Community Corner
Mutts Run with a Mission at Third Annual "Run for the Animals"
Animal lovers and their dogs ran in an effort to support what they care about most: their four-legged friends.
Robby Murphy has once again raised the bar in his efforts to support the Monmouth County SPCA with the third annual Run for the Animals. The 3K race and "Doggie Dash" was held at the Monmouth Battlefield State Park on Saturday, April 16.
Murphy is a 14-year-old freshman student at Freehold Township High School who is passionate about running and caring for abused animals. Several years ago, after seeing a heart-tugging commercial sponsored by the , Murphy felt compelled to help this group of helpless animals.
To his accomplishments, Murphy has been recognized as the largest contributor to the SPCA under age 18 and has also received the Presidents’ Award of the Freehold Area Running Club at age 13. That award had never previously been awarded to someone so young.
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Murphy's first attempt to raise money was through a local neighborhood run; 20 people ran, including his grandmother, and lemonade was sold. This event was gained even more donations when Murphy reached out to merchants in the community so that raffle tickets could be sold.
Murphy's first official Run for the Animals took place three years ago. In that event, 250 people were registered to run. At this year's event there were 525 people and 200 dogs registered.
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The Run for the Animals is more than your normal 3K, 1.86 mile, run. The day begins with three "Doggie Dashes", based on dog size. A DJ plays music, setting the tone for people with a passion for animals to talk and let their dogs interact with one another. People who do not own dogs, but were inspired by the event, headed over to the Monmouth County SPCA station where they had shelter animals to be adopted out.
The Freehold Area Running Club managed the actual race with time-keeping and race stats. The overall winners with their times of the third annual Run for the Animals are:
- Jake Simon (Freshman) 10:53
- Billy Joyce (Sophomore) 10:54
- Dylan Tarpey (Freshman) 10:55
Murphy and his group of dedicated volunteers are planning to continue this tremendous fundraiser next year.
If you missed the race and would like to donate to the Monmouth County SPCA, click here.
