Doggies Dash Saturday In Palos Park 5K, 1-Mile Walk/Run, Pup Parade

PALOS PARK, IL — Palos Park is going to the dogs on Saturday, May 20. Two- and four-legged friends are invited to the Palos Park Rec Center, 8901 W. 123rd St., for 1-mile fun run/walk (with or without your dog), and 5K run/walk with or without your dog. Free Parking for the event is available next to the Rec Center at Palos Community Church, 12312 S 88th Ave, Palos Park.

The racecourse highlights the unique features of Palos Park, with rolling hills, an abundance of trees, and quiet streets. After the race, the festivities ramp up on the village green for a “post-race village,” featuring food, local pet-themed vendors and a Pup Parade, with prizes for best costume, cutest pup, best personality and more. Your pooch need not to have participated in the race to be in the parade.

Whether you participated in the run/walk or not, everyone is welcome to have fun at the post-race village. Relax on the village green enjoy some food, explore the booths of local pet-themed showcases and vendors, play some games and learn about different pet services in the area. Other highlights include:

• Christmas Without Cancer (a non-profit organization that provides holiday gifts, as well as basic necessities to local families that are stricken with cancer) will be hosting a shoe drive.
• Food and beverages sold on site from Wally’s Waffles (which will also have dog friendly Woofles for sale) and Durbin’s Palos Hills
• Pup parade hosted by Twin Tails Market & Barkery with prizes worth $50 for Best Costume, Best Personality, and Cutest. Pup Parade registration will start at 10am with the parade beginning at 10:30am. Dogs do not have to participate in the 5km/1-mile to register for the parade.

The registration cut-off to guarantee race shirts and medals has passed, but that doesn't mean you can't participate. To make up for it, use promo code DASH23 at checkout for 25 percent off your registration. Online registration for the Doggie Dash is open until May 19; participants can also register with or without their pooch on race day, May 20.

• 1-mile fun run/walk (with or without your dog) $25
• 5K run/walk (with or without your dog) $40

Schedule of events for Saturday, May 20:

• Packet pickup and race day registration - 8 a.m.
• 5K Run/Walk - 9 a.m.
• 1 Mile Fun Run/Walk - 9:15 a.m.
• Post-race pup parade - 10:30 a.m.
• Post-race village concludes - 1 p.m.

Sign up online.

The Doggie Dash and Pup Parade also needs volunteers to help out at the event. If you’re a dog lover or a student looking for community service hours, call 708-671-3762 or email recreation@palospark.org.