Runners of two species crowded the starting line waiting for the race to begin.
As humans did some last-minute stretching, dogs tugged at their leashes and anxiously wagged their tails.
The signal was given, and the crowd dispersed. Some owners nudged their dogs forward while others were pulled by their canine companions.
UF's College of Veterinary Medicine and the Florida Track Club hosted the 28th Annual Dog Days Run at Westside Park on Saturday. The event included a 5K run for people, a 1-mile Fun Run for dogs and their owners, a raffle and awards ceremony.
"It brings out a lot of people in the community and connects them with the vet school," said Annie Martin, the event coordinator and a second-year student at UF's veterinary school.
Leslie Lear and Rob Barnes attended the event for their third year to support the vet school and have fun with their dogs.
"We like doing this because it's for a good cause," Lear said. "The vet school takes care of our dogs. They've really helped us when they've gotten in trouble."
Dressed up in brown shorts with white spots, brown leggings, brown ears made out of fabric and wearing face paint, the couple intended to win the Dog and Owner Look-Alike award with their English springer spaniel dogs, Juan and Deuce.
"This is one of the only events where we can run with our dogs and dress up like it's Halloween," Barnes said. "It's just fun."
Gretchen Henry and Jeremy Delcambre attended the event for the first time after moving to Gainesville from Louisiana three weeks ago.
Dressed in purple and gold, they and their dogs, Logan and Kesi, showed their Lousiana State University pride.
"Maybe we'll win bravest costume," Delcambre said.
He also participated in the 5K run and said Gainesville is hilly compared to Baton Rouge, La.
"This is like StairMaster for us," Delcambre said.
The event benefited the UF's student chapter of the American Veterinary Medical Association and the Alliance for Rabies Control, with 50 percent of proceeds going to each one, Martin said.
This year, Dog Days Run partnered with the One Health Initiative, an organization that promotes public health awareness.
Volunteers distributed fliers on how dog owners impact the environment and provided free dog waste bags.
"We're promoting public health, your animal's health and your health," Martin said. "People don't realize that their dog's poop is full of parasites, and they don't pick it up. We want to change that."
