5 Scary Podcasts to Listen to on Your October Long Run

Some people listen to music when they run. Others prefer podcasts. Some even demand silence. But for the Halloween-crazed audiophiles among us, there may be nothing better than settling into a run listening to a scary-as-hell horror podcast.

Fortunately, there are some exceptional options from which to choose.

Whether you’re trying not to think about your burning legs or lungs, or you need something to keep your mind occupied during long runs, scary podcasts can be great to listen to. We’ve compiled a list of our favorite skin-crawling podcasts that are so scary that you might find yourself checking over your shoulder every once in a while. Settle into your stride, turn up the volume on your phone, and prepare to be spooked.

If You Like: Drama, Gore, and Guts

Listen to: The No Sleep Podcast

For those who like theatrics (cue the claps of thunder) and spooky narrators, this is your pod. Each No Sleep Podcast episode is a collection of horror-themed short fiction stories read aloud by a team of voice actors. This pod is not for the faint of heart, though, as some stories can get a little gruesome—we’re talking bones breaking, flesh-eating monsters, and contorting phantoms.

Average Episode Time: 1:09

Favorite Episode: Uncle Gerry’s Family Fun Zone, Season 6, Episode 7”

If You Like: Creepy History

Listen to: Lore

Sometimes truth is more frightening than fiction, and that’s proven to be true in this podcast, Lore. Each episode explores dark folklore and the truth that’s buried within these tall tales. From pirates to witches to monsters to famous haunted sites, Lore is both interesting and goosebump-inducing, a great listen for those who think the scariest things in life come from historical fact.

Average Episode Time: 30 minutes

Favorite Episode: Notorious, Episode 218

If You Like: First-Person Narratives

Listen to: Creepy

For those of us who scroll through Reddit’s Creepypasta thread for hours, this podcast might scratch the horror itch. Creepy is packed with stories submitted by listeners, as the podcast host eerily tells us before every episode, so it’s not 100 percent certain that these are fictional narratives. These first-person accounts are chilling-to-the-bone, especially when you think about whether or not they’re true. We can only hope not.

Average Episode Time: 28-90 minutes

Favorite Episode: The Ocean Men

If You Like: Personality and Conspiracies

Listen to: The Last Podcast on The Left

The Last Podcast on The Left sits at no. 80 on Spotify’s top 100 podcasts and covers all kinds of spookiness from serial killers to demons to cults. Hosts Marcus Parks and Henry Zebrowski keep things upbeat with their funny personalities, but they balance it with conversation around conspiracy, folklore, and freaky facts.

Average Episode Time: 1:45

Favorite Episode: The Enfield Poltergeist, Parts 1 and 2, Episodes 279-280

If You Like: True Crime

Listen to: Unraveled

What’s scarier than true crime? This Discovery+ podcast organizes their episodes in seasons, each one focusing on a different serial killer and the steps to tracking them down. A blend of true firsthand accounts and deep-reporting, Unraveled comes with a warning for those who are afraid of the real, raw, and terrifying things that can happen just by walking down the street.

Average Episode Time: 45 minutes

Favorite Episode: Eight Tiny Specks of Blood, Episode 1, Season 3