Humane Race 2010 Raises $14K for Animal Shelter
 Everyone had their rain gear on Saturday for the annual Humane Race. See more pictures here. |
Some 260 people registered to run or walk the course through the village center to raise some $14,000 for the Berkshire Humane Society. This was the race's eighth year and the second run through the downtown; previous events had been at Mount Greylock Regional High School.
Coordinator Alix Cabral said afterwards, "we had 260 people registered total ... although 220 actually participated in the race (some looked at the weather and stayed in bed I imagine). We also had 96 dogs participate, although again, more were registered."
Cabral was sure better weather would have drawn more entrants – "we would have surpassed 300 people this year!"
The numbers were still high considering the cold, nasty wetness; only 161 participated two years ago. Many people even stayed through the rain to watch the numerous awards presented for racers, fundraisers and special canines. Prizes were provided by local businesses.
HUMANE RACE PRIZEWINNERS 2010
Just For Fun Prizes
Dog and Owner Who Look Most Alike: Male, David DiNicola and his German shepherd Seiben, gift certificate to The Mountain Goat
Dog and Owner Who Look Most Alike: Female, Tracy Baker and her Rottweiller Taylor, a wash, cut and blow dry by Mandi of the Clip Shop
Waggiest Tail: Brodie, a Weimeraner owned by Jessica Halton, gift certificate to Lickety Split
Best Smile: Cashew, a schipperke owned by Michael McCuloogh, Moutain Adventure Pass at Jiminy Peak
Most Energetic: Memphis, a shepherd/boxer mix owned by Lynda Fiorini, Mountain Adventure Pass at Jiminy Peak
Muttiest Mutt: Owen P Stubbs, a bassett/beagle/Lab mix owned by Christa Abel, gift certificate to Where'd You Get That?!
Most Vocal: Hurley, owned by Cody Dodge, a Ten Pass to Images Cinema
Smallest: Izzy, a Yorkshire terrier owned by Nurit Berman, gift certificate to Fur-Ever Fancy
Largest: Sullivan, a Newfoundland owned by Terry Cormier, brunch for two at the Williams Inn
Travelled the Farthest (people): Liz Spellen and Rosemary Stochel of Ontario, gift certificates to the Browns
Prizes awarded by Drs. Katie Wolfgang and Laura Jones Kobrin of Greylock Animal Hospital, gift certificates of $50 each to the hospital
Best Hair: Gus, an old English sheep dog owned by Bev Herzig
Best Behaved Adult Handler: Steve Pavlosky and Duce, Burmese mountain dog
Best Behaved Youth Handler: Emily Shanley and chocolate Labradors Halsey and Pup
Fittest Adult Dog: Stickley, a springer spaniel owned by Matt Hyde
Fittest Geriatric Dog: Foxie, a terrier mix owned by Sarah Gardner and Josie Verger
Prizes were given to the three top pledge earners as well. Judy Jones of Williamstown and her Labrador, Marcy, raised an amazing $1,005. Judy has been the top pledge earner for years now. The second-highest pledge earner was Ashlee Vose, with her mixed breed dog Memphis. Ashlee raised $765 dollars and came from Putnam, Conn. This is the second year that Ashlee has been the second-highest pledge earner. Both Judy and Ashlee won a weekend pass for two to the 2010 Williamstown Film Festival.
The highest pledge earner among youngsters was Cameron Sabin, age 9, also from Williamstown, with her border terrier, Maxy. Cameron won a $50 gift certificate from Water Street Books.
Two prizes were given in memory of beloved local business owner and faithful Humane Race supporter Don Westall, who died last June. The Don Westall Best Friend Award was given to the man and the woman who most embodied his kindness, generosity and friendliness. Westall's family were on hand to choose the winners and awarded the prizes to Mikki Brown, owner of the Browns, the title sponsor, and Peter Mehlin, a volunteer in charge of the information booth at the start.
Mikki and Peter each won a gift certificate for two tickets to the Williamstown Theatre Festival's 2010 season, donated by the festival.
