Runners, dog owners, sunshine and excessive amounts of drool were out in full force Monday morning for the fourth annual Pawz by the Sea 5K Run/Walk in Langley.
The race hosted runners and dogs of all ages and cardio ability, and allowed participants to either race to the finish or casually stroll through town with their pup. The start and finish line was located on Second Street in front of Animal Hospital by the Sea, which organized the annual event in collaboration with Langley Main Street Association.
The multi-race event featured three races this year, including the first ever 10K Run/Walk, which began at 9:15 a.m. The 5K kicked off the races at 9 a.m. and a kids’ race began at 10:30 a.m.
It was a repeat of last year’s 5K with South Whidbey High School cross country runner Will Simms and 12 year-old Kaia Richmond taking first place in the men’s and women’s 5K categories with times of 20:17 and 22:16 respectively. Clark Bishop and fiancée Danielle Rideout placed first in the men’s and women’s 10K categories, clocking in at 44:00 and 53:27 respectively.
Rideout crossed the finish line with her 11 year-old Brittany Spaniel, Maya, who took the crown in the dog’s 10K race. Sasha, a long haired dachshund mix, took first place in the dog’s 5K category. Additionally, the top 10 fastest men, women and dogs each won prizes for their efforts.
For Danielle Rideout and her first-place winning spaniel Maya, the race was one of the last hurrahs for the aging pup. Danielle Rideout was preparing Maya for the Seattle Furry 5K, which is slated to be her last race as she nears her twilight years.
“We decided to go for it since Maya isn’t getting any younger and the weather is gorgeous,” said Danielle Rideout. “We run with her often and we wanted to get some reps in. She will definitely get her peanut butter ice cream treat today.”
The event often felt like a parade rather than a 5K as participants paraded the streets of Langley in celebratory garb while giving bystanders a treat with a memorable showing of their dogs. The dog awards weren’t limited to fast race times as well, with several accolades being handed to the canines in categories ranging from “most drool” to “shortest legs” to “biggest eyes.”
Langley residents and second-time participants Jim and Aubrey Spencer, who strutted the course with their two massive Great Pyrenees, Max and Abby, said the event was equally as celebratory for the dogs as it was for the people.
“So many enthusiastic people and dogs came out today,” Aubrey Spencer said. “It was a party — everybody was happy, but all the dogs loved it, and that’s the most important thing.”
Animal Hospital by the Sea owner Jean Deiden originally established the event to bring attention to the hospital and downtown Langley, but she has since turned it into a fundraiser for Good Cheer Pet Food Bank and Happy Hounds 4H Club. All proceeds go to the two organizations.
The event was sponsored by a number of South Whidbey businesses and organized in tandem with Louise Long, director of Perfect Time Events.
“I want to thank the participants for the great support,” Deiden said. “We couldn’t have done it without all the volunteers and participants from the community, their family and friends.”
