RUN, SCRUFFY, RUN!: Dogtopia Duo to Run 101 Miles on Memorial Day Weekend
dog business employees hope to raise $60K for service dogs for veterans
One day, Jordan Cerrillo, manager at Dogtopia, got a text from his friend Jacob Hall, reading: “What if we ran 100 miles? Do you think that that would be an interesting way to support the foundation?” As a surprise to himself, Jordan said yes!
This foundation is part of Dogtopia – an Eau Claire dog boarding and daycare business – and raises money to help veterans in need get access to service dogs. It costs around $6,000 to fully fund and train one service dog. Jordan and Jacob, together, will run 101 miles between Dogtopia in Eau Claire and Dogtopia in Woodbury, Minnesota, to raise $60,000 and get 10 service dogs trained in helping folks with PTSD. They’re calling it the “Run Scruffy Run Ultra Marathon,” and ultra, it is!
The two will start their run on Sunday, May 26, and end on Monday, May 27 (Memorial Day). “(We’re just) two guys doing something crazy in hopes to do something good,” Jordan said. “This is really important to the both of us.”
To document the journey and raise awareness, the two have been posting reels to Dogtopia’s Instagram (@dogtopiaofeauclaire, @dogtopiaofwoodbury). And, the two have even received support from Command Sergeant Major Gretchen Evans, who will be running part of the journey with them.
Jordan and Jacob encourage folks, businesses, and anyone interested to support their cause by donating through the Dogtopia Foundation online.
Dogtopia Foundation has been supporting veterans and fundraising for dogs since about 2017. However, this is the first time the Run Scruffy Run Ultra Marathon will take place. “Running 101 miles non-stop is no small feat, but it pales in comparison the grit and gumption of those we are running to support,” they said.
Learn more about Dogtopia’s impact on the communities it serves and support Jordan and Jacob at dogtopiafoundation.org. Keep up with them on Instagram (@dogtopiaofeauclaire).
