A Memorial Day tradition that combines beautiful scenery and happy dogs brought runners and walkers out to Sacramento’s William Land Park on Monday.The Barks & Brews 5K, an event that used to be called No Excuses 5K until 2023, got people up and at ’em Memorial Day morning.The race, which raises funds for Canine Companions has dogs and their humans making a loop along a course that runs through Land Park.”He loves to be out here. He’s done this race for the last four years,” said Erika Vaca about her dog Grizzly Bear. “It’s for a great organization and it just brings us out and we get some exercising done.”Volunteers shared how the event helps their organization continue its important work.”The organization is amazing. They provide service dogs free of charge to people with multiple disabilities. Somebody like me with canine companion Ronaldo,” said Goga Moore from Canine Companions. “It is unbelievable what that independence does to somebody like me.”Tracy Parrott, also a volunteer for Canine Companions, explained how the race provides an opportunity for the organization to raise awareness across the community.”It just works beautifully, hand-in-hand that, we’re at a dog friendly race and we’re the beneficiary being Canine Companions,” she said. “And getting to get the word out about the service dogs that we raise and the volunteers that we need.”Organizers say, well over a thousand people registered to participate in the race with proceeds from race entry fees going toward Canine Companions.See more coverage of top California stories here | Download our app | Subscribe to our morning newsletter | Find us on YouTube here and subscribe to our channel

SACRAMENTO, Calif. —

A Memorial Day tradition that combines beautiful scenery and happy dogs brought runners and walkers out to Sacramento’s William Land Park on Monday.

The Barks & Brews 5K, an event that used to be called No Excuses 5K until 2023, got people up and at ’em Memorial Day morning.

The race, which raises funds for Canine Companions has dogs and their humans making a loop along a course that runs through Land Park.

“He loves to be out here. He’s done this race for the last four years,” said Erika Vaca about her dog Grizzly Bear. “It’s for a great organization and it just brings us out and we get some exercising done.”

Volunteers shared how the event helps their organization continue its important work.

“The organization is amazing. They provide service dogs free of charge to people with multiple disabilities. Somebody like me with canine companion Ronaldo,” said Goga Moore from Canine Companions. “It is unbelievable what that independence does to somebody like me.”

Tracy Parrott, also a volunteer for Canine Companions, explained how the race provides an opportunity for the organization to raise awareness across the community.

“It just works beautifully, hand-in-hand that, we’re at a dog friendly race and we’re the beneficiary being Canine Companions,” she said. “And getting to get the word out about the service dogs that we raise and the volunteers that we need.”

Organizers say, well over a thousand people registered to participate in the race with proceeds from race entry fees going toward Canine Companions.

See more coverage of top California stories here | Download our app | Subscribe to our morning newsletter | Find us on YouTube here and subscribe to our channel