Last Minute Costumes for Runners

Any takers for vintage skier or Wonder Woman?

It's less than 36 hours before the Pumpkins in the Park 5K and I don't have a costume. Normally that wouldn't be a problem, but when a run is deemed Chicago's official Halloween race, and there's a costume contest for the best overall costume, the best zombie and the best dead celebrity costume, you start to feel like you should be running in something other than your basic race-day outfit. I learned that lesson last year at the Trick or Treat Trot, where I nailed the cold-runner look but it was nothing compared to the Scooby Doos, Angry Birds, chickens and more on the course.

But what can you dress up as when you barely have a day to plan? And you lack costume creativity until after the holiday is over? These 34 last-minute costumes collected at Today.com helped take the guesswork out of the equation. Sort of. You see, some of the costumes would definitely be easier to run in--and pull off--than others. Which ones? Between those 34 and a few costume ideas I've received, I came up with these suggestions.

• Aerobics instructor. A baby might be the one wearing the leotard and leg-warmers in the featured picture, but this is easy to pull off and will keep you warm while running--at least on the legs. You'll need: leotard (a compression shirt would work well), tights (running or something else), leg warmers, sweatband for the forehead
• The Incredibles. Who wouldn't want to be a superhero? And if you can't pull off this red-and-black ensemble there's always the Justice League. You'll need: red shirt, red tights, black gloves, black eye mask, black shorts (cycling shorts would be perfect)
• Audrey Hepburn. If you can handle running in a dress, the most challenging part of this costume will be nailing the classic hairstyle Hepburn wore in Breakfast at Tiffany's. You'll need: black dress preferable cocktail attire, pearls 
• A ghost. The dog wears it well, but humans can, too. You'll need: a towel, a blanket or a sheet that you can cut two eye hole and a mouth hole into
• Waldo from Where's Waldo? I loved this costume when I saw it last year at a race and I still think it's genius. You'll need: red-and-white striped hat and long-sleeve tee (available at Amazon), blue jeans (jeggings would be the most comfortable for running), black-rimmed glasses
• Wrigley's Double Mint Twins. You'll need a buddy for this one, preferably one who has similar features, because the more you look the same, the more you'll pass as these gum twins. You'll need: matching green outfits, package of Wrigley gum, 
• A mummy. I haven't figured out how this costume is possible without it disintegrating as you run, but some creative genius will be able to figure it out. You'll need: an old t-shirt (or two) cut in strips to then tie around legs, arms and torso
• A shark. Have a grey hoodie, felt, scissors and thread (or glue and safety pins if you're sewing challenged like me)? This costume was cute and original. You'll need: grey hoodie, felt cut like teeth, a fin, an oval and an eye
• Safari guide. You could run a 5K wearing cargo shorts and a collared shirt right? It might be tougher to track down the signature safari hat--and keep it on your head while running. You'll need: cargo shorts, stuffed jungle animal (so people really get it), a Steve Irwin-like vest, collared shirt, safari hat
• Mimes. My neighbor gets all the credit for this one, which he claimed would be brilliant at the costume parties. But it's equally genius for running as long as you don't sweat off the face paint or forget to keep your mouth shut. You'll need: gloves, a beret or hat, suspenders, face paint

Need a few more costume ideas? Check out last year's list of easy costumes you can run in. Are you dressing up for Halloween? What's your costume--and more importantly, could you run in it?