DOGSPEED – A Benefit Race for Animals in Need! 2026 — Tahlequah, OK

DOGSPEED 2: This Time With More Bark! 530 N. Oak Ave - Tahlequah, OK! KAIZEN RUNNING CLUB PRESENTS: DOGSPEED 2026! A running event for animals in need! Saturday, June 20 in Tahlequah, OK Team Kaizen is hosting a running event where the entry fee is a sack of dog or cat food. Donations of pet toys, blankets, or cleaning supplies are also accepted. The goal is to fill Jon Bloodworth's truck with donations to deliver to the Humane Society of Cherokee County. In 2025 Kaizen delivered $1,000 in food and supplies PLUS $1,000 in cash to HSCC, all for the dogs and cats in need and to assist the amazing volunteers at that facility. The HSCC is a no-kill shelter supported by donations, fund-raising projects, memberships, and grants. The organization does not receive local, state, or federal government funds. WE CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE. Kaizen's founding fathers are passionate about the well being of all animals. This is just our way of giving back. The origin of DOGSPEED is pretty simple...Jon B wanted to run really far for his birthday. Running 40 miles for age 40 is cool but if you can change the lives of animals in need while doing so, who wouldn't you? We can absolutely make a difference. Kaizen has grown exponentially over the past year. We need to take that power seriously and give back to our community. At DOGSPEED here's what you can expect: From 7am to 7pm, runners will be repeating loops of our 1 mile DOGSPEED course. This loop starts and finishes on the front lawn of the NSU Fitness Center. We want you to join us! Some people will run 20 miles and some people will WALK just 1. All are welcome. Run or walk the entire time and come and go as you please. Registration for this event is open and costs just $5 plus a sack of food. The $5 earns you a finisher's award as long as you complete a single mile. We give you 12 hours to do a mile...I promise you can do it. You can do more and you know it. Registration is NOT required to participate. If a finishers award doesn't interest you, just come and cheer on the runners. They'll be at the start finish every 10-20 minutes. Come high five a teammate. We will be serving donuts for breakfast and hot dogs for lunch. These are for anyone who donates. There is a special shirt available through the link in this post. Just click STORE at the top and check it out. Shirt preorders close on Memorial Monday. No running is required to order a shirt. 100% of ALL PROFITS will be donated to the HSCC, who will have some of their amazing and adoptable dogs on site early when temperatures aren't extreme. We would love to see your dog. Please be advised the temps are typically very hot mid June. Keep your pups safe. We will have water and snacks and shade available for them (and you, haha). Please join us on Saturday 6.20! Just swing by even for 5 minutes and say hello! THIS EVENT WILL COST YOU $5 AND A SACK OF DOG FOOD! That's right, there's a $5 fee associated with the race this year ON TOP of the donation of dog/cat food or supplies. FULL DISCLOSURE the $5 will go to Kaizen to help cover some of the costs of running this event. ANY FUNDS OR DONATIONS beyond the $5 sign up fee will go to the Humane Society of Cherokee County. **Donations of dog food, cat food, and pet supplies are greatly appreciated. We also accept cash or cashapp. Come move for a cause, bring your dog, and help us support local animals in need! THE COURSE: Dogspeed starts and finishes at the NSU Fitness Center in Tahlequah, OK. The course is a 1 mile loop starting on The Fit's front lawn. At the start finish you will find food, snacks, burgers, hotdogs, chips, candy, cookies as well as...shade and ICE BATHS to escape from the summer heat. THIS IS A HOT RACE. This event is UNTIMED meaning you will be responsible for writing down your number of loops achieved. 1 loop is approx 1.05 miles. How many can you get in 12 hours? This event is come and go meaning you could do 10 loops before noon, go home and take a 5 hour nap, then return to do more loops from 5-7pm when the event ends. We want you to challenge yourself, sure, but the goal is to raise money and awareness for the Humane Society. HUMANE SOCIETY OF CHEROKEE COUNTY The HSCC will be on site to show off a few of their amazing animals who are up for adoption! Last year we successfully got some dogs to a loving forever home!