By Mary Owen
Runners – both dogs and humans – take your marks for the fourth annual K-9 Walk/Run and Health Fair April 2!
“This is a dog and family friendly event, though it isn’t required to bring a dog to the event,” said Tirzah Hawkins, owner with husband, Daniel, of event host Where to Start Fitness. The couple also owns a health store in downtown Stayton.
“Each year, we have had many people participate with their dogs and/or strollers. We’ve had whole families participate together numerous years in a row,” Hawkins added.
Drawing upward of 200 people and growing, the April 2 event starts at 9 a.m. with a health fair for dogs and their humans that closes at 1 p.m. Previous vendors have included Break the Chain Apparel, D-tail Pet Grooming, Stayton Animal Supply and Fresh to You Produce, Hawkins said.
“Tessa Moore provides a complementary chair massage,” she added. Moor is a licensed massage therapist.
Benefiting the Stayton Police Department K-9 program, the popular event starts at 11 a.m. at Where to Start Fitness, 370 N. Second Ave., Stayton, with a 5K walk/run or a 9K run. The course includes street and trail paths.
“We have prizes for our top finishers as well as raffle prizes that every participant is entered to win,” Hawkins said. “We have goodie bags for the first 150 registrants that include items, samples and coupons from local vendors. While you can register the morning of the event starting at 9 a.m., we recommend registering by March 19 to receive a complementary tech T-shirt with your registration.”
Cost to register is $25 per person. The health fair is free and anyone is welcome to come check it out and cheer on race participants, Hawkins said.
“Where to Start Fitness loves hosting this event as a way to give back to the community,” she said. “All proceeds benefit the Stayton Police Department’s Canine unite, Brody. We feel that Brody is an important part of keeping our community safe.”
Daniel Hawkins added, “We love participating in running events because of the great atmosphere of fun and physical activity. So we thought to ourselves, what better way to give back than by hosting an event we are passionate about and love? We love running with our dogs, and we think they might love running with us even more, so having a local dog-friendly run is an added bonus.”
Hawkins said all dogs will require proof of rabies vaccination and must be kept on a leash (no extension leashes). Other requirements include one dog per person, no aggressive dogs or dogs in heat, and owners must clean up after their dogs.
“I think the most fun we have all year is seeing all the excited faces at our business and also the joy of people who just finished their first 5 or 9K event, set a new personal best, just crossed the finish line with friends or family, or just finished first in their grouping,” he said.
The Hawkins invite individuals and local businesses to sponsor the event or help with volunteers by calling Where to Start Fitness, 503-787-4094.
To register for the run, go to www.WhereToStartFitness.com/k9run.
