Welcome to Ohio's Largest Free 5K9 Event

On Sunday, October 6, 2024, at Breck Community Park in Grove City, the 8th Annual 5K9 will bring the community together to support our local dog rescue, Speak! for the Unspoken, a nonprofit dedicated to rescuing and advocating for special needs animals.

This year, participants can choose between two exciting routes:

🐾Speedy Paws Path - A non-stop route for runners

🍻Pints & Paws Path Featuring stops at local businesses offering 5K specials, with a portion of the proceeds donated to support Speak! for the Unspoken’s life-saving mission

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This year will be the 8th Annual Ted Berry 5K9. The event will run from 9:30AM to 1PM on Sunday, October 6, 2024 at Breck Community Park in Grove City. Walkers will sign up for a specific starting time slot at the time of registration. Shirt and map pick up will happen at a designated registration location on Friday and Saturday prior to the event. We will email participants closer to the event with your registration location.

Two route options available this year!!

Speedy Paws Path - A non-stop route for runners

Pints & Paws Path Featuring stops at local businesses offering 5K specials, with a portion of the proceeds donated to support Speak! for the Unspoken’s life-saving mission

If you are a business and want to participate please call Ted Berry 614-309-0332 or tedberry2014@yahoo.com.

Dogs welcome

Dogs are encouraged to participate! We will have water stations for them throughout the route. The dog park will be open prior, during and after the event for our four legged participants to meet new friends. Please be mindful of your dogs' needs and temperament and bring necessary items with you.

Time slots

During your online registration you will sign up for a time slot. Time slots are designed to simply space walkers/runners out. If you miss your slot you can wait at Breck Park and we will get you into the rotation.

Donations appreciated

We are asking that all donations be in the form of gift cards. Gas, pet store, Amazon or local grocery store cards are encouraged. In addition, Speak for the Unspoken has a WISH LIST to make it easy for participants to purchase and send items directly to the non profit. Participants are asked to please provide proof of purchase (receipt) at registrations so we may track the donations. You may also bring donations the day of the event.

Speak for the Unspoken Wish List.

*** DONATIONS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED FROM PET STORES THAT SELL DOGS

Awards

Those competing for time will submit a screen shot of any APP (Map my run, etc) showing proof of time in order to be considered for placement. All participants completing the course will receive a completion award at the end of the event.

Free T-shirt to first 200 sign ups

History of the event.

In March of 2016 Councilman Ted Berry was sued by Pet Land Inc. for passing legislation to prevent the sale of puppy mill dogs in the City. The company personally sued the Councilman and the City of Grove City. After a significant lobbying effort by Pet Land, the Ohio General Assembly passed legislation to overturn the Grove City Ordinance. Committed to the cause of finding forever homes for our rescues, Councilman Berry has hosted this annual event that has brought hundreds of families out.

In 2023 over 620 walkers and 278 dogs participated and raised a total estimated $19,781 in value (gift cards, food donations, and toys)

The event remains FREE and has raised over $95,000 in food and gift card donations for Speak for the Unspoken.