On Easter Sunday 2017 I participated in the Easter Paws  at "Runners Ranch", the home of friends of mine, which includes a running trails course they developed on their land.   This is a very popular venue for running events that the owners host over the year.

The Easter Paws, in its second year, if I remember correctly, is a special event because it is designate for runners and walkers to have their doggie pals join them on the course.  People without dogs - like me - can run too, but it is a fun run for us - although we did all have timing chips -  as only the doggies with humans get age group awards...this is their event, lol.   The course was one loop of some of the trails, making it 1.75 miles.

The trails are a mix of packed dirt and a soft sandy loam type surface, making it a bit difficult to run on - in places, kind of like running on soft sand at the beach - especially for slow old guys like me, lol.  I kind of shuffled along on the softer parts and picked up the pace a bit on the firmer parts, which made for a very slow time for me, ending up with 21:39 finish time, averaging 12-somthing per mile pace.  I was happy with that because, with my spinal arthritis, the Runner's Ranch course when I've run here before,  usually KILLS my back, but today I did okay and felt pretty good after.  I don't run here much so maybe I just need more practice on this type of surface.

This one is a very enjoyable event, with lots of things going on....music host for us, various types of prizes for the doggies -  best trick, best "owner and dog who looks alike", and so forth - an easter egg hunt, and a post-run Texas brisket barbecue.   I just wandered around before, during, and after taking various photos.   Mucho thanks to my friends Minie and Jose for opening their ranch to all we participants!

Hope you enjoy the photos below!

Start/Finish Line

Registration volunteers

Our MC with her comedian friend...

Nice backdrop to get a photo with

Jose was not hurting this dog...he was in the process of picking him up to put him on his shoulder and carry him when I took this photo.

Here we go....onto that surface...

Done and having fun...

While I cooled down and drank some water, this friendly doggie kept me company

Thanks to our hosts!