Run For Their Lives

Run or Walk a 5K For Their Lives!

Join us for a gorgeous 5K that begins in Kiwanis Park, runs through beautiful historic downtown Sanford, and returns to finish in the shade of Kiwanis Park’s trees. Bring your favorite running buddy along with you — friends, neighbors, kids, strollers and dogs are welcome to run with you. Brisk walking pace is allowed for the 5K!

USATF certified course and chip timed

If you would like to make this a FUN RUN and not be chip-timed just choose that option when you register! This saves CARA the cost of chip timing.

Prefer to Sleep For Their Lives? If you won’t be able to participate but would still like to support Run For Their Lives! and CARA, simply register under the “Sleep for Their Lives” option and you’ll have the option to have your t-shirt mailed to you. Sweet Dreams!

Remember that dogs, like people, need to prepare for a race.
Leashed and vaccinated dogs only, please!

Prizes and medals awarded for overall winners. Medals awarded to age group winners, as well as first dog across the finish line!

5K Course Map

Run a 10K For Their Lives!

Walking pace is allowed as long as you can keep a 15 min / mile pace!

The race begins in Kiwanis Park, runs through beautiful historic downtown Sanford, shows off our brand new paved Greenway, and returns to finish in the shade of Kiwanis Park’s trees. Is your dog your best training buddy? Strollers and well-prepared dogs are welcome to join you. Please, no walking only in the 10K race. Walk/run is okay!

USATF-certified course and chip timed

If you would like to make this a FUN RUN and not be chip-timed, just choose that option when you register! This saves CARA the cost of chip timing.

Prefer to Sleep For Their Lives? If you won’t be able to participate but would still like to support Run For Their Lives! and CARA, simply register under the “Sleep for Their Lives” option and you’ll have the option to have your t-shirt mailed to you. Sweet Dreams!

Remember that dogs, like people, need to prepare for a race.
Leashed and vaccinated dogs only, please!

Prizes and medals awarded for overall winners. Medals awarded to age group winners, as well as first dog across the finish line!

10K Course Map

RUN BOTH the 5K and 10K course and earn the Super Special Challenge Medal!You will start with the 5K group at 7:30, return to the park, and begin the 10K at 8:15 with the other 10K runners. Choose which strategy works for you! Run a super fast 5K and take it easy on the 10K, or take it light and easy on the 5K and save it all for the 10K. Runners choosing the Challenge should be able to complete the 5K course in under 45 minutes to have time to start with the 10K group.Times will be combined for both races to determine the overall winner, male and female, for an additional prize.

Run a Kids’ Fun Run for Their Lives!

Sign up your junior runners for a one-half mile fun run at Kiwanis Park. This race is not timed. Open to all children 12 years old and under. Each participant receives a Finishers Medal.

$20 registration fee includes t-shirt. $10 without t-shirt.

Please register by August 1st to guarantee your T-shirt/size!

There will be NO ADVANCE BIB Pick-Up.
BIB Pick up and new registrations will begin in Kiwanis Park beginning at 6:30am-8:10am.

Virtual runners have the option to run the actual CARA course or any 5K/10K route they choose. Registration price will remain at $30, including T-shirt, through the duration of open registration.

Live Race Day Schedule of Events

On-site registration / bib pick-up: 6:30am–8:10am

5K Race begins at 7:30am

10K Race begins at 8:15am

Those running the Challenge Run will start with the 5K group, return to the finish, and wait until 8:15am to begin with the 10K group.

Questions? Contact us at fundraising@cara-nc.org.

Your registration brings you to a great event and helps us provide shelter, vaccinations, and spay/neuter services to central North Carolina’s needy animals. All proceeds go directly to the support of the shelter.

Kiwanis Park
1800 Wicker St
Sanford, NC 27330

• Awards ceremony following the races.
• Challenge Medal to all Challenge Finishers, plus overall winner of the Challenge (Male/ Female.)
• Prizes and medals to overall winners of the 5K and 10K (1st , 2nd, 3rd place.)
• Medals to age group winners.
• Prizes to the first dog across the finish line in the 5K and 10K M/F races.
• Visit the CARA Booth for more info on adoptions, Raffles and T-shirts for Sale!
• Meet some of our dogs available for adoption.
• Fun for kids. The playground is at Kiwanis Park and the splashpad opens at 10am.
• Music

Volunteers and Sponsors Needed!

Interested in being a sponsor for Run for Their Lives?

Sponsorship opportunities are available at a variety of levels to show your support for CARA.

Sponsorship info: Download sponsorship PDF

Or for more information, email fundraising@cara-nc.org.

Interested in being a volunteer for Run for Their Lives?

Volunteers are needed for a variety of tasks such as marking the course, chalking up the greenway with fun artwork and motivating words, cheering/directing participants on the course, handing out water, medals, cleanup, and more.

Email fundraising@cara-nc.org to sign up.