Night Howler 50

Event overview

The Night Howler 50 is a 50-mile ultramarathon held at Hoover Sports Park East in Hoover, Alabama (2649 Old Rocky Ridge Road). The race is run overnight in darkness and uses a lap format. Each runner must complete 20 laps of the course to cover 50 miles. Participants must be 19 or older. The event is rain or shine.

Course and logistics

The course is a clearly marked 2.5-mile loop that starts and finishes at the building in the middle of the baseball fields; the start/finish area also hosts the primary aid station. The loop crosses a bridge above the Cahaba River and descends four flights of stairs into wooded trails. The terrain is generally flat with a few small inclines and declines. Pacers are allowed at any time. Crews may set up tents or personal aid stations outside the race course, and runners may receive aid between laps in the start/finish area. The event is cup-less; runners must bring their own cups or bottles.

Entry, gear, and awards

There is no early packet pickup; packet pickup occurs on race day at the start/finish area and requires photo identification. Runners receive a race bib and a custom t-shirt at packet pickup. Finishers who complete the distance within the 16-hour cutoff receive a custom belt buckle. The top three male and top three female finishers receive custom medals. No refunds are offered; entries may be transferred or deferred by contacting the organizer. Recommended gear includes a headlamp and spare batteries. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.