Get ready to leash up and lace up, dog lovers of Hickory. The city's Parks, Recreation & Sports Tourism Department is back with the second annual Ruff, Ruff, Run 5K and Dog Festival this September. Winkler Park will see the return of this canine-friendly community event, which kicks off at 11 a.m. according to the City of Hickory's announcement.
Runners and their four-legged friends will have to quickly navigate together through a 3.1-mile loop that runs both paved and wooded trails. The event, scheduled for September 27, insists that all dog participants must not only be vaccinated but also remain leashed throughout the race. Online registration for the event is already underway at runsignup.com/Race/NC/Hickory/HickoryKSeries.
But the fun doesn't stop at the finish line. From 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., the Ruff, Ruff, Run Dog Festival will take place, offering up an assortment of dog-centric activities and vendors. Food trucks and music will provide a backdrop to a day filled with dog obedience demos and other festivities. As a relaxing cap to the day, attendees can even partake in a special session of dog yoga at 12:30 p.m.
The festival and race are under the patronage of several local businesses, including SynergyLabs and Allegra Marketing. Frye Regional Medical Center, described as the Official Healthcare Provider of the Hickory 5K Series, also presents the series. Those looking for further information can find it straight on the City of Hickory's website, where details about the festival, registration, and location at Winkler Park, 2500 Clement Blvd., are thoroughly outlined.
