Dogs for DeeDee event in the works

By CASEY RESSLER-Valley Life editor

DeeDee Jonrowe has run dogs for a living as a well-known musher. Now people are running their dogs for her.

Jonrowe, an Iditarod favorite from Willow, recently announced she is battling breast cancer, and will be undergoing treatment and chemotherapy. A running event has been organized to help her cover the costs of chemotherapy.

The Dog Dash for DeeDee has been organized by the Valley Women's Running Team, a group Jonrowe belongs to.

The event includes a 5K run, a 5K run with dogs and a 5K fun walk. Following the races, there will be a 1K walk, with famous Iditarod mushers stationed around the trail loop, talking to children. They will be talking about a wide range of subjects, and generally just meeting and greeting the people who turn out for the event.

The event, schedule for Oct. 5 at Crevasse Moraine, also features a silent auction to help raise money.

"First and foremost we are trying to raise money to help cover her medical bills. She is adamant about running the Iditarod in the future, and we want to make sure she can do that," said Mike Janecek, who is helping organize the event with the Valley Women's Running Team.

The 5K run starts at noon. At 12:30 p.m., a second 5K run starts, this one with people who want to run with their dogs. At the same time, an untimed 5K walk will begin. The 1K "meet the mushers" event starts at 12:45 p.m. An awards ceremony is slated for 2:30 p.m.

There is a suggested donation of $20 to participate, and any donations are welcomed, Janecek said.

T-shirts will be available for purchase the day of the race. Because it is a fund-raiser, T-shirts won't be given out as part of the entry fee. There is an early registration on Oct. 2 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Fred Meyer. There is also registration the day of the race, from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.

The Dog Dash for DeeDee is the first fund-raiser for Jonrowe, but not the last.

"We are still trying to get things together, but we really want to have a winter event, too," Janecek said. "Maybe in February, leading up to the Iditarod."