Doggie Dash 2018: Soggy fun with furry friends

DOGGIE DASH & 5K Two-legged and four-legged participants were up bright and early even if the start of daylight saving time on Sunday morning wasn't so bright. The Doggie Dash benefits Piedmont Park Dog Parks. The dog-friendly dash is about a mile long and also includes a 5K. The annual event is held rain or shine. Thomas Clarke and Finn were the first team to cross the finish line.

No sunshine? No problem. The start of daylight saving time and the arrival of clouds and rain didn’t deter Sunday’s annual Doggie Dash and 5K at Piedmont Park.

The Doggie Dash is presented by Piedmont Park Conservancy and benefits Piedmont Park Dog Parks. The group says the dog parks attract more than 700,000 visitors each year.

Cassidy Puckett holds her dog Azuki while waiting for the start of the Piedmont Park Conservancy's 5th Year Anniversary of the Doggie Dash in Piedmont Park on Sunday, March  11, 2018.  STEVE SCHAEFER / SPECIAL TO THE AJC

Credit: Steve Schaefer

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Credit: Steve Schaefer

Besides the 5K component, the dog-friendly dash is about a mile long. The annual event is held rain or shine.

Runners and their dogs aren’t deterred by heavy rain on their way to the finish line during the Piedmont Park Conservancy's 5th Year Anniversary of the Doggie Dash in Piedmont Park on Sunday, March  11, 2018.  STEVE SCHAEFER / SPECIAL TO THE AJC

Credit: Steve Schaefer

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Credit: Steve Schaefer

On your mark, get set, fetch!  Um, we mean: Go! Dogs and their owners brave the rainy morning at the start of the 5K  run during the Piedmont Park Conservancy's 5th Year Anniversary of the Doggie Dash in Piedmont Park on Sunday, March  11, 2018. STEVE SCHAEFER / SPECIAL TO THE AJC

Credit: Steve Schaefer

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Credit: Steve Schaefer

Participants with and without dogs were encouraged to experience (soggy) Piedmont Park alongside the many four-legged friends joining in the fun.

Carol Mulderink has her dog loaded into a backpack in preparation for the start of the Piedmont Park Conservancy's 5th Year Anniversary of the Doggie Dash in Piedmont Park on Sunday, March  11, 2018. STEVE SCHAEFER / SPECIAL TO THE AJC

Credit: Steve Schaefer

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Credit: Steve Schaefer

Thomas Clarke and his dog Finn are the first team to cross the finish line during the Piedmont Park Conservancy's 5th Year Anniversary of the Doggie Dash and 5K in Piedmont Park on Sunday, March  11, 2018. Heavy rain continued through the morning.   STEVE SCHAEFER / SPECIAL TO THE AJC

Credit: Steve Schaefer

icon to expand image

Credit: Steve Schaefer