Looking for something fun to do this weekend? The Seeing Eye is holding its inaugural Run 4 The Seeing Eye, this Saturday, Sept. 8, at 6 p.m. The highlight of the event is the 1-mile “Doggy Dash,” where all well-behaved and fit canines over the age of 6 months, including Seeing Eye® dogs, are invited to walk with their owners. Families and people without dogs are also encouraged to participate in the 1-mile event.

For the more serious competitor, there is a human-only 4-mile run. The walk and run, administered by Superhero Events, LLC, are part of a weekend-long series of events supporting The Seeing Eye. A post-race party will be held at a local restaurant. For the 4-mile run, prizes will be handed out to the winners of various age groups as well as the overall winner. The first 1,000 registrants will receive a high quality technical shirt.

The 1-mile Doggy Dash starts at 6 p.m. and the 4-mile run starts at 6:30 p.m. at the Wells Fargo Bank parking lot on DeHart Street in downtown Morristown. To get more information about Run 4 The Seeing Eye, visit http://www.SeeingEye.org/Fondo. Walk-up registrations will be accepted Saturday at the event site.

On Sunday, September 9, will be the second annual Gran Fondo NJ bike tour, which benefits The Seeing Eye as well as two other Morristown charities. 

“Run 4 The Seeing Eye adds another level of excitement to the weekend of activities by offering a group walk and run event that is fun and healthy for the whole family,” Seeing Eye President & CEO Jim Kutsch said. “Even canine members of the family can walk, helping us continue to provide Seeing Eye dogs to people who want to lead more independent lives.”

All runners, walkers and riders who are entered in Run 4 The Seeing Eye or Gran Fondo NJ are encouraged to fundraise on behalf of the organization.  Fundraising rewards for the Run/Walk start at just $250 with a Seeing Eye gift bag. Those who raise $2,000 are treated to a behind the scenes tour of the main campus and an afternoon with a Seeing Eye instructor.  At the top level, the $5,000 fundraisers get benefits such as naming a Seeing Eye puppy and a blindfold walk with a trained Seeing Eye dog! 

The Seeing Eye’s goal for the weekend is to raise a combined $150,000 – enough to feed the hundreds of dogs who are bred and trained at The Seeing Eye for over a year!   Those who can’t join The Seeing Eye in Morristown on September 8 or 9 are encouraged to select a day in September and join the virtual fundraising team by walking, riding, or running in their own community. Donations will be accepted through September 30.