Students and community members gathered Sunday for the 10th annual Canine Cruise 5K race on campus to raise money for Ingham County Animal Control and Shelter.
Veterinary students took a break from their stressful schedules to bring their pets to campus to compete in a race for a good cause.
On Sunday, more than 130 students and community members gathered for the 10th annual Canine Cruise 5K run and walk. Runners and their dogs were encouraged to participate in a Halloween costume contest.
Omega Tau Sigma, a veterinary professional fraternity, donated proceeds to the Ingham County Animal Control and Shelter.
The 5K route began and ended in the grass area between Fee and Conrad halls and traveled along the Red Cedar River.
Jess Reiss, third-year veterinary medicine student and president of Omega Tau Sigma, said the event was a great way to help animal shelters, many of which are in desperate need of funds.
“Animal shelters are one of the hardest (hit) during this economy, being a nonprofit organization, and so they are essentially starving for money,” Reiss said.
Matthew Beal, an associate professor in the College of Veterinary Medicine, and his son took first and second place, with Beal at 24:13 and his son at 24:12.
“I think (Beal) let his son win,” Reiss said.
Leslie Wintz, fourth-year veterinary medicine student, participated in the race dressed as Pebbles Flintstone from the “The Flintstones,” and her dog was dressed in a dinosaur costume.
“We just wanted to come out and have some fun and dress (the) dog in a costume,” Wintz said.
St. Johns, Mich., resident Kyle Bowers said he attended the race with his dog, who trains with him for races but usually doesn’t get to participate.
“I wanted to do something with my dog,” Bowers said. “I got a good workout, and so did he.”
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