Mutt Strut runners and their dogs enjoy spring day at UAB

Birmingham non-profit Hand in Paw hosted the eighth annual Mutt Strut fundraiser on Saturday, April 15, with its unique 5K run — in which runners and their dogs can both take part — beginning and ending at the UAB Campus Green.

The event, which drew several hundred people to the Green on a warm, sunny spring morning, also included a one-mile fun run.

Hand in Paw seeks to improve human health and well-being through animal-assisted therapy and has about 150 trained volunteers who lend their skills and time at numerous facilities in Central Alabama, according to the group's web site.

Runners in the 5K began at the Green, headed north on 14th Street South past Regions Field, turned east on First Avenue South near Railroad Park, turned south on 22nd Street and west on 11th Avenue South before finishing the course at the south end of the Green on 10th Avenue South.

Shari Touger said she and her three dogs — Sage, a German short-haired pointer, and Sam and Charlie, both cavapoos — would take part in the fun run.

"I love supporting any organizations connected with pets, especially ones where I can bring my dog along," she said.

Julia Faison attended the event with Shannon Taylor and Tommie Gibson, her co-workers at Northwest Alabama Treatment Center, a substance abuse clinic. “We love Mutt Strutt because we love our dogs,” Faison said.

There were numerous prizes to be awarded after the runs, according to the web site: fastest dog (5K), slowest dog (overall); fastest human (male and female), top individual fundraiser, top team fundraiser, best human costume, best human and dog duo costume and best team costume.

The event ended with a dog-friendly after-party at Good People Brewing Co.on 14th Street South featuring live music and food from Hot Max and Eugene's Hot Chicken, and Touger said she planned to attend.

"Sage gets a beer if we finish this," Touger said, laughing.