Defend Your Friend 5K

Join us for the 17th Annual Defend Your Friend 5K! This year’s event will take place on Saturday, October 7th at Prairie Oaks Metro Park for a 5K that you can run/walk with your four-legged best friend. All proceeds from Defend Your Friend benefit Columbus Humane animal cruelty investigations and impact thousands of pets annually.

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 7, 2023 AT 9AM
PRAIRIE OAKS METRO PARK
2755 Amity Rd, Hilliard, OH 43026
Darby Bend Lakes Entrance

Day-of registration is available starting at 8AM. The race will start at 9AM. The race will start and finish at the Darby Bend Lakes entrance at Prairie Oaks Metro Park. After the race, plan to hang out in the Fan Fest area, enjoying food and beverage while meeting local businesses and learning more about animal cruelty investigations from Columbus Humane. Your ticket price includes one race registration and a Defend Your Friend t-shirt (guaranteed to first 350 registrants). Parking, Registration, Bathrooms and the Fan Fest will all be located in the Darby Bend Lakes entrance at Prairie Oaks Metro Park. Formal event map to follow.

You can also purchase a bandana for your dog if you would like to match your friend during the 5K! This is a fun and casual 5K that you can run/walk with your children and dogs. If you are feeling competitive, get a fundraising team together to compete for first place, more details on fundraising at https://www.columbushumane.org/dyf