Costumes on, lights on. Our Monday Night Group Run on Monday, October 27 at 6:45 p.m. is going full Halloween—so break out your capes, crowns, tutus, and terrifyingly fast shoes. We’re leaning into the spooky season, but let’s not be the kind of ghost that drivers can’t see. Here’s how to keep the fun high and the scares low while we cruise Newtown Square (and beyond) after dark.
Be Seen (so you don’t haunt the crosswalks)
- Lights front and back: Bring a headlamp to see and a red flasher to be seen. For lightweight, runner-built options, check Amphipod’s visibility gear.
- Reflective + high-viz: Vests, bands, and jackets with 360° reflectivity make your costume pop for the right reasons. If your outfit is mostly dark, add reflective straps to arms/ankles for extra motion visibility.
- Cap it off: A breathable cap helps with glare from headlights and light drizzle. The Brooks Propel Mesh Hat 2.0 is a great pick.
Costume tips that won’t trip you up
- Keep capes short, masks breathable, and anything dangly secured. If it can snag or sway into your stride, trim or tape it.
- Test-run your outfit for a few strides before we roll. If it rides up, rides down, or rides away, adjust.
- Face paint beats full masks for peripheral vision.
Layers > shivers
It can get crisp after sunset. Think breathable base, light insulating midlayer, and a wind-blocking shell if needed. Merino or merino-blend socks keep the toes happy; light gloves in the pocket just in case.
Footing that isn’t frightening
Fallen leaves and damp corners can be slick. Shorten the stride on shiny pavement, step around leaf piles where you can, and save the big kick for the well-lit stretches.
Group run plan
- Meet: The Running Place, a few minutes early to sort routes and costume tweaks.
- Start: 6:45 p.m. sharp. We’ll share route options by distance and pace—walkers welcome.
- Stick together: Run against traffic, single file on narrow shoulders, and call out hazards. One earbud max so you can hear cars, bikes, and fellow creatures of the night.
Hydrate and recover
Cool temps hide thirst. Sip a little before you start and grab a drink after. Warm tea or cocoa turns a good costume run into a great one.
Local routes we love this time of year
- Radnor Trail: Flat, paved, and friendly—headlamps recommended.
- Ridley Creek State Park multi-use loop: Watch the leaf cover on descents.
- Neighborhood loops near the shop: Well-lit stretches and easy regroup spots.
Gear check at TRP
Before we head out, you can browse visibility add-ons and cold-weather layers in the shop:
- Lights, vests, and reflective bands
- Caps like the Brooks Propel Mesh Hat 2.0 for breathable coverage
- Gloves, headbands, and merino socks to keep the chill off
Costumes encouraged, visibility required, good times guaranteed. Join us Monday, October 27 at 6:45 p.m. for the Halloween edition of our Monday Night Group Run. Don’t be a spooky, hard-to-see specter out there—light up, layer up, and let’s make the neighborhood do a double-take for all the right reasons.