Motherlode Monster Dash 5k

Motherlode Monster Dash 5k runs in Jackson, California, on October 31, 2026. The single format is a 5K run/walk, 3.1 miles, off at 8:00 a.m., an early Halloween start that leaves the rest of the day free.

Run/walk events hold a wide range of finishing times, which takes the pressure off if you are new to racing. Line up honestly, near the back if you plan to walk part of it, and you will spend far less energy weaving through traffic. For anyone treating it as a race, the 5K rewards specific speed work rather than volume: two sessions a week of short, fast repeats over three or four weeks will show up on the clock. An 8:00 a.m. start also means an early alarm, so practise eating something light 90 minutes beforehand at least once in training.