Every October, my husband gets into the spirit in his own way. He does not carve pumpkins. He does not hand out candy. He runs a pumpkin, and then he shows it to the trick-or-treaters' parents at the door.
If you have a runner like that at home, or you are that runner, this one is for you. Halloween is one of the best times of year for Strava art (or GPS art, if you want to sound fancy): a route planned so the line on your map draws a picture. A ghost on your feed on Halloween morning is the running version of a carved jack-o'-lantern on the porch. Here is how to run a ghost, a bat or a pumpkin, without spending an evening squinting at maps.
Updated October 2026
Quick answer
The best Halloween Strava art shapes are bold, simple silhouettes: a ghost, a bat, a pumpkin or a black cat. Pick a grid neighborhood and anywhere from 2 to 15 miles (a 4 to 6 mile ghost is a nice Halloween morning run), download the GPX for your watch, and start a few blocks from home to keep your address private. If you run in costume or in the dark, test the costume first and wear lights and something reflective.
- Ghost route (free): the star of the season, and the one to run if you only run one.
- Bat route (free): the dramatic choice, for a neighborhood with lots of blocks side to side.
- Pumpkin route (free): a forgiving first art run that works all fall.
- Black cat route (free): the cat from the Fun tab, which on Halloween is a black cat.
- Ran 7 Miles to Draw a Cat tee ($34.99): the runner whose art habit has gone beyond holidays.
Run & Tell was started by Tal, a mom of two, when she couldn't find gifts for her runner husband Shalev that weren't cheesy or generic.
The fast way: let the streets do the drawing
Our free Run Art Route Maker does the planning for you. You pick a spot, a shape and your miles, and it finds a route on real streets near you that draws it. No app, no sign-up.
Here are the Halloween shapes, each linked straight to the tool:
- Ghost. The star of the season. It is a bold silhouette with a wavy hem, and it reads really well on a city grid. If you only run one Halloween shape, run this one.
- Bat. The dramatic choice. The wings are wide, so it likes a neighborhood with lots of blocks side to side.
- Pumpkin. Round, friendly and very forgiving. A great first art run, and it works all fall.
- Black cat. The cat lives in the Fun tab, but on Halloween it is a black cat, and nobody can tell you otherwise.
How to run a ghost (or a bat), step by step
- Pick your spot. Tap "Use my location" or type a city or ZIP. A grid neighborhood beats a winding suburb every time.
- Pick the shape. Ghost and bat are in the Holiday tab, right next to the pumpkin.
- Pick your miles. Anywhere from 2 to 15. A 4 to 6 mile ghost is a nice Halloween morning run. Add your pace if you want an estimated time.
- Make your route. You'll see the route on your streets, the real distance, and a match score like "94% ghost."
- Download the GPX. Import it in Strava (Create a route), Garmin Connect or Coros, then send it to your watch.
- Run the line. Follow the route on your watch, and don't stop recording until the last wiggle of the hem.
- Post it. Save the art card or the Instagram story image and share it. Boo.
Tips for a spooky clean drawing
Grids make better ghosts. Straight blocks make straight lines. In our tests, routes in Midtown Sacramento matched about 96 to 100%, Chicago's Lincoln Park 89 to 99%, and Manhattan 80 to 95%. Big parks with curvy paths can make shapes a little wobbly.
Give the bat room. The scalloped edge of a bat wing is the hardest part to draw on real streets. If the wings come out looking boxy, add a mile or two, try another spot, or tap "Try another fit." A slightly square bat is still a bat. Probably.
Trust the score. If the page says the streets here don't love your shape, move the map to a spot with more blocks or try a bigger distance.
Expect a little wobble. GPS drifts near tall buildings and under trees. A ghost is supposed to look a bit wispy anyway.
Running in costume (and in the dark)
Halloween runs come with extra fun and a few extra things to think about.
- Test the costume first. A cape that feels great in the living room can turn into a sail at mile 2. Jog around the block in it before the real run.
- Keep it light. Wear the costume over your running clothes, and skip anything that blocks your view or your feet.
- Be seen. If your route starts before sunrise or after dark, wear lights and something reflective. A black cat costume is adorable and also very hard for drivers to spot.
- Watch for trick-or-treaters. Halloween evening sidewalks are full of tiny vampires who stop without warning. Morning runs are a lot calmer.
And the important part, straight from the tool: check the route before you run. Some streets may be busy or closed. Stick to sidewalks and paths, and follow traffic rules. The tool finds streets from map data. It doesn't know about traffic, construction or a block that feels off, so look it over first.
One more thing before you post: start a few blocks from home, or use a privacy zone in your app. Your ghost can be mysterious. Your address should stay that way too.
Make it a group haunt
Running clubs love a Halloween art run. Have everyone run the same ghost from the same start, or split the shapes: one group runs the ghost, one the bat, one the pumpkin, and you post them side by side. Pick a spot with plenty of blocks so every shape has room, and agree on a meeting point for after. Candy optional, but strongly encouraged.
For the runner who draws with their feet
If your runner's art habit has gone beyond holidays, they might appreciate a little recognition. The Ran 7 Miles to Draw a Cat tee is basically their Halloween costume and their autobiography. For a small treat, the Strava or It Didn't Happen sticker fits in a candy bowl and on a water bottle.
And if they are the type to count every mile, the 2027: 1,000 Miles mileage tracker poster lets them color in next year's runs, ghost runs included.
After Halloween, the next big art run is Thanksgiving morning. Here is our guide to running a turkey route, and our full list of Strava art ideas for every season.
Not affiliated with Strava, Inc. Strava is a trademark of Strava, Inc.
Halloween Strava art FAQ
How do I run a ghost shape on Strava?
Open the Run Art Route Maker with the ghost selected, pick your spot and miles, and tap "Make my route." Download the GPX, import it in Strava (Create a route), Garmin Connect or Coros, and follow it on your watch.
What are good Halloween Strava art ideas?
A ghost, a bat, a pumpkin or a black cat. Bold, simple shapes read best on real streets.
How far is a Halloween art run?
You choose, anywhere from 2 to 15 miles. Bigger distances give more detail, so if a shape looks jagged, add a mile or two.
Why doesn't my bat look perfect?
Real streets aren't a sketchpad. The tool tries many sizes and angles and picks the closest fit. More blocks nearby means a better shape, so grid neighborhoods work best.
Is it free?
Yes. No app, no sign-up. Tag us if your ghost comes out great.