Two-legged runner, going solo, wins Run & Wag

CORNWALL — Dogs and their owners came from far and wide to participate in the sixth annual Run & Wag sponsored by the Little Guild on Saturday, Oct. 19. A record of 180 registrants logged in and were ready to go when the race began at noon in front of Town Hall.

Solo runners (without canine companions) started first, followed by 50 dog and human teams managing their leashes on the 5K course. Some of the four-legged competitors were sleek and confident; others were just as determined, but more easily distracted. 

Greystone Racing kept track of the race results, which can be found at www.greystoneracing.net. Coming in first was Charles Miller of Great Barrington with a time of 18 minutes, 13 seconds. Second was Brian Quinif of Sharon, running with Lola, at 18 minutes, 53 seconds. The first female finisher was Becky Wilkinson of Southfield, Mass., at 21 minutes and 36 seconds.

Recognized for being the top fundraisers for the event were the Buzzuto family (Dave, Bradley and Kelly), naming themselves the Woodridge Lake Runners. They ran with Rosie, a coon hound mix. 

Rosie, who made a good showing of her participation, had come from a shelter in Arkansas along with her sister. The Buzzutos met Rosie at Lime Rock Park when she was with a Guild volunteer.

Many were adopted dogs from the Little Guild returning to Cornwall for a reunion of sorts with fellow adoptees. Representing the blue heeler breed, Pepper, now six months old, had come from Tennessee to be adopted into a home through the Little Guild.

Pleased with the perfect weather conditions, Little Guild Director Abigail Cusick said that the event was to benefit the operating expenses of the organization to allow them to rescue and heal more dogs and cats.

Cusick praised the work of the sponsors and the volunteers, including 4H members ranging in ages between 8 and 12, whom she said were helping with all tasks as needed as well as collecting coins in donation boxes. 

Cusick’s own dog, Domino, was racing, but was not expected to win,

“But she’ll finish,” Cusick said confidently.

Little Mei-Mei came to the Guild from southern Louisiana, a rescue from Hurricane Katrina. Jeff Lyons of Bethel, Conn., thought that his dog, Mica, might have been the smallest dog racing, finishing with a respectable time, in spite of her short legs.

“The Guild is so much a part of the community,” CBS newsman Richard Schlesinger said, noting that his volunteer duty was to award the prizes. He was ably assisted by CBS Channel 3 meteorologist Mark Dixon.

Joan Hinchman of Cornwall participated in the fun by riding her electric cart with her two adopted dogs, 6-year-old Lucca and 5-year-old Domino (yes, there were two dogs named Domino in the race). 

Because she lives along the race route, she confessed she cheats by not starting and finishing with the pack.  

“I just go along for the fun, and the dogs get to socialize,” she smiled.