Prior to the start of Saturday’s Dogs Who Jog 50-yard dash event, Bubby had his leash gripped firmly in his jaw and was playing tug of war with his owner Domenic Belcastro.
“He’s a good runner when he’s not biting his leash,” said Belcastro.
The spirited pup and his owner were the winners of the 50-yard-dash event, the first of three races at Riverbends Park in Shelby Township that offered dogs a chance to run with their owners. The event was a fundraiser for Romeo High School cross country teams. The day also included a one-mile and 5K races.
Susan Smiley
Domenic Belcastro and his bulldog, Bubby, meet German Shorthair Pointer Baxter at the Dogs Who Jog race Saturday. Bubby won the 50-yard dash event.
“This event is really my wife’s idea,” said Romeo head cross country coach Michael Buslepp. “She has always been a huge dog lover.”
This is the second year the team has held the event and both times, all 250 available racing spots were sold.
Alex Rink and his dog Ellis were the overall winners of the one-mile race with a time of 6.14. Samantha Sackfield and her dog Bailey locked up the top female spot with a time of 7.01.
Susan Smiley
Alex Rink and his dog Ellis were winners in the one mile event at Saturday’s Dogs Who Jog event.Photo by Susan Smiley
In the 5k main event, Mindy Kinzer and her four-legged friend, WillieDog, grabbed first place with a time of 19.37. After the race Kinzer took WillieDog straight to the plastic kiddie pool that was set up for dogs to cool off after their run.
“She led me all the way,” said Kinzer. “She is nine years old but she is in her prime!”
The top male runner was Mike Dziadzio with his dog Molly.
Many of the canine runners and their owners were not in it for the speed, but just to spend some time on the trail to help the 2020 state champion Romeo Bulldogs cross country team.
The owners of Silas said their very laid back Basset Hound was the last dog to cross the finish line in last year’s one-mile race. He was busy sniffing interesting things on the trail and getting to know other dogs. This year Silas was not the last dog to finish the race, although he walked at his own relaxed pace.
Susan Smiley
Silas the Basset Hound finished last in the 2020 competition but not at this year’s Dog Who Jog fudraiser event for Romeo High School cross country.
Mickey Vieceli said his German Shorthaired Pointer, Baxter, does like to run, but that his own running days are behind him. Baxter loves to walk and Vieceli was happy to oblige his pup on Saturday morning for the 5K competition.
Susan Smiley
Dale, a 10-year-old Bull Terrier, had to be carried across the finish line because he was too tired to finish his walk.
Dale, a 10-year-old Bull Terrier, started strong but got a little tuckered out and was carried over the finish line by his owner Eric Dokter. After finishing the race, Dale found himself a nice, cool spot in the grass where he could stretch out and watch the rest of the competitors cross the finish line.
“This was really great to see such a good turnout,” said Buslepp.