Howlin' Coyote 10K Trail Race

09/24/2024

This page will be deleted in the next two weeks. Please follow the Friends of Caledon State Park for information on this event.

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05/30/2023

To: ALL MUSIC LOVERS!
This Friday and Saturday night June 2nd and June 3rd at the picnic shelter of Caledon State Park for our first annual "Songs in the Woods Music Festival!"
Friday: Local musicians are invited to an open jam session with food and beverages provided by the Friends of Caledon! This is for aspiring (and otherwise) musicians of all ages. Food and beverage will be provided for all who register with their instrument! (no Kazoos please!) Cost is free to perform or just watch. Spectators must pay for parking ($5) or have a valid park pass.
Saturday: We welcome local performing artists Laurie & Peter! The acoustic super duo from Fredericksburg will be performing their acoustic covers and originals at our family friendly event.
Cost is free! (just pay for your parking or use your annual parking pass.) Snacks and drinks will be available for purchase.

(note: the jam session is an acoustic jam; prepare accordingly)

05/29/2023

Come join the Friends of Caledon State Park this Friday and Saturday (6/2-6/3) for our FIRST "Songs in the Woods Music Festival!"
A family friendly musical event with a Friday Night Jam Session for local musicians (aspiring and otherwise)! Register at the shelter with your instrument and enjoy free food and beverages. Open to the public just $5 to park (musicians park for free).
Time is 6pm to 8pm.
Saturday: Join us for the musical stylings of Laurie & Peter! Acoustic covers and original pieces from one of our favorite "Dynamic Duos" from the Fredericksburg area. This is free to all, family friendly, with food and beverage available. Cost is free just pay to park!
Time is 6pm to 8pm
Brought to you by the Friends of Caledon!

09/19/2022

Bad news folks: an animal incursion has shut down a portion of the race course that can't be re-routed. The park has decided to cancel the race until they can figure out what to do.
Sorry but the race is cancelled.

09/13/2022

This event has now been postponed until 2023

09/06/2022

Like usual, the ole 'yote is behind on everything. New job, new digs, and we just keep getting busier!
This years' race is on October 1st! Mark your calendars. Kid's race goes off at 0900 and the 10k is at 0930. We got a vendor for chili and beer is being purchased as we speak.
Working on the signage (I know we need better signs!). This year we are using Bishop Events for our hosting (https://bishopsevents.com) and we are offering a "Virtual" option.
If anyone is interested, we are looking for volunteers (water stops, photographer, etc.)
Now a race to the finish!

05/17/2022

Even if it is raining, you can come inside and watch the bluebirds on the cam! Update on our resident bluebirds - WE HAVE EGGS! Five to be specific. They were laid two weeks ago, one day at a time starting April 28 with one egg and ending May 2 with five eggs. The visitor center will be open this weekend for viewing the bluebird cam and we'll probably have hatched chicks by then (maybe even by tonight)!

10/02/2021

Wow! What a day for a Race! Numbers were a little short due to COVID (also my not doing my job) but the best of the best came out to support our mighty little race. I saw some old friends and made some new friends, had a few missed steps in the course marking, but everyone came home! This was a year of rebuilding and I promise we are going to do it better!
Thanks to Arsenal Events for their hard work and professional set up for timing, Jim Lynch from DHRT for his help at the desks, Rob Williams and Son for manning the Water Station, Chris Chalkley and his daughter for helping set up the course and working a water station, Cory the photographer (who came off the streets and volunteered his services!), Jennifer Wright my criminal mastermind who runs registration on race morning (a demanding and under appreciated job), Jose and Eileen Mercado for doing all the heavy lifting and keeping me from imploding, the Pup Parents who helped as course marshals during the Wiley Pup race, and there was one runner wife who helped out and I apologize for not getting her name: she seemed to be in the right place every time I needed her; Bob Sparbel and the Pete Courtney from KG Ham Radio Club for monitoring runners to let us know when they had all made it through the course; and the Staff of Caledon State Park: Nina, Dan, Hailey whose hands on support over the last week made everything possible.
Special mention to my wife who jumped in, organized my mess, and said daily," we can do this."
I do read and heed all comments about the race. Try to be constructive and I'll listen to you better.
Thanks again for making this a great event, runners and staff!

09/30/2021

We are coming down to the wire! Old 'yotes and new all have questions. Here are some FAQ's:
1) We're dealing with COVID so some things like food will be an issue. We will have goodie bags and drinks at the end of the race.
2) There are no mask requirements but each and every Coyote/Pup must do what they feel is right. We are outside and it's difficult to run with a mask on...wear them if you can't social distance. Be safe.
3) The race is partially on fire roads and the last 2.5 miles is the most difficult. Prepare yourself in your race strategy. You can walk and take your time! Your biggest opponent is YOU! Enjoy the course!
4) This is a canine friendly race! Bring your furry run partner but you are responsible for them. They must be on leash and under your control. You must clean up after them.
5) Packet Pick up is between 5pm and 7pm at the picnic shelter of Caledon State Park (the starting line!) on Friday October 1. If you can't make it to packet pick up you can pick up on race day. If you haven't signed up yet late registration is 8 a.m. to 9:29 a.m. on race day. It's usually really busy so plan accordingly.

09/30/2021

For all those new Coyotes, the course is deceptively easy to start as you run the fire roads down to the Potomac River. As you make your way up to the Triangle Field and your second water stop it will turn into single track and then the "fun" begins. This is the most challenging portion of the race. Think of a roller coaster of hills, switchbacks, off camber cutbacks, etc.
We run rain or shine.

09/30/2021

As Requested! Here's the Course Map of the Howlin' Coyote.
We do not have a map for the 1 mile Kids Trail Dash at this time.
Both courses will be marked with lots of tape, flags, and signs. Pink tape and flags for the Coyote and Blue tape and flags for the Pup.