Welcome to Ohio's Largest Free 5K9 Event

On Saturday, August 15, 2026, at the Beulah Park Arch in Grove City, the 10th Annual 5K9 will bring the community together to support the Friends of the Franklin County Dog Shelter

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Get your neon, glitter, and glow sticks ready! We are celebrating our 10th Annual event and making it special! This year’s event will be a GLOW walk/run and will start at the Beulah Park Arch. This year the 5K-9 will run from 8:30 PM to 10:00 pm on Saturday, August 15, 2026. Arrive starting at 8 pm. Sunny 95/96.3 will be broadcasting live during the event and promoting the event throughout the month. We have moved the event to the Town Center so participants can take advantage of our local establishments after the event to celebrate.

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

Friends of the Shelter is an all-volunteer, 501c3 non-profit organization established to fund the medical care of the sick and injured shelter dogs at the Franklin County Dog Shelter and Adoption Center. Each year, that medical care costs Friends of the Shelter $200,000+. Donations to Friends of the Shelter go directly to pay for the medical, surgical, recuperative, and infirmary care for Shelter dogs that are sick, injured, abused, or neglected. Because of this need, our preferred donations from 5K9 runners/walkers are cash or gift card donations. Cash donations can be made at Friends of the Shelter or sent to Friends of the Shelter, PO Box 307450, Columbus, OH 43230. Any type of gift cards will be helpful including Visa/Mastercard, pet-related stores, grocery stores, Amazon, Chewy, etc. Donations to Friends of the Shelter are tax-deductible. Please note: the shelter dogs are on a specific dogfood diet, so we cannot accept dogfood donations.

Donate to Friends of the Franklin County Dog Shelter here!

*** 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 2025 over 489 walkers and 241 dogs participated and raised a total estimated $18,781 in value (gift cards, food donations, and toys)

The event remains FREE and has raised over $114,000 in food and gift card donations.