5K fundraiser for ACPR to kick off Miracle on Main Street

OTHELLO — Othello businesses Feel Good Fitness and Columbia Physical Therapy are partnering with the Othello Holiday Committee to host the Run, Run, Rudolph 5K Fundraiser for Adams County Pet Rescue on Dec. 2 at 8 a.m. to kick off this year’s Miracle on Main Street celebration.

Feel Good Fitness Owner Renae Stott, who is organizing the event, said she focused the 5K on ACPR after hearing about its poor financial situation.

“I had seen a lot of posts about our animal shelter really needing funds, so instead of just doing a regular 5K, I thought it would be a really great way, especially with Christmas on the brain when we think about giving and helping, to make this an annual fundraiser for our animal shelter, which doesn't really get a ton of funding,” Stott said. “So, even though this will be our first year, I'm hoping to continue this for every year that we do this holiday event.”

Registration for ages 0-8 is free, 9-17 is $10 and 18+ is $15. Participants can walk, ride bikes or scooters, jog or run, according to the race sign-up sheet. All proceeds from the event will go to ACPR. 

“I have two dogs that I love and adore,” Stott said. “I just see the struggles that (ACPR goes) through, and so I was like ‘they would be the perfect recipient.’”

    Adams County Pet Rescue’s facility on Bench Road in Othello. ACPR will be manning a donations booth at the Run, Run, Rudolph 5K Fundraiser Dec. 2, which will kick off the Othello Miracle on Main Street event at 8 a.m. outside Othello City Hall.
  

People can register for the event online, and day-of registration will begin at 7 a.m. with a short warm-up directed by Stott at 7:30 a.m. The race begins at 8 a.m. There will be prizes for the first three winners in each age group and prizes for the best Christmas costumes.

“We're also going to have some huskies, I believe, that are at the animal shelter come and run the 5K with us,” Stott said. “I'm excited because I'm hoping that having people see the animals will help them maybe want to go and check out what we have available for adoption at the animal shelter.”

Stott said there will also be an on-site donation drive for the ACPR. People who provide monetary and item donations will be put into a raffle for a chance to win prizes, including a grand prize of VIP seating at the Miracle on Main Street parade at 5 p.m. Dec. 2. 

“Renae, she reached out to us and wanted to do this for us, and It's a great idea,” ACPR Executive Director Kyya Grant said. “Those hardcore runners, getting them out in December, it's a fun idea and we appreciate it.”

Othello Holiday Committee Manager Tania Morelos originally contacted Stott about putting on a 5K.

“I teach group fitness for women, and so (Morelos) knew that I ran that business and thought that it would be a good way for me to get my name out there,” Stott said. “But also because people love holiday 5Ks.”

Stott said the partnership with Columbia Physical Therapy came about because her husband works there, and because 

“5Ks are so relaxed. They're so chill. They're not super long, they're not super hard,” Stott said. “With a 5K, it's just for fun, and that's kind of how I teach my classes. They're a good workout, but it's really just for physical health.”

    A husky being sheltered at Adams County Pet Rescue. ACPR will bring several huskies to participate in the Run, Run, Rudolph 5K Fundraiser for ACPR Dec. 2.
  

According to the sign-up sheet, the starting location is outside Othello City Hall. Stott said the 5K path is the reverse of Columbia Basin Health Association’s Run for a Cause 5K, which loops around Othello down Scootney Street, then onto Seventh Avenue before turning onto Main Street and then down 14th Avenue.

Renea encouraged people to donate to ACPR whether or not they attend the event, but she said she wants at least 25 to 30 people to show up, as a realistic goal, but hopes for more.

“I’d love to have 50 people because I mean, that makes a decent amount of money to give to the animal shelter,” Stott said. “But I mean, money is money, and I will take the people that we can get. I just want it to be worth it for them.”

To register for the event, visit bit.ly/ACPR5K 

ACPR needs:

• Dry and canned dog/puppy food
• Pinesol multisurface cleaner (not generic)
• Liquid bleach (any brand is fine)
• Disposable gloves (any brand)
• 13-gallon trash bags
• Wood pellets (for kitty litter)
• Dog treats
• Towels (clean used ones are fine)

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