Heroes’ Run
September 23 @ 8:00 am – 5:00 pm MDT
Ned’s Wish is excited to announce our third annual Heroes Run on September 23, 2023! This one of a kind run-with-your-dog fundraising event will see all proceeds go toward supporting retired police and military service dogs across Canada. We are offering three registration options for runners this year:
- Edmonton, AB – Hermitage Park – 2115 Hermitage Road– Hosted by Ned’s Wish volunteers, the run will begin at the Hermitage Park picnic area and stretch onto the beautiful Rundle Park trails and back again. We will have a check in and sponsor tent area set up near the start/finish. Swag bag pick up and race check in will happen the morning of September 23, 2023 prior to the race, and further details will be made available to runners closer to race day. Registration price includes t-shirt and challenge coin.
- Prince George, BC – CN Centre Rodeo Grounds – 2187 Ospika Blvd S – Hosted by the Sirius K9 Working Dog Club, the run will take place at the rodeo grounds with a check in and sponsor tent area near the start/finish. Swag bag pick up and race check in will happen the morning of September 23, 2023 prior to the race, and further details will be made available to runners closer to race day. Registration price includes t-shirt and challenge coin.
- Virtual Registration – Run wherever you are – hosted by you and your very own fur hero, this option allows you the opportunity for run for a great cause in your own community! Please note there is a virtual option including a swag bag and one without. If you are ordering swag bag items with your registration, only registrations received prior to August 31, 2023, are guaranteed to have their items prior to race day. Registrants after that date may receive their swag after race day, despite our best efforts.
Early bird pricing of $65.00 for all events including a swag bag is in effect until June 30, 2023. Prices jump to $85.00 thereafter, so register now!! For those not interested in a swag bag, registration is only $50.00.
The 2023 Heroes Run will honour PSD Chip who gave his life to protect his handler and best friend on September 13, 1996, in Hope BC. While off duty, Chip and his handler were called in to track a violent suspect through dense, uphill bush. During that track a confrontation ensued with the suspect after Chip and his handler were separated from their backup. Chip tried to subdue the suspect and protect his handler but both of them were stabbed repeatedly during the attack. The suspect ran off after inflicting the injuries, but unfortunately PSD Chip succumbed to his wounds. To commemorate Chip’s faithful service, we have set up a 7 km race and are inviting our racers, and their dogs, to honour Chip’s sacrifice and celebrate his courage by running it with us.
Ned’s Wish retired Heroes will be available on site at both of our in person races, and will be available for photographs and meet and greets. Come see why these dogs are amazing and deserve our help! PSD Chip’s handler, Doug Lewis, will also be attending the Edmonton race.
This is a family friendly event… including your fur family! Leashed dogs are encouraged to run with their humans! For those attending our in person events, please note you are responsible for picking up after your pet, and that dogs must be leashed and under your control at all times. Human and dog water stations will be made available on the race course.
We are also very excited to announce our continued partnership with Support Retired Legends who are working with us to create a one of a kind limited edition Heroes Run t-shirt for the event! Our Chip Heroes Run logo is once again designed by Ness Hornung of Seventh Siren Tattoo. These t-shirts, along with a new custom PSD Chip challenge coin, will be available in limited quantities for those ordering swag bags. Once they are gone, they are gone, so register today and secure your swag!!
WANT FREE SWAG? If you use your individual fundraising link (provided to you by Race Roster upon registration) to fundraise $100.00 or more, we will include a free limited edition Ned’s Wish hat in your swag!
FREE SWAG ISN’T ENOUGH? Go big or go home!! The person who raises the most money with their individual fundraiser will win a K9 Storm ID dog harness, in your choice of size and color! Our friends at K9 Storm Incorporated donated this prize and their products are the REAL DEAL. Known for their quality and durability among working dog handlers everywhere, this incredible harness will last you and your fur friend for a VERY long time! $335.00 value.
TEAM REGISTRATION AVAILABLE! Want to encourage a group to sign up? Perfect, register as part of a team, challenge other teams to compete for race time or fundraising goal…. go to war!
NOT SURE YOU CAN RUN 7KM? This is, above all, a fun run. While we encourage registrants to train and push themselves to complete the 7km distance, we understand we all have different abilities. Please feel free to complete the race at YOUR pace (walk, run, combo of both), or even register a team and complete the 7km collectively!
Please note that our t-shirts are pre-ordered, so while every effort will be made to accommodate your requested size, in those cases where we have run out of a size, you will instead received the closest size available to your request.
Ned’s Wish is a registered charity committed to supporting law enforcement and the Canadian Armed Forces by providing financial and educational support to enhance the quality of life for their K-9 retirees across Canada. Due to the cost of veterinary care, the potential for these heroes to enjoy their retirement can quite literally rest on a dime. If healthcare costs become too high, a dog’s quality of life can be significantly reduced, or even cut short.
After human police and military personnel finish serving their country and communities, their pension sees them through retirement. While every agency does what they can, there is little to no such support for their K-9 partners. That’s where Ned’s Wish comes in. We raise funds to offset the cost of veterinary care for retired police and military service dogs and help ensure these retired heroes have every chance to enjoy a well-deserved retirement.
Come join the Ned’s Wish community with your family, and help us honour PSD Chip!
Credit to Ness Hornung of Seventh Siren Tattoo for the Heroes Run Chip logo.