April 19, 2025 – Tails were wagging and dogs were barking at California Health Sciences University (CHSU) on Saturday, April 19 as people and furry friends alike participated in the Fast & Furriest 5k and 2-mile walk.
The event was pulled off by Miss Winkles Pet Adoption Center, who modeled it after their Donut Dog Walk while inviting families without dogs to have an enjoyable outing.
“This was an opportunity to expand,” explained Marketing Communications Director Kayleigh Bader. “Expand the opportunity for people who didn’t have pets to still participate, and still support, and do a fun 5k or 2-mile walk.”
Welcoming all participants, with or without dogs, opened the door for anyone to sign up.
While the Donut Dog Walk is still planned for the fall, Bader explained that the 5k and 2-mile run allows people to engage with fellow animal lovers and support Miss Winkles’ mission.
Though the sun had barely risen, a cacophony of barks and conversations could be heard from the parking lot before the race began. Excited to meet some furry buddies, dogs of all sizes and breeds fiercely tugged on their leashes.
Fleet Feet, On the Edge, and Nulo Pet Food were just a few of the several vendors that had secured a spot in the parking lot where runners gathered. Biting into mini muffins and sipping on hot coffee, runners were eager to begin the run after enjoying a little snack.
From the booth for Fleet Feet, participants took papers, stickers, keychains, and other items while employee Kathy Steele spoke to runners about the business’s products and community services.
Steele explained that the store offers customized shoes with a foot scanner, dog-walking harnesses and leashes, among other products, allowing runners to put their best foot forward.
However, they also offer services such as community runs and training groups for people to work their way to running a 10k or half marathon.
Steele explained, “I think this is kind of my favorite. I get to see people over time coming in, and a lot of times it’s brand-new people … who do their first walk and a year later, I see them, and they’re like, ‘I just ran my first half-marathon!’”
This sense of community rang true as the community-centeredness permeated each conversation at the race. Runners grouped together at the starting line, excited to run together, their pups getting a sniff of new friends all around them.
5k runners crossed the starting line first as the race started at 8AM sharp, followed by 2-mile runners a few minutes later. Beginning the race, the dogs raced ahead, accidentally pulling their owners the wrong way before being gently tugged on their leash to head the opposite direction.
While the runners were on the trail, Miss Winkles volunteers and vendors prepared for participants to make their way back, gathering participation medals and watching ahead for the first runner.
That first runner came in quickly as 37-year-old Miguel Jimenez and his pup clocked at 20 minutes and 6.9 seconds.
Other runners poured in afterwards, their dogs gulping as much water as they could handle and panting in between.
Brian and JoAnn Sands, a husband and wife who participated in the 2-mile run, engaged with other runners and their pups, who were excited to meet their friendly husky mix Winter.
Winter was no stranger to those who crossed her path, like many other dogs in the race. They were all too eager to get love from everyone approaching them, whether humans or animals.
“We’ve always rescued when we got dogs,” JoAnn shared, explaining that they have a love for shelter dogs and cats.
Winter’s friendly demeanor was well representative of the race’s importance – displaying the importance of community and compassion.