Tails on the Trail

Save the Date!

Saturday May 18th, 2024


We hope you will join us for our 7th annual Tails on the Trail 5K Walk/Run for the animals!


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 are welcome. Dogs are not required, but more than welcome on leash! Stay after for fun and festivities at the Salida SteamPlant! There will be brunch from KalamataPit Catering, Face painting from Glitterbug, fun games, and good company!


Adult and Youth Registration Includes:

  • Event T-shirt (if you sign up by April 30th, after this t-shirts will be given on a first come/first served basis) and race bib
  • 5K timed walk/run
  • Event photos that can be viewed here after the race
  • Access to the After Party at the Salida SteamPlant from 10:30AM – 12:30PM
  • Face Painting by Glitterbug Face Painting
  • Breakfast burritos from Kalamata Pit

*Note children 5 and under are free. They have access to all of the above items except an event t-shirt.

Race Day Info:

Race Day Registration/Check-in: Day of registration and check-in for those who registered online will open at 9:00 a.m. near the caboose at the F Street parking lot.

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. Dogs are allowed outside of the Salida SteamPlant, but not indoors. You do not need a dog to participate in this event.

Race Start/Finish: The race will begin at 10 a.m. at the base of ‘S Mountain’. The start line will be on Hillside Drive, across the railroad tracks from the F Street Bridge. The race finishes at the Salida SteamPlant. There is 285 feet of elevation gain/loss during this course!

Prizes: 

TBA soon!

Post Race Refreshments: Brunch will be provided along with games, face painting and merriment at the Salida SteamPlant! Stay and celebrate after the race to 12:30PM.

Important Dates: 

April 30th: Last day guaranteed to receive a race t-shirt with registration.

May 16th: Early registration ends. After May 16, Adult 5K Registration goes up to $55 and Youth 5K registration goes up to $40. Payments will be accepted at the event.

May 18th: Race Day! Race starts at 10AM, registration starts at 9AM near the caboose by the F Street Parking lot. In case of inclement weather, registration will move to the Salida SteamPlant.


Course Description

Thank You to Our 2024 Tails on the Trail Race Sponsors!

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!

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.