27th Annual Pet Walk Brings in Record Visitors

Submitted by the Hinsdale Humane Society.

Hinsdale, IL — Hinsdale Humane Society’s 27th annual Pet Walk & Run fundraiser was held Sunday, June 5 at Katherine Legge Memorial Park in Hinsdale. 

The addition of a certified 5K Run throughout Hinsdale neighborhoods brought in the shelter’s largest number of pre-registrants in the history of the event: 464 individuals registered for the dog and stroller-friendly race.

Of those 464, 133 adults and 16 children registered for the 5K, 66 children for the Kids’ Dash and 249 signed up to walk the course that began and ended in the park. 

“We were so thrilled with the turnout,” said Mistie Lucht, Race Director for the event. “Our race consultant advised that if we had 100 registered for our first event, we would be doing great. With the amazing support of this community, we knocked that out of the park!”

Initial fundraising totals came in very close to goal, with more donations expected to trickle in post event. 

“Those funds will go directly to help our homeless animals,” said Lori Halligan, Executive Director, Hinsdale Humane Society. “We are so grateful to the attendees, our generous sponsors, donors, vendor mall participants and volunteers, for making it such a successful event.”

Race participants can view their results on the shelter’s website at hinsdalehumanesociety.org or on the HHS event Facebook page at “Pet Walk, 5K and Kids Dash!”

Thanks go to the event’s emcee, Judy Hsu from ABC-7, who volunteered her time and talents to the cause, and to the ABC-7 Chicago news crews for broadcasting live at the race and helping promote Hinsdale Humane Society. Judy announced race winners and presented trophies and medals to the participants, including one that went to her own daughter who won the Kids’ Dash for her age group. 

Additionally, the shelter was so fortunate to have Hinsdale Central soccer coach Mike Wiggins attend to get the runners pumped up pre-race. The shelter’s own volunteer Georgann Grecco sang the National Anthem before running the race herself.

The Vendor Mall featured dozens of local vendors, local rescue groups and Ask-A-Trainer and Ask-A-Vet booths.