Halloween is just round the corner, so if you want to sign up to one of the creepy races on offer then now's the time. Five weeks is ample time to get a costume ready after all! Fylde Coast Running have two such events on their calendar with Wigan Fright Night set for 29 October and Blackpool's Spooktastic Halloween 5K scheduled for the big day itself - 31 October.  

The Fright Night 10K will take place in Wigan's Haigh Hall with runners enjoying a mix of trails and pathways starting and finishing in the shadow of the hall. All finishers will be rewarded with a 'blingtastic glow-in-the-dark' medal and commemorative fright night technical t-shirt.

The Spooktastic Halloween 5K is 'spectacularly creepy 5K event', with a route that takes in the Herons Reach trails in Blackpool. The course will be marked  out with glow-in-the-dark arrows throughout and organisers stress that "It may be wet, very wet! It may be muddy, very muddy!"

Both races will take place in the dark so head torches are essential, there will be marshalls on hand to help runners find their way, but again organisers have a word of warning: "Not all the marshals are there to assist you, some of them have other intentions! Keep your eyes peeled and your wits about you.

"If you manage to make it around the course, evading the scary marshals, you will be greeted at the finish line by the event team with your finisher's medal."

Fancy dress is optional but highly recommended as it really adds to the sense of fun. Post race there will be bottles of water, soft drinks, chocolate and sweet bags for kids (big and small).

If you'd like to find out more about either event, visit the Fylde Coast Runners website.

Image: Halloween race action