Annual Dash for Dogs fundraising event for guide dogs goes virtual this year

A virtual race series replaces annual run through Stanley Park, and is underway now with 100% of pledges going to BC & Alberta Guide Dogs.

Courtesy of BC & Alberta Guide Dogs | Twitter: @bcguidedogs

The annual Dash for Dogs fundraiser is back for 2021 with 100% of the pledges going to BC & Alberta Guide Dogs, and the popular event looks a little different this year.

Replacing the usual one-day event in Vancouver's Stanley Park that draws a large crowd of locals and their pups, the 7th Annual RunGo Dash for Dogs event is now underway as a series of virtual races that can be completed anywhere.

Until March 25, participants can take part in a number of virtual races in distances from 2k-25k, and in order to keep safe in light of the pandemic, these distances can be completed anywhere, anytime across the month - outside with or without a dog, or even on a treadmill.

Each route highlights a stage of Guide and Service Dog training from puppy to graduation; “Puppy Pen 2K”, “Puppy Explore 5K”, “Puppy Focus 5K”, “Puppy Skills 10K”, and “Graduation 3K”. Along each of the 5 routes, participants will hear great motivational messages to help spur them on, including messages from BC & Alberta Guide Dogs, its partners, and even puppies! Runners can choose to do any number of the routes to complete the 25K Challenge before the race finishes on March 25.

“BC & Alberta Guide Dogs is celebrating its 25th Anniversary this year, so we wanted to have some fun with the number ‘25’,” says Race Director, Craig Slagel. “We also wanted to give a glimpse into how a little puppy becomes a Guide or Service Dog, so it’s been great to incorporate messages from training staff and volunteers into the routes.”

The event will highlight the journey from puppy-in-training (like Maggie, pictured) to a graduated Guide and Service Dog

Craig Slagel is the Founder of RunGo and has been supporting BC & Alberta Guide Dogs with this event for six consecutive years. In that time, Dash for Dogs has raised over $90,000 for the organization.

“We’re immensely grateful to partner once again with Craig and RunGo,” says BC & Alberta Guide Dogs CEO, Bill Thornton, “and we especially admire their persistence through in-person event restrictions to provide this one-of-a-kind virtual race experience.” Participants will receive virtual badges for each stage of the race they complete, and will also be sent a Dash for Dogs dog tag medal, a Bandana (for you or your dog) and other goodies from the event partners.

Event Details

• Registration: Only $25 (gives access to all 5 routes)

• Start Location: Anywhere

• Start Date: Between February 25, 2021 - March 25th 2021

• Start Times: Anytime

• Distances: 2k, 3k, 5k, 5k and 10k (or run all 5 routes for the 25k Challenge)

Registration and further information is online at: www.dashfordogs.ca

About BC & Alberta Guide Dogs

BC & Alberta Guide Dogs is a registered charity that breeds, raises and professionally trains Guide Dogs for individuals who are blind or visually-impaired, Autism Service Dogs for children aged 3-10 with autism and their families, and PTSD Service Dogs for Veterans and First Responders living with an Operational Stress Injury. It takes two years and upwards of $35,000 to produce one certified dog, provided free of charge to the recipient. Learn more at www.bcandalbertaguidedogs.com