A Race Gone to the Dogs! BY BARBARA RUSHMAN MORRIS TOWNSHIP, NJ--It was a beautiful day in the park for a run and that's just what about 120 dogs and owners did by entering the third running of the Hounds and Harriers 3-mile run held in Loantaka Park on Saturday, October 9. Joe DeFeo and his yellow Labrador Bailey, of Randolph, NJ, led from early in the race and won for the second year in a row in his best time on the course of 16:47. The winning woman, Cheryl Macaroni, Titusville, NJ, along with her Australian Kelpie, Dakota, set a new women's course record in 18:57. The grand prize was a 20lb. dog-food tin filled with toys, treats, and a ceramic treat jar for the canine half of the winning teams. These, along with the treat jars that all place winners received, were donated by NJ Pets in East Hanover. First shelter adoptee with a male partner was won by mix Lady and her partner, Chuck Paul, Madison, NJ (17:45). The first shelter adoptee with a female partner was won by Elkhound mix Wylee and her owner, Dina Didomenico, Parlin, NJ (19:50). Surprise winners in the small-dog class were a Jack Russell Terrier and a Miniature Dachshund! The Jack Russell, Bandit, won with his male partner Carl Deddens (8th overall in 18:44). The Miniature Dachshund, Heidi, won with his female training partner Barbara O'Connor, Madison, NJ (25:13). The large-dog category was won by 87lb. Weimeraner Tino and his partner John Martinez (18:24) and 83lb. Coonhound Gypsey and her partner Angie Dello (20:28; also third woman overall). Besides awards for placement, special ribbons were given to participating St. Hubert's Animal Welfare Agency adoptees and veteran dogs (dogs 10 or over). Other gifts were given to honor the most enthusiastic teams and competitors traveling the farthest to come to the race. John Handcock (East Lyme, CT) ran with his Vizsla, Sunny. John exclaimed, "The race is awesome! It a truly special race from beginning to end. It was certainly worth the 2½ hour car trip and I will certainly do it again next year." Doug and Carol Earp were far from their home in New Mexico and found NJ dogs to partner with for the race. The main goal of the event is to have a fun and safe event for runners and their most reliable and enthusiastic training partners, their dogs. The race prides itself on the amenities given to each participant. This included a specially designed T-shirt and bandanna whose models this year were Barbara Day and Cleo, of Madison, NJ. Each entrant also received a goodie bag with gifts from Nabisco, Life Savers, Planters, NJ Pets, Murray Hill Veterinary Associates, Madison Veterinary Hospital, Pfizer Animal Health, and Nutrajoint. Dog World gave copies of their October issue which featured a five-page article on the race. Second place winner Mark DePiano said, "Coming home from the race felt like Christmas morning! Between the shirt, sweatshirt, bandanna, goodies, jar, and tin!" Milk Bone is the event's main sponsor but other contributions were made by Murray Hill Veterinary Associates and Perambulating Pets. This race is one of two races put on locally by the Rose City Runners Club. The other is for people only and is held in November at Giralda Farms in Madison, NJ. The Hounds and Harriers Run expects to donate about $3400 to St. Hubert's Animal Welfare Agency.
1. Joe DeFeo, Bailey, Lab 16:47 Those Overpaying Entry or Shirt Fee: Most Enthusiastic Teams Were Presented With Hands Free Leash
Belts: Special VIP Ribbons Were Presented To St Hubert's Adoptees: Special VIP Ribbons Were Presented To Veteran Dogs (Dogs 10
or Over): MALE Overall 1. Joe DeFeo, Bailey, 75, Lab 16:47 Shelter Adoptee/Rescue 1. Chuck Paul, Lady, 26, mix 17:45 Small Dog 1. Carl Deddens, Bandit, 22, Jack Russell 18:44 Large Dog 1. John Martinez, Tino, 87, Weimeraner 18:24 FEMALE Overall 1. Cheryl Maccaroni, Dakota, 40, A. Kelpie 18:57 Shelter Adoptee/Rescue 1. Dina Didomenico, Wylee, 31, Elkhound 19:50 Small Dog 1. Barbara O'Connor, Heidi, 13, Dachshund 25:13 Large Dog 1. Angie Dello, Gypsy, 83, Coonhound 20:28
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