Dog 5K to benefit local animal rescue | News

Strutt With Your Mutt is scheduled for Sunday, May 4, from 9 a.m. to noon at the English Country Barn of the Carolinas, at 147 Sanderson Road in Magnolia, which is roughly 45 miles northwest of Jacksonville.

Venue owners Teresa and Ian Gebbett have three rescue dogs of their own, one of which they got from Adoption First, according to Charlotte Gunn, Strutt With Your Mutt event coordinator.

It's always been important to the Gebbett's, she said, to support and give back to local animal rescues.

“They moved down here, they started the English Country Barn, and they got Willow, which is their dog that they got from Adoption First, and they wanted to do something for them,” Gunn said. “So, they kind of threw around some ideas, and obviously, had this beautiful venue with these trails.”

Gunn is actually also the best friend of the Gebbett's daughter, Jessica Kasunic, Strutt With Your Mutt race director. The two have teamed up to make the event happen.

“Jessica and I have really been putting in a copious amount of hours to kind of bring this thing to life,” Gunn said.

Gunn also got her dog, Mac, from Adoption First, so she's got a “dog in the fight,” too.

The rescue, located at 114 Enterprise St. in Jacksonville, was started in 2013 and specializes in bringing in and adopting out dogs and cats that are set to be euthanized at local shelters.

All proceeds from Strutt With Your Mutt will go to Adoption First, Gunn said.

While the event's main attraction will be the 5K and 1-mile run, that's just the beginning of the fun.

Gunn said No Rules Food Truck will be there, as will a gourmet coffee cart, and a vendor village, with several of the vendors being dog or pet geared. The event will also include a pet costume contest, raffles, and a DJ.

For those hoping to take home a personalized souvenir, a caricature artist will be on-site, and so will a photographer who specializes in dog shoots.

“Bigger cities have a lot of events for rescues,” Gunn said. “I think every big city I've lived in has had something like a 5K for the dogs.

“We hadn't seen that out here yet, and we thought, you know, we should bring it to the Jacksonville area, because there are so many dog lovers out here.”

All those who participate will also get a coupon for a free Texas Roadhouse appetizer. Registration includes a race bib, a finisher's medal for the first 100, and a goodie bag.

Gunn said the event wouldn't be possible without their sponsors, which are also still being accepted through March 15.

She added that they hope the event is a success, so they can do it again in the years to come.

“If we can help save dogs, then I mean, that's honestly the main goal,” she said. “It's been a lot of stress and a lot of hours, but every time I think about it, I'm like, me working tonight could save a dog's life.”