Saturday May 9th, Roosevelt Park
Building on the tradition of Michigan Humane’s annual Mutt March, TAILGATE! Run. Walk. Adopt. brings our community together for one dynamic event celebrating the bond between people and their pets—while raising critical funds to support Michigan Humane’s lifesaving work.
Join us in Corktown at Roosevelt Park and Michigan Central Station for a full day of fundraising, adoption, and community celebration. With so many ways to participate, the impact you can make is meaningful and immediate. While runners and walkers are encouraged to fundraise, any animal lover can take part—no race registration required. Create a fundraising page, share your story, and help power Michigan Humane’s mission.
Get involved today!
Run. Walk. Fundraise.
We’re thrilled to debut a route through the brand-new Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Centennial Park and the Joe Louis Greenway, plus the option to run or walk with your entire family, pets included.
5K Run/Walk
5K Run/Walk - With Dog
1 Mile Mutt March Walk
When you register for the run or walk, you’ll have the opportunity to create a personal fundraising page to support Michigan Humane and expand your impact beyond race day.
Funds raised through TAILGATE! Run. Walk. Adopt. directly support Michigan Humane’s work to build a humane community, including:
- Shelter & Care
- 100% of healthy and treatable animals placed
- (TBD) Shelter animals benefiting from behavior programs and enrichment
- Cruelty Prevention & Rescue
- 1,532 animals rescued by Michigan Humane’s Field Services team
- Community Programs
- 10.6 million bowls of pet food served through the Ralph Caplan Family Pet Food Pantry
Festival & Meet Your Best Friend Adoption Event
The celebration doesn’t stop at the finish line. Following the run and walk, runners, walkers, and the entire community are invited to stay and enjoy a pet-friendly festival filled with food, music, and connection.
At the heart of the celebration is the Meet Your Best Friend Adoption Event, featuring 80+ adoptable dogs and additional pets looking for loving homes. Whether you’ve just crossed the finish line or are joining us for the day, it’s the perfect opportunity to meet your future best friend and support animal welfare in action.
Festival highlights include:
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- Food trucks
- Beer garden
- Live entertainment
- Dog activities and contests
- Vendors and community partners
Bring your friends, family, and pets and be part of a community celebration that brings people together—on behalf of animals who need us most.
Schedule of Events
Friday, May 8
Early Packet Pickup
5:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Humane Leaders Event
Saturday, May 9
7:30 AM – Packet pick-up opens (5K & 1-Mile Walk)
8:30 AM – 5K start (Wave 1)
9:00 AM – 5K start (Wave 2 – dogs welcome)
9:00 AM – TAILGATE! Festivities Begin
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Food trucks
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Beer garden
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Meet Your Best Friend adoptions
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Dog contests and activity programming
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Sponsor and partner activations
9:30 AM – Mutt March (1-mile walk) begins, with or without dogs
2:00 PM – TAILGATE! Festivities End
Contact Form
If you have any questions about this race, click the button below.
Event Location
Roosevelt Park in Corktown
2231 Michigan Ave
Detroit, MI 48216 US
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