Colorado State University Veterinary Students’ 8th Annual Fast and the Furriest set for April 23

Professional veterinary medical students in the College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences are sponsoring the 8th Annual Fast and the Furriest 5K run/walk and 1K Kid’s Fun Run on April 23, benefiting animals in need of emergency, life-saving treatments.

The Fast and the Furriest welcomes runners with two and four legs on a flat and fast course on the CSU main campus. The race begins at 9 a.m. on Isotope Drive on the south end of the Oval. Events include a 5K run/walk, 1K kid’s fun run featuring the Easter bunny, a runner/doggie expo, dog agility demonstrations, award ceremony with fantastic prizes and other race day giveaways, face painting and music.

Any well-behaved pet weighing less than 500 pounds – dogs, cats, goats, iguanas, bunnies, ducks and the like – is welcome in the race. Prizes will be given to the most unique pet finishers, among other pet awards. The 5K will feature chip timing, and the course is certified with USA Track and Field.

Proceeds from the run will go to the Colorado State University Companion Care Fund, which helps community members pay for life-saving or emergency procedures performed at CSU’s Veterinary Teaching Hospital. The fund is entirely need-based and is reserved solely for members of the community. The fund may be used to help any animal treated at CSU’s Veterinary Teaching Hospital, including companion animals, exotic species, large animals and small ruminants. A portion of the proceeds also will go to the veterinary medicine class of 2013 scholarship fund.

The race is $25 for pre-registration and $30 on race day. The kid’s fun run is free for runners who do not want a T-shirt or $7 to run and receive a T-shirt. Kids younger than 12 years old may register for the 5K for $7, which includes a T-shirt. More information is available at www.cvmbs.colostate.edu/fastandthefurriest/.

Pre-race registration is available at local Fort Collins locations including the Runner’s Roost and Foot of the Rockies. Online registration is available at www.runningguru.com. Pre-registration closes on April 22, but race-day registration is available on site beginning at 7:30 a.m. Packet pick-up will be from 7:30-9 a.m. on site the day of the race.

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