Join The Greater Baltimore Chamber of Commerce for the 2023 Heads & Tails 5K Run/Walk & Doggie Dash, which takes place Sunday, Oct. 29, at Garrison Forest School in Owings Mills. Approximately 450 runners, volunteers and canine companions are expected to gather for this family-friendly event, which opens at 7:30 a.m. for on-site registration. Highlights include a pre-race warmup, a 5K run/walk, a Doggie Dash with Halloween costume contest, a pet festival, a Vendor Village, a hot breakfast from The Classic Catering People, Kid’s Korner, “Trunk or Treat,“ Pug Mug Station, a DJ and more!

The 5K begins at 9 a.m. and travels along a rolling course. Adults, kids and dogs at all fitness levels can participate in this timed race. The top three male and female finishers overall will win cash prizes. Commemorative award certificates will be mailed to the top three male and female finishers in the following age groups: 12 and under, 13-15, 16-18, 19-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69 and 70 and older. Individuals and teams also can win prizes generously for reaching various fundraising milestones. Additionally, commemorative t-shirts are guaranteed for the first 300 runners.

The Doggie Dash “fun run” kicks off at 9:30 a.m. and travels along a half-mile grassy course. Kids and adults can run, walk or jog at their own pace with their leashed dog. They will be cheered on by the event’s Doggie Dash Mascot, which will be the winner of a design contest among Garrison Forest students, faculty and staff.  All registered “Dashers” and their dogs will receive a race bib, plus all participating dogs will receive a Tito’s bandana. Fun pet prizes also will be awarded to the pups that come in first, second and third place, as well as to canine costume contest winners selected by Doggie Dash celebrity judges.

Online registration is available at https://runsignup.com/Race/MD/OwingsMills/HeadsandTails with entry fees as follows:

• $40 through Sept. 30 (one runner; or, one runner plus one dog)
• $50 1 through Race Day (one runner; or, one runner plus one dog)
• Kid’s 5K Registration: $25– ages 12 and under (includes a cotton t-shirt) – discount applied at check-out.
• Doggie Dash Half Mile Registration: $25 through Sept. 30; $35 1 through Race Day (one dasher; or one dasher plus one dog)
• Kids Doggie Dash Half Mile Registration: $15– ages 12 and under
• Teams of 10 or more will receive a $5 discount on standard registration prices.  If you are interested in forming a team, contact Beth at 410-484-2337 or info@greaterbaltimorechamber.org.

In addition to covering the race entry, this fee includes bottled water, snacks, breakfast, race shirts/bibbs, access to the Vendor Village and Kids Korner, and entry to prize drawings for gift certificates, gift baskets and more – courtesy of event sponsors, such as CoastTec, Garrison Forest School, Tito’s Handmade Vodka, Trout Daniel & Associates, SuperTech Heating & A/C and Heidi Marie Bell Photography.

The 2023 Heads & Tails 5K Run/Walk & Doggie Dash supports the GBCC and its efforts to enhance the growth and prosperity of the local business community. The Chamber will donate a portion of the event proceeds to the first responders who extinguished the recent eight-alarm fire at Soldiers Delight. Donors also can go on the event’s webpage to raise funds for Reed’s Rescue , a northern Baltimore County nonprofit dedicated to rescuing dogs of senior age or deemed to be terminally ill from area shelters, dogs given up by their owners because of difficult circumstances, and those in danger of decompensating in the shelter environment.