The 9th Annual Run & Wag 5K, benefiting the Little Guild Animal Shelter, be held at noon Oct. 15 on the Cornwall Town Green. 

CORNWALL — The 9th Annual Run & Wag 5K, benefiting the Little Guild Animal Shelter, be held at noon Oct. 15 on the Cornwall Town Green. 

The Cornwall Green will be filled with racers and revelers enjoying music by Mike Cobb and Friends, food from Meraki Food Truck of Litchfield and ice cream from Ben & Jerry's. Norbrook Farm Brewery specializes in farm-style beers, ales and lagers, and they will be serving craft beer in the Cornwall Library parking area.

Richard Schlesinger, a devoted long-time supporter of the Little Guild, will emcee the 5K. He is an Emmy award news correspondent widely known for his extensive work on 48 Hours and CBS News Sunday Morning.

Runners will compete in the following categories: Adult male; Adult female; Youth male; Youth female; Dog and adult male team; Dog and adult female team; Dog and youth male team; Dog and youth female team. The youth division is age 17 and below.

“The Run & Wag has grown as a rite of autumn. It’s timed to coincide with the peak for fall foliage and weather, and there is a nice spirit in the air. There are dogs, the occasional runner costume….and where else can you cross the finish line and enjoy an ice cream cone or a beer?” said John Guenther, a Little Guild volunteer and board member, who has run the race every year since the event began in 2013.

The Little Guild is a 501(c)(3) founded in 1960. It is the largest animal shelter in Northwest Connecticut and boasts one of the highest save rates nationally for a no-kill shelter. Dedicated to rescuing, healing and individually nurturing homeless dogs and cats and matching these animals with caring homes in the community, the Little Guild also provides programs that strengthen the bonds between pets and people. The

Little Guild provides support to pet owners in the community through programs and partnerships with other local organizations; annual no cost vaccination clinics, low cost dog training and animal welfare education programs, as well as partnering with Friendly Hands Food Bank in Torrington to provide pet owners with free pet food and supplies, and with the Susan B. Anthony Project and Women’s Support Services to provide animal care for their clients in crisis.

Registration for the race is online only and closes on Oct. 11. Visit www.littleguild.org for more information and a registration link.