Halloween falls on a Saturday this year, which gives Blast Running the perfect excuse to add a little seasonal mischief to one of its established trail races.

Dalmeny Halloween Trail Half returns on 31 October, taking up to 400 runners on a 13.1 mile autumn journey through Dalmeny Estate and Cammo Nature Reserve.

Starting from Longcraigs at South Queensferry at 10:30am, the route mixes wooded trails, riverside paths and farm tracks with less than 1,000ft of climbing. There are enough undulations to provide a challenge without making the race inaccessible to runners attempting their first trail Half Marathon.

Dalmeny provides quite a backdrop. The historic estate stretches towards the Firth of Forth and its designed landscape dates largely from the late 18th and early 19th centuries. By late October, its woodland and trails should be firmly dressed for autumn.

Last year's race demonstrated that the course can be quick too. More than 250 runners took part, with Adam Gray setting an overall course record of 1:16:05. Michael Fullerton and Morna Fleming also established new age category records.

There was an altogether stranger obstacle in 2025 when a group of medieval knights and peasants temporarily obscured one of the course arrows at Cammo, sending some runners briefly in the wrong direction. Blast Running is hoping for fewer unexpected historical interventions this Halloween.

The event retains the friendly touches associated with Blast Running. It is chip timed, every finisher receives a medal and runners can refuel afterwards with a buffet and hot drinks. An optional donation from entries supports the South Queensferry RNLI, with last year's event raising more than £600 for the local branch.

Trail races do not come much more autumnal than this. Woodland, fallen leaves, a historic estate and Halloween itself provide the setting. Runners just have to hope the knights stay away this time.

Entries are available via the runABC race hub here.

Image courtesy Blast Running on Facebook.