When it was decided by our veterinarian that Margarita should retire from walking 5K’s due to health related reasons, I bought her a Vergo brand dog stroller so that we would still be able to walk together. Below is the video of Rita’s maiden voyage in her new stroller. She gained her angel wings before we were able to complete a 5K using the stroller.
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Category Archives: Rita’s Races
Run Run Rudolph 5k (Margarita’s Last)
Margarita and I completed the Run Run Rudolph 5K on December 24, 2020 during Covid 19 with Margarita’s cousin James and her Aunt Casey.
This was the last 5k Margarita and I ever did together.
I am grateful for the countless memories and adventures Margarita led me on while we walked many miles together. Click HERE to see all the 5K’s Rita and I completed.
I will forever miss my 5k partner.💖
Run for the Dogs Turkey Trot
Run for the Dogs Turkey Trot Virtual 5K supported animal shelters!
I chose to have my donation go to Hot Rods Garage Senior Sanctuary (HRG) . HRG is a veteran owned and operated, 501c3 Nonprofit Organization for senior, special needs and disabled fur-kids.
Margarita and I walked this one with Rita’s cousin James on Thanksgiving morning.
My Running Buddy Rocks 5K
On November 7, 2020, Margarita and I hiked in Bass River State Forest with our friends Jen and her English Pointer, Pearl as we completed the MY Running Buddy Rocks 5K hosted by Run Pups.
A percentage from this virtual 5K’s race fee 10% of your registration went to abandoned dogs being cared for by Charming Pet Rescue.
Way to go, Reet!
United For the Fight 5K
On November 5th, 2020, Margarita & Whiskey combined efforts to complete the United for the Fight 5K hosted by Flex it Pink. We completed this 5K at Atlantic Shore Pines Campground. This event donated a percentage of our race fee to Stand Up To Cancer .
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Margarita
Whiskey
Paws for the Law 5k
On 10/15/20 and 10/18/20, Margarita and I completed the Paws for the Law 5k – a special “Thank You!” to Law Enforcement Officers everywhere.
Police Officers wear ballistic vests as part of their daily uniform, however, the K-9s who are putting themselves between officers and an armed suspects are often not provided the same protection. 100% of the funds raised from this event were used to purchase:
- K-9 ballistic vests that provide protection against guns and knives for K-9s who are used to help track and apprehend armed suspects
- Opioid reversal kits for narcotics K-9s who may be exposed to inhaled or ingest drugs.
The charity that hosted this event was The Delisle K-9 Officer Safety Foundation. The DeLisle K-9 Officer Safety Foundation began raising funds for K-9 Officer ballistic vests in the fall of 2016 after hearing of a K-9 shot and killed in the line of duty. These vests cost an average of $1,200 each and are usually not included in police department budgets. Since that time they have become a 501(c)3 and have raised enough funds to purchase 31 bulletproof K-9 vests, helping to protect K-9’s throughout Delaware and across the country. Each vest purchased helps to protect the K-9, which in turn protects our dedicated Police Officers!
Stronger Than Cancer 5k
On 10/19/20 Margarita and I completed the Stronger Than Cancer 5k. This event donated proceeds to Rethink Breast Cancer.
Rethink Breast Cancer’s mission is to empower young people worldwide through innovative education, support, and advocacy.
We walked this 5k with our dock diving friends, “Team Salty Paws” at Haddon Lake Park.
Scooby Doo 5K
ZOINKS! Looks like we’ve got another mystery on our hands! …Not to worry though – Margarita is on the case! Only one problem… the Mystery Machine was out of commission, so we had to “take a run at it!”
Margarita enjoyed some Scooby Snacks and Scooby themed toys before completing the Scooby-Doo Family and Pet Run/Walk .
A percentage of our mystery-solving fee was donated to St. Jude Children’s Hospital .
Chesapeak DockDogs B.A.A.R.K.toberfest
On October 6, 2020 Margarita and I participated in the Chesapeake DockDogs B.A.A.R.K.toberfest 5K, benefiting the The B.A.A.R.K. Foundation, Inc. The B.A.A.R.K. Foundation is 501(c)3 organization which plays a leading role in making grants that enable and strengthen the DockDogs community when members have fallen on hard times.
We walked this one in the historic town of Medford. Medford’s Main Street had their annual scarecrow contest and it was so fun to look at all the scarecrows along the way!
America Runs 5k
America Runs…Even at a Distance.
Margarita completed the virtual America Runs 5K.
A portion of our race fee was donated back to local communities by supporting COVID-19 recovery efforts through The Gannett Foundation. All funds raised were donated across the United States in the hopes of achieving 1 million dollars raised for COVID-19 recovery efforts.
I no longer watch the timer, and don’t pause the race apps (I use Runkeeper and WoofTrax at the same time) for potty breaks, water breaks, or photo ops.. instead, these days the longer our walks are, the better – and I enjoy every second of every one of our 5Ks!
Doggone Best Friends 5k
This event benefitted Pets for Vets, a nonprofit organization that connects military Veterans with rescue animals.
Puppy Rescue Mission 5K
While the military does not condone befriending animals, dogs and cats alike tend to find their way into the hearts of many, many soldiers stationed in Afghanistan. Rita participated in the Puppy Rescue Mission virtual 5k, which benefited The Puppy Rescue Mission (TPRM).
TPRM assists with requests, logistics, administration and fund-raising for the adopted stray dogs of war, rescued by and bonded with soldiers. This may include vet care, supplies, transport and related issues. TPRM works with or through other organizations that help our soldiers bring their companion animals home from war.
Dogs Run 5k
On Sunday, September 13, 2020, Margarita completed the Dogs Run 5K .
We walked this one through the historic town of Medford, NJ, taking our time and stopping at many historic landmarks in the town.
This race wound up being set up by a fraudulent organization, so we never received our medals – I did get my money back – but despite the disappointment of the fraud, this was truly one of my favorite walks with Sweet Reet.
Shanahan Strides
Margarita’s longest challenge yet… 63 miles! Margarita participated in Bishop Shanahan High School ’s “Shanahan Strides” event.
Each mile represents a Bishop Shanahan graduating class. All proceeds were used to provide immediate relief for students who are in need of tuition assistance.
Back to School Streaker
Señorita Margarita proved she is truly Teacher’s Pet as she completed the Back to School Streaker Challenge hosted by Run The Edge .
She walked at least a mile every day in August – for a total of 41.22 miles… what a streak!
September is Back-to-School month for us, but this year, September is also a major milestone for our family.
In March 2019, Margarita was diagnosed with Large B Cell Lymphoma…Stage 4 Substage A. She was a very complex case considering she already had a compromised system due to advanced intestinal and liver disease. We opted to have her go through chemotherapy. Had we not opted for the chemo, we were told Rita had only 1-2 months to live. If she could survive a full round of CHOP-based chemotherapy, Margarita was given 12-18 months to live. (The CHOP-based protocol produces an average disease-free interval {remission} of 9 months, a median survival rate of 12 months, and a 20-25% survival to 2 years). With more roadblocks than most patients prior to even starting chemo, this angel with fur beat most of the odds already by completing a full round of chemo, reaching the remission time of 6 months, 1-year, and now in September….18 months!
We are beyond grateful for every day with this little lady. Margarita will be working towards completing some charity-based virtual 5K’s this fall.
The Dog Days of Summer 2020 (August)
As Covid and The Dog Days of Summer continue, if we can’t dock dive together, we will 5K together (in spirit) …to raise money for animals in need!
The Liver Killers joined forces with a few other dock diving teams to participate in a 3-part Dog Days of Summer virtual 5k series (click HERE to see June’s installment and click HERE to see July’s installment) hosted by j&a racing and presented by Banfield Pet Hospital .
During the August installment of this series, Margarita and I walked Freedom Park to cover our 3.1 miles.
There are 3 medals: June (Retrievers), July (Bulldogs), August (Rescue dogs) that when fitted together form a dog bone!
A portion of our registration fee each month is donated to the Virginia Beach SPCA , who believes that the animal-human bond creates healthier, happier, more connected communities. VBSPCA delivers their compassion by providing pet adoption and sheltering, low-cost public veterinary clinic services, humane education programs, wildlife triage and canine pet training.
Here’s to hoping that every dog finds their forever running/walking partner! 
Day of the Dog 5K
Margarita celebrated National Dog Day with her cousin, James, by completing a 5K together!
15% of their registration fee for Day of the Dog 5k was donated to Freedom Service Dogs , who rescue dogs and custom-train them for veterans with PTS, and for people with disabilities like autism, traumatic brain injury, multiple sclerosis, muscular dystrophy, Down syndrome, cerebral palsy, and spinal cord injuries.
The Scavenger’s Hunt🦝
This may be the most fun I’ve ever had doing while exercising!
This event challenged us to collect points for the distance we walked every day in the month of August. The farther you walked (or ran), the more points you earned. We walked a total of 69.9 miles together for the month…But that wasn’t all! Each weekend in August, The Troubled Raccoon sent out the challenges for the following week and we had until midnight on Sunday to complete them!
A portion of each registration was donated to the Evelyn Alexander Wildlife Rescue Center to support its mission to save and protect Long Island’s native wildlife.
Week 1
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Week 3
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Dog Days of Summer: Hosted by Medal Dash
Another 5K in the books! Margarita completed the Dog Days of Summer hosted by Medal Dash Virtual Runs .
A part of this virtual event took us through E. Earle Jackson Memorial Park.
Within this park is a canoe that is wrapped around a tree. This canoe is from the flood of 2004 … when several dams broke and the lake water was this high running through the town, flooding houses, knocking buildings off foundations, and causing other severe damage.
A portion of all proceeds from this event went to K9s For Warriors , an organization that provides service dogs to military veterans suffering from PTSD, traumatic brain injury and more.
Paws FUR Pink 5K
Never underestimate the healing power of dogs (especially now during Covid times)!
Rita and I participated in the Paws FUR Pink 5K while raising funds to beat human and canine cancer! A portion of our race fee went to Suzan G Komen, Keep A Breast, Be Well, and canine cancer education research at Clear!
I Run for Margaritas
You know what really helps with running? Water… Especially when it’s frozen into ice cubes, and blended with lime and tequila!
This week Margarita also completed the “I Run 4 Margaritas” Virtual 5K! This Challenge was hosted by I Run 4 Movement and supports Stand Up To Cancer in an effort to help SU2C get one step closer to its mission of making everyone diagnosed with cancer a survivor… just like our very own Señorita Margarita! 💖🐶
2020 Challenge
2020 has been one of the most challenging years ever. The global pandemic of COVID-19 has been difficult for everyone to handle. To combat the stress Rita and I hit the pavement in support of COVID-19 relief. This was a challenge hosted by Will Run For Bling and Charity to cover 20 miles between July 26th to August 8th.
A percentage of our registration fees went to the National Association of Free & Charitable Clinics (NAFC) . The mission of the NAFC is to ensure that the medically underserved have access to affordable quality health care especially during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Summer SoleMate 5K
Margarita completed the Summer SoleMate Sunshine Chaser Fun Run hosted by Flex It Pink .
Margarita walked at Strawbridge Lake Park. This 70 acre park was built as part of Roosevelt’s New Deal initiatives and the Works Progress Administration efforts from 1931-1941. The lake was built by employing local residents during the Great Depression and by securing donations of parcels of land. The Strawbridge Family donated the largest parcel thereby the name, Strawbridge Lake.
Through our entry fee, a donation was made to Love Water Org . This is a 501c3 organization that exists to provide access to clean water in order to restore health and create opportunity in developing communities.
This medal of Rita’s is my new favorite!
Information about Strawbridge Lake Park obtained from https://www.moorestown.nj.us/335/Parks-Playgrounds
Best Friends 5K
Margarita Completed this 5K at the site of the historic Paintworks Factory in Gibbsboro, NJ .
💩Poop Happens! 5K
💩 Happens (especially in 2020)… just 🧻roll 🧻with it!
Margarita completed the Poop Happens 5k hosted by Virtual Run Events .
15% of our team’s registration was donated to OpenBiome , a nonprofit stool bank, expanding safe access to fecal transplants and accelerating research on the human microbiome.
Margarita walked this 5K in 2 parts in close vicinity to our house because of the extreme heat wave we had in our area.
