The 6th annual IRONDOG 5K fun run will be held Saturday at Ada Hayden City Park.

Registration will begin at 9 a.m. after t-shirt pick up between 7:30 and 8:30 a.m. The race is set to begin between 10 and 10:30 a.m. and is projected to end around noon.

The Iowa State University College of Veterinary Medicine will host the event, which was created to help provide medical and surgical services to animals hospitalized at the ISU Veterinary Teaching Hospital.

Dr. Eric Zellner, Iowa State’s IRONDOG adviser, started the 5K while in college at Michigan State University, and brought it with him to Iowa State. Zellner will be in attendance at the race on Saturday. 

This event provides services to animals who might otherwise miss life-saving procedures due to money restraints on the animals’ owners. According to the IRONDOG website, there is currently no other funding available to help clients with these costs.

Bailey Ulrich, whose in her third year in Iowa State’s Veterinary Medicin program and the co-director of IRONDOG, said donations are accepted all year long through their website and the ISU Foundation. Donations are put into an account and used for animals who get a diagnosis for surgery, but have owners who can’t afford it. 

Dogs are welcome at the event, provided they come with their leash and proof of up-to-date rabies vaccinations. There is no extra fee for dogs, and they are welcome to run or walk the 5K with their owner. The first 50 dogs to show up the morning of the race are given a free bandana.

Ulrich said there are 62 people signed up for this weekend’s race, and sign-ups are still open. People may also sign up the morning of race day for $30 cash or check fee. 

Prize baskets full of dog treats and donated goods from sponsors in the surrounding community will be awarded to the first three runners who finish the race. Purina PetCare Co. will have a booth set up at the event passing out free treats and other goodies.