Inaugural fall fun run to raise money for Aspen Animal Shelter’s nonprofit

If you want to exercise your heart, walk a dog.

That’s one of the mottos of the Aspen Animal Shelter, whose nonprofit branch Friends of the Aspen Animal Shelter is the recipient of the inaugural Rubey Rescue Run’s proceeds.

The Rubey Rescue Run, a new 5K uphill run up Buttermilk Mountain from the base to the Cliff House, will be kicking off its first year at 8:30 a.m., Saturday, Oct. 11. A passion project over a decade in the making, this autumn fun run will donate 100% of its proceeds to Friends of the Aspen Animal Shelter to help with its spay and neutering program and the scholarships the nonprofit provides to veterinarian students and veterinarian technician students at Colorado State University and Colorado Mountain College.

“This is such a great opportunity to give back and create something that everyone can enjoy,” Meaghan Rubey, director of the run and animal activist, said. “It also builds more awareness about what the Aspen Animal Shelter does, which I love, too. Aspen Animal Shelter has rescued 7,000 dogs and cats since 2007. I don’t know if (those animals) would even have a chance otherwise.”

Friends of the Aspen Animal Shelter began its spay/neuter program in 2007 for people who couldn’t otherwise afford to spay/neuter their pet, partnering with 20 veterinarians across the country. Since 2007, 36,000 dogs and cats have been helped through the program — from valley locals to those on the Navajo Nation to everyone in between, according to Aspen Animal Shelter’s executive director for the past 32 years Seth Sachson.

“Now we spay and neuter over 2,500 animals a year for free,” Sachson said.

Aspen Animal Shelter also takes in approximately 200 to 250 homeless animals per year. There will even be some adoptable dogs at the event — potentially both puppies to play with before and after the run and adult dogs available to run with and even take home after, he said.

First place male and female finishers will received a large custom dog bone jar, courtesy of Carbondale Clay Center, and a $100 gift card each to UTE Mountaineer. Second place male and female finishers will receive a Rubey Rescue Run tumbler and $50 each to the UTE, and third place male and female finishers will received a Rubey Rescue Run tumbler and a $25 gift card.

There is also a 16-year and under category available, with a mini cookie jar prize. Rubey noted there have currently not been any sign-ups for this component and encourages those interested to join. Registration is $35 for those 16 and under and $65 for adults, with a complimentary Rubey Rescue Run hat.

For those with dogs, leashes are required for the run, and owners must pick up after their dogs. Poop bags will be provided. There will also be two water stations on Buttermilk for humans and dogs.

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Rubey noted that there will be no chairlift operating on Buttermilk — those who run or walk up the 1,700 feet to the Cliff House will have to run or walk down.

For more information and to sign up, visit runsignup.com/Race/CO/Aspen/RubeyRescueRun.