The Fast & The Furriest®

Our Major Annual Fundraiser Is Back with In-Person and Virtual Options

Join us on Saturday, June 4th, 2022 for the in person 16th annual The Fast & The Furriest® Races (5K & 10K), Dog Walk and Pet Fest. The hope is that the event will feature live music, food trucks, sponsor giveaways, vendors, pet contests, and a variety of activities for you, your family and your dogs. Come out and help us celebrate our love of animals and our city. Can’t make it in person? Virtual options for the 5K, 10K and dog walk will also be available.

The event is located at Rochester Animal Services, 184 Verona Street, Rochester NY 14608 and adjacent Brown Square Park. There is free parking (although donations are appreciated) in the Kodak / Carestream Parking Lot D on the corner of Brown Street and Verona Street, with access from Oak Street.

2022 Event Schedule

6:45 am 5K & 10K Race Registration opens

8:00 am 10K Race Start on Verona Street

8:15 am 5K Race Start on Verona Street

8:30 am Dog Walk Registration opens and Pet Festival Begins

9:00 am Shelter opens

9:45 am 10K and 5K Race Awards ceremony

10:30 am Dog Walk Registration closes

11:00 am Dog Walk begins in park

12:30 pm Pet contests at stage

1:00 pm Winners of pet contests announced

1:15 pm RAS alumni group photo at stage with FREE bandana

1:30 pm Raffle drawing, more music and Play Yard Demo ends

2:00 pm Event ends

***Details on the free vaccine clinic will be forthcoming

Fundraising

All participants are encouraged to fundraise individually or as a team. A team can be composed of walkers, runners, non-participant fundraisers or any combination thereof.

Can’t make it to this year’s event, but want to help the shelter animals? Become an online fundraiser and be eligible to receive all of our great pledge-level prizes.

All fundraisers are encouraged to fundraise online to simplify the process and reduce costs, however, you can also use our pledge form. Please help us help the shelter animals at Rochester Animal Services by forming a team today.

Here’s how to get started:

Create your team; if you are a participant you must first register for the 10k, 5k or dog walk or virtual activities
Designate one person as team captain
Recruit team members
Direct each member to register and select your team during the registration process
Start gathering pledges online or download a pledge form
Make team t-shirts (optional)
Plan your strategy for leading the pack
Raise funds throughout the year to increase your impact
Consider bake sales, garage sales, bottle drives, third-party fundraisers, etc. to boost your team earnings Have FUN and THANK YOU

NOTE: Fundraising Prize Totals will be taken from ONLINE donations as of 11:59 p.m. on June 4th. Donations after that time will be accepted but not used toward determination of your prize. Once we know what level fundraisers reached (after June 4th) we will order the prizes and you will be contacted when the prizes have arrived at the shelter. Cash and checks made payable to Verona Street Animal Society should be delivered to the registration area on June 4th between 6:45 a.m. and 10 a.m. or mailed to: Verona Street Animal Society, 184 Verona Street, Rochester, NY 14608. Mail in donations must be received no later than June 4th to be counted toward fundraising totals.

Fundraising Prizes

More information on prizes and fundraising levels coming soon!

Race Information

Participants will have two great courses through the picturesque City of Rochester to choose from. Both courses are certified to be accurate by USATF (NY16118KL [10K] and NY16116KL [5K]). Both the 5K and 10K races are sanctioned by USA Track & Field (“USATF”).

Can’t make it in-person? Sign up virtually. Virtual participants have from May 30th to June 5th to complete their virtual event ANYWHERE. Those that choose to add shipping to their registration will receive their shirt after the event. If you do not select shipping you must pick up your shirt during packet pick up times.

Refund policy: This race and walk does not offer any refunds for participants that register and do not run or walk in the event.

Race Registration Fees, Times and Awards

We encourage all participants to fundraise for the shelter animals at Rochester Animal Services either individually or with a team.

10K Race

In person: $30 through April 30th; $35 May 1st through May 29th; $40 May 30th through June 3rd
Virtual: $30 through April 30th; $35 May 1st through June 4th.
Start Time is 8:00 a.m.
10K Awards: More information coming soon

5K Race

$25 through April 30th; $30 May 1st through May 29th; $35 May 30th through June 3rd
Virtual: $30 through April 30th; $35 May 1st through June 4th.
Start Time is 8:15 a.m.
5K Awards: More information coming soon

You must be registered by Friday, May 14th to be guaranteed a t-shirt!

Registration will open soon

Dog Walk Information

Join us for a leisurely walk of about 1 mile with or without your dog in support of Rochester Animal Services’ shelter animals, foster program, and pet adoptions. Registration is $25 for adults and includes The Fast & The Furriest® t-shirt. You must be registered by Friday, May 14th to be guaranteed a t-shirt. Kids 10 and under pay only $5 (no shirt included).

Refund policy: This race and walk does not offer any refunds for participants that register and do not run or walk in the event.

Click HERE to see the one mile dog walk route

Registration will open soon

Volunteer Opportunities

Everyday volunteers make a world of difference for Rochester Animal Services. We need a lot of help to make this event a fun and successful time for everyone involved. We need everything from parking attendants to race marshals.

Please sign up to choose your hours and volunteer activities for this year’s event.

If you have questions regarding volunteering, please contact us maggie at maggie@vsas,org.