Dare to Scare 5k & Sweet Treat Fun Run

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950 Marshall C. Collins Drive, Manteo NC

Saturday, October 24th, 2026

🎃 Dare to Scare 5k & Sweet Treat Fun Run

Date: The race will take place on Saturday, October 24, 2026. Rain or shine event.

⏰ Time

5k Start: 8:00 a.m. at Coastal Studies Institute (CSI)
Fun Run Start: 9:00 a.m. at the Virginia S. Tillett Community Center (VTCC)
Check-in: Will be announced closer to the race.
Late Registration: Available at Coastal Studies Institute (CSI).

📍 Location

5k Start: Coastal Studies Institute, 850 NC-345, Wanchese, NC 27981
Finish Line: Virginia S. Tillett Community Center, 950 Marshall C. Collins Drive, Manteo, NC 27954
Fun Run: Begins and ends at the Virginia S. Tillett Community Center.
Transportation: Pre-race transportation available for parking at the finish line.

💲 Entry Fees

$45.00: If received by September 14, 2026.
$50.00: From September 15 – October 23, 2026.
$55.00: Registration during packet pick up or on race day.
$20.00: Virtual 5k without shirt: $40.00 with shirt.
$20.00: Fun Run without shirt: $40.00 with shirt.

🏅 Awards & Shirt Availability

Shirt availability is not guaranteed unless pre-registered by September 14, 2026. Shirts will be limited for registrations received after September 14, 2026. Shirts may not be available for Race Day registrations. Please pre-register to guarantee a shirt and/or medal. Shirts are long sleeve. 5k Participants are guaranteed t-shirts (with sponsors logos and names if applicable) if they are registered by September 14, 2026. For those who register after September 14, 2026, t-shirts will be available on a first-come, first-served basis. Awards will be given for the top three male and female finishers of the 5k, as well as top costume contest winners. Medals will be provided for all participants. Fun Run participants are guaranteed a race medal, spooky swag, and some sweet surprises.

💻 Virtual Participants

You can complete your run/walk 5k any time from registration until race day. You can submit your official race time on runsignup.com via the event. All virtual participants are expected to complete the run/walk 5k on an "on your honor" basis. Dare County Employees wanting to receive a Wellness Point must submit proof of their 5k completion using a screenshot of a fitness tracker showing the distance, time, and date the event was completed. It must be emailed to crystal.corbin@darenc.gov no later than October 23, 2026 at 11:59 pm, no exceptions. Medals will be sent to all virtual participants within 2 weeks of the event date.

🎉 Non-Race Participants

5k Pre-race festivities will be held prior to the 5k Race at CSI. This will be open to all runners and spectators. Fun Run Pre-Race festivities will be held prior to the Fun Run at VTCC.

🚗 Parking and Traffic

PLEASE READ CAREFULLY: It is highly recommended for participants to park at the finish (Dare County Government Complex lots) and shuttle to the start. Please allow enough time for this as arriving late may prevent you from being able to participate. The parking lot at the Virginia S. Tillett Community Center will be closed to race participants and spectators.

You may drop a participant off at the start but be aware you may not see them reach the finish. Participants will not be able to leave the Coastal Studies Institute parking lot until the last runner/walker has cleared the area. The area will be patrolled by volunteers. Entering or exiting the CSI Campus will be closed to all vehicles at 7:50 am until it is safe to enter/exit.

📦 Packet Pick Up

ALL PARTICIPANTS PACKET PICK UP: Friday, October 23, 2026. Please stop by the Virginia Tillett Community Center located at 950 Marshall C. Collins Drive, Manteo, NC between the hours of 9:00 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. to pick up your packet, swag, and shirt (if applicable). If you registered AFTER September 14, all shirts and swag will be first come, first served. If you are having someone else pick up your packet, please email lara.lewis@darenc.gov with your permission and who will be picking up for you. If you cannot pick up your packet on Friday, please check in at the registration table at the 5k start to receive your bib prior to the start of the race. You may pick up your swag items post-race at the packet pick up table inside the VTCC.

🔗 Registration Information

ONLINE REGISTRATION ENDS AT 11:59 P.M. ON THURSDAY, OCTOBER 22, 2026. YOU CAN STILL REGISTER BY PAPER FORM IN PERSON AT THE VTCC OR START LINE FOR $55.00 THROUGH RACE DAY. 5k Registration ends at 7:45 a.m. and Fun Run Registration is from 8:15-8:45 a.m. day of event.