
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
Weather
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.
Host City
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
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
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From Endurance Grid
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.
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)
Howl-o-ween Doggie Dash 5K
Oct 31, 2026