By Ty Rushing
Daily News Senior Staff Writer
Can your Rover run? Is your Fido the fastest? Do you want to show off that your dog is no last place Lassie? Then bring your canine friend to the “Fast and the Furriest” Dog Run/Walk set to begin at 8 a.m. Saturday at Agnes Patterson Park.
This will be the fifth year for the event, and all of the proceeds are used to benefit the Newton Dog Park, 3387 Highway F-48 West.
It costs $15 for those who register before Saturday and $20 on the day of the run. Registered participants will receive a commemorative T-shirt and there will be treats for all of the furry runners. Additional T-shirts may be purchased for $10 with sizes ranging from small to XXL.
Since the race is 1.5 miles, the event’s organizers, the Newton Dog Park Committee, is advising interested parties to start running or walking with their pet now if they don’t already. Participants also need to provide their pet’s latest vaccination reports, which must be turned in either prior to the race or the day of.
If owners don’t have the records, their dog will not be allowed to participate. Dogs must be older than 6 months old to participate, retractable leashes aren’t permitted and participants are required to bring waste disposal bags.
Aside from those restriction, organizers are insisting participants have fun.
Awards will be given out for best costume, loudest bark, longest ears, biggest paws and the crowd-pleasing most like owner.
For the more competitive participants, awards will be given for the top three finishers of the race.
Contact Senior Staff Writer Ty Rushing at (641) 792-3121 Ext. 6532 or trushing@newtondailynews.com