2026 Sneakers & Strays

Start your summer with sneakers and strays!
In-person event: Saturday, June 6Virtual event: Wednesday June 3 - Saturday, June 6 Sign up today, run on your own or form teams with your friends, family or co-workers to raise donations for hart dogs. There are prizes for top fundraising by an individual and top team.All funds raised go towards hart’s ongoing operations. For more information on hart, visit www.hartrescue.ca
Please note: May 9 is the cutoff date to guarantee your T-shirt size in the swag bag. Registration will remain open until the day of the event, but T-shirt sizes after this date will be subject to availability.
EVENT SUMMARYWelcome to the official event page for hart’s annual Sneakers & Strays, a signature event to raise funds and awareness for hart’s ongoing mission to rescue, rehabilitate and re-home stray and abandoned dogs.The event is a “fun-run”, where you and your furry companion can run, or walk, side-by-side through Edmonton’s River Valley, competing for bragging rights or just to show your support for dogs in need.Event participants will get to enjoy the company of other supporters and their pooches, and can partake in post-race activities including complimentary beverages and snacks, the opportunity to browse some fabulous hart merchandise, and check out some of the sponsor booths.
IN-PERSONThe in-person event will take place on Saturday, June 6th at Buena Vista Dog Park, in the beautiful river valley, next to the Edmonton Valley Zoo. Registrants will be able to walk or run, with or without their favorite furry companion(s), on a 3km walk or 5km run course.The event will continue rain, shine, or smoke, please use your personal judgement for your health.
VIRTUALAs this is a hybrid event, pawticipants have the option to attend in-person, or virtually where they can run or walk on their own time. The virtual event will take place over four days leading up to the in-person event and registrants will be able to walk or run wherever they are in the world.Why go virtual? While some dogs love to meet and mingle with other dogs, some can feel a bit overwhelmed by the experience. Perhaps you live too far away to attend on the day of the event. For these reasons, and for any other reason that could prevent people from participating in person, we have created a virtual experience.To register your virtual results, click here. Choose Submit a Virtual Result then enter your confirmation number and name. Don't forget to upload your race day photos! We would love to see your selfies with your dog!
PAWTICIPANT PACKAGES (SWAG BAGS)In your participant package, you’ll receive a 2026 Sneakers & Strays collector’s T-shirt, a portable dog bowl, and a variety of great perks—including buy-one-get-one-free passes to Glow Edmonton and Rapid Fire Theatre.You’ll also find gift cards and goodies from some of Edmonton’s favourite local spots, including Daisy's Saloon, Sherlock Holmes Pub, and EZ Antler Chews.🐾And don’t forget—when you cross the finish line, your pup will be treated to a dog-friendly finisher cookie from The Lucky Mutt.🐾Note: Swag bags will be available for pickup at Homes Alive Pets (North Location @ 11340 St Albert Trail NW, Edmonton), Thursday or Friday, June 4th & 5th, between 5:00pm - 8:00pm, or on race day at the park!
PRIZESTo Prizes for TOP TEAM Fundraisers and TOP INDIVIDUAL Fundraisers!
HOW TO DONATEYou can donate to a team or an individual by following the tabs on the top left-hand section of the events page. You can also make a cash donation directly to hart at any one of our ongoing events.For individuals and team leaders collecting cash pledges, they can use the pledge form provided by hart to track their progress. To access the pledge form, click herePledge forms can be downloaded by clicking here.. If you experience any issues with the link, contact us at sneakersandstrays.hart@gmail.com and one can be emailed.
SPONSORSHIP & VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIESInterested in becoming an event sponsor or volunteer? please contact us at sneakersandstrays.hart@gmail.com to find out more on how you can get involved with hart and this event

FAQWhen does the donation window close?You can continue to Donate to participants' fundraising, teams, and to hart through Saturday, June 13th to help them be a prize winner and to help dogs in need. Do I get a tax receipt?Yes! hart is a registered charity and tax receipts are available to those who donate $20.00 and more. If you do not receive your tax receipt, please email sneakersandstrays.hart@gmail.com and one can be provided.