Yesterday marked a special day in history! Yesterday was the first annual Trails for Tails event benefitting Road To Home Canine Refuge and Great Dane Friends of Ruff Love. All the funds raised help with the costs associated for the care of rescued dogs while looking for loving homes. Everyone came out bright and early to participate in a 5K trail run and 1-mile Dog Walk at the US National Whitewater Center. It was a little chilly but everyone, including the dogs, had smiles on their faces!
Before I go into the details of the day, I want to thank each and every one of the participants, their pups, the volunteers, sponsors and vendors. Wow! You all really made this first-time event very special. Thank you for all you have done to support animal rescue.
Participants started registering for the 5K and Dog Walk at 7am. They got all kinds of cool swag including a t-shirt and goody bag.
As people and pups started to arrive, I got to meet some of the 4-legged participants! :)
Race time!!! I absolutely love the US National Whitewater Center and it is one of the things I'm really proud of in Charlotte. Their trail system is awesome for both running and mountain biking.
These girls were ready to run and had fun with their outfits...
Even Scooby Doo did some pre-race warm-ups!
And they're off!
As the 5K trail run was finishing up, the dogs got started on their 1-mile walk around the USNWC. 
So many dogs showed up and they had a blast circling the water at the venue.
After the walk, everyone relaxed, waited for the race results to come in, and checked out all the wonderful vendor booths. Naturally, I hung out with more pups!
Mecklenburg County Animal Care and Control announced a new program they are starting for their adoptable dogs. It's a running program that allows volunteers to take one of the adoptable dogs out on runs with them. The pups will wear an "adopt me" vest and the volunteers will be given cards with the dog's info. It's a win-win for everyone! The volunteers get to train and give back to the community while the dogs get exercise and exposure in the public. I love it!!!
Missy (I really hope I'm remembering her name correctly) is one of the pups on the new running program. Don't you want to take her on a run...or, better yet, adopt her?
The 5K race results are in!
They had the cutest medals to give to the winners of the 5K and pet contests...
Thanks again to everyone that came out Saturday morning! If you don't see your pup here, check out the entire gallery in the events section of my website: http://mcgrawphotography.zenfolio.com. Pictures will be up shortly! :)
