BARRINGTON PASSAGE, NS - You don’t need a dog and you don’t have to jog to participate in the third annual Dog Jog in Barrington Passage on Jan. 1.
“The third one, it’s quite exciting,” says organizer Talent Wilson, who, along with some friends, started the New Year’s day event in memory of their family pets who had passed away.
“A few years ago we lost our family dog in November and one of our family friends also lost their family dog,” says Wilson.
The loss was heartbreaking.
“I just felt I had to do something,” she says.
The idea for the dog jog came about during a conversation between the friends about their pets and how much they loved to walk.
“My New Year’s resolution that year was to walk more so I thought why not start an event that will get people out on Jan. 1 and start the New Year on the right foot,” she says – or paw as the case may be.
“It’s a good event to get your friends and family out, get some exercise and fresh air. We’ve had good weather the last two years,” says Wilson, with a deer sighting on the Barrington Bay Trail by participants also being a highlight last year. “Its been really nice. We have a lot of fun.”
Around 35 people and upwards of 10 dogs participated in last year’s Dog Jog. Money raised is donated to charity. This year’s recipient will be Minnie’s Furry Friends.
Wilson says people are more than welcome to bring their canine companions if they like, adding some people participate in honour or memory of a dog, or just because they want to help out animals. Wilson says a lot of people walk the route, adding the runners and those with dogs usually lead the pack, with other participants following.
She notes if someone is scared of dogs they can still do the event because they wouldn’t be in the same field of participants.
This year’s Dog Jog will begin at 10 a.m. on Butler’s Lane, with 2 km and 5 km routes along the Barrington Bay Trail and Barrington Passage sidewalk. Registration for the Dog Jog opens at 9:30 a.m. at nearby TREW Massage Therapy on the corner of Highway 3 and the Sherose Island Road. The fee is $20.
Wilson says this year to make it more enticing for people to participate, swag bags – which a lot of local businesses have donated to – as well as medals and bibs will be awarded to the first 50 participants. There will also be a few giveaways, prizes and an early bird prize.
People can either register the morning of the event at TREW Massage Therapy or pre-register by emailing [email protected] with the subject Dog Jog.
QUICK GLANCE: 3 THINGS TO KNOW
- This year’s event will be in a new location. The 2019 New Year’s Dog Jog will begin at 10 a.m. on Butler’s Lane, with 2 km and 5 km routes along the Barrington Bay Trail and Barrington Passage sidewalk.
- Registration for the Dog Jog opens at 9:30 a.m. at nearby TREW Massage Therapy on the corner of Highway 3 and the Sherose Island Road. The fee is $20.
- The money raised from this year’s event will be donated to Minnie’s Furry Animals.
