Fastandthefurriest Furriest 5k

Oval Drive
Fort Collins, CO 80523

Running > 5k

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Event Description

Event details and schedule

The Fast and the Furriest 5K is a family-friendly event for individuals and their furry friends of all ages and abilities. The race will feature chip timing on a certified course, doggie swag, awards, and many giveaways. All participants will receive a gift. Awards will be presented to the top three male and female overall finishers, the top 3 teams, the top male and female dog, and more.

The event is organized by students in the Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) program in the College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences at Colorado State University. Proceeds for the Fast and the Furriest 5K benefit animals in need of emergency or life-saving treatments through the Companion Care Fund at CSU's Veterinary Teaching Hospital. The Companion Care Fund provides community members with financial assistance for procedures performed at the VTH that they would otherwise not be able to afford. A smaller portion of the proceeds will also help your local community by providing for scholarships through the DVM Classes' Scholarship Fund.
 
Dogs and runners should be prepared to run the 5 kilometers (3.1 miles) in clothing suitable to whatever weather April brings. An event expo and registration booths will be located on the southwest corner of the Oval, near the finish line.

5K Run - 9 AM

Registration is required for youth ages 13 and older who want to race the 5K.

Youth Fun-Run - 10 AM

All youth ages 12 and younger are invited to race around the CSU Oval, a quarter-mile distance. This is a free event.

​Early Registration

  • Cost: $25
  • Please note that this event is limited to 500 participants, so early registration is advised

Race-Day Registration

  • Saturday, April 29th from 7- 8:45 AM
  • Participants may register for $35 on race day, on April 29th
  • All participants must be present to register. All participants must complete a CSU waiver to participate in order to receive a packet and timing chip. 

Packet Pick-up 

  • Friday, April 28th from 5 - 7 PM  
  • Packet pick-up on the Water Plaza on the southwest corner of the CSU Oval, located in front of the Engineering building
  • Please note that packet pick-up will close at 8:45 AM on race morning – make sure to allow yourself enough time to park and pick up your packet and event goodie-bag! 
  • All athletes must be present at packet pick-up. All athletes must provide photo identification and complete a CSU waiver to participate in order to receive a packet. All athletes must check-in at the timing chip pick-up table on race day morning to retrieve their timing chip.

Team Check-In

All teams, please check in at registration so you can let us know you are present, let us know how many dogs you have, and show us your costumes. Points will be awarded only to teams that have checked in at registration prior to the race start.    

What to Bring

Photo identification, water bottle, and a leash for your dog.

Directions and Parking

This race is located at CSU’s Water Plaza, which is on the southwest corner of the Oval (where Isotope Drive intersects with Oval Drive, just south of the Engineering and Statistics Buildings).
 
Please note that there is no parking on the CSU Oval! We recommend all participants park in lots 310 and 315 near the Lory Student Center. Most “X”, “Z”, or “A” lots are available and free on weekends. Biking is encouraged and there are spots to lock your bike around the expo as well. Please refrain from parking in lot 350, as this will be reserved for our event staff and expo sponsors.    
 
Vendors and event sponsors should park in lot 350, located south of the Oval.

Animals

While veterinary students love all animals, ONLY DOGS will be allowed at the Fast and the Furriest 5K in accordance with our event permit. With such a high volume of participants and dogs that will be present, we want to ensure the safety of all animals, participants, and children at the event. Thank you for understanding. All canine participants must abide by the City of Fort Collins regulations, be up-to-date on vaccinations, on leash, and well-behaved around people and other dogs. Please remember to clean up after your pet and enjoy the race. 

FAQ’s

Will this race be chip timed?

Yes, the race will be chip timed. If you want race results and want to be included in the final finish results, you MUST see the registration tent on race morning and pick up your timing chip. Timing chips will ONLY be available race day morning.

How do I get there?

From I-25, traveling north or south (These directions apply to visitors using I-25 to reach Fort Collins, such as those traveling from the Denver area or Cheyenne, WY):

  • Use Exit 269B, CO-14 W. toward Fort Collins,
  • Head west onto E. Mulberry St. for 4.2 miles,
  • Turn left on Meldrum Street, and continue into the parking lot 310 or 315

From College Ave., traveling north (these directions apply to visitors traveling on College Ave., U.S. 287 from the Loveland area):

  • Travel north on College Ave. until you reach E Laurel St.,
  • Turn left on Laurel St. and continue for 0.2 miles,
  • Turn left on Meldrum Street, and continue into the parking lot 310 or 315

What time should I arrive on race morning?

We recommend participants arrive between 7 - 8 AM to allow for adequate check-in, picking up your timing chip, bathroom time, and parking time. The expo will open at 7:30 AM, where you can check out various canine rescue groups, animal-related brands, sponsor tables, and enjoy some food before the race.

Where are the restrooms?

Restrooms will open at 7:30 AM and are located in the Lory Student Center Building, directly west of the expo and packet pick-up area.

Can I bring my dog?

Yes! Well-behaved dogs allowed and encouraged. Please bring waste bags and keep them on leash at all times.

Can I bring my pet cat, goat, llama, snake, rat, mouse, guinea pig, hedgehog, sheep, goldfish, etc.?

Unfortunately, only dogs will be allowed at the Fast and the Furriest 5K. We love all animals at CSU – but our race permit only allows us to have dogs on campus. 

Will there be food and drinks? What about on the race course?

Food and water will be available before and after the race, as well as water bowls for dogs. Two aid stations located along the race route will provide water. 

Will awards be mailed?

Unfortunately, all awards must be collected onsite.  If you are unable to collect your award, you may have a friend accept it for you, or we will kindly donate your award to our raffle.

What’s this about a raffle and the chance to win amazing prizes?

All participants will receive one raffle ticket in their race goody bag, with the chance to provide a donation to purchase additional raffle tickets. The raffle will be held at 10:30 AM after the Awards Ceremony.  Participants are encouraged to stick around after the race for the chance to win prizes. Participants must be present to win any raffle prize valued under $50. Raffle prizes valued over $50 will be contacted via email and we will arrange for an on-campus pick-up time at a later date. 

Tell me more about the team competition! 

This year, we are instituting a special team competition for all of our athletes – we encourage anyone and everyone to form or join a team for the chance to win bragging rights and prizes. All teams must check in on race day with the registration team, let the staff know how many dogs were brought for each team, and show off their team’s costume/theme to count for points! Teams must consist of four or more team members, to form an official team. Team competition prizes will be announced at the awards ceremony, beginning approximately around 10:30 AM.

How are teams scored?  

Similar to high school cross-country scoring, the team with the lowest total points is the team winner. 

  1. The team score shall be the total of the finishing positions of the top 4 scoring members (i.e. if Team Superdog raced this event and finished in positions 3, 6, 15, and 21, their initial score will be 45).
  2. Teams that have between: 5-9 members will receive an automatic scoring bonus of (-0), 10-15 members will receive an automatic scoring bonus of (-15), and 20+ members will receive an automatic scoring bonus of (-20).
  3. For every dog brought to the Fast and the Furriest 5K, the team will be awarded (-1) point per dog.
  4. For all teams dressed in costume and/or in a theme, each team will be awarded (-10) bonus points.
  5. In the above scenario, if this Team Superdog consisted of 13 team members who brought 8 dogs and dressed in a superhero theme for the event, they would then have a total of 12 points.


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