The Howling Ghost Trail Race

Join us on September 26th, 2026 at the Springwater Conservation Area in Aylmer (40 minutes from London) for the 4th edition of The Howling Ghost Trail Race!You can choose to complete the New Era Grafix 8k, Always Moving 16k, or The BackRoads Brews + Shoes 24k through the beautiful Carolinian forest of Springwater.For the second year, you can challenge yourself to complete 8k during the Structural Panels Inc. Night Howl sub event! Headlamps are mandatory in the night race. You could also try the ultimate challenge, by taking on the Day/Night Challenge. Run one of the day races, and come back for the Night Howl! This race is perfect for runners of all abilities. If you're new to trail running, this is a great place to run your first trail race. If you're an experienced trail runner, this is 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. for the day races.For the night race, gates will be staffed at 6 p.m.You should be good to run this race in trail or road shoes depending on the weather.Like all Persistence Racing events, a portion of event proceeds will be donated to the Children's Health Foundation. The runner who raises the most will be awarded a free entry to next year's Howling Ghost.Speaking of free entries, some have asked about this being a Halloween race, well, it's around that time of year, and we acknowledge that the name sounds like it would be. So, if you want to dress up, feel free. We'll award the best individual costume with a $50 race credit for a future event of their choice, and the best duo or group, with a $200 credit to be split among the group. Just make sure your bib is still visible with any costumes so we know who to get in touch with. You've got to run in costume to be eligible!Additionally, if you're looking for some post-race recovery, check out our partners at Frigid Recovery. Tell them that you ran the race, and you'll receive 20% off of your cold immersion therapy.Race SanctioningThe Howling Ghost has always been sanctioned by Athletics Ontario and we've applied again for this year. We'll update this section once it's complete. Race ScheduleTentative early packet pick up times are scheduled as follows:September 24th, 2026BackRoads Brews + Shoes1295 Riverbend Road, London, ON6:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. September 25th, 2026BackRoads Brews + Shoes10 a.m. - 6 p.m.September 27th, 2026 Race DayOn 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 start10:35 a.m. 16k start10:40 a.m. 24k startRace kits will be available for the night race starting at 6:30 p.m.7:30 p.m. 8k night startTimingAll events will be electronically timed by Chiptime Results. Your timing chip will be attached to your bib.Aid Station/WashroomsWe will have an aid station located near the start/finish/interloopal area. Hydration and food options will be available. You will have access to the aid station every 8 km. In addition, we'll have a hydration aid station on course.Once again, we are a cupless race. Please bring your own cup or bottle which can be filled at the aid stations/post race.There are public washrooms at the start/finish/interloopal area.Swag, Medals, Prizes, and More!Each runner in the day races will receive a combed cotton ring spun long sleeve tee featuring the race logo. These awesome shirts are included with your registration. You can choose between the women's cut and the men's cut. Pictured is last year's shirt. This year's shirt will be a different colour.
Runners in the night race will receive a Howling Ghost toque. Last year's toque is shown below. This year's will be a different colour.

In addition, each finisher will receive a custom Howling Ghost finisher's medal. There will be a different colour for the day and night medals.Our race photographer will be on hand to capture all of your awkward running facial expressions. Your photos are yours to download, FOR FREE. Race photos at night are tricky, but our photographer was able to make it work last year.You can check out all of last year's photos here.The top finisher in each gender category in the 8k, 16k, 24k, and 8k night race will receive an award to mark their achievement. There must be at least three runners in a gender category for awards/podiums.CampingCamping is available at Springwater before and after the race. You can find booking details here.Event Records8kJoshua Graham 33:00 (2024)Katrina Teeuwen 37:02 (2023)16kAdam Jarrett 1:07:57 (2024)Emma Dodge 1:29:32 (2024)24kAndrew Doan 1:43:14 (2024)Bernice Booth 2:13:48 (2025)8k Night HowlPaul Sheppard 35:30 (2025)Colleen Foran-Govers 44:45 (2025)Refund PolicyThere 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 26th, we will give you a 100% race credit for a future Persistence race.If you need to withdraw after August 26th, 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 any donations)There are no bib transfers available.Thanks for taking part in the Howling Ghost!

Other RacesBe sure to check out all of our Persistence races here.