Sean and I finally convinced Danny to do a race with us!
The race: Forever Home Family Picnic & 4K-9 Run
Organization: The Animal Foundation and Outside Las Vegas Foundation
Date: Sunday, November 3, 2013
Time: 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM (PST)
Location: Sunset Park, 7100 S Eastern Ave, Paradise, NV 89120
It was shorter than any other race Sean and I had run together but would also be the first dog-friendly pet and owner race we'd done! So we each registered with one of our 3 dogs, Sammie aka Hambone, Baby aka Sausage, and Little Girl aka Weenie.
So race day rolled around, actually the same morning Sean and I got back into Vegas from London. Our flight landed around 7:20am and we made it to passenger pickup, where Danny was waiting for us, at about 7:45am. We drove straight home to drop our baggage off and pick our dogs up. Then we were off to Sunset Park to run!
Since Sean and I had been out of the country, we hadn't been able to pick our race packets up in advance. Instead, we picked them up upon arrive at the race and here's what was inside each (this one was mine)!:
The dog tags and shirts were my favorite parts but the "free" Recycled Percussion tickets (actually $15 per person) was awesome, the info on other upcoming races was handy, and there were lots of other hidden gems we noticed when combing through it all at home later!
We'd been concerned that our dogs would be menaces and cause a scene but we soon noticed that being a bit rowdy, mildly confrontational, and overly playful was a typical dog thing and that most owners there were dealing with the same thing we were! (Check my YouTube channel to see all the crazy, cute pups that came out for the race.)
Pics can't begin to do them justice but here are just a few of the dogs we saw:
It was really fun and special for all the dogs as well as the owners though. It was the first time our dogs, as well as probably most dogs there, had been around so many others and they were loving it! They were all so excited and having a blast! So much butt sniffing, barking, and jumping around. Sean and I knew even before starting the race that we'd be back with the dogs annually as long as they kept it going, even if for our dogs rather than ourselves!
The race started in waves 3 minutes apart and beginning at 9am in order to keep both feet and doggy paws from getting trampled on. I think we started in the second or third wave, Sean with Sammie, Danny with Little Girl, and me with Baby. We ran pretty leisurely rather than running hard. We ran for a good time, a little exercise, and to spend time with each other and the dogs. It was a fun run and everyone there seemed to be having a good time, not taking it too seriously.
There were a lot of walkers with their dogs, a few dog-less runners, and dogs of all different sizes and breeds running the race. It was funny seeing some of the small dogs doing it with no problem while some of the big ones refused to run, sometimes even laying down on the side of the path and refusing to move. One of the big dogs, however, did the whole race making it look beyond easy. It was walking effortlessly while it's owner was running beside it and actually pushing herself pretty hard.
There were several water stops for the dogs and a few for their owners as well. We stopped a couple of times for the dogs to have a drink or walk for a minute. All three of them did really well despite getting a bit distracted and sniffing other dogs' butts but Baby slowed down a little towards the end since she'd been trying to pull me along for the first half of the race and Little Girl and Sammie each had to walk briefly because they weren't used to running very far (or really at all in Sammie's case). They all finished the race with us though and all 6 of us got awesome prizes - bandanas for the dogs and wooden "medals" for us!
Baby and me just past the finish line!:
(For footage of the race itself as well as some of the runners, dogs, the finish line, and the set up, please check out my YouTube channel: jokrloveskaw.)
After the race, we visited the booths at the event and picked up lots of cool doggy treats and other misc goodies such as chew toys, tennis balls, dog snacks, coupons, frisbees, info on upcoming races, Sky Zone accessories, and more!
Finally, we stopped by the pond to let the dogs have a quick look. We shared some of the snacks the dogs had gotten but didn't want with some very grateful, hungry ducks swimming there.
Then, it was time to take our tired dogs home for a much deserved nap!
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