HowlOWeen 5K is a running race on October 11, 2026 in Cary, NC, with an entry fee of $30.
From the Organizer
Get ready for a spooktacular morning of fitness, fun, and furry friends at the Howl-O-Ween 5K & Dog Walk! Hosted by NC State Vet school community, this Halloween-themed event welcomes runners, walkers, families, students, and dog lovers of all ages -- whether you bring a canine companion or come on your own. Dress up in your favorite Halloween costume (pets encouraged too!) and enjoy a festive 5K course filled with seasonal spirit, community camaraderie, and plenty of wagging tails. After the race, stick around for costume contests, photo opportunities, and treats for both human and canine competitors.
Our HowlOWeen 5K is raising money for Harnett County Animal Shelter and our SAVMA chapter.
Harnett County Animal Shelter: "We are a county-operated, open-intake municipal shelter serving Harnett County, North Carolina. Being open intake means that we are often the first stop—and sometimes the last safety net—for animals in our community who have nowhere else to go. We receive strays, owner surrenders, animals from difficult circumstances, medical cases, and animals who simply find themselves without a family. Our staff is a relatively small team, but we care deeply about the animals who come through our doors. Every day involves much more than providing food, water, and clean kennels. We work on enrichment and socialization, monitor behavioral and medical needs, reunite lost pets with their families, coordinate adoptions and rescue transfers, educate the public, and spend a lot of time figuring out what each individual animal needs to have the best chance at a successful future. At the end of the day, our goal is simple: to give as many animals as possible the opportunity to leave our shelter healthy, safe, and headed toward a permanent home."
We are so excited for the opportunity to partner with them and donate to their mission! 60% of all proceeds will be donated to Harnett County Animal Shelter.
This event celebrates the human-animal bond while bringing our community together in support of animal health and wellness. No matter your pace or experience level, everyone is welcome to join the fun!
Come run, walk, wag, and celebrate Halloween with us; we can't wait to see you and your four-legged friends at the starting line!
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
74°
Typical Low
53°
Chance of Rain
21%
Based on US Climate Normals data from Raleigh State Univ, 3 mi from the venue.
Host City
Population
176,686
as of 2023
City Elevation
413 ft
Nearest Airport
RDU
Raleigh-Durham International Airport · 7 mi
Time Zone
Eastern Time
From Endurance Grid
A mid-size host city. Enough lodging and amenities to keep race weekend easy, without big-city sprawl.
Race Location
Your Next Start Line
Every finish line starts with a single decision. Claim your spot at HowlOWeen 5K, put it on the calendar, and turn “someday” into a start date.
31
Days to train
Enter your email and we'll send more your way.
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 an accessible entry point into endurance sport. There's a distance for every fitness level and a community at every start line.
Coming Up
Explore by category
HowlOWeen 5K
Oct 11, 2026