Run Fast. Take Revenge. Make a Difference: The Jack O’ Lantern Revenge 5K Returns to Wilmington
There are 5Ks.
And then there are 5Ks where you can run through Wilmington, celebrate Halloween, hang out with some great people in Trolley Square, and help provide mental health services to first responders, healthcare professionals, and trauma survivors at the same time.
Welcome to the Jack O’ Lantern Revenge 5K, benefiting the Trauma Survivors Foundation.
On Sunday, November 8, 2026, runners, walkers, families, first responders, healthcare professionals, supporters, and anyone looking for a great reason to get moving are invited to join us in Wilmington’s Trolley Square for a Halloween-themed 5K with a much bigger purpose behind every mile.
Our philosophy is pretty simple:
Run Fast. Take Revenge. Help Someone Heal.
Three Miles Can Make a Difference
The Jack O’ Lantern Revenge 5K isn't simply about finishing 3.1 miles.
It's about what those miles make possible.
Proceeds from the event benefit the Trauma Survivors Foundation, helping us continue our mission of providing trauma counseling, crisis intervention, education, training, and other mental health resources for first responders, healthcare professionals, and survivors of traumatic events.
For Founder and CEO Dennis Carradin, the connection between a community 5K and mental health is exactly what makes events like this so important.
“People sometimes think supporting mental health has to be complicated. It doesn't. Sometimes it looks like putting on a pair of running shoes, showing up with your friends and walking or running three miles. Every person who registers is helping us continue to show up for people during some of the worst moments of their lives.”
The Foundation's race events have always been built around that idea: do something good while having a ridiculously good time doing it.
The existing race course begins in Wilmington's Trolley Square near Kelly's Logan House and travels through the Conaty Park area. The event welcomes runners and walkers alike, from competitive runners looking for a fast 5K to people who simply want to enjoy the morning and support a worthwhile cause.
You don't have to be an elite runner.
You don't even have to particularly like running.
You just have to be willing to show up.
Why We Run
Every day, first responders and healthcare professionals walk into situations most people spend their lives hoping they will never encounter.
Police officers respond to violence and tragedy. Firefighters enter burning buildings. Paramedics and EMTs meet families on the worst days of their lives. Nurses, physicians, technicians and other healthcare professionals routinely witness suffering, death, grief and extraordinary human pain.
And trauma survivors often find themselves trying to rebuild their lives long after everyone else assumes the crisis has ended.
The Trauma Survivors Foundation exists to make sure these individuals have somewhere to turn.
That is what you're supporting when you register.
“Every race registration represents more than a runner standing at a starting line,” Carradin said. “It represents someone saying, ‘Mental health matters. First responders matter. Healthcare workers matter. Trauma survivors matter.’ That's the community we want to continue building.”
A Race Designed for the Entire Community
The Jack O’ Lantern Revenge 5K isn't intended to be intimidating.
Quite the opposite.
Whether you're chasing a personal record, jogging with friends, walking your first 5K, bringing coworkers together for a team outing or simply looking for an excuse to enjoy a fall morning in Trolley Square, there's a place for you at the starting line.
And because we're talking about a race named Jack O’ Lantern Revenge, expect plenty of Halloween spirit along the way.
According to Trauma Survivors Foundation Events Manager Jennifer Baiada, creating an event people genuinely enjoy is just as important as the race itself.
“We want people to arrive excited about the race and leave already talking about coming back next year. You don't need to be a serious runner. Grab your friends, bring your family, get into the Halloween spirit and come have fun with us. The fact that we're also raising money for an incredible mission makes the entire morning even better.”
Participants can expect the professional race experience provided by Fusion Racing, including professional chip timing. The race also features overall and age-group recognition, giving competitive runners plenty of reason to push themselves toward the finish line.
But whether you finish first, 101st or stroll across the finish line wondering why anyone voluntarily runs before lunch, you're part of the same mission.
The Finish Line Is Just the Beginning
Crossing the finish line doesn't mean the morning is over.
One of the traditions that makes our Wilmington races special is the post-race celebration at Kelly's Logan House in the heart of Trolley Square.
Kelly's Logan House has been an incredible community partner, helping us create an atmosphere where runners, walkers, volunteers, families and supporters can stick around after the race, celebrate their accomplishments and enjoy everything that makes Trolley Square such a special part of Wilmington.
“We've always wanted our races to feel like community events rather than somebody blowing a whistle, everyone running three miles and immediately going home,” Baiada said. “Kelly's Logan House gives us the perfect home base. People finish the race, congratulate each other, laugh, celebrate and actually spend time together. That's exactly the atmosphere we want.”
The Trauma Survivors Foundation extends our sincere appreciation to Kelly's Logan House for once again welcoming our runners and supporters and helping make this event possible.
Thank You to Fusion Racing
Putting hundreds of runners on a course safely and professionally doesn't happen by accident.
We're proud to once again work with Fusion Racing, whose team brings the professional race management and timing experience necessary to turn a community fundraiser into a first-class running event.
The race information includes professional chip timing by Fusion Racing and a USATF-certified course, along with overall, masters and age-group awards.
“Fusion understands both sides of these events,” Carradin said. “They understand runners want a professionally managed race, but they also understand that for us the race exists because of the mission. They have been tremendous partners in helping us bring those two things together.”
A Special Thank You to the Wilmington Police Department
We also want to recognize and thank the men and women of the Wilmington Police Department for their assistance and support.
Any road race requires coordination, planning and an enormous amount of work behind the scenes. The presence and assistance of law enforcement helps runners, volunteers and spectators enjoy the event safely while minimizing the impact on the surrounding community.
For the Trauma Survivors Foundation, that partnership carries additional meaning.
First responders aren't simply people we ask to help with our events.
They are part of the reason our Foundation exists.
“Our relationship with first responders isn't something we put on a banner once a year,” Carradin said. “Supporting first responders is woven into the DNA of this organization. We are tremendously grateful to the Wilmington Police Department and the officers who help make events like this possible. We never take their support—or their service to this community—for granted.”
Your Registration Goes Beyond the Finish Line
When you register for the Jack O’ Lantern Revenge 5K, you're doing more than purchasing a race bib.
You're helping the Trauma Survivors Foundation continue providing resources and services to people navigating trauma.
You're standing behind the police officer after the critical incident.
You're standing behind the firefighter after the difficult call.
You're standing behind the paramedic who couldn't save everyone.
You're standing behind the nurse carrying home the emotional weight of a shift.
You're standing behind the survivor trying to figure out what life looks like after trauma.
And you're reminding all of them of something incredibly important:
They don't have to carry it alone.
Carradin summed it up simply:
“We're going to run. We're going to laugh. We're going to celebrate. Someone is probably going to show up wearing something completely ridiculous because it's Halloween. That's all part of the fun. But underneath all of it is a very serious mission. The money we raise helps us take care of people who spend their lives taking care of everyone else. That's why we're asking people to come run with us.”
Join Us November 8
The Jack O’ Lantern Revenge 5K takes place Sunday, November 8, 2026, in Wilmington's Trolley Square, with the celebration centered around Kelly's Logan House.
Competitive runner?
Come race.
Casual runner?
Come jog.
Never run a 5K in your life?
Come walk.
Have friends who need convincing?
Tell them there is a post-race celebration.
Whatever gets you to the starting line, we'll take it.
Bring your family. Bring your running club. Bring your coworkers. Put together a team. Challenge your police department, fire company, hospital unit, EMS station or healthcare organization.
Come spend a fall morning with us and help turn 3.1 miles into something much bigger than a race.
Because when a community comes together for mental health, everybody wins.
Well...technically somebody will still cross the finish line first.
But everybody else wins too.
Ready to Take Revenge?
Registration for the Jack O’ Lantern Revenge 5K is available through RunSignup.
Register for the Jack O’ Lantern Revenge 5K
Sunday, November 8, 2026
Trolley Square • Wilmington, Delaware
Benefiting the Trauma Survivors Foundation
