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BY NIC MILLER
STAR STAFF
nic.miller@elizabethton.com

The Friends of the Elizabethton/Carter County Animal Shelter looks to sweeten the Valentine’s season this year with the first annual Happy Tails 5K run and 1K pet walk on Feb. 13.

“This is a certified 5K,” said Danny Deal, who headed up the planning for this event. “Not only is it going to be a fun time, but we are also going to be having prizes thanks to Planet Fitness in Elizabethton. Planet Fitness will be there to help warm the racers up, as well as giving a one year membership and a gift bag to the first place male and female who finish the event.”

Deal said that the organization already has a few sponsors for the event and is still looking for more.

Sponsorships range from a bronze tier, donating $500, a silver tier donating $1,000, a gold tier donating $1500, as well as a water table sponsor consisting of a donation of $100.

“There are some dog runs in the back of the shelter that need to be enclosed to get the dogs in the heat during winter and into the cool air during the summer,” Deal said, explaining how funds raised could be used. “However, one of the main reasons for hosting this event is to help take care of animals that are lost or injured. We would be able to take care of the medical bills or whatever else is needed.”

The event begins at 2 p.m. at Covered Bridge Park in Elizabethton, and those who wish to participate in the 1K walk are not required to walk with a pet.

Those interested can sign up at runtricities.org or by using the QR code in the picture posted below. Pre-registration sign up costs are $25 per person and sign-ups taking place after Feb. 11 will have a cost of $30. A free shirt is provided with the sign-up cost.

Those interested in becoming a sponsor for the Happy Tails can contact Deal at danny.deal@feccas.org.