Teen Challenge Costumes for a Cause 5K

Costumes for a Cause 5K

Run. Walk. Dress Up. Make a Difference.

Grab your costume, gather your friends, and get ready for a Halloween-themed 5K benefiting Teen Challenge of Southwest Florida.

The inaugural Costumes for a Cause 5K will take place on Saturday, October 17, 2026, at Coconut Point in Estero, Florida. This family-friendly fundraiser will bring together runners, walkers, families, local businesses, and community supporters for a morning of fitness, costumes, and fun while raising funds for Teen Challenge of Southwest Florida.

This is not your ordinary 5K.

With Halloween right around the corner, participants are highly encouraged to arrive in costume. Go scary, funny, creative, outrageous, or completely over the top. Run by yourself, coordinate costumes with a friend, or bring the entire family dressed around one theme.

Whether you are racing for a personal best, walking with friends, pushing a stroller, or participating entirely for the costume contest, everyone is invited to be part of the fun.

Race Day Details

Date: Saturday, October 17, 2026

Start Time: 8:00 AM

Location: Coconut Point, Estero, Florida

Distance: 5K

Beneficiary: Teen Challenge of Southwest Florida

Costumes for a Cause

Costumes are not required, but they are strongly encouraged.

We want to see Coconut Point filled with superheroes, monsters, movie characters, athletes, animals, celebrities, group themes, and anything else your imagination can create.

Special costume awards will be presented in categories including:

Best Male Costume

Best Female Costume

Best Pair or Couple

Best Family or Group

Best Pet Costume

Costumes should be safe, family-friendly, and suitable for completing the 5K course. Participants are responsible for making sure their costumes do not block their vision, restrict movement, or create a hazard for other runners and walkers.

More Than Just a 5K

Participants can expect more than miles on race morning. We are planning Halloween-themed surprises, entertainment, and fun activities along the course and around the start and finish area.

You never know what—or who—you may encounter along the way.

After crossing the finish line, stick around for the costume contest, race awards, music, refreshments, and post-race activities. Costumes will be judged based on creativity, originality, effort, and overall presentation.

Race Awards

Race awards will be presented to the top overall and age-group finishers. Additional details regarding award categories will be announced as race day approaches.

Costume awards are separate from the race awards, which means you can compete for a fast finish, an incredible costume, or both.

Run or Walk

The Costumes for a Cause 5K is open to runners and walkers of all ages and ability levels.

Competitive runners can race the 5K, while families, groups, and casual participants are welcome to enjoy the course at their own pace. Strollers are welcome, and well-behaved pets may participate but must remain leashed and under their owner’s control at all times.

For everyone’s safety, participants with strollers or pets should begin toward the back of the starting area.

Supporting Teen Challenge of Southwest Florida

This event is a fundraiser benefiting Teen Challenge of Southwest Florida. Your participation helps support the organization and its continued work serving individuals and families throughout Southwest Florida.

Register, invite your friends, and help us turn costumes into a cause.

Form a Team

Everything is more fun with a group—especially costumes.

Get your family, friends, coworkers, school, church, gym, club, or organization together and coordinate a group costume. Teams can build around a shared theme, challenge another group to participate, or simply come together to support a worthwhile local cause.

Join Us

Mark your calendar for Saturday, October 17, 2026, and start planning your costume now.