Grab your running shoes and a leash for your pooch and join The Greater Baltimore Chamber of Commerce for its largest fundraiser of the year. The 2024 Heads & Tails 5K Run/Walk & Doggie Dash takes place Sunday, Sept. 22, at Garrison Forest School (300 Garrison Forest Rd., Owings Mills, MD 21117).

Approximately 450 runners, volunteers and canine companions are expected to gather for this family-friendly event, which features a Pre-Race Warmup, 5K Run/Walk, Doggie Dash, Pet Festival, Vendor Village, Hot Breakfast from local eateries, Kid’s Korner, Pug Mug Station, a DJ and more!

Onsite registration opens at 7:30 a.m. 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. Race t-shirts are guaranteed for the first 300 runners. The top three male and female finishers in various age groups (from 12 and under to 70 and older) will win custom drinkware from PrintInk and a signature commemorative 5K coin.

The Doggie Dash half-mile “fun run” kicks off at 10 a.m. along a short 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 at Garrison Forest School.  All registered “Dashers” and their dogs will receive a race bib, plus all participating dogs will receive a Tito’s doggie bandana. Fun pet prizes also will be awarded to the first, second and third place pups.

Individuals and teams also can win prizes generously for reaching various Peer-to-Peer fundraising milestones for Reed’s Rescue – a Northern Baltimore County non-profit organization 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.

Those interested in forming a team of five or more (business/corporate/friends/family, etc.) can easily sign up on the event registration page and are encouraged to get creative with team themes. As an incentive, GBCC will post team video clips on social media leading up to the event.

Online registration is available at headsandtails5k.com For more information, visit greaterbaltimorechamber.org or follow @greaterbaltimorechamber on Facebook and Instagram.