Sat, Oct 31, 2026

Big Dog Howl 5K

Columbus, GA

Registration openAnnual since at least 2015

About the Big Dog Howl 5K

This costume-friendly 5K runs through Uptown Columbus, and the costume element is built into the competition. Prizes go to the top finishers in costume categories as well as the usual age groups, so there is real competition on both fronts. The course is a road route through the uptown area, flat and urban in character.

Packet pickup runs the afternoon before the race at the Big Dog Fleet Feet store, with a second window on race morning before the start. The race benefits Easter Seals, and it is part of a local holiday race series if you are running multiple events across the season.

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Big Dog Howl 5K 2025 Results

Going by the 2025 results, this is a small, friendly field, with a competitive front end and a big recreational middle.

5K Results · 2025

238finishers

18:03winner

33:27median

1:00:15cutoff

Top 3: Conner Killian (18:03) · Owen Keys (18:32) · Matthew Mccoy (19:31)

The Big Dog Howl 5K has been held every year since at least 2015. That is as far back as RunSignup's records for this race go, so it may well be older.

Where Would You Finish?

Enter a finish time to see where it lands against the most recent 5K results.

Median

See how your time stacks up nationally →

How we calculate these stats: RunSesh calculates these figures from the most recent published results of past editions, sourced from RunSignup. We show aggregates only: field size, winning and median times, and the cutoff. We never publish individual finisher tables. Last updated Oct 25, 2026.

Distances & Start Times

5K10/31/2026 08:00$35

Going for a Time?

Set a goal and get a pace band: every mile split on a card sized for your phone lock screen, so race morning needs no math.

Not sure what to aim for? The 5K pace chart lists the pace for every finish time.

Plan Your Trip

Where to Stay

Traveling for this race? The map shows hotels and rentals in and around Columbus — pan or zoom to compare what's nearby.

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Common Questions About the Big Dog Howl 5K

Will I finish last at the Big Dog Howl 5K?

Almost certainly not. Half the 5K field finished slower than 33:27, and the last recorded finisher came in around 1:00:15, so there is a long tail of runners behind the middle of the pack. Most fields are far slower than people expect.

Is the Big Dog Howl 5K a good first 5K?

A field of 238 is big enough that you will have company at your pace without feeling lost in a crowd. There is no qualifying time, and the finish-time spread above shows how varied the field really is. If it is your first 5K, that spread matters more than the winner's time.

How competitive is the Big Dog Howl 5K?

The 5K winner ran 18:03 while the median finisher took 33:27. That spread points to a mixed field, with a competitive front and a big recreational middle.