NORTHFIELD — After record-setting attendance for the 15th anniversary of the Monster Dash last year, goblins, ghosts and ghouls will return for the event’s 16th iteration.
The race starts at 9 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 24, kicking off from Town Hall. Racers are encouraged to dress up in their Halloween costumes, and can run, walk or bike the course.
Longtime race organizer Terry McKeon said 99 racers had registered by Wednesday afternoon, adding that he’s expecting that number to slowly climb until Saturday. McKeon said he expects an additional 20 to 40 racers to register on the morning of the race.
“We ended up getting another … 40 runners showing up, day of,” McKeon said of last year’s attendance. “If [the weather’s] nice, they sign up at the last minute.”
McKeon said he normally recognizes many of the names on the sign-up list, but that this year, there’s been more new names.
“If some of the old regulars show up, it’s going to be a big crowd,” he added.
Over the event’s 16-year history, a few costumes stick out in McKeon’s mind as being particularly innovative. One year, a racer came as the Incredible Hulk, covered head-to-toe in green body paint. Chuckling, he added that there’s been at least one John Lennon each year.
The race raises money for the First Parish Unitarian Church of Northfield, going toward the operating budget and general maintenance or repairs. The Monster Dash is sponsored by the Northfield Recreation Commission, the Northfield Creamie and Picadilly Farm.
The first 100 people who registered for the race receive a free T-shirt.
“The prizes from this race … pretty much everyone gets one,” McKeon said. “Picadilly Farm in New Hampshire brings 90 to 100 bags of fresh food from their farm, so almost everybody goes home with that. Parishioners bake fresh things like bread and cookies. … It’s really a great race, you can’t beat it.”
Registration for the 5K costs $23 for an adult, with the price being the same regardless of whether the person plans to run, walk or bike the course. For students of any age, registration costs $16, while registering the whole family costs $39.
Family registration draws a lot of people, McKeon said.
“The family price is great, because for [$39], you can have a family of seven if you want,” McKeon said.
He emphasized that while some racers may be competing for the top spot, this race is about having fun and bringing the community together in advance of Halloween.
“There are two mild hills, and there’s some people who come who are really competitive and want to race it,” McKeon said. “Many people walk it, there’s also biking allowed. … Everyone goes home with something, and it’s a great day and a lot of fun.”
Those who are interested can register for the race at active.com/northfield-ma/running/distance-running-races/the-monster-dash-5k-2026.
