Running for paws: Othello Christmas 5K raises funds for ACPR

OTHELLO — Saturday’s Othello Christmas events started off with a bang as community members congregated outside Othello City Hall at 8 a.m. to begin the Run, Run, Rudolph 5K run or walk fundraiser for Adams County Pet Rescue.

The event was organized by Renae Stott, owner of Feel Good Fitness, which partnered with Columbia Physical Therapy to sponsor the 5K, with all the proceeds going to ACPR.

“I think it went really well,” Stott said. “I mean for the first time there were obviously a couple of hiccups and some growing pains, but I was happy with the turnout.”

Stott said about 40 registrants took part in the race, which, combined with donations such as cash, dog food, cleaning supplies and other items the ACPR needs, raised about $900 for the shelter. Stott said they had a sizeable amount of item donations on top of that sum.

    Runners warm up to dance music with a Feel Good Fitness instructor prior to the race.
  

The event was a success overall, Stott said. 

“It was a little crazy, all the moving parts, trying to get them to come together at the same time,” she said. “I'm just excited. I was happy to see how many people came and everybody seemed really into it, so that made me happy.”

Before setting off, a Feel Good Fitness instructor led the group of 5K participants in a dance warm-up in front of city hall while the remaining registrants filtered into the event or enjoyed refreshments set up by event organizers. 

There was also a table during the event manned by ACPR Board Member Tammy Foley, who was accepting item and cash donations for ACPR, including several bags of dog food already donated before the race began. 

Community member Sandy Cheek dressed in festive costume and brought her two dogs to the 5K, Amira and Lucy, both one-eyed dogs Cheek adopted from ACPR. 

“I was going to try and run. We'll see what the dogs say. I mean, they both love to run but we don't usually have only one handler,” Cheek said. “We do a few races. But this is really mainly for ACPR.”

    Community member Sandy Cheek stands outside Othello City Hall prior to Saturday’s Run, Run, Rudolph 5K with her two one-eyed dogs from Adams County Pet Rescue, Amira and Lucy.
  

Alice Strumski came out to the event after seeing a flyer at Scootney Springs Elementary School, where she works.

“I thought it sounded fun … I worked with Tammy Foley, who volunteers, so I think she'd yell at me if I didn't show up.”

Strumski said she frequently participates in 5Ks.

“I like running a lot,” she said. “I just like getting out and being able to move, especially when it gets cold outside. I don't like exercising inside. I hate treadmills and all of that.”

Strumsky said it was nice to see the community at the event, especially seeing some of her students attending.

Even with the successful turnout, Stott said she is already thinking about how to make next year better.

“I am my own worst enemy when it comes to planning things,” Stott said. “I like to go above and beyond and make things extra, so I think that I found out what really worked and what was needed and what was extra. So next year, we'll just scale down a little bit on those kinds of things, and just keep it to the simple race with the fundraising, because that’s really what we’re trying to do.”

Marketing also plays a role in the event’s success.

“I probably would start advertising a little bit sooner than I did,” Stott said, “and hopefully just continue to get more community members involved and maybe reach out to some of the other fitness businesses and see if they want to help as well.”

    Adams County Pet Rescue volunteers brought several huskies and other dogs to the Run, Run, Rudolph 5K race Saturday to walk or run alongside the participants. All the proceeds of the race were donated to ACPR.
  

Stott said she hopes the event can become an established tradition. 

“I think it would be great to make it bigger and have more people to help so that it's not mostly on me, and that means that the more people who can find out about it, the more people can help,” Stott said. “That's kind of what I'm hoping, is to make it an annual thing and then make it so that every year we can fundraise for our animal shelter. And who knows, maybe we'll find another business or something that needs our help and we can raise funds for them as well.”

Gabriel Davis may be reached at gdavis@columbiabasinherald.com. Download the Columbia Basin Herald app on iOS and Android.