21
Play with the name of the race for a creative and fun costume; you might find a pot of gold at the end of a rainbow! (Provided by Natalie Cobb)
Find a
race.
Where's Waldo?
Great Pumpkin Chase 5K; Cross, WI; October 2012
1 of 21
Where's Waldo? Just finishing up his race. (Provided by Mae Day)
Find a
race.
Superman and Little Hulk
The Super Run; Lansing, Michigan; Sept. 24, 2016
1 of 21
No costume idea is too big for a run! The superheroes united with Superman and a little Hulk.
Register Now
Find a
race.
The Masked Barefoot Runner
LA Marathon; Los Angeles; 2015
1 of 21
Add some flair with a luchador-inspired mask, like The Masked Barefoot Runner. Shoes optional. (Provided by Pedro V. Martini)
Find a
race.
Super Family
The Super Run; Lansing, Michigan; Sept. 24, 2016
1 of 21
Families that run together have fun together. Have every family member pick out their own super costume for the big race. Pictured are Guardians of the Galaxy character Groot with Wonder Woman, Spiderman and Batgirl.
Register Now
Find a
race.
Zombie
Zombie Fest Run2Survive; Fairview, OR; Oct. 18, 2014
1 of 21
One of the most loved Halloween costumes also happens to be one of the easiest. Add some scary face paint and a killer outfit, and you're a zombie runner. (Provided by Tristann Graves)
Find a
race.
Poodle Skirt Girls
Punxsutawney Phil's Trick or Trot; Punxsutawney, PA; Oct. 31, 2016
1 of 21
Go retro like these classic and cute poodle skirt girls. (Provided by Jen Galey)
Find a
race.
Dorothy from the Wizard of Oz
Garmin Marathon in the Land of OZ; Olathe, KS; April 16, 2016
1 of 21
A Dorothy from the Wizard of Oz costume is perfect to match your own mantra during the race: there's no place like home. (Provided by Catherine Anne)
Find a
race.
Two Martians
Martian Half Marathon; Dearborn Heights, Michigan; April 12, 2014
1 of 21
Take your costumes out of this world by donning bright green like these Martians. (Provided by Catherine Anne)
Find a
race.
Leprechaun
Brazen Racing Badger Cove Half Marathon; Livermore, CA; 2016
1 of 21
Hoping for a little luck during your run? Bring the luck to you by dressing as a leaping leprechaun. (Provided by Lisa Le Strom)
Find a
race.
Batman (or woman)
Brazen Racing's Rocky Ridge Half Marathon; Las Trampas Wilderness; October 26, 2013
1 of 21
You can't beat the classics. Batman (or woman) costumes will always be a favorite for races. (Provided by Lisa Le Strom)
Find a
race.
Tortoise
The Tortoise and the Hare Half Marathon; Canton, GA; September 5, 2015
1 of 21
Aesop had it right the first time: slow and steady wins the race. Embrace the way of the tortoise for your next costume. (Provided by Kimberly Ann)
Find a
race.
Pirate
Rock 'n' Roll Los Angeles Half Marathon; Los Angeles; October 22, 2015
1 of 21
Don't be a scallywag; wave that Jolly Roger high and cross the finish line to claim your treasure, matey.
Register Now
Find a
race.
The Cat in the Hat
Rock 'n' Roll Los Angeles Half Marathon; Los Angeles; October 22, 2015
1 of 21
Dress as your favorite character from a book. "The Cat in the Hat" is a classic everyone will remember.
Register Now
Find a
race.
Despicable Me
Day of the Tread; Albuquerque NM; October 2015
1 of 21
Gru and a group of minions from "Despicable Me" will brighten up even the cloudiest race days. Just hold off the villainous planning for after the race.
Register Now
Find a
race.
'Frozen' Characters
Day of the Tread; Albuquerque NM; October 2015
1 of 21
Embrace the weather and go as the ice queen herself (or her trusty snowman), Elsa and Olaf from "Frozen."
Register Now
Find a
race.
1 of 21
Find a
race.