The Fright Nite 5K on Halloween night, run through a “haunted cemetery’ on Halloween night, is not just another 5K.

It begins at 8 p.m., kicked off with a performance by the local rock band Jive Pilots at 7.

The race is held at Creekside Park and Plaza in Gahanna, with a portion of the course on a specially lit Golf Course.

It is the second annual running of the Fright Nite 5K, and race founder Jeff Sheard said he expects it to be better this year.

“We got over 300 people last year, and we are expecting over 500 this year,” Sheard said.

Sheard is the founder and president of UltraFit/USA Sports Inc., the oldest sports marketing and promotion company in central Ohio.
Since 1985, UltraFit/USA has presented more than 750 events and introduced the triathalon to central Ohio.

Sheard said UltraFit/USA has done several highly competitive races, but this race is all about fun.

“We encourage anyone who wants to walk or run to come do it,” he said. “As long as you have a good pair of walking shoes and want to have some fun, that is what it is all about.”

Sheard said the course will consist of scary music and goblins and will enter the cemetery at the half-mile mark.

“I’m going to lead the race on a bike,” he said. “With it being ran on a golf course at night, I want to make sure no one gets lost. Everyone will follow me for 3.1 miles.”

The winners of the ’08 event were Jarrod Genther (17:07) of Canal Winchester and Melanie Matthews (19:11) of Gahanna.

The top 100 finishers in the race will receive awards in the form of a commemorative drinking glass.

“Most people don’t really care about time as much as they care about coming out and having some fun,” Sheard said.

Every participant will receive a race packet, which includes a colorful racing shirt, a neon glow necklace, an EAS sports nutritional product and a race number. Food and beverage will be presented at the finish line.

Pre-race registration will be open until 2 p.m. on Halloween. Registration is online or at the Second Sole, located in the Stone Ridge Plaza Shopping Center.

To register online, visit ultrafit-usa.com/frightnite5k_09.html. Pre-registration is $29. Race-day registration is $35 and begins at 6:30 p.m.