Refreshments consisted of hot dog bits, doggie biscuits and water from a baby pool at the obstacle course. As runners lined up Saturday morning to begin their one-mile race down Skip Bertman Drive, commands of “sit” and “stay” could be heard.
Although their owners did not go for the food or community water cooler, the dogs at the 10th Annual Great Rover Road Run seemed to appreciate the accommodations.
Students at the Vet School volunteered on a cold and rainy morning to sponsor the event, which raises money for the student chapter of American Veterinary Medical Association.
Miranda Grer, a second-year vet student, helped coordinate the run. She said the event had 126 registered runners of students and community members before Saturday morning, and many others signed up on the day of the race.
Dogs could participate in other activities besides the race such as “doggie olympics” with an obstacle course and a game of “musical sit” where dogs sat in hula hoops while music played.
Brent Reddick, a first-year vet student, set up tables with other students where dogs could enter in the shortest or longest tail contest and paw painting.
Ashok Padmanabhan, a first-year vet student, gave IQ tests to dogs by timing three different situations.
Padmanabhan covered a hot dog piece with a small bucket and then a towel to see how fast the dogs uncovered the food. Afterward, he covered the dogs with a towel and timed how quickly they uncovered their faces.
Allie and her owner Stephen Paine won first place and bragging rights in the race. After coming in from the rain and wind, Paine said they were ready for more.
Some owners dressed their pets for the special occasion.
Hebrides, dressed as Batman, and Sherlock, as Robin, spent the morning in their capes with owner Matthew Travasos.
“They’re brothers, essentially, so my wife and I were trying to think of a team or duo to dress them up as,” Travasos said.
Lilly Sharafkhani followed her 5-year-old yellow lab, Sydney, while he went up to everyone as they walked in from the race.
“He should be the official greeter,” Sharafkhani said. “We won the smart dog contest last year and the obstacle course, so we’re going to try those again.”