2019 EVENT CANCELED.
Join us at the Stone Zoo for the 4th annual Howling Wolf Half Marathon! Race entry includes admission to the zoo ($17 value), a super warm and comfortable winter cap, a beautiful finisher's medal, and our wild post-race party and beers with DJ Phoenix sponsored by Mighty Squirrel and Lagunitas.
The Howling Wolf Half Marathon would not be possible without the help of dozens of volunteers and our corporate partners. We are grateful for their continued support!
NEW FOR 2018: We've changed the date to Oct. 28th and added a 6K Road and Trail Race which uses the same starting and finishing miles as the half marathon (road) course but includes a 1 mile stretch on the trails of the Middlesex Fells Reservation.
-->> View our 2018 Howling Wolf Community Notice <<--
Entry fee (Half):
$40 through 4/30
$50 in May
$60 in June & July
$70 in August
$80 in September
$85 Oct 1 to Oct 24
$90 Oct 25 to Oct 27
PRE-REG ONLY
Finisher's Medal:
We'll have finisher's medals for the half marathon, but not the 6K. (sorry, the 6K was added too late)
DJ'd race party:
Enjoy your two beers (21+ only, bring ID) from Mighty Squirrel or Lagunitas while shaking out those legs to the tunes of DJ Phoenix. We will also have chicken pot pies and pizza for all runners.
You can purchase guest party passes in advance for $15 or pay $20 at the door. Guest passes include zoo admission and two drinks at the party, and may be picked up by you or your guest(s) at number pick-up before the race or at the zoo entrance starting at 9:30am.
Free race photos:
RaceMenu's photo crew will have your race photos online within 48 hours.
Chip timing:
The Howling Wolf Half Marathon is a chip-timed event. An RFID timing chip will be on the back of your race number.
Team captain perks:
Create a team, recruit at least 4 other teammates and you'll get free into our Super Sunday 5K/5M! Once you've got 5 runners on your team, email [email protected] for your coupon code. We'll also have prizes for the captains of the three largest teams.
The Howling Wolf Half Marathon is held on a safe, rolling course on the rolling roads around the Middlesex Fells Reservation in Stoneham.
The race starts and finishes at the Stone Zoo:
One 4.8 mile clockwise lap of the Spot Pond loop, +.7 mile to left on Ravine Road then one 3.4 mile clockwise lap of the (hilly!) Ravine Road loop, then one 4.2 mile clockwise lap of the Spot Pond loop to finish. Some roads will be closed to traffic, other areas will have a lane closure. All roads will re-open at 11:00am, so if you're still running then, please move to the sidewalk.
We will have seven H2O/BODYARMOR stations on the course. (1.5m, 3.1m, 4.8m
6.5m, 7.9m, 9.8m, 11.3m)
We will have GU at H2O-2, which you'll pass at mile 3.2 and again at mile 11.4.
We will have toilets next to the start line, which you'll pass 4.8 miles into the race. We will also have a toilet at the Flynn Rink, which you'll pass three times (miles 1.5, 7.9, & 9.8)
View the half marathon course map here.
View the 6K course map here.
We love our volunteers!
This race would not be possible without the generous support of over 60 volunteers. If you're running, please thank them! If you'd like to volunteer, THANK YOU! Please sign up at racemenu.com/howlingwolf
Volunteer roles and responsibilities typically go something like this:
Registration
Registration volunteers assist with setting up the registration area, which includes tables, signs, bib numbers, safety pins, pens, and race swag items which may includes t-shirts or other wearables. As runners arrive, volunteers will help runners retrieve their number from a list, get their bib number, distribute safety pins, and distribute appropriate swag items. After registration is complete, volunteers will clean up any remaining items and store them until they can be returned to the truck. Tables used for registration are often used for the post race party, and often re-arranged rather than put away.
Bag Check
Volunteers will help with checking in runners bags in the Bag Check area. Before the race, volunteers will help set up a secure area that is large enough to arrange many bags. Materials needed include bag tags, markers, and trash bags. Runners will be given a tag to write their bib number on which should be attached to their bag. Bag Check volunteers will take the bags and arrange them numerically so they can be easily found when the runners return. The bag check area must always be attended and secure.
Course Marshals
Course Marshals assist with setting up the signage and cones along the course before the race. During the race, course marshals direct the runners along the correct course and ensure the safety of the runners by alerting other walkers, cyclists, pedestrians and drivers. After the race is complete, course marshals help clean up the signage, cones and any other materials along the race course.
Water Stations
Water Station volunteers assist with setting up the water stations along the course before the race starts. Water stations are equipped with tables, paper cups, gloves, water, and trash bags. Water should be pre-poured into cups (half-filled) before the runners arrive. Some volunteers should hold out half-filled cups and offer them to runners as they pass as others fill additional cups. After the last runners have passed, volunteers should clean up all cups and place them in garbage bags. All materials should be broken down and returned to the Start/Finish area.
Start/Finish Crew
Volunteers assigned to the start/finish area will assist with setting up the start/finish line banners, signage, cones and other materials. Volunteers will help runners line up for the race and ensure the race starts smoothly (with the assistance of the race director and staff). When the first male and female runner finishes, volunteers will hold a finish line tape for the runner to run through. After the race, volunteers will help clean up the start/finish area and load race equipment and materials into a truck.
Awards Categories and Prizes:
Trophies and prizes for male & female overall champions, and age group champions: 18 & under, 19-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60+.
--Male & Female Champions: Trophy + Swag
--Age Group Champions: Trophy + Swag
--Top Influencer: Trophy + Swag
--Top Fundraiser: Trophy + Swag
Awards are based on gun time. Trophies can be picked up at our office but any other prizes may only be claimed at the awards ceremony.
Thanks to our friends at Sears Clean and Sears Garage Doors for providing a $50 gift card for the Howling Wolf Half Marathon!
Early Number Pick-up:
Early bib pick-up will be Saturday 1pm-4pm at the Stone Zoo gift shop.
Race Day Schedule:
6:45am - number pick-up opens (Stone Zoo main gate)
7:30am - number pick-up closes
8:00am - half marathon begins on Pond Street (in front of Stone Zoo)
8:20am - 6K begins on Pond Street (in front of Stone Zoo)
9:30am - party opens (New location! Stone Zoo ampitheater)
10:30am - awards ceremony @ Stone Zoo ampitheater
12:00pm - party's over; enjoy the zoo for the day!
Bag check:
Bag check will be at the Maple Glen area near the start line. Bag check opens at 7:30am and closes at 11:15am, so please grab your bag before heading into the party.
Stone Zoo, 149 Pond Road, Stoneham MA 02180 (map)
Parking and Transportation:
While ample parking will be available in the Stone Zoo parking lot, please consider taking the MBTA Orange Line to Oak Grove and riding our shuttle ($4 round trip w/ advance purchase, or $5 each way, schedule below.)
Howling Wolf Half - MBTA Oak Grove Shuttle Schedule:
Oak Grove to Stone Zoo: 6:15am, 6:45am, & 7:15am
Stone Zoo to Oak Grove: 10:30am, 11:00am, 11:30, & 12:00pm
2017 RESULTS HERE
2015 RESULTS HERE 2015 PHOTOS HERE
All of our event photos are posted at fb.com/racemenu
In the event of inclement weather, the event may be postponed to another date. No refunds will be issued due to conflicts with the postponement date. If RACE must cancel the event due to circumstances beyond their control, no refunds will be issued. Please remember, all proceeds go to charity.
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