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Tails on the Trail

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Presented by Ark-Valley Humane Society

 

UPDATE: Due to inclement weather we have made the tough decision to cancel our Tails on the Trail Walk/Run planned for Sunday May 22nd in Salida. Any questions please call 719-581-0914. Thank you to all our registrants and sponsors for your understanding and support.

 

 

This is a family and dog-friendly 5k race with proceeds benefiting the life-saving work of Ark-Valley Humane Society. All runners and participants welcome. Dogs are not required, but more than welcome on leash!

20% of Proceeds will benefit The Salida Dog Club who is doing great work for our dog loving community!

We encourage all unvaccinated race participants to wear a mask at the beginning and end of the race. We encourage all to social distance as much as possible during the race.

Race Day Info 

  • Race Day Registration/Check-in: Day of registration and check-in for those who registered online by May 18th will open at 8:00 a.m. at the Salida Dog Park and close at 8:45 a.m. We will accept credit cards for registration.
  • Dog Participants: Friendly and vaccinated dogs are welcome. You can have a maximum of 2 dogs per registered adult participant. Dogs must be leashed throughout the race. The only off-leash area is the Salida Dog Park. Please pick up after your dog(s). You do not need a dog to participate in this event.
  • Race Start/Finish: The race will begin at 9 a.m. at the corner of Holman Ave. and Airport Rd. Arrive for the race at the Salida Dog Park. We will walk up as a group from the dog park up the street to the race starting line. The race finishes at the Salida Dog Park.
  • Parking: Park at the lots by the Salida Dog Park or public parking in the area.
  • Aid Station: There will be one aid station supplied with water (for human and doggie participants) about half way through the race located at Indigo Lane.
  •  Post Race Refreshments: Light snacks and water will be available for participants after the race at the Salida Dog Park. We will have water bowls for pups as well.
  • Prizes! 1st place male and female racers will receive a free pair of shoes from 7000 feet running company! 2nd place male and female racers will receive a $50 gift certificate to 7000 feet running company and third place male & female racers will receive 1 pair of Goodrs from 7000 feet running company! The 1st place finisher with a pup will receive a $150 voucher for dog training with Laura’s dog training!

IMPORTANT DATES

April 21: Last day guaranteed to receive a race t-shirt with registration
May 18: Early registration ends. After May 18, Adult 5K Registration goes up to $30 and Youth 5K Registration goes up to $15. Payments will be accepted at the event
May 22: Race Day! Race starts at 9AM, registration starts at 8AM at Loyal Duke’s Dog Park, make sure to arrive early to check in!

Tails on the Trail Course Map

Course Description

The race course begins on Airport Rd. by the intersection of Airport Rd. & Holman Ave. Participants will travel along the sidewalk on the south side of Airport Rd., then turn right onto County Road 144. Along County Road 144, participants are encouraged to run on the side of the road. The route continues on CR 144 until it intersects with CR 160. Then it turns right to travel east along CR 160 along the sidewalk on the south side of CR 160.  The first aid station will be at the corner of Indigo Lane and County Road 160 (about 1.5 miles into the race). The route continues east on CR 160 then turns right on Grant St. Participants are encouraged to stay on the side of the road as they travel south on Grant St. The route turns right at the stop sign to travel west (along the side of the road) up Poncha Blvd. The route continues to the intersection of Poncha Blvd & Holman Ave, where participants will cross Poncha Blvd to run along the east side of Holman Ave. down to the Loyal Duke’s Dog Park. The finish line is at the entrance of Loyal Duke’s Dog Park.
*Please note that streets will NOT be closed during this race. Signs will be placed along the course to alert cars to the race and we will have street crossing attendants at the intersection of Holman Ave and Poncha Blvd, but is the participant’s responsibility to be mindful of cars as they cross streets and run along the road. Dogs must be leashed throughout the race. Dogs will only be allowed off-leash inside Loyal Duke’s Dog Park.

Thank You to Our 2022 Tails on the Trail Race Sponsors!

Are you a business interested in sponsoring this year’s Tail’s on the Trail? Fill out an application here

Special Thanks to our Top Dog Business Sponsor!

Thanks to our Gold Paw Sponsors!

Thanks to our Best in Show Sponsors!

Thanks to our All Star In-Kind Business Sponsors!

Thanks to our Dog's Best Friend Business Sponsors!

Thanks to our In-Kind Business Sponsors!

A brief history on Loyal Duke, a loved dog who inspired this race

This information was provided by Friends of Loyal Duke

In 1889, an American Water Spaniel named Duke made the Salida train depot his office; meeting and greeting the trains coming through. Duke would visit around town as well as wander up Tenderfoot Hill with visitors. Duke was adopted by the manager of the Hotel Monte Cristo, which sat right between the narrow-gauge tracks and the river. At the opera, the residents would let Duke in the back door and he’d take naps behind the curtain. He would go to dances, plays, and when he was young, he would even chase home run balls at the baseball games. Duke was Salida’s ambassador for 13 years; welcoming visitors and accompanying the locals. Loyal Duke passed away on October 2, 1902. His loyalty to the town earned him the name we remember him by now – Loyal Duke.