Michigan Humane Tailgate in partnership with Ford is an animal friendly community celebration at Roosevelt Park in Corktown where you can run, walk (with or without your dog!) or adopt and stay for a full day of festivities. Enjoy food trucks, a beer garden, dog contests, and interactive experiences—all while supporting Michigan Humane’s lifesaving work. Whether you’re racing, fundraising, adopting, or simply coming for the fun, there’s something for everyone—two- and four-legged alike!
Run. Walk. Adopt.
GET INVOLVED TODAY!
RUN OR WALK
Join the Hope Unleashed 5K: Run to End Pet Hunger in partnership with Delta Dental and Kroger or Mutt March: Walk for Animal Rescue in partnership with Team Lyders Taco Bell. Move at your pace, with or without your dog, and be part of the energy on race day.
FUNDRAISE
Create your own fundraising page, rally your community, and make an even bigger impact for animals in need.
ADOPT
Meet adoptable pets onsite at the Mike Morse Law Firm Meet Your Best Friend adoption event and add a pet to your family.
FESTIVAL
Stay for a full day of food trucks, a beer garden, dog contests, music, and interactive sponsor experiences in the park.
RUN WALK
Hope Unleashed 5K: Run to End Pet Hunger in partnership with Delta Dental and Kroger
We’re thrilled to debut a route that runs through the new Ralph C. Wilson Centennial Park and along the Joe Louis Greenway, with the option to run or walk alongside your family—pets included.
Mutt March: Walk for Animal Rescue in partnership with Team Lyders Taco Bell
Join us for a one-mile walk— with or without your dog—through Corktown and along the Joe Louis Greenway. It’s a meaningful, family-friendly way to stand up for animals in our community.
Location: Start and finish at Michigan Central Station in Roosevelt Park.
Race Awards
All registered participants receive an event T-shirt , Sponsor gift bag and Official race medal.
We’ll recognize our top overall finishers (Men, women, youth and dog!) on race day! Winners will be announced from the stage and will have the opportunity to select an Exclusive Michigan Humane Experience:
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Private shelter tour for up to 8 guests
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Ride-along with Michigan Humane's Cruelty and Rescue team for up to 2 guests
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Doggy gift basket for Fastest Dog
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. You can earn even more prizes through fundraising!
Looking to kick off race weekend in style? Join our Humane Leaders on Thursday, May 7, from 6:30–9:30 PM, for The Siren Social, a strolling dinner supporting animal welfare with Michigan Humane and The Siren Hotel
FUNDRAISE
WHY FUNDRAISE
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100,000 Animals and Families in Southeast Michigan
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6,000 Second Chances through Sheltering & Adoption
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1,500 Lifesaving Animal Rescues
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15,000 Families supported through the distribution of 10 million bowls of pet food
FUNDRASING PRIZES
Raise $50
$500 Milestone
(Raise $1,500 = 3 entries!)
Top Fundraiser & Team
$337,030
Raised of $400,000
Schedule of Events
Thursday, May 7
6:30 to 9:30 PM – Humane Leader's Pre-Party at The Siren Hotel
Friday, May 8
5:00 to 7:00 PM – Early packet pick up in Roosevelt Park
Saturday, May 9
7:30 AM – Packet pick up opens (5K & 1-Mile Walk)
8:30 AM – Hope Unleashed 5K: Run to End Pet Hunger in partnership with Delta Dental and Kroger (no dogs) starts
9:00 AM – Hope Unleashed 5K: Run to End Pet Hunger in partnership with Delta Dental and Kroger (with registered dogs) starts
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: Walk for Animal Rescue in partnership with Team Lyders Taco Bell begins (with or without dogs)
2:00 PM – TAILGATE! Festivities Conclude
