Defend Your Friend 5K & Dog Festival Celebrates 20 Years

Walk. Run. Fundraise. Make a Difference.

For 20 years, the Defend Your Friend 5K has been Columbus Humane’s biggest fundraiser of the year, bringing together hundreds of animal lovers to raise critical funds that power our lifesaving work for animals in need.

Whether you run the 5K, walk the 1-mile route, fundraise with friends or simply spend the morning at the festival, your participation helps Columbus Humane fight animal cruelty, help animals in need and advocate for their well-being.

Sunday, september 13, 2026

Bank Run Metro Park
1570 Rohr Rd. | Lockbourne, OH

8:00 AM | Festival, packet pickup & race registration open
9:00 AM | 5K & 1-mile walk begin
12:00 PM | Event concludes

Register Before Prices Increase

Registration is $65 through September 5. On September 6, registration increases to $75.

Your registration includes an official event T-shirt, race bib and professional race timing.

The first 400 registered participants will also receive a swag bag.

Children 5 and under participate for free.

Register for the 5k

Bring Your friends. Bring Your Pup.

There’s something for everyone.

You don't have to be a serious runner to be part of Defend Your Friend.

Choose the experience that's right for you:

5K Run/Walk
Go for a personal best, run with friends or enjoy the course at your own pace.
1-Mile Walk
A relaxed option for families, casual walkers and anyone who wants to participate without running the 5K.
Fundraise for Columbus Humane
Turn your participation into even more support for animals by creating a fundraising page and rallying your community.
Festival-Only
Not running or walking? Come celebrate with us anyway. Festival-only guests are always welcome!
Virtual Supporter
Can’t make it? Show your support and secure your t-shirt.

Your registration includes:

Race bib
Official Defend Your Friend event T-shirt
Professional race timing provided by Race Penguin
5K or 1-mile participation
Access to the Dog Festival

The first 400 registered participants will also receive a swag bag.

The Finish Line Is Just the Beginning

Stay for the Dog Festival.

Make a morning of it with your family, friends and four-legged friends.

After the race, explore our local artist market, grab a bite from Playa Bowls and Tortilla food trucks, meet our community partners & pet-friendly vendors and let your pup enjoy activities made just for them.

You can expect:

Food trucks
Local artisan market
Pet-friendly activities
Community partner booths
Raffle featuring exciting pet-friendly prize packages
Plenty of ways to celebrate your pets

Come for the race. Stay for the animals.

Defend Your Friend Website and Marketing Photos (3).jpg

Defend Your Friend Website and Marketing Photos (1).jpg

Turn Your Registration Into Even More Impact

Become a Fundraiser

Your registration gets you to the starting line. Fundraising helps us go even further for animals in need.

Start a fundraising page and tell your friends! Anyone can be part of your fundraising team.

Getting started is easy:

1. Register.
Choose the 5K, 1-mile walk, or virtual supporter option.

2. Start or join a fundraising team.
Make it a challenge with your family, friends or coworkers.

3. Share your page.
Invite your community to help you reach your goal.

Your registration fee counts toward your fundraising total, and every dollar raised helps Columbus Humane provide shelter, medical care and second chances for animals who need us most.

start your fundraiser

Register today

Race week kickoff happy hour

We’re kicking off Defend Your Friend 5K week with a happy hour at Columbus Brewing Company Beer Hall!

Join us Sunday, September 6 from 12–4 PM at the Columbus Brewing Company Beer Hall for Race Bib Pickup Happy Hour. Grab your race bib, enjoy the dog-friendly patio and spin our prize wheel for some fun Columbus Humane goodies.

Not attending the Defend Your Friend 5K? You can still join us! Come out for a beer, bring your friends and pups and help us kick off race week while supporting Columbus Humane.

Even better, $1 from every beer purchased will be donated to Columbus Humane, helping us fight animal cruelty, help animals in need and support pets and people in our community.

Columbus Brewing Company Beer Hall:
200 Kelton Avenue, Columbus, OH 43205

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