RexRun For PAWSitivity 2026 Trail Run/Walk

RexRun for PAWSitivity 2026 opens at 7:00 am so you can visit with the doggies and get an early peek in the Vendor Marketplace! Our family 5K run/walk event kicks off at 7:50am with the singing of our National Anthem. The 5K trail run begins at 8am and is followed at 8:10am with the 5K walk (dogs are welcome!) and the kid's run at 8:45am. Afterwards, treat yourself to a tasty pancake breakfast (free for all registered participants) at the Flippin' Flapjacks food truck! Throughout the day, we will feature therapy and patrol dog training demonstrations. Be sure to catch our colorful dog costume contest (complete with a prize basket brimming with canine fun) and participate in both our silent and live auctions that are always too good to miss!

The Kids Zone will feature inflatable activities, a selection of lawn games, an obstacle course and balloon catapult for family fun. Meanwhile, children can enjoy face painting, and, naturally, snow cones! Don't forget to explore the Vendor Marketplace for event giveaways and to consult with specialists about your pet needs. Dogs are permitted in the inside event area provided they are well-behaved and on a 6-foot leash.

Who is Rex and why he is so important?

The star of our event is K-9 Rex, a four-year-old black Labrador therapy dog. He and his fellow K-9s with their handlers go to local schools to primarily offer comfort to students with special needs, many who are in crisis and are dealing with stress, anxiety and depression. RexRun for PAWSitivity 2025 is presented by Back The Blue K-9 Force, a volunteer-run nonprofit organization. It is dedicated to providing funding for safety and training equipment, health care needs as well as expanding the team of K-9s to meet the needs of these communities. 100% of all net profits from RexRun for PAWSitivity 2025 go to Back the Blue K-9 Force. 

To learn more about the mission of Back The Blue K-9 Force and how your support benefits the K-9s, go to: Back The Blue K-9 Force.com.

Three registrations are available:

• 8:00 am - 5K Trail Run 

• 8:10 am - Family 5K Trail Walk (dogs welcome!)

• 8:45 am - Kids 1-mile Trail Run/Walk

Our pricing schedule: *Register more than 1 person, pay one processing fee!! 

• March 1st - June 30th: $45 + processing fee

• July 6th - Day of Race: $50 + processing fee

*SPECIAL* Get a free CO Rapids ticket with the purchase of additional tickets! 

Every registered racer and volunteer qualify for a complimentary ticket with the purchase of an additional ticket to the rest of the games this season. To redeem, go to your confirmation page after registering for the race and click the link to this CO Rapids special. Choose your free ticket and buy any additional ones there! 

It's another way to show your support for RexRun! $5 of every ticket sold will go back to Rex Run! 

Breakfast is included in every registration fee!

The Flippin' Flapjacks food truck is back, and their breakfasts are getting rave reviews! This tasty combo of pancakes, sausage, coffee, or juice is included with all runner, walker, and volunteer registrations. If you're not registered for the run/walk, you can still purchase a meal at the pancake truck. They’ll be serving from 8:30am to 10:30am.

All registrants receive:

• RexRun for PAWSitivity 2025 Commemorative T-shirt
• A goody bag full of giveaways
• Finishers medal 
• Pancake breakfast

Individual and team fundraising

Becoming a fundraiser isn’t required, but we’d love for you to join in! We’ve made it simple to start raising money with your personal fundraising page. You can write your own unique message or use the one we’ve created to share why this cause matters so much! Be a fundraiser!

Be an Honorary K-9 Deputy 

Do you have a loyal and honorable companion at home who dreams of being a Police Dog? Well, now they can! Right here at RexRun For PAWSitivity 2025, your K-9 companions at home can become Honorary K-9 Deputies, all for only $10! Sign your pup up and receive an honorary badge and commemorative personalized certificate, signed by Arapahoe County Sheriff Tyler Brown and K9 Rex. Afterward, they will have the opportunity to be sworn in by the Sheriff for one year of honorary service. Click HERE to honor your pup!

Amazon Gift List

There are lots of ways to get involved in RexRun For PAWSitivity 2025! One fun way is to browse our Amazon gift list for our silent auction basket items. Just go to Amazon.com and SHOP, SHOP, SHOP.  We've made it so easy! This is a fun and most needed way to provide for the K-9s! 

Awards

Awards will be given to the top three male and female runners. The Award Ceremony will be held after the last runners cross the finish line.

Packet pick-up

Packet pick up will be the day of the race at registration in the Main Hall, beginning at 7am.

Please remember...Safety first!

All dogs must be on a 6-foot leash at all times; retractable leashes are not permitted. Owners are required to clean up after their pets, with several receptacles provided for convenience. Make sure your dog is well-behaved and does not interfere with other attendees. Participation with a stroller or dog is limited to the 5K walk and the children's one-mile run/walk only.

Our event will host numerous law enforcement K-9 units with their handlers. It's important to respect their space and make sure that neither children nor pets' approach or attempt to touch them. Parents are responsible for preventing any potential injuries to their children or pets. Please observe and obey the rules established by law enforcement.

Rain or Shine

The event will be held rain or shine unless there are extreme weather conditions in the area at any time before or during the race. If this should occur, you will be directed to the safest area nearby by our law enforcement officers. This is a trail race. In case of a large amount of rain, the dirt trail will become unusable. Please stay alert if the weather becomes severe. 

Bring the family and enjoy the post-run events! 

Kids Fun Zone

• Face painting

• Lawn games-corn hole, balloon launch, bean bag toss, and many more!

• Snow cones and cotton candy

• More to come!

Pet Costume Contest

• Show off your dog in a fun colorful costume at our pet parade and contest!

• Purchase one of our many costumes if your pooch wants to join in! 

• Two winners will be awarded a fun canine prize!  

Fun with the K-9's

• Therapy K-9 training demos

• Meet and greets with the therapy dogs

• Patrol dog training demos

Honorary K-9 Deputy

• Live swearing in for your pup

• Certificate presentation signed by the Sheriff and K9 Rex

• Honorary badge for your K9 companion

Live and Silent Auction

• Baskets-dog toys and treats, kids activities, board games, sports, relaxation

• Sports Memorabilia and more!

Vendor Marketplace  

• Sponsors and Vendors offering numerous giveaways

• Great items for sale! 

• Vendors to provide you with expert advice 

Food trucks

• Flippin' Flapjacks pancake breakfast, 8:30am-10:30am

• many more to come! 

There is a great need in our community for you to support law enforcement by providing funds for K-9 therapy dogs  

Your sponsorship makes a difference in the lives and wellbeing of K-9 therapy dogs and the students in schools and communities they serve. The K-9s along with their School Resource Officer, provide emotional support to students in crisis and those with special needs. 

We offer sponsorship programs at levels of $5000, $2500, $1000, $500, and $250. Customized options and in-kind sponsorships, for T-shirts, medals, water stations, and pancake breakfast, are also available upon request.

Back The Blue K-9 Force is so grateful for your generous support to help protect our officers and K-9s! 

We couldn't do it without your help! 

Please contact us at forpolicedogs@gmail.com for more information on sponsorship!   

$5000 K-9 REX SPONSOR

Special sponsor recognition through August 2025

Logo on Company-supplied banner on Start/finish arch

Sponsor promotion on all social media and event registration website

*1st tier placement of logo on race shirts

Opportunity to include promotional materials in race packet

10'x10' exhibitor space in Vendor Marketplace

10 free race entries with race shirts

Special recognition during public announcements

$2500 K-9 ZEKE SPONSOR

Sponsor promotion on all social media and event registration website

*2nd tier placement of logo on race shirts

Opportunity to include promotional materials in race packet

10'x10' exhibitor space in Vendor Marketplace

6 free race entries with race shirts

Special recognition during public announcements

 $1000 K-9 RILEY SPONSOR

Sponsor promotion on all social media and event registration website

*3rd tier placement of logo on race shirts

Opportunity to include promotional materials in race packet

10'x10' exhibitor space in Vendor Marketplace

4 free race entries with race shirts

Special recognition during public announcements

 $500 K-9 BEAR SPONSOR

Recognition on event registration website

*4th tier placement of logo on race shirts

Opportunity to include promotional materials in race packet

10'x10' exhibitor space in Vendor Marketplace

2 free entries with race shirts

$250 K-9 OTIS SPONSOR

Recognition on event registration website

*5th placement on name on race shirts

Opportunity to include promotional materials in race packet

10'x10' exhibitor space in Vendor Marketplace

1 free entry with race shirt

IN-KIND SPONSORSHIPS ARE AVAILABLE

*Race Shirts

Water station

Finishers Medals

1st, 2rd, 3rd Place Awards

Recovery Table

Kid's Activities

*The race shirts will be sent to the printer on August 10th.  Please submit your logo by that date.     

7:00am   Doors open

7:50am   Opening ceremony with National Anthem

8:00am   Trail Run 

8:10am   Trail Walk

8:45am   Kid’s one-mile Run/Walk

8:30 - 10:30am   Flippin’ Flapjacks Food Truck open

9:00am - 9:30am   Honorary K-9 Swearing In Ceremony

9:30am - 10:00am   Dog Costume Contest

10:00am - 10:45am   Live Auction (indoors)

10:45am - 11:15am   Therapy K-9 Dog Demonstrations

11:15am - 11:45am   Patrol K-9 Dog demonstrations

7:30am - 12:00pm   Vendor booths open (Indoors)

8:00am - 11:00am   Silent Auction open (Indoors)

8:30am - 10:30am   Kid's Area (obstacle course, bouncy houses, games)

What time does RexRun For PAWSitivity event start?
The event doors open at 7am to give you time to stroll through the Vendor Marketplace and possibly meet Rex, our therapy K9 star! Pre-race ceremony begins at 7:50am with the singing of the National Anthem. The trail Run starts at 8am and is followed by the trail Walk at 8:10am. The Kids one-mile run/walk begins at 8:45am. 

Where does it take place?
Arapahoe County Fairgrounds, 25690 E. Quincy Avenue, Aurora, CO 80016

Who does RexRun For PAWSitivity benefit?
RexRun for PAWSitivity 2025 is presented by Back The Blue K-9 Force, a volunteer-run nonprofit organization. It is dedicated to providing funding for safety and training equipment and health care needs as well as expanding the team of K-9s to meet the needs of these communities. !00% of all net profits from RexRun for PAWSitivity 2025 go to Back the Blue K-9 Force.

How do I contact the race director for the event?
Please email: forpolicedogs@gmail.com

Can I get a refund?
There are no refunds.

Are bathrooms available?

Yes, there are two locations outside on the North side of the main event building.

Where should I park? 

You will enter the event from Quincy Rd. at the east side of the event center. Watch for the signs! There will be parking on the right side as you enter as well as at the south side of the building.

What are your contingency plans for bad weather?

The event will be held rain or shine unless there are extreme weather conditions in the area at any time before or during the race. If this should occur, you will be directed to the safest area nearby by our law enforcement officers. 

If I don’t want to participate in the race but still want to donate to Back The Blue K-9 Force, how do I do that? 

You can click 'Donate to Back The Blue K-9 Force' under the Donate heading at the top of the race information page to donate online any time before, during or after the event. 

Where do I pick up my packet?
You can pick up your packet along with your shirt, at the registration table, inside of the building beginning at 7am on race day.

Can I pick up a packet for a friend?
Yes, you can pick-up a packet for a friend at the early pickup at the registration desk. Please make sure you have their race information and team name, if needed. 

Can I register the day of the race?

Yes, on-site registration opens at 7am in the main event building until 8:00am. 

Can we check our bags on race day?

Yes, there is an adequate number of volunteers in the volunteer room to have a secure location for your person possessions. Inquire at the registration table after you pick up your shirt and packet. 

Will there be an awards ceremony?

Yes, first, second and third place awards will be given to the top male and female runners after the last runner crosses the finish line.

Are strollers or dogs allowed on the course? 

Strollers and dogs are allowed in the 5K walk and Kids one-mile event only. They are not allowed in the run event. Bicycles, skateboards, scooters, roller blades or skates are not allowed in any event. 

Are there water stations on the course?

Yes, there is one water station approximately at the halfway point of the course. We will be handing out water cups. We ask that you please dispose of the cups at the nearby trash receptacle.

Are there ways to make sure my dog doesn’t overheat at the event? 

We are not able to use swimming pools or drinking bowls for dog hydration due to the spread of germs. 

I signed up to be a volunteer at the event. Will I receive further information?

Yes, you will receive confirmation upon registering. Approximately one week prior to the event, you will receive an email detailing your chosen volunteer role and responsibilities, the times and locations and the contact information of the Volunteer Coordinator. Please feel free to get in contact if you have any questions at forpolicedogs@gmail.com.

My company would like to become a sponsor. How can I do that?

You can find our Sponsorship Opportunities flyer (PDF) under the heading 'Sponsor Information', listing the benefits and sponsorship levels available. Please send us an email at forpolicedogs@gmail.com for more information. 

I signed up to be a vendor. Will I receive instructions about the event?

You will receive a confirmation as soon as you register. In 2 weeks prior to the event, you will receive exhibitor instructions listing your booth number, set up and tear down times, rules and regulations of the event center and the event schedule. You will also receive contact information for the Vendor Coordinator. Please contact forpolicedogs@gmail.com for more information. 

What do I get for a vendor booth space? 

We are providing a 10’x10’ booth space but you will need to bring your own tables and chairs. Electricity is not available. Vendors need to be set up by 7am in time for participants to arrive. 

Why raise money for the K-9s? 

Back The Blue K-9 Force is a volunteer based nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting the health, safety and wellbeing of therapy K-9s. These extraordinary animals serve an indispensable role in providing support and therapy in schools. These K-9s along with their handlers, go to local schools to primarily help student with needs. Their goal is to support children experiencing stressful situations by offering them comfort when they need it most, particularly those struggling with depression or anxiety. 

RexRun For PAWSitivity 2025 benefits Back The Blue K-9 Force to provide the funds to purchase additional therapy K-9s, their much-needed protective equipment and medical needs, and for support of the school-based therapy dog programs. 100% of all net profits of this event go to supporting the organization's mission.

K-9 Rex, a four-year-old black lab, is the first Arapahoe County Sheriff Department's therapy dog and is the inspiration for this event. His brother and nephews have followed in Rex's paw steps, all being trained and certified in therapy as well in firearms and explosives detection and most recently, in tracking.

Thank you for your commitment to the K-9 therapy programs in our communities. In doing this, you are directly supporting the needs of the K-9s and their handlers, helping to ensure their success. 

KING SOOPERS COMMUNITY REWARDS PROGRAM

Support our K9s year-round while you shop.

 Link your Sooper Card to Back the Blue K-9 Force and King Soopers will donate a portion of proceeds from your purchases to our program.

Donate when you shop!  

AMAZON WISH LIST

Help make this event a success and amplify your donation by purchasing items from our Amazon Wish List that we will place into our live and silent auctions.

While you're shopping on Amazon (and who doesn't!), take a look at all of the items you can donate to the silent and live auction! The best thing is they're already chosen for you!

 Shop, Shop, Shop!

Support health, safety, and well-being of law enforcement K-9s by purchasing fantastic auction items and baskets!

A wide variety of kid's, family and dog baskets will be on display!

LIVE! Professional Hair Products with Tote

LIVE! Signed Sports Memorabilia

LIVE! Dinner with the K-9s

Large and Small Dog Toys and Treats Baskets

Kid's Summer Outdoor Activity Basket

Adult and Kids Game Baskets

Rocky Mountain Experience Basket full of gift cards

Sheriff Brown's School Day Special

Relaxation Baskets with gift cards for massages and facials 

Watch for more coming soon! 

Shirts and a packet of goodies will be available the day of the run/walk at the registration desk inside the main hall, beginning at 7am. 

Entrance into the Event Center is off of E. Quincy Rd., at the East entrance only (2nd entrance). Free public parking is on the right.

Vendor unloading/loading area is on the South side of the building.