TAILGATE! Run. Walk. Adopt. 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!
GET INVOLVED TODAY!
RUN OR WALK
Join the 5K Race to End Pet Hunger or 1-mile Mutt March to Save Animals. 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 create a family through adoption.
FESTIVAL
Stay for a full day of food trucks, a beer garden, dog contests, music, and interactive sponsor experiences in the park.
RUN WALK
5K Race to End Pet Hunger
We’re thrilled to debut a route that runs through the brand-new Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Centennial Park and along the Joe Louis Greenway, with the option to run or walk alongside your family—pets included.
Mutt March to Save Animals
Sponsored by Team Lyder’s 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!
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
$85,075
Raised of $220,000
Schedule of Events
Friday, May 8
5:00 PM – Early packet pickup opens
7:00 PM – Early packet pickup closes
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 – Registered with dogs)
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
