Paws for Fitness Virtual Race

One of the best ways to cope with the stress brought on by the COVID-19 Pandemic is getting outside for a walk or run, especially if you can take a furry friend with you. However, the pandemic has cancelled or postponed many traditional running events including our annual Rescue Race held each summer. We still want to give you the opportunity to participate in the activities you love while also supporting the pets in our shelter. After months of planning, we’re excited to bring you the Paws for Fitness Virtual Race.

Learn more and sign up at: runsignup.com

How does our virtual race work?

Between October 16 and November 16, run or walk the virtual course of your choice. Chose between the 1 mile walk/run anywhere course, the 5k walk/run anywhere course or the 5K certified course.

Each course option can use the RaceJoy application from RunSignup to capture and record time and distance or a participant can record their time for any of the “run anywhere” courses using their Garmin, FitBit, or other method they choose and manually submit their time.

The only requirement for the “run anywhere” events is that the participants complete the walk/run in one session. We will post times on the RunSignUp and Total Race Solutions sites. No awards for the “run anywhere” events.

The participants who choose the Walk/Run on a certified course option will be required to walk/run a certified course.

Where is the certified course?

We have chosen a USATF certified course that starts and ends in Tyson Park in Knoxville, TN. The course is an out and back course that utilizes the greenway and some streets on the UT Ag Campus. The USATF certification number is TN19070MS. Click here to view the course map and description. In order to be eligible for awards, the participant must utilize the RaceJoy Application to record their time. Awards will be given to the top m/f finishers in this event.

Can I register my dog? Can they win awards?

We know from experience that having a companion for these activities makes the effort more enjoyable. For those of us who are lucky enough to own a dog, we have the perfect companion. We encourage participants to walk/run with their dog for any of the virtual events.

For dogs to be eligible for an award, they should register their dog for one of the certified 5K course dog options. In order to qualify as a team, the human team member must be registered first. As part of the registration process, they can set up a team. The dog can then be registered and added to the team.  The total registration fee of both the dog and the human will be $30. We will only have teams consisting of one dog and one human. We will post the time for both of the team members and both team members will be eligible for awards-overall m/f for the human and top dog for each of the size categories. The human participant will receive a 50/50 blend shirt and the dog will receive a custom bandanna. REMEMBER THAT EACH TEAM MEMBER MUST REGISTER AT THE SAME TIME USING THE SAME CREDIT CARD AND THE HUMAN MUST BE REGISTERED FIRST. 

How do I share my run/walk time?

Participants will be able to post their individual results either using the RaceJoy application or manually beginning at 12:00 AM on October 16, 2020 and ending at 11:59 PM on November 16, 2020. Only results captured and posted on the RaceJoy application will be eligible for awards on the certified 5K course.