The Riverside County K9 Run & Walk With the Animals Experience

The Riverside 5K Run is more than a traditional race — it’s an immersive, community-focused experience designed to educate and inspire.

This run is intentionally built to highlight local shelter facts, needs, and initiatives, creating a one-of-a-kind “Learn While You Run” experience. As participants progress along the course, they will encounter strategically placed signs and banners that share meaningful stories, real impact, and important information about how the community can support animals in need.

Throughout the course, signage and banners will also feature corporate sponsor logos, whose support helps make this event possible and directly contributes to the mission of supporting local animal shelters.

Whether you’re chasing a personal best or taking in the experience at your own pace, the Riverside 5K Run offers a purposeful journey where every mile connects movement with meaningful impact.

The Walk With the Animals experience will follow a separate 1.5-mile course, designed specifically for the safety and comfort of dogs, walkers, and participants. This route is different from the 5K race course and allows for a more relaxed, dog-friendly pace.

The purpose of this event is to Walk With Animals! That being said, participation in the Walk With the Animals highly suggests that you walk with your own dog or day-foster a dog on-site through Mary S. Roberts Pet Adoption Center. This ensures a safe, controlled environment for all dogs and walkers taking part in the experience. And allows our local shelter dogs to spend the day with a potential adoptee!

Participants above 18 years of age whom are not walking with a dog are welcome to join the event by walking or running within the Riverside K9 Run course, which follows a separate fast pace route designed for runners and .

Both experiences offer the same community impact and post-event festival access — simply choose the option that best fits how you’d like to participate.