Miles for Milestones 5K & Fall Festival: A Free Family Halloween Morning at Victor Ashe Park on October 31
Mark your calendar for Saturday, October 31st, because Knoxville's newest Halloween-morning tradition for families is the Miles for Milestones 5K & Fall Festival at Victor Ashe Park (4901 Bradshaw Road), running from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. It's completely free to attend, and every penny of registration and donations goes to a great local cause.
This is the inaugural event, hosted by Milestones Therapy and Wellness and the Mother-Baby Nutrition Foundation (a 501(c)(3) nonprofit). The whole point is celebrating inclusion, movement, and every kid's unique journey. You don't have to be a runner to enjoy it. The morning includes a timed 5K run/walk for the grown-ups, a Kids' 100-Meter Dash/Run/Roll/Stroll that's designed for kids of all abilities, an inclusive trick-or-treat trail, and a costume contest. It's basically Halloween and a community celebration rolled into one.
Why you should go: aside from being a free, accessible family event, the money raised helps fund therapy scholarships through Milestones Therapy and Wellness and other approved developmental and medical needs for local children. Families who've completed an intensive at MTW are invited to form Family Teams, and community supporters can register or donate to help launch the MTW Scholarship Fund (families not yet served can apply starting in 2027). So your family's morning of fun genuinely helps another child reach their next milestone.
A few practical notes for Maryville families: - It's about a 25-30 minute drive up Hwy 129/33 into Knoxville to Victor Ashe Park. - Come in costume! The little ones will love the trick-or-treat trail and the costume contest. - If you want to run the 5K, register in advance through the RunSignup page (search "Miles for Milestones 5K"); day-of is fine too but pre-registering helps the organizers plan. - Victor Ashe Park has plenty of parking and open space, so it's easy to spread out with kids.
Whether you run, walk, or just cheer from the sidelines, this is a lovely, low-stress way to kick off Halloween with the family while supporting local kids. We'll see you at the start line!