Gulf Shores, Ala. — (OBA) —  Gulf Shores is bringing back one of its most popular Halloween traditions. The City of Gulf Shores has announced the return of the Haunted Hustle at Gulf Place Town Green and Public Beach, located at 101 Gulf Shores Parkway. The event features three activities: the Haunted Hustle 5K Walk/Run, the Monster Mash Dash, and the Wicked Walk Costume Parade. Residents and visitors are encouraged to wear their best Halloween costumes and join the festivities.

All three events are scheduled for Saturday, October 17, 2026. The evening kicks off at 6 p.m. with the Wicked Walk, followed by the Monster Mash Dash at 6:30 p.m. and the Haunted Hustle 5K at 7 p.m. Proceeds will benefit the Dolphin Foundation for Education and Arts.

The Wicked Walk is a festive, candy-throwing costume parade around the Town Green. Witches, ghouls, and goblins will toss beads and candy to bystanders. Strollers and wagons are welcome. All registered participants will receive a goodie bag and an event shirt.

The Monster Mash Dash takes runners onto the public beach's sand. It is not a timed event, and all finishers will receive a medal, a goodie bag, and an event shirt. Friendly ghouls will be on hand to enhance the spooky atmosphere during the beach fun run.

The Haunted Hustle 5K is a chip-timed race on a USATF-certified course (number AL18053JE). The course starts and ends at Gulf Place Town Green. Age groups for the 5K run are: 14 and under, 15–19, 20–24, 25–29, 30–34, 35–39, 40–44, 45–49, 50–54, 55–59, 60–64, 65–69, 70–74, and 75 and older.

Awards will be given to the top three male and female finishers in each age group. Special prizes will also be awarded to the fastest Master (ages 40–49), Grand Master (ages 50–59), Senior Grand Master (ages 60 and older), and the overall male and female runners.

Masters, Grand Masters, and Senior Grand Masters will remain listed in their age group until the age-group category winners are determined. At that point, we will remove all Top Masters from their age-group standings, and the remaining runners in those groups will each move up one spot. Each participant is eligible for only one award.

For 5K walkers, awards will be given to the fastest male and female finishers in 10-year age-group categories. This division is also chip-timed. Running or jogging is strictly prohibited for anyone who registers as a 5K walker.

Packet pickup will be available at two locations before race day. Bodenhamer Recreation Center will offer early pickup on Thursday, October 15, from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Big Beach Brewery will offer pickup on Friday, October 16, from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. On race day, on-site pickup will also be available at the Town Green from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Several local businesses will be on-site offering games and candy, including TCBY, Wheeles Karate, Gulf Shores/Orange Beach Tourism, the City Store, Gulf Shores Athletics, the Gulf Shores Police Department, and The Ice Cream Truck. Face painting and balloon artists will also be at the event. The Dolphin Foundation for Education and Arts will sell beer, wine, and refreshments on-site.

Entry fees are non-refundable and cannot be transferred. If the event is canceled for any reason, race goody bags and shirts will still be made available at a location to be announced on the race website. Weather will be monitored before the event, with special attention to lightning, heavy rain, and high winds. Updates will be posted on the City of Gulf Shores and Recreation and Cultural Affairs Facebook pages at @CityofGulfShores and @GulfShoresRCA. Visible lightning will pause the race in 30-minute increments, and the event may be canceled if conditions are deemed unsafe for participants.

For more information, contact race director Holly Howell at fitness@gulfshoresal.gov or call 251-968-9824. For general information, email recreationinformation@gulfshoresal.gov  or call 251-968-4420.