The Howling Ghost Trail Race

Join us on September 28th at the Springwater Conservation Area in Aylmer for the second edition of The Howling Ghost Trail Race! You can choose to complete the New Era Grafix 8k, 16k, or The BackRoads Brews + Shoes 24k through the beautiful Carolinian forest of Springwater. This race is perfect for runners of all abilities. If you're new to trail running, this would be a great place to run your first trail race. If you're an experienced trail runner, this would be a great spot to run a personal best. The trails are mostly wide, groomed, and extremely runnable! Depending on your race, you'll run 1 loop, 2 loops, or 3 loops of the 8k course. The course is a beauty! Your registration includes your admission to Springwater. Tell them at the gate that you'll be running, and they will let you in. We'll be paying on your behalf out of your registration (all of your adoring fans will have to pay a $10 admission per car). Gates open at 9 a.m. You should be good to run this race in trail or road shoes depending on the weather.

Race Sanctioning

Our race is pending sanctioning by Athletics Ontario. We'll update this section once that is completed.

Race Schedule

Tentative early packet pick up times are scheduled as follows:

September 26th, 2024
BackRoads Brews + Shoes
1295 Riverbend Road, London, ON
6:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.

September 27th, 2024
BackRoads Brews + Shoes
10 a.m. - 6 p.m.

September 28th, 2024
Race Day
On race morning, race kits will be available at the start/finish area beginning at 9:30 a.m. If you are picking up your race kit on race morning, please give yourself ample time to do so.

10:30 a.m. 8k start
10:35 a.m. 16k start
10:40 a.m. 24k start

Timing

All events will be electronically timed by Chiptime Results. Your timing chip will be attached to your bib.

Aid Station/Washrooms

We will have an aid station located near the start/finish/interloopal area. Hydration and food options will be available. There will be a limited number of recyclable paper cups out during the early part of the event. Longer distance runners are asked to bring your own reusable bottles/cups to reduce waste. You will have access to the aid station every 8 kms. In addition, we'll have a hydration aid station on course. There are public washrooms and portable toilets at the start/finish/interloopal area.

Swag, Medals, Prizes, and More!

We're working on this year's swag item with our partners at New Era Grafix. We'll update once things are finalized. In addition, each finisher will receive a custom Howling Ghost finisher's medal. Our race photographer will be on hand to capture all of your awkward running facial expressions. Your photos are yours to download, FOR FREE. The top finisher in each gender category in the 8k, 16k, and 24k will receive an award to mark their achievement.

Camping

Camping is available at Springwater before and after the race. You can find booking details here.

Refund Policy

There are no refunds for this event. However, life happens. Work trouble, running injuries, a bad paper cut, we get it. If you have to withdraw from the event prior to August 28th, we will give you a 100% race credit for a future Persistence race. If you need to withdraw after August 28th, you will receive a 50% race credit. Sorry, but by then we will have already paid for your stuff, and the resale market for unclaimed race swag and medals is unfavourable. (credits will be minus taxes, fees, and donation)

Thanks for taking part in the Howling Ghost!

Registration fees

Run one 8k loop through the Springwater Conservation Area.
$55.00 super saver May 24 – Jul. 12
$60.00 early bird Jul. 13 – Aug. 20
$65.00 last chance Aug. 21 – Aug. 28

Run two 8k loops through the Springwater Conservation Area.
$60.00 super saver May 24 – Jul. 12
$65.00 early bird Jul. 13 – Aug. 20
$70.00 last chance Aug. 21 – Aug. 28

Run three 8k loops through the Springwater Conservation Area.
$65.00 super saver May 24 – Jul. 12
$70.00 early bird Jul. 13 – Aug. 20
$75.00 last chance Aug. 21 – Aug. 28

Contact information

Event contact Neil McKay
Email [email protected]
Website Visit website