Canada’s Newest Walk/Run Challenge has “gone to the dogs”

April 6, 2021

Two-Leggers and Four Leggers invited to stay active and raise funds for charity

(Toronto, ON,  April 5^th, 2021)  – The ‘pandemic puppy phenomenon’ has been credited with keeping Canadians physically and mentally supported over the last 12 months by providing opportunities for safely-distanced outdoor activities like daily dog walks.

To help keep this healthy trend going, starting today, dog owners can register for the Woof Walk Challenge (www.woofwalk.ca), a brand-new first-of-its-kind virtual event for pups and people to keep moving, garner awesome rewards and help raise funds for some worthy animal and human charities.

Created by the experienced race team that developed the wildly popular Toronto Women’s Run Series (TWRS) now in its 13^th year, and the 2020 sold-out virtual 416 Run Challenge events, the Woof Walk Challenge is open to any dog lover in Canada and pups of all sizes and breeds.   Registrants can choose a distance goal that will challenge their abilities (from 150k to 1000k) and have until December 31, 2021 to complete the event.  A Woof Welcome kit filled with both human and canine apparel and treats is all part of the fun and rewards for participating.

“We know how much people value the companionship of their dogs and how important those daily outings have been for everyone’s mental and physical health during the pandemic. But let’s face it, the last year has been a long slog.  So we wanted to bring something new and fun to pups and their people to keep their spirits up and energy flowing, and to encourage everyone to just keep going in the face of the difficulties we’re still facing as a community,” says Cory Freedman, race director of the TWRS and a veteran of the road race event industry.

The Woof Walk Challenge is primarily for dog owners and their canine besties but Freedman encourages everyone to continue to stay active by joining in on the fun.  “The more the furrier we say.  For dog lovers, this Challenge is a great opportunity to invite your neighbours, or other family members and friends to join you and get walking together, safely apart. There’s a category for humans without dogs to enable anyone to feel included and a part of this event”.

Registration and more information for the Woof Walk Challenge can be found here.

-30-

To speak with Cory about this event, please reach out at cory@maxvo2inc.com or 416-931-8244

FAST FACTS:

• The Woof Walk Challenge is a unique new virtual walking event for people and pups, running until December 31, 2021.
• All dog lovers and dogs are welcome to participate, no matter where you live in Canada or worldwide and all kilometres you walk each day can be logged toward your goal (on sidewalks, trails, on your potty breaks or as you trot toward the dog park).
• All participants will receive a Woof Welcome Kit containing apparel, a cinch bag, finisher tags for both dogs and humans and sponsor give-aways (read treats for humans and dogs).
• Participants can help to raise funds for the following important charities and causes: Save Our Scruff and Second Harvest Food Rescue.
• 58% of Canadian households own pets, slightly more cats than dogs.
• The number of dogs in Canada rose from 7.6 to 7.7 million from 2018 to 2020. Cats remained static at around 8.1 million.

https://www.globenewswire.com/fr/news-release/2021/02/16/2176264/0/en/2020-Canadian-Pet-Population-Figures-Released.html

• Bella and Charlie top the list for most popular dog names in Canada in 2020. https://www.rover.com/blog/ca/dog-names/
• Kelowna tops the list for the most dog-friendly city in Canada, followed by Ottawa and then Toronto. https://www.greatcanadianvanlines.com/6-dog-friendly-cities-canada/
• All dogs make for excellent companions on a walk or a run. But depending on your own speed or distance covered, do you need a Greyhound or a Jack Russell Terrier?  https://www.active.com/running/articles/17-paw-fect-dogs-for-runners
• Studies have repeatedly demonstrated the potential of dog walking to increase community levels of physical activity. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6124971/