11th Annual Fast & Furriest 5K/1M - April 19, 2026

**ONLINE REGISTRATION IS OPEN UNTIL 6:30AM ON RACE DAY**
After 6:30, register on site at the blue check in tent BEGINNING AT 7AM.

8:15AM - 5K race 
9:00AM - 1M walk 

CHECK IN TIMES:
RUNNER CHECK IN:  7:15-8:00
WALKER CHECK IN:  8:15-8:45

WANT TO RUN WITH YOUR DOG?  We welcome your leashed dogs to run or walk the course.  Please have your dogs on a 4-6 foot leash - no retractable leashes please.  Register as WITH DOG-LIVE 5K RUN so we can easily identify and reward our runners with dogs.  Registrants can change this category up until the start of the race.  ALL runners with dogs WILL BE eligible for age level awards.

WANT TO WALK THE 5K COURSE?  Yes, you can walk the 5K course.   Register as 1M LIVE UNTIMED WALK.  Check in for walkers is 8:15-9:00.  Let us know when you check in that you are walking the 5K course when you check in.

VIRTUAL RACE/WALK DATES:
Friday, April 17 through Monday, April 20

COURSE TYPE:  Entire course is within the park grounds and is paved except for small crossing areas that may have light gravel.  The event site, check in area and vendor area are on grass and will be wet in the morning.  Plan accordingly.  The race is run on paved paths with a few gravel crossing sites -- all within the park grounds.  Runners will run before walkers so no overlapping will occur.

RACE SHIRTS-LONG SLEEVED: 
In an effort to reduce costs associated with this event, we are offering shirts by RESERVATION ONLY.   Reserve your shirt when registering to ensure you receive your size.  LAST DATE TO REGISTER AND RECEIVE A SHIRT IS MARCH 21  If no shirt is ordered (for on-site participants), the registration fee is reduced by $5.00 at that time. After March 31, the discount does not apply.  

CHILDREN AGED 0-10 ARE FREE.  There is no option for shirts for these children.  If you want to purchase a shirt for a child, email the race director BEFORE April 4 to make arrangements. 
 
ON SITE runners/walkers:   ONLY pre-ordered shirts will be distributed at check in. (Must be registered by March 21).  There will be NO EXTRA SHIRTS.
VIRTUAL runners/walkers:  Shirts are an optional purchase when registering by .  AFTER March 21 2026, virtual runners/walkers cannot order shirts.

AWARDS (FOR RUNNERS ON SITE ONLY) - Runners are eligible for overall awards AND age group awards.
Top Overall Male
Top Overall Female
1st, 2nd & 3rd Male Running With Dog
1st, 2nd & 3rd Female Running With Dog
1st & 2nd Male & Female in Age Groups:
     60 & Up
     50-59
     40-49
     30-39
     20-29
     11-19

ON SITE FOOD TRUCKS & VENDORS
FOOD TRUCKS:
  TBD

VENDORS
  TBD

The 11th Annual Fast & Furriest 5K race and 1M walk to benefit Operation Paws for Homes - an all-breed 501c3 dog rescue - is one of the rescue's largest annual fundraisers.

This year's race is focused on helping dogs diagnosed with heartworm disease, which can be deadly if not treated.  These dogs are often the last to leave a shelter -- if they leave at all.  The rural shelters we work with do not have the resources to treat these animals who are sick through no fault of their own.  Without rescue or adoption from the shelter, the chances are slim they will survive. 

Each year, Operation Paws for Homes incurs vast medical costs - in 2025, costs will exceed $150,000.  Treating the heartworm positive dogs who are lucky enough to come to the rescue make up about $30,000 - approximately 20% of total medical costs,  This event aims to replenish those funds so that we can treat even more dogs.  We encourage families, runners, walkers, supporters and anyone interested in helping this organization to join in this fun event.   

The race is run on paved paths with a few gravel crossing sites -- all within the park grounds.  Runners will run before walkers so no overlapping will occur. 

This year our Donate & Dash area will offer only gift cards and gift certificates for various businesses and restaurants.  Some gift cards might come with a basket - depending on the donor.  The concept is the same though - just donate the D&D suggested amount and take it!   

Tell all your friends and family - wherever they are located - they, too, can participate in this event and support the many dogs that need us every single day.  Let's make it coast to coast this year!  Anyone can participate using a VIRTUAL OPTION.  We are excited to host this event again and hope you are just as excited to join us ! 

Food/Coffee Trucks

Husky Hut Coffee

Vendors

Never Enough Farm & Kennel
Trish Mills Team

Submit sponsorship information through this link: https://forms.gle/EpPqZ6DcjtnX1XUNA

Thank you for considering sponsoring our event!  This event raises critical funds to provide lifesaving treatment for dogs rescued after testing positive for heartworm disease. Through no fault of their own, these dogs face serious illness and have little chance of survival without proper care. Your support will help us rescue and treat heartworm-positive dogs from shelters that lack the resources to do so, giving them a second chance at healthy, happy lives.

LOGOS:  MUST be received by March 21, 2026

LOGOS:  MUST be in .eps or .ai format – no other format accepted

                  Email logo to:  cherylg@ophrescue.org

Operation Paws for Homes (OPH) is a 501(c)3 animal rescue that saves dogs and cats of all breeds and ages from high-kill shelters reducing the number being euthanized. 

OPH believes in responsible adoptions and works with each adopter to find  a good match  for  their  home  and lifestyle. Your support ensures that OPH continues  to provide  services that save animals' lives, transport from  shelters, medical  care, vaccinations, spay/neuter services, heartworm and other emergency  medical treatments.  

Visit https://ophrescue.org to learn more about our lifesaving work.

OPH is a tax exempt organization, EIN#45-2785962. All sponsorships are tax deductible

A note from the event director:​I am often asked why this race is dedicated to Anthony Capobianco, to his mother Carol and to the rest of his family.  

Almost 10 years ago, two lives crossed paths....Carol's and mine....at an OPH event, an event I do not normally attend, an event that was a little further than I usually travel for a rescue event, an event that, ultimately, changed a bunch of lives.  Without that chance meeting, one can call it fate, every person attending the 7th Annual Fast & Furriest would not be a part of this family's healing process, would not have 'met' Anthony and would not be a part of helping to make his dream come true.

Anthony was diagnosed with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy at the age of 3.  By the time he was 12, he was wheelchair bound.  This brave man passed away at the very young age of 36 years old.

Anthony wished for a world where no dog would ever be homeless, neglected, hungry or abused.   At OPH, we know this happens way too often; we know Anthony's dream aligns with OPH's mission.  So beginning in 2016, this race has been dedicated to Anthony, his family and to his dream. 

With this annual event, Anthony's dream continues to live on - saving dogs.  This is what we do at Operation Paws for Homes -- provide safety, medical care and a forever home to dogs who find themselves in dire situations through no fault of their own.  We simply could not push forward without events like the annual 5K and the support of so many.