Run for the Dogs 5k - Aurora

Walk. Run. Celebrate. Save Lives.

Join A.D.O.P.T. Pet Shelter for Makin' Strides for Strays — a fun, dog-friendly 5K and family festival at beautiful Phillips Park. Whether you’re running, walking, or just enjoying the day with friends (and pups!), every step supports life-saving care for animals in need.

Since 1989, A.D.O.P.T. has placed over 30,000 animals into loving homes. Our dedicated staff and volunteers provide not only life-saving care, but also the compassion, enrichment, and respect every animal deserves.

Every dollar raised matters. Every dollar raised ensures A.D.O.P.T. Pet Shelter has the resources to care for and protect every animal that comes through our doors. Please consider giving what you can by donating, registering, or helping raise funds.

A.D.O.P.T. volunteers with shelter dog

Our volunteers and staff make Makin’ Strides for Strays possible 💙

What to Expect

🌿 Scenic Course: Enjoy a 3.1-mile walk/run around scenic Mastodon Lake.

🎪 Family Festival: After the race, stick around for a lively family festival: music, vendors, dog contests, games, and activities for all ages (pups included!).

🐾 Team Spirit: Team up with friends (or Fido) and conquer the 3.1 miles together.

🎶 Post-Race Party: Celebrate your achievement with live music, food and beverages, and plenty of high fives.

Registration includes:

Strides t-shirt, A.D.O.P.T. bandana (for pets in attendance), swag bag, and festival admission (while supplies last).

There is no fee to attend the fest, but donations are encouraged!

Unable to Attend?

That’s okay! Walk or run in your own neighborhood on June 7th, or stay home and gather donations to support A.D.O.P.T. Pet Shelter.

Pricing & Packet Pick-Up

5K Day-of Registration: $45

Race packet pick-up will take place Friday, 6/5, noon–7 p.m. and 8:30 on race day.

(Friday pick-up at A.D.O.P.T. Pet Shelter.)

Fundraise to Make an Even Bigger Impact 🐾

$50 → Love Knows No Breed A.D.O.P.T. Sticker

$100 → Love Knows No Breed A.D.O.P.T. Foldable Tote

$250 → A.D.O.P.T. Adventure Leash

$500 → Love Knows No Breed Notepad PLUS 🎨 Paw-casso Experience

Create a one-of-a-kind abstract artwork alongside a shelter dog or cat during a guided enrichment session. Take home a meaningful keepsake while supporting animal wellbeing.

$1,000 → Above items PLUS choose 1 Premium Experience

📸 Pet Photo Session: Professional photo session with you and your pet. Includes a private digital gallery with downloadable images.

🐾 Choose Their Day: Help design a special enrichment day for a shelter animal with treats, toys, activities, and guided interaction. Receive photos from the experience.

📣 Fundraiser Promotion Toolkit

Ready to share your fundraiser? We’ve created graphics you can download and post on social media or include in emails to help boost donations.

• Facebook Graphic (Square): Download Here

• Banner Image (Websites): Download Here

• Instagram Graphic (1080 x 1350): Download Here

• Facebook Graphic (Square Post): Download Here

Simply download the image, upload it to your post, and include your personal fundraiser link. The more you share, the more lives you help save. 💙

5K Awards

First place awards to the top Male and Female finishers!

Medals will be awarded to the 1st & 2nd Male & Female 5K participants in these categories:

9 & under, 10–14, 15–19, 20–29, 30–39, 40–49, 50–59, 60–69, 70 & over.

The PrairieFest 5K will get started at 8:00am with the One Mile Prairie Dog Jog starting at 8:10am.

Celebrate Father's Day with a chip-timed 5K run through Oswego's friendly neighborhoods or the One Mile Prairie Dog Jog around Prairie Point Community Park. Medals for first through third place finishers in each age group in the 5K.

All runners registered by June 3rd are guaranteed a shirt.

There are no refunds for athletic events.

Prairie Fest 5K

• $36 February 1 - April 30

• $41 May 1 - June 3

• $46 June 4 - June 20

• T-shirts are guaranteed if registered by 6/3

• After 6/3, t-shirts available as supplies last

• $51 June 21 (Race Day) - Registration Begins at 7:00am

• T-shirts are guaranteed if registered by 6/3

• After 6/3, t-shirts are available as supplies last

One Mile Prairie Dog Jog

• $21 through June 3

• $26 June 4 - June 20

• T-shirts are guaranteed if registered by 6/3

• After 6/3, t-shirts available as supplies last

• $31 June 21 (Race Day)- Registration Begins at 7:00am

• T-shirts are guaranteed if registered by 6/3

• After 6/3, t-shirts are available as supplies last

Join us for the annual Summer Sizzler 5k/10k/15k! A fun summer event that is perfect for the whole family.

The fun includes -

• Great Swag - designer shirt & custom medal

• Chip-timing with live results and awards

• Free photos

• Delicious Treats waiting at the finish line

• FREE Kona Ice

• Plenty of fun!

Grab your friends and family, you are not going to want to miss this one!

Can't make the race? No problem! We offer a virtual race option where you can run anywhere, at any time, and still earn the fun swag!

*Youth-based pricing for the 5k/10k, 12 & Under are only $17!

• 5k/10k/15K registration includes a custom bib, designer shirt, and a custom finisher medal!

• 1 Mile registration is untimed and includes a custom bib, designer shirt, and a custom finisher medal!

• The kid's dash is a fun, untimed dash for our kiddos ages 10 and under. Registration includes a mini bib, youth-sized shirt, and a specifically crafted medal for our kids' dash event! (If your child wants to run the kid's dash, and doesn't want the SWAG, they are welcome to run with us on race day for free!)

*Register by midnight on Thursday, two Thursdays before race day, to guarantee your shirt!

🏁🏅Create a team, or join an existing team during registration. Once 4 people have registered on that team, all team members will be refunded $5, once ten people register another $5 will be refunded for a total of $10!