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 or one-mile walk—move at your pace, with or without your dog, and be part of the energy on race morning.
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.
Learn more below
FUNDRAISE
Create your own fundraising page, rally your community, and make an even bigger impact for animals in need.
RUN WALK
Location: Start and finish at Michigan Central Station in Roosevelt Park.
1-Mile Walk to End Animal Cruelty
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.
5K Race to End Pet Hunger
Sponsored by Kroger
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.
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.
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.
Funds raised through TAILGATE! Run. Walk. Adopt. directly support Michigan Humane’s work to build a humane community, including:
Thanks to your support, together we will impact:
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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
Your fundraising fuels real, measurable change for animals who need us most.
FUNDRAISE
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.
Funds raised through TAILGATE! Run. Walk. Adopt. directly support Michigan Humane’s work to build a humane community, including:
Thanks to your support, together we will impact:
-
100,000 Animals and Families in Southeast Michigan
-
6,000 Second Chances through Sheltering & Adoption
-
1,500 Lifesaving Animal Rescues
-
15,000 Families supported through the distribution of 10 million bowls of pet food
Your fundraising fuels real, measurable change for animals who need us most.
PRIZES
Raise $50 and receive:
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Official event shirt (if not included with registration)
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Gift bag with sponsor goodies
Raise $500 and earn:
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1 raffle entry for every $500 raised toward a Grand Prize of a pet-friendly staycation at The Siren Hotel
Top Fundraiser
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Recognition during event announcements
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Awards may include: Trophy or framed commemorative photo Limited-edition animal-themed merch (bandana, tote, hat, or sweatshirt)
Race Awards
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Top overall finishers recognized live on stage
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Awards may include: TBD
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Special category: Fastest Dog!
ADOPT
Meet Your Best Friend Adoption Event
At the heart of the celebration is the Mike Morse Law Firm Meet Your Best Friend Adoption Event, featuring adoptable dogs and cats 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
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.
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Food trucks
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Beer garden
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Live entertainment
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Dog activities and contests
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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.
$0
Raised of $10,000
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
