A bulldog with a big pink tongue and an Italian greyhound less than a foot tall were two of many dogs that kicked up dirt on Spooner Lake Loop Sunday for "Trails and Tails," a 5- or 10-kilometer race for dogs, owners and others that benefited several charity groups.
Dogs who got tired during the race could take a dog shower under a water pump, get a dog massage from the specialist on site or relax in one of three plastic dog pools.
The race, organized by members of Tahoe Mountain Milers, a running club, drew more than 200 people, about two-thirds of whom brought their dog or dogs to run the race.
"It's been a great success," said Dr. Staci Baker, who works at Kingsbury Veterinarian Hospital and is a member of Tahoe Milers. "Everyone's really enjoying it. I think we'll be close to reaching our goal for Tahoe Wildlife Care. I'm hoping for about $5,000. Last year we did about $3,500."
Besides benefiting Tahoe Wildlife Care, a volunteer organization that rescues and rehabilitates hurt animals, part of the $25 registration fee went to Good Samaritan Fund at Kingsbury Veterinary Hospital and Nevada state parks for trail maintenance.
"Trails and Tails," in its fifth year and held for the first time in June instead of October, was almost as much a dog party as it was a race for runners.
"I've never seen a race with dogs before but they're being relatively well behaved, " said Luke Paschall, a 21-year-old part-time plumber and student at University of Nevada. "I thought it would be a big fiasco. This is kind of cool. I might want to take my dog up here next year."
The 5K, which is 3.1 miles, starts at the top of the park and makes a loop around the lake. The 10K is more challenging because racers run up North Canyon Road and climb 1,000 feet in the first two-and-a-half miles, said Dave Cotter, Tahoe Mountain Miler and event organizer.
Neal Chappell and his Manchester terrier named "Ali" were the first overall winners in the 5K with a time of 22:59.
"I fell and that cost me a half a minute. That's why I had to kick so hard at the end," said Chappell, a senior runner from Stateline. "The dog did well. I was dogging and the dog was the runner. He was fat when we got here from Las Vegas a month ago. The high-altitude training is really good for him."
Jackie Taylor, the first woman to finish the 10K with a time of 50:07, brought along "Ty," her 4-year-old Border collie mix. "He didn't want to go as fast down hill," said the Stateline resident. "I had to pull him. But he's a great running dog. He runs with me all the time. I knew I'd place."
After the race, many dogs didn't look as eager as they had before they ran. A dangling tongue, high-paced panting and stomach flat on the ground was a common pose.
Kevin Willits, a 42-year-old vet who works at Alpine Animal Hospital, finished third in the 5K with an Australian shepherd cross at his side. His dog was glued to the ground after running a 23:12.
"It was hot, but it was fun" Willits said. "He did well until the last mile and then he started fading a little bit. He's not used to running that pace. He's used to stop and go."
Besides treats for dogs, Tahoe Mountain Milers offered fresh fruit and cookies, a raffle and energizing music.
Nutro, one of the main sponsors of the race, gave away small bags of food and denim sailing caps.
Tahoe Mountain Milers, which formed in 1995, has a club hot line at (530) 541-5122. The Web site can be found at www.tahoemtnmilers.org.
