2026 SeaWorld's Howl-O-Sprint 5K Run & Walk

SeaWorld's Howl-O-Sprint 5K Run:   The Howl-O-Sprint Returns for Year Three🩸👟

On Friday, September 18, 2026, as night falls over SeaWorld Orlando, the shadows come alive. Step into the only nighttime terror run of its kind — Howl-O-Sprint 5K — where relentless creatures stalk your every step and whispers of curses hang in the air.

Race past roller coasters haunted by unspeakable horrors. Navigate eerie landscapes and harrowing scare zones lurking in the park’s darkest corners. Every stride is a fight-or-flight moment… and the finish line may be your only escape.

After you survive, celebrate your victory at the exclusive post-race party — open only to runners and a limited number of spectators — until 11:00 p.m.

 

⚠️ Please Note: Howl-O-Scream is intended for a mature audience and contains intense adult content including violence, gore, and blood. The nighttime Howl-O-Scream event is separately ticketed and not included with Howl-O-Sprint registration. No costumes allowed.

 

 

Howl-O-Scream 2026 in numbers: To be announced!

⚠️ Please Note: Howl-O-Scream is intended for a mature audience and contains intense adult content including violence, gore, and blood. The nighttime Howl-O-Scream event is separately ticketed and not included with Howl-O-Sprint registration. No costumes allowed.

*Event dates and details subject to change and/or cancellation without prior notice. Event starts at 7:00pm. Parking lot for racers open at 6:30pm.  SeaWorld’s Howl-O-Scream has been voted #1 Best Theme Park Halloween Event for 2023 by USA Today’s 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards. Visit us now at SeaWorldOrlando.com to see what makes our Howl-O-Scream Orlando the scariest event of the season!

5K Event Night Timeline:

6:00pm – Parking lot opens for participants
6:30pm - Registration and Packet Pickup opens
7:30pm - Parking lot closes - please plan to be onsite at least 45 minutes prior to race start!
8:00pm - START of the Howl-O-Sprint 5K 
8:30pm - Finish line festival begins at the post-race party
9:00pm - Awards Ceremony 
11:00pm - Post-race party closes

 

5k Race Amenities include the following:

• Join us as we celebrate Howl-O-Scream in Orlando and be a part of year 3 of Howl-O-Sprint 5K
  
  
• SeaWorld's Howl-O-Sprint 5K Run Finisher's medal for all run participants
  
  
• Commemorative SeaWorld Howl-O-Sprint Run Race T-shirt (adult sizes & unisex)
  
  
• Finish Line Post-Race Celebration will include Howl-O-Scream bar and food, live entertainment
  
  
• FREE HOWL-O-SCREAM PARK TICKET!  Valid from 9/18/2026 thru 11/1/26!  
  
  
• FREE Race Day parking

Race T-Shirts:
All participants who register for SeaWorld’s Howl-O-Sprint 5K Run will receive a 100% ring-spun soft cotton unisex t-shirt.  Must register by Saturday, September 4th to be guaranteed your shirt size.

Finisher Medals for the Howl-O-Sprint 5k:
All PAID participants in the 5K event will receive a custom Inaugural SeaWorld's Howl-O-Sprint finisher medal. The 5K Race will be capped at 2,000 race participants!

 

5k Race Awards:
Awards will go to the top 3 overall Male and Female finishers only in the SeaWorld’s Howl-O-Sprint 5K Run event.  There will be a clock at the finish line for everyone to see their finish times. Awards will be as follows:

•  1st Place: Gold - $100 Gift Card to Howl-O-Scream Gift Shop
•  2nd Place: Silver - $75 Gift Card to Howl-O-Scream Gift Shop
•  3rd Place: Bronze = $50 Gift Card to Howl-O-Scream Gift Shop

WEATHER & SAFETY INFORMATION:
Races will be held rain or shine, however, if there is severe weather in the area the race start may be delayed or cancelled. As a reminder, registration fees are non-refundable and non-transferable.

In order to ensure safety of all runners, bicycles, roller skates, in-line skates, baby carriers and dogs are prohibited from the racecourse.  It is VERY important for you to stay alert throughout the race, stay inside cones and obey all race signage. Jogging strollers are permitted but must start in the back.

ALL Registration Fees for the SeaWorld's Howl-O-Sprint 5k  (includes FREE parking at SeaWorld):
Total race capacity:  2,000 participants

SeaWorld's Howl-O-Sprint 5k - In-Person:
-$85.00 through September 4, 2026
-$90.00 from September 5 - September 17, 2026 
-$100.00 on Race Day [if not sold out]

SeaWorld's Howl-O-Sprint 5k - In-Person ANNUAL PASSHOLDER:
-$66.66 through September 4, 2026
-$85.00 from September 5 - September 17, 2026
-$95.00 on Race Day [if not sold out]

*All SeaWorld Ambassadors (employees) and Military & First Responder's will receive 10% off the registration fee through Wednesday, October 1, 2025. Employee ID and Military ID & First Responders badge/ID must be shown at time of Packet Pick up.  If you registered using the Annual Passholder category, you must show ID at the time of Packet Pickup.  This discount cannot be combined with any other discounts.   

SeaWorld's Howl-O-Sprint - SPECTATOR TICKETS:
-$25.00
-Limited to 500
-Allows access to the pavilion area before race starts and to the post-race festivities.


SeaWorld's Howl-O-Sprint 5k - VIRTUAL:
-$100 thru 9/18/2026 at 12:01am [if not sold out]

All virtual participants will receive the below items following the event.  Please allow up to 3-4 weeks for items to arrive and this event is only accepting US residence.  This a fun run and done on the honor system.  Times are not required to be submitted to the event company.  Enjoy your run and thank you for participating in this year's event!

-SeaWorld's Howl-O-Sprint 5k Finisher's medal for run participants
-Commemorative SeaWorld Howl-O-Sprint race T-shirt (adult sizes & unisex)
-Deluxe Bib Number
-Shipping of items are included in the fee

 ********* ALL ENTRY FEES ARE NON-REFUNDABLE AND RACE REGISTRATIONS ARE NON-TRANSFERABLE ********* THIS IS A RAIN OR SHINE EVENT ********* NO REFUNDS WILL BE GIVEN DUE TO INCLEMENT WEATHER********

RACE DAY REGISTRATION FOR ALL EVENTS - Only Credit card payments will be accepted on race day if events are not Sold Out!

Strollers:
Strollers are allowed in the 5k Howl-O-Sprint event.  Nurturing future generations of runners is a priority and demonstrating healthy lifestyles to our kids is special.  We do ask those registrants participating with a stroller, must line up the after the runners & walkers at the start line.  Please listen for directions on where to line up at on the day of the race.  Only paid registrants of the Howl-O-Sprint 5k will receive a finisher medal. If you would like your child to receive the medal, you will have to register them for the Howl-O-Sprint 5k. 

 

Early Packet Pickup:
WHEN: Tuesday, September 15th and Wednesday, September 16th*

LOCATION:  TBD

TIME:  11:00AM - 5:30PM both days

RACE DAY - Or you can opt to pick up your packet at SeaWorld Orlando on Race Day beginning at 6:30pm. However, please do allow additional time to pick up your packet on race day due to parking and potentially long lines.

*Friends and family can pick up packets for other people.

REGISTRATIONS RECEIVED AFTER SEPTEMBER 17TH will have to be picked on race day at the race site on September 18th beginning at 6:30p.m.

 

 

When and where does the race take place?
The SeaWorld's Howl-O-Sprint 5k is held at SeaWorld Orlando will be held on Thursday, October 2nd, 2025. On-site race registration and late packet pick-up opens at 6:30pm in the parking lot near the main entrance to SeaWorld.  Race start time is promptly at 8:00pm following the National Anthem. The race is a 5k [3.1 miles] and you will embark on a one-of-a-kind nighttime terror run experience through SeaWorld Orlando's Howl-O-Sprint.  

Is Parking Free for the event?
Yes, parking is included with your entry fee!  Please plan to arrive at SeaWorld Orlando at least 45 minutes prior to race start to ensure amble time to get parked, pickup your packet, use the restroom, and proceed to the starting line.  Parking lot will close at 11:30pm to allow the event to have a prompt 11:50pm start time.

How long is the course?
This course is a 5k [3.1 miles] route.  

Is there a race capacity for the 5k event?
Yes, the race does have an event capacity for this year.  The 5k event is capped at 2,000 registered participants and the Spectator tickets are  capped at 500 spectators.

Is this race electronically scored?
This race is a FUN RUN and is not electronically scored.  We will manually score the top 3 overall Men and Women finisher's only.  There will be a finish line race clock positioned at the finish line for everyone to see their finishing time.

When and where do I pick up my registration materials?
Early race bib & t-shirt pickup location/time is currently Hilton Garden Inn at SeaWorld Orlando.  If you are not able to make it to the early bib & t-shirt pickup, you may get your race items on race day at SeaWorld Orlando beginning at 8:00pm by the main entrance to SeaWorld Orlando.   

How will I receive my results?
This race will not be electronically scored and will not have any full race results.  This is a Fun Run only.

Who receives a adult unisex race t-shirt?
All participants that successfully complete their online race registration for the 5k event or Virtual event and payment prior to September 20th are guaranteed their race t-shirt requested size.  Participants who register after this date, will receive a race t-shirt but sizes are not guaranteed at this time.   The t-shirt for this year is a unisex cotton blend t-shirt.

Who receives a custom SeaWorld's Howl-O-Sprint 5k themed finisher medal?
All PAID participants that finish the 3 mile event will receive a customized race themed finisher medal!  All Virtual participants will receive a medal as well. 

Can I participate in the event with my pets?
Unfortunately, pets are not allowed to participate in this event.  

Can I participate with a stroller?
Yes, nurturing future generations of runners is a priority and demonstrating healthy lifestyles to our kids is special.  We do ask those registrants participating with a stroller, must line up the after the runners & walkers at the start line. Please listen for directions on where to line up at on the day of the race.  Only PAID registrants will receive a finisher medal. If you would like your child to receive the custom finisher medal, you will have to pay & register your child for the Howl-O-Sprint 5k. 

Are Spectators allowed for the 5k event?
We are offering a limited viewing  experience at the post-race area for $25.00!  We are capping the Spectator tickets to 500.  They will get a ticket for entry at race packet pickup and the will be escorted by Park staff. 

What do I do with my personal items while I’m running?
We highly recommend that you leave all your personal items at home or in your car.  

Should I bring my own water?
You may bring your own water.  We will offer one water station available on the course at approximately the 1.5 mile point.  There will also be water available at the finish line.

FUN RUN registration fees can be found on the main race page - in-person, annual passholder and virtual fee's.

I will be out of town on race day and not able to participate. Can I get a refund?
We appreciate your race registration. Unfortunately, we are unable to issue refunds.  

Can I transfer my entry to someone else?
We have a no race transfer policy.

Will the race be held if it's raining?
The race is a "rain or shine" event. All participants are encouraged to dress appropriately for the weather, such as in a rain coat or hat. Umbrellas can pose a safety hazard to others.  We ask that you refrain from bringing them to the event.

What will be provided after the race?
An amazing post-race festival area will be held at SeaWorld Sea Harbor Pavilions.  All runners will receive a finisher's medal,  water, fruit and granola bar.  We will host an awards ceremony at approximately 8:15am in the Pavilions.

Where do I park?
Parking is available at no charge at SeaWorld.  We ask you plan to arrive at least 45 minutes prior to the race start.  Parking lot will close at 7:30pm to allow an on time start of 8:00pm.

What is the "SignUp" Fee?
The "SignUp fee" is a fee that is charged by RunSignUp to process your race registrations.  The sign up fee is based on by the total amount of transactions at the time of check out not by runner.

Do I have to register online?
Yes, online registration is the only way to register for the event and spectator tickets.

Have a question we did not answer here?  
Please email us at kim@striderevents.com and we will get back to you just as soon as we can!

Thanks for joining us for the SeaWorld's Howl-O-Sprint 5k held at SeaWorld Orlando!

Sea World's Howl-O-Sprint 5K Run: Adult Unisex Cotton T-Shirt

Sea World's Howl-O-Sprint 5K Run - EMPLOYEE'S ONLY!: T-Shirt

Sea World's Howl-O-Sprint 5K Run - Annual Passholder: Adult Unisex Cotton T-Shirt

Sea World's Howl-O-Sprint 5K Run - Virtual: Adult Unisex Cotton T-Shirt