The Virtual 5K

What sets the Fast and Furriest Virtual 5K apart from others? You can "5K" however you want, and you can make a difference for animals in need!

Our goal is to raise $40,000 to support IAR's rescue mission, and we're confident we can reach our goal together–and have fun in the process!

Here's how the weeklong virtual event works: 

1. Register for the event as an individual or join/create a team. Registration is $35 and includes an event t-shirt featuring the winning T-Shirt Design Contest design! If you register by March 18, we guarantee you will get a t-shirt by April 2!

2. After registering, you will get your own Fundraising Page that you can customize with images and content, fundraising goal, why you are participating and more.

3. Reach out to your family, friends, coworkers and acquaintances and let them know you are participating in the Fast and Furriest Virtual 5K. Share your Fundraising Page and ask them to sponsor you with a donation.

4. Donations made on your Fundraising Page will be added to your personal fundraising goal, which you can be adjusted from the default to reflect whatever monetary goal you choose. All donations made will collectively go toward the overall goal of $40,000!

5. Work on and complete your 5K goal April 2-9. Here's where you can get creative and take your 5K in whatever direction you choose. For example, you could opt for a traditional 5K goal and run 5 kilometers. Or, your goal could be to do 5 handstand push-ups, read 500 pages, knit 5000 stitches–whatever clever spin you can put on the 5K challenge! And, of course, including your pet is highly encouraged!

You can post about your progress on your Fundraising Page, and don't forget to share your success with your sponsors and with the IAR community on social media!

Don't forget: You can submit your creative 5K feats to be eligible to win a prize! The top three most unique and impressive 5Ks will each receive an awesome prize. Learn more below and on our FAQ page!

The T-Shirt Design Contest

Everyone knows it's impossible to have a great 5K event without an awesome event t-shirt. That's where you come in.

We're calling artists of all ages, near and far, to help design the official t-shirt of IAR's 2nd Annual Fast and Furriest Virtual 5K!

Here's how you can join in the competitive, creative fun:

1. Submit your original t-shirt design by midnight on Feb. 18. Be sure to check out the T-Shirt Design Contest page to learn more about eligibility requirements, design parameters and submission instructions.

2. An esteemed panel of judges will narrow down the design submissions and announce the three final designs by Feb. 21.

3. The final designs will be put to the public for a vote. (Voting will be conducted via Facebook Survey, but you do not have to have a Facebook account to vote for your favorite design!) Be sure to share the survey with your friends and family and encourage them to vote, too! 

4. The winning design will be announced on Feb. 26 and printed on the official Fast and Furriest 5K t-shirts received by all participants! In addition, the winner will also receive a set of mugs from Queeny's!

5. Don't forget to register for the Fast and Furriest Virtual 5K by March 18 to ensure you get a t-shirt with the winning design by April 2!

Questions about the Fast and Furriest 5K or T-Shirt Design Contest?

Check out our FAQ page for additional information and clarification about our upcoming event.

Still not finding what you need? We'd love to hear from you!

Feel free to email fastandfurriest@animalrescue.net with questions about the T-Shirt Design Contest, the Virtual 5K, how to participate and more.