The Howl-O-Sprint 5K at SeaWorld San Diego is my fastest 5K since October of 2018. (The nice thing about blogging is you can look back LOL). I’m still coming to terms with that because the last seven years have come and gone in the blink of an eye. I’ve trained, but life happened, and my running just isn’t where it used to be. Over the summer, I’ve had some decent 5Ks, but I know I’ve been fitter…I just haven’t been able to string together a race that reflects that. I got sick. The weather. The course. Etc., etc.
This SeaWorld Halloween 5K combines a fun, spooky atmosphere with a surprisingly technical course full of twists and turns. It’s a unique experience, especially for runners who love racing through theme parks.
Before the Howl-O-Sprint 5K at SeaWorld
The day before the race was kind of chaotic. I ended up running just over 11 miles with friends. I knew I felt good, but was that the smartest move before a race? Of course not. Do I regret it? No. It was a nice day, and we had fun.
The drive down to San Diego was long because of traffic. They had closed part of the 5, so there was much more traffic on the 15. It took us over four hours to get down to San Diego, and by the time we did, I was tired. We ate an early dinner and went to bed early.
The Howl-O-Sprint 5K didn’t have packet pickup the day before. The email said the park opened at 5:30 for the 7 a.m. race, and I got nervous, so we ended up getting there at 5:45. It was actually easy…minimal lines…and everything went smoothly. I did a quick two-mile warm-up and headed to the start line.
I knew I needed to be toward the front because of all the turns. There were a lot of young children and families there, and while the race started a little late, off we went.
SeaWorld 5K Race Experience
When I say the Howl-O-Sprint 5K has more turns than any other race I’ve done, I’m not joking. By mile two, my hips felt it. You really couldn’t get much speed around the turns. During the first mile, I found myself as the second woman overall. I felt like I was pushing hard but not at my max, so when I hit the first mile in 6:06, I was fairly surprised.
The first mile felt like it took forever…I was unwell when I looked at my watch and saw we were only at 0.78 miles in.
One of the coolest parts of the race was running by the SeaWorld orcas as they were breaching. I almost wanted to stop and watch, but I kept telling myself to keep going.
As we headed into the second mile, I found myself in first overall. Could I win this thing? That quickly disappeared because a woman passed me like I was standing still. She ended up putting a lot of distance on me. I wasn’t too defeated. We kept turning and turning. We ran over a short wet turf section and a short sandy section. When we hit the sand, I thought, no one is more prepared than this desert dweller. I hit the second mile in 6:17, which I was pleased with.
Finish Line at the Howl-O-Sprint 5K SeaWorld San Diego
From there, I just focused on finishing. I was tired…and tired of the turns. I knew the last mile went out into the parking lot and had a couple fewer turns around mile 2.7. I kept telling myself, just make it there.
I briefly looked down at my watch, and it said 6:28 pace. I was okay with that because my goal this summer has been consistently under 20 minutes.
Once we hit the less-turny section, I pushed as hard as I could…around a 6:15 pace. I just tried to bring it in strong. I was 10–15 seconds behind the first-place woman and focused on trying to catch her. I didn’t, but it helped me finish strong, and my last mile was 6:20.
I crossed the Howl-O-Sprint 5K finish line in 19:25.
Post Howl-O-Sprint 5K Thoughts
Honestly, I’m surprised. I’ve known I was in better shape than the 19:55 or high 19s I’ve been running most of the summer, but to run a 19:25 on such a turn-heavy course gives me hope that I can run under 19 again…something I really haven’t believed lately.
It was motivating, fun, and one of the most memorable 5Ks I’ve done. Running through SeaWorld San Diego with orcas in the background isn’t something you experience every day. I probably won’t stop talking about it for quite some time.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Howl-O-Sprint 5K at SeaWorld
Where does the Howl-O-Sprint 5K take place?
The race takes place inside SeaWorld San Diego, winding through the park’s themed areas and animal exhibits before finishing near the entrance. Few running races actually run in amusement parks.
Is the SeaWorld 5K good for beginners?
Yes. The Howl-O-Sprint 5K is walker- and family-friendly, but its numerous turns can make it slightly more challenging for runners chasing personal records.
Can spectators watch the Howl-O-Sprint 5K?
Spectators can cheer from designated areas, and many stick around afterward to enjoy SeaWorld’s Halloween-themed attractions.
What makes the Howl-O-Sprint 5K unique?
Few races let you run past orcas, dolphins, and coasters before breakfast. The combination of Halloween festivities, coastal weather, and park access makes it a standout San Diego race.
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Questions for you:
Have you ever run in an amusement park?
What is your favorite 5k?