It’s a quintessential West Coast sight: seeing a dog trotting alongside their owner a local trail.
Well, later this month, animal lovers are being invited to participate in a unique charity race where their pup is welcome to join.
The second-annual Dash for Dogs in Stanley Park is a 2, 5, or 10 kilometre run or walk with routes winding through the park trails.
The non-competitive race is powered by the running map smartphone app RunGo, which now has 12,000 routes in cities including Vancouver, New York, Toronto, LA and Melbourne.
It’s free to download on Google Play and the Apple’s iOS App Store.
There will be trail markers, but runners are encouraged to let the app digitally guide them through the three Stanley Park courses.
It’s a fun and unique experience: as you run through the trails the app uses voice navigation to point out where to make turns – but also give you interesting tidbits about the running route.
You can download the routes onto your phone so you don’t use data or battery power, which is a big plus.
Another bonus: runners can bring their dog along provided they’re leashed and well-behaved.
Post-run activities at Brockton Oval include a pancake breakfast, coffee, giveaways, and prizes.
“As this is a non-competitive and untimed race, there will be cool prizes in unusual categories such as tweeting a photo of a fast runner dressed as a dog, people who come with the biggest “pack” of friends, and other puppy-themed contests,” said Nikkita Nair.
It’s also for a great cause as 90% of proceeds benefit BC & Alberta Guide Dogs.
The course is close to the heart of RunGo founder Craig Slagel. The “directionally-challenged” marathoner is the proud owner of Dynasty, a retired guide dog.
Dash for Dogs 2016
When: Saturday, February 20
Time: 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.
Where: Brockton Pavilion in Stanley Park
Cost:
2km walk – $15 by February 17
5km run – $30 by February 17
10km run – $35 by February 17
For more information and to register, visit dashfordogs.rungoapp.com.
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