Heads & Tails 5K & Doggie Dash

REGISTRATION:

Register early for the best rates! Please note: on-site registration is available digitally, only. We highly recommend you register in the morning before you arrive for the best cellular service and processing times.

$35 through July 31st! (one runner; or, one runner plus one dog) - Early Bird Rate!

$45 through September 30th (one runner; or, one runner plus one dog)

$55 October 1st-October 19th (one runner; or, one runner plus one dog)

Kid's 5K Registration: $25 – Ages 12 and under (includes a cotton t-shirt) – discount will be applied at check-out. 
Doggie Dash Half Mile Registration: $25 through September 30th; $35 October 1st- Race Day (one dasher; or, one dasher plus one dog)
Kids Doggie Dash Half Mile Registration: $15 -- Ages 12 and under (does not include shirt. cotton t-shirt can be purchased during registration for $10)

Registration fees are non-refundable and non-transferable. Rain or shine.

PACKET PICK UP SCHEDULE

Packet Pick Up will take place on site race day morning, starting at 7:30 a.m. Please consider coming early to avoid lines.

5K COURSE

Enjoy a rolling course on the tree-lined Garrison Forest School campus. See course below.

https://www.mapmyride.com/routes/view/5774328562/ 

FREE PARKING ON GARRISON FOREST SCHOOL CAMPUS

Parking is available on Garrison Forest School Campus! Enter campus at the light on Reisterstown Road at the intersection with Home Depot. Gates will be open for participants as of 7:30 a.m. until 8:30 a.m. Look for signs that say “5K Parking." 

DIRECTIONS

From the North and East
I-95 South to I-695 West (Baltimore Beltway). Take exit 20 North (MD-140W/Reisterstown Road). Turn left onto Reisterstown Road. Stay on Reisterstown Road for about 2 miles. Turn onto campus at the light at the intersection across from Home Depot. Proceed to the designated parking lot once on campus.

From the South and West
I-695 (Baltimore Beltway) West and North (follow signs toward Towson). Take exit 20 (MD-140W/Reisterstown Road) and yield right onto Reisterstown Road. Stay on Reisterstown Road for about 2.5 miles; turn onto campus at the light at the intersection across from Home Depot. Proceed to the designated parking lot once on campus.

AMENITIES

Pre-Race Warm Up with Garrison Forest School Athletes. Commemorative t-shirt guaranteed for the first 300 runners/walkers and kids registered by September 1!  (Note: Doggie Dash ages 12 and under does not include shirt. Cotton t-shirt can be purchased during registration for $10); water stops; on-site first aid. Post-race hot breakfast provided by Apple Spice, snacks, and bottled water. Vendor Village and Kids Korner and other family-friendly activities through 10:30am. 

POST-RACE AMENITIES-OUR FAMOUS HOT BREAKFAST IS BACK!

Our famous HOT BREAKFAST is back for 2025 provided by Apple Spice this year! Bottled water will also be available.

CHECK OUT THE SWAG!

•     Commemorative Race shirt guaranteed for the first 300 registered runners. (Please keep in mind that women’s shirts run small. Sorry, no exchanges).
•     Finisher Coin by Frontline Coins 
•     Bandana for dogs participating in the Doggie Dash.

2024 shirt below, 2025 design coming soon!!

AWARDS

Overall Top 3- Male & Female
Age Groups Top 3- Male & Female
Age groups: 12 & U, 13-15, 16-18, 19-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, 70+

All participants will receive a Finisher's Challenge Coin. All winners in their age group will receive a beautifully engraved custom coin.

DOGGIE DASH

Doggie Dash Details & Course

Here's a rundown of everything you need to know for you and your pup to have the best possible experience at the Heads & Tails Doggie Dash. 

Registration
The Doggie Dash will take place at 10:00am on a separate ½ mile grassy course at Garrison Forest School. 

Online registration is $25. This fee includes one handler, a commemorative t-shirt, and a pet bandana.

Doggie Dash Course
Our Doggie Dash course is a ½ mile grassy course on the pet-friendly campus of Garrison Forest School. All dogs must be on a non-retractable leash. You can run, walk or jog at your own pace with your leashed dog. The Doggie Dash is strictly a "fun run" and is not a timed event. Most participants enjoy a leisurely stroll. 

Heads and Tails 5K
The 5K is separate from the Doggie Dash. The Doggie Dash is a separate event and takes place at 9:30 a.m., not far from the 5K course.

Doggie Dash Prizes
We will have fun pet prizes for the pups that come in first, second, and third place. The race is not timed and winners will be determined by our Doggie Dash Celebrity Judges—all in good fun and for a good cause! 

Doggie Dash Race Bib 
All registered Dashers and their dogs will receive a race bib. 

Pet Festival
In addition to the Heads & Tails 5K and Doggie Dash, all participants can take advantage of the many free activities at the pet festival! Be sure to have your race bib with you to show you're registered!

Heads & Tails Peer-to-Peer Fundraising for Reed's Rescue
Fundraising can be fun and rewarding with a great cause! Participants can help raise money by participating.  Be sure to set up a fundraising page during the registration process. For a third year in a row, our Peer-to-Peer fundraising will support Reed's Rescue. Reeds Rescue is a "non-profit volunteer dog rescue organization serving the Northern Baltimore County area. We are 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." We encourage race participants to fundraise on behalf of Reed's Rescue and even consider adopting a dog in need!

Our first priority is the safety and health of all pets, attendees, sponsors, vendors, volunteers and staff. 

COVID-19
We are closely monitoring guidance from the CDC and the Maryland State Health Department to ensure that the Heads & Tails Pikesville 5K Run/Walk & Doggie Dash will be a fun and entertaining experience that is safe for everyone.

As such, all attendees will be required to abide by any state mandated COVID-19 protocol in place at the time of the event. The Greater Baltimore Chamber of Commerce, along with the Baltimore Humane Society, reserve the right to modify and add requirements at their sole discretion.

• There will be two waves of walkers/runners to spread people out (and dogs) in each wave. The second wave will start shortly after the first wave. We will provide more information about wave(s) in the pre race communication the week of the event.
• Vendor and sponsor booths will be spread out in the park.
• Instead of a buffet pancake breakfast of years past, we will be offering items that are individually wrapped.

Course Safety
We have the following safety measures in place for the event:

• Volunteers and staff will be stationed along the course and available to help. We have course leaders who have event radios and first aid kits. We will have EMS on hand, as well as a veterinarian.
• If your dog starts limping or looks like they are overheating, please stop any physical activity and seek out a volunteer. 

For the health and safety of all dogs and participants in the Doggie Dash and/or 5K, please observe the following rules for canines attending the event with you. 

• Every pet owner must sign a waiver to participate with their pet in any of the Heads & Tails events.
• Participating dogs must be currently licensed with proof of Parvo and Rabies vaccinations. You do not need to bring proof with you; if an incident occurs, you must be able to produce proof in a reasonable amount of time.
• For safety reasons, “extend-a-leashes” or retractable leashes are not allowed. Dogs must be kept on a regular lead at all times, no longer than six feet. 
• One dog per handler for safety reasons.
• Female dogs in heat are not permitted.
• Race officials reserve the right to refuse entry to any dog whose behavior could be dangerous to others. 
• Please use good judgment regarding the temperament of your pet so that this event will be safe and enjoyable for everyone.
• Dogs younger than six months should not participate.
• Be sure you and your dog are conditioned for this event, especially if you plan to run.