Howl-o-ween Doggie Dash 5K logo
Running

Howl-o-ween Doggie Dash 5K

Date
October 31, 2026
Distance
Pups & Human 5K · Virtual Doggie Dash
Register →

From the Organizer

Join us for our 9th Doggie Dash - the Howl-o-ween Doggie Dash 5K! Run (or walk) with your pup to help LA Frontrunners raise funds for The Rescue Train & Angel City Pit Bulls!  All the details are below.  Pets are such a vital part of so many of our lives, so come race your heart out or take a stroll, and help us support two organizations whose missions are to care for pets in need and to make sure those who are struggling are able to care for and have their pets in their lives.

Location & Date
The Howl-o-ween Doggie Dash 5K takes place on Saturday, October 31, in Griffith Park. Doggie Dash 5K starts at 8:30.  The start/finish area is the Park Center grassy area in Griffith Park. The 5K is one loop around the golf course and is trail/packed dirt and flat.

Course & Race Info
The start/finish area for Howl-o-ween Doggie Dash 5K is in the Park Center grassy area in Griffith Park (diagonally across from the Griffith Park Visitor Center/Ranger Station). Look for us on the corner before the tennis courts.  This is also the standard Saturday meet-up location for LA Frontrunners.The 5K is one loop around the golf course. If this is your first 5K, 5 kilometers = 3.1 miles. The path is packed dirt and flat.

Start time is 8:30 AM - Pups & Human 5K: The main event is a 5K for pups (on leash) with their human. No solo humans allowed. Our race limit is 100 entries and there is no raceday registration. You can fly as fast as your pup pulls you or leisurely stroll the 5K around the golf course. There will be a water stop (for both you and your pup) about halfway through the 5K.

Doggie Howl-o-ween Costume Contest
Of course there's a costume contest! With prizes!

Beneficiaries
The Rescue Train: The Rescue Train is a unique, no-kill, animal-welfare organization based in Los Angeles. We are a small but mighty group of animal advocates, dedicated to making the world a kinder place for pets and the people who love them.  Since our inception in 2004, we have been recognized for our hard work: we labor in the trenches of our city and county shelters, find solutions to pet overpopulation and fight for the rights of animals. Thanks to our dedicated volunteers, we have saved thousands of animals from suffering and euthanasia.  Click HERE for therescuetrain.org.

Angel City Pit Bulls:  Angel City Pit Bulls takes in dogs (mainly from our local shelters) that fall under the generic term pit bull who demonstrate people-soft, responsive qualities and solid temperaments. Their adorableness and gushy love of people make them fantastic family dogs. We have a wide range of energy levels, so whether you are looking for a running partner or a potential “therapy dog”, we will typically have a dog that will fit the bill.  Click HERE for angelcitypits.org.

Pups & Human 5K Awards
Overall awards to the top 3 by gender of the human: female/pup, male/pup, nb/pup.  "Age Group" categories are determined by the weight of the pup. Awards will be given to the top 3 overall pups across all divisions. Division awards are top 3 in the following categories: TOY: up to 12 lbs., SMALL: 13 to 25 lbs., MEDIUM: 26 to 50 lbs., LARGE: 51 to 75 lbs., XL: 75+ lbs.

Race Day Registration & Packet Pick-Up
There is NO RACEDAY REGISTRATION. Online registration will close at sell-out. Packet pick up will be race morning starting at 7:30 AM. 

Past Results & Free Past Pix
For past results/info, please click HERE.  For free pix, please click HERE.

About LA Frontrunners
Los Angeles Frontrunners (501c3) is a running and walking club for members and friends of the LGBTQ+ community.  In addition to running, walking, more running (and lots of eating), LAFR raises funds and collects goods to donate to local charities. Past beneficiaries include; The Rescue Train, Westside Food Bank, SRLA, PAWS/LA, Life Worth Saving, Friends of Griffith Park, InsideOut Community Arts, Friends of Project 10, Angel City Pit Bulls, The Breakfast Club at St. Thomas the Apostle, and the Don Thompson Scholarship at the USC Film School.

Events

Pups & Human 5K8:30 AMRegister →
Virtual Doggie Dash8:15 AMRegister →

Weather

Typical Conditions

It's too far out for a forecast, so here's what weather on this date is normally like in the area. A race day forecast will replace this as race week approaches.

Typical High

77°

Typical Low

57°

Chance of Rain

8%

Based on US Climate Normals data from Los Angeles Dwtn Usc Campus, 1 mi from the venue.

Sunrise 7:12 AMSunset 6:02 PMDaylight 10h 50m

Host City

About Los Angeles, CA

Population

3,857,897

as of 2023

Elevation

208 ft

Nearest Airport

LAX

Los Angeles International Airport · 10 mi

Time Zone

Pacific Time

From Endurance Grid

A big city race. Expect multiple lodging options and plenty to do the day before.

Race Location

Your Next Start Line

What Are You
Waiting For?

Every finish line starts with a single decision. Claim your spot at Howl-o-ween Doggie Dash 5K, put it on the calendar, and turn “someday” into a start date.

145

Days to train

Race
Howl-o-ween Doggie Dash 5K
Date
October 31, 2026

From Endurance Grid

About This Sport

Endurance Grid is here to help you understand the sport, decide if it's the right fit, and learn how to prepare. For course distances, logistics, and race-day specifics, always defer to the race organizer's event page.

With running, there's a distance for every fitness level, a community at every start line, and nothing beats the feeling of crossing a finish line you trained for.

Running is an endurance sport that rewards consistency, and showing up every week compounds in ways that will surprise you.

Read the Guide

Running

From 5K to marathon, running races are the most accessible entry point into endurance sport. There's a distance for every fitness level and a community at every start line.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the Howl-o-ween Doggie Dash 5K?
Howl-o-ween Doggie Dash 5K is a running race held in Los Angeles, California on October 31, 2026. It is one of the many endurance events listed on Endurance Grid, a multi-sport endurance event calendar covering running races, triathlons, HYROX, and more endurance sports across the United States. Find more running races near you or explore our sports guides to learn what race day actually feels like.
When and where is the Howl-o-ween Doggie Dash 5K?
Saturday, October 31, 2026 in Los Angeles, California at 4730 Crystal Springs Drive, Los Angeles, CA. Check the event page for exact start times and wave schedules.
How do I register for the Howl-o-ween Doggie Dash 5K?
Registration is handled through the event's registration page. Confirm pricing and distances there, and sign up.

Howl-o-ween Doggie Dash 5K

Oct 31, 2026

Register →