Celebrate the kick-off of the 2017 Summer Reading Program at Polk County Public Libraries by participating in the second annual PCPL Mutt Strut 5k. The race will be at Polk County Middle School on Saturday, June 17 at 9 a.m. This is a free event and participants are encouraged to bring along their own dogs or volunteer to walk or run with dogs from Foothills Humane Society. This year, there will be professional timing equipment from iDaph so all participants will receive official scores.

Registration is now open at www.polklibrary.org. If you are interested in walking a dog from the Foothills Humane Society, you must fill out an additional application, available at the Columbus Library, and attend a briefing on race morning.

All participants registered for this event will receive a race packet. The packet will include your bib number for the race, information about the Summer Reading Program, and swag from race sponsors. Packet pickup will be available on race day. Prizes will be given to the top category winners. The age groups are youth up to 12, teens 13-19, adults 20-29, adults 30-49, and adults 50 and older. There will also be raffles for goodies such as a Blue Ridge Barkway grooming gift certificate.

Information booths from Polk County Public Libraries, Foothills Humane Society, Purrrfect Bark, Landrum Veterinary Hospital, and other participating organizations will be present on race morning. A photo booth and caricature artist will also be available to capture “finish-line worthy” pictures of you and your furry companion.

New this year is a dog toy station! Race participants will be able to visit this hands-on station and make a dog toy from recycled materials.

T-shirts for the PCPL Mutt Strut 5k are available for purchase. Stop by the Columbus Library to place your order. Shirts will be available in Youth S-XL and in unisex adult sizes S-XXL. Orders will be accepted through May 31 to allow time for printing.

– article submitted by Jen Pace Dickenson