Note: 
The runners at the 2006 Hounds and Harriers Run were inadvertently led off course.  A lot of the remarks refer to that incident. 

 Everything worked out fine. Ran a great time!  I gave an entire packet to Emily, the daughter, and only realized at home that I would have liked the bandanna for Sweedee; Please let me know if you've any extras, for which I'll happy contribute another donation. Thanks.  Richard Panush (who loaned his dog Sweedie to Emily Deddens for the race)

We had a blast at the race, laughed most of the way!!  I don't think anyone cared about the discrepancy in the distance.  It was a fun run first and foremost!  Karen Giacomantonio.

I just got home from today's race and wanted to thank you again for a great day for the runners and of course the dogs. The race is for the dogs and they don't know if they ran long or short so I wouldn't sweat it if I were you. I know how much time you put into to it and how you try to cover all bases but sometimes things don't always work out. Like you said after the race, everyone had a good time and no one got hurt.

I was thinking about the NYC Marathon as well and I can't tell you how many races I've run that I ended up running off course. It was for the dogs and Blaze was not going to complain that she ran only 2.47. Thanks again, Blaze had a great time.  Bob Tona & Blaze 

I couldn’t believe Sunchi.  She really wanted to get right to the front and win the race.  She pulled the whole way.  I think I ran a PR with her pulling me.  Amy Duncan speaking of her partner and race director’s dog 14 year old Sunchi

I'm so sorry that the race got messed up today - it's a doggone shame. It happens to the best directors; you just can't trust where people are going to go, and when dogs are involved, it's twice as easy to bark up the wrong trail! I know you are disappointed, and you had plenty of course marshals out - I ran around the lake with Ali Locke as a cool down, and saw the usual water stop there, and saw the marshals coming back the trail down by the lake.

As you know, there are plenty of talented (and not-so-talented-but-plenty-serious) runners who look forward all year to this race. I am certainly one. In fact, it is one of the few 5K (or three milers) I was planning to do this year, and I trained Peewee for months to be in shape for it. My point is, distance accuracy is paramount in road races, and a lot of serious runners track their times carefully. This is Peewee's third year, and before that Junior did the course (I can't remember how many times). We ran our tails (!) off out there - I was doing pretty darned well - I think we were on PR pace (which for us would be something under seven minute per mile pace).

Here is my recommendation. Try to figure out what the runners did. Best I can fathom, the four leaders did one course, everybody else did another. If you can figure it out from word of mouth (maybe Bonnie can tell you - I can't, I'm like a blind bat, following the leaders), re-measure the course most people did (and the leaders as well) to the nearest .01 mile if possible. Then publish this along with the times. I will prorate to 3 miles and be very happy with this. If you really can't figure it out, publish the times anyway.  Thanks for putting on the foremost dog run in New Jersey.  Steven Fisher and Peewee

Thank you for a wonderful day and all your hard work.  Best wishes, Norma and Molly Brand

Hi Barb.  I just wanted to say congratulations on putting on such an extraordinary event yesterday, and send you a few pictures I took (sorry if they are slow to download because of their size). 

Thanks for letting me be a part of the excitement.  I enjoyed meeting everyone and seeing the race, and I’m already looking forward to volunteering or running it next year!  I hope to see you again soon.  I had a great time, and thought your message about the run being for the dogs was right on track!  Susan Brookman

Ali and I wanted to tell you we had a great time (as usual) at the Hounds and Harriers race.  I don't think Victor minded that it ended up being shorter and neither did Ali.  We look forward to attending it again next year.  Thanks for organizing such a fun day for all.  Wendy & Ali Locke

Great race, no matter how far we ran.   Nadia and I had a great time, as usual.  Thanks for the fine weather.  If that XL shirt is still available we'll take it. Let me know and I'll get back to you about pickup.   Thanks for the link to mapmyrun.com. It looks like a cool site. I have to investigate it. See you next year..... Kent Kollmer

No reason to apologize.......Like you said, the dogs had a great time and the people did too.  I did not hear anything negative from anyone. 

Dillon was awesome !  He nearly pulled my arm off most of the way...I'll need to get used to the hands free leash.  I did not realize what was going on with the course...I assumed you changed the course last minute for some reason....As we approached the last turn, I thought we were still going to loop somewhere to make up the last half mile so I had gas left in the tank for once,  I was battling with the guy Scott with the sled dog.  I urged Dillon on down the stretch and he dug in real hard and inch by inch caught up and nosed in front at the end.  So we finished: Dillon, Scott then me and his dog so I guess technically Dillon beat them....But of course it doesn't matter...It was great to see him work so hard.  Scott was an interesting guy...He was calling out sledding commands to his dog from time to time and later said the dog had been in sled teams with other dogs he knows and he goes cross country skiing with him in a running harness.

As always.......Thank you !!!!!!!!  Mark Depiano

I can't tell you how much fun my dogs, Poppy and Rex, and my cousin and I had.  Regardless of the trail error, it happens. Thank you for organizing this wonderful event and we look forward to it again next year. I will be the Halloween fair next week and hopefully the spaghetti dinner. Thank you again.  Grace Cabanillas

I wanted to write to you and tell you that my family and I had the time of our lives yesterday.  It was the first Hounds and Harriers race for me and my 16 month old  dog Otis, so we didn't really know what to expect.   I first came across your flyer at Murray Hill Vets this summer and thought, this would be great for us, since Otis and  I run 3 miles regularly around our neighborhood.  Having the race to "train" for gave us even more motivation to continue our workouts. 

Then came the day of the race.  I knew in advance there were 150 entries, but nothing can prepare you for the sight of so many excited canines and their owners warming up before the start!  And all the different breeds!  It was like a very athletic dog show.  Otis, who adores any and all dogs, must have thought that was about as good as it gets, that is, until the race began.  This is a dog that loves to run.  And I have to say, the Loantaka course is a lot more scenic then the loop we do around our town! 

If anyone enjoyed themselves more than Otis and I, it was my husband (designated photographer) and four children, ages 10, 8, 6, and 4.  They are all dog lovers, and they don't mind a Krispy Kreme donut, either. :)  I sincerely hope that you are not overly upset about the course confusion.   Errors do occur, especially when trying out a course for the first time.  The mishap shouldn't overshadow the rest of the event, which was a really fun morning, in beautiful fall weather, among great company, for a good cause.  Of course it helps that Otis and I were among the winners (First Place for Large Dog with Female Companion), but with or without a ribbon we were so happy just to be a part of the day.  I was also very proud to learn that Otis, besides being the only Italian Spinone in the race, is the first Spinone ever to run the Hounds and Harriers.

My family and I can't stop talking about the race, and we are already looking forward to next year's event.  I'm sure all the course confusion will be ironed out, and we can only hope for as nice a day as this year's.  If the event continues annually, Otis and I will definitely be regular participants, at least for the next ten years.   Thanks so much for all your hard work in putting this race together.  Sincerely,  Nancy Halper (and Otis)

Thanks.  John, Arch & I had a great time as always.  We are really glad you stopped & talked to John & Arch that day when we first moved here & you saw them running!  All the best, Chris Kachinsky (Bye)

My family had such a great time with all the people and dogs around. You did a wonderful job and we can't wait till next year to do it again.  See you at the pool.  Take Care, Cathy Maloney

No apology necessary for me...Ajax and I were thrilled to be back at the Hounds and Harriers!  He was ready to run from the time we arrived; I think he remembered how much fun the run is for him.  We were not disappointed, and he was smiling the whole morning, and we felt good running and being with other dogs!    Thank you for a great event!   Take care,  Trice and Ajax Guella

A great race, no matter where we ran.  Moose and master enjoyed it.  Thank you for all your effort on this. We were glad to be a part of it.  Daryl Brewster, CEO Krispy Kreme

It was a great time as always, and hey whatever we ran was fine with Abby and I.  Thanks again for a great time.  John Beers

Great event.  Savannah and I will be back next year! -Steve Davis

We all had a great time on Saturday and it was great to see so many friends and make some more!  Can't wait for next year!  Debbie Kelly

OK the course was 2.47 miles.  I guess for an old lady I came in about the top 1/3 considering I started almost dead last.  Misty accounted for my fast pace for the 1st 2 miles, dragging me along. Well for the last .5 mile I actually was running faster than Misty.  She pooped under pressure (no doggie pun intended). 

We ran past a stream and the dog (with runner) in front of me decided that he wanted a bath and twice went off into the river.  Too funny seeing the dog dragging the runner into the river.

A big round of applause for Misty.  She officially ran her first race.  Barb Rushman did a great job putting this run on. Applause to Barb also. Way  to go Barb.  Doggie biscuits & my favorite (Krispy Kremes) were some of the post race snacks.  Also great shirts and a great goody bag. Door prizes to boot.  Hope to see all my friends join in next year.  Remember no do is too small  to run in the race.  I saw some tiny pooches running. (Deb & April)   Maybe we can include cats in the near future (only joking) Barb Hoess

We had a great time.  I knew the course was wrong (it was well-marked with big yellow arrows) and told the lady at the turn but she said the lead bicycle went the wrong way and that everyone was following it.  I feel sorry about the people at the 2 mile water stop, they should get extra thank you’s.  I thought about running the whole course, but Sparky made a bee-line for the creek.  It's just one of those things that happen. 

Sparky thought the race was over when he passed our car and it was a struggle to get him to do the final 1/4 mile or so.  Gretl ran so well for her 12 years of age.  She always amazes us and the vet.  He calls her the marathon dog.  We hope she will be back next year, but you never know. 

I don't think anyone will have a gripe.  It was a beautiful day, everyone had fun and that's most important.  It's not like anyone is going to get Olympic Qualifying times.  The funny thing is to hear the people who didn't realize the course was 1/2 mile short exclaim in joy at their time at the finish.  Best wishes,  Susan Dawson

We all had a most happy time at the 10^th Annual Hounds & Harriers race on Saturday.  So what if we all went off course?  It was still a great day and Elsie got to the treat basket sooner that she would have if we had run the whole 3 miles!  I’m just sorry for our event photographer, waiting out there for us all that time.  Thanks so much to you and all the volunteers who so generously give their time to put on this event.  It’s really something special.  The Krispy Kremes were a big hit as far as I could tell.

I didn’t get a chance to talk to you much Saturday, but Tucker really wanted to say thanks so much for the Paws from the Past run.  He was so proud to participate and simply LOVES his toys and ribbons that he came away with.  Thank you for making Tucker feel so special every year.  Elsie had a great time, and I was happy that she was so calm with 140+ other dogs around. 

I was happy to see Sunchi and Daisy having such a good time on Saturday. They are both excellent runners (so is John).

It was nice to see Karen G, Wendy Locke, Tracey and Angie there on Saturday.  By the time I got done chatting with them, you were already packed up and gone!  Well, I’d like to buy another couple of tee shirts.   Like I said, I was spacin’ on Saturday and never got back to the table to speak with you!  But thank you so much again for all your hard work.  Elsie and Tucker can’t wait for next year!  Love, Karen Fox

Great race, thanks for doing everything to make it a fun morning, especially finding me a partner....Clearly a lot of work.  And I will mention the elephant in the room -- I did not hear any real complaints about the course mishaps...these things can happen...

Cheryl -- thanks for the chance to bay with the wolves.  I think Blue might have had a shot at the win if we'd have gone the extra mile, he was really distracted in the first mile but found his gear once we hit the trail and we caught a lot of teams.  Best -- Joseph McVeigh

I just wanted to thank you for everything on Saturday.  My brother Joey, and Timber & Rocky had an amazing time.  We stayed throughout the awards and beyond, as we met so many wonderful people.  Timber did an amazing job, despite his youth!  He was pulling me most of the way (though he was tired at the end and secretly thanks you for the shorter race!).  I think that his unexpected participation in the race has been a wonderful thing for him, as he is so excited every time we run!

I am going to also forward you information on a Halloween fundraiser for the Husky House in case you or anyone you know may be interested.  (www.huskyhouse.org)

Thank you again and take care!  Amy Birnbaum

I echo what you have heard from others.  It was a great day!  I'll be happy to volunteer again next year.  Bonnie Ashe

One of my favorite days...whether it's hot, cold, a monsoon (like last year), a little shorter distance - this year...any way you cut it, it's all good! And you make it GREAT. Thanks again for all your efforts. Pass this tool along to others if they want to see what their 5K time would have been. Based on 2.47 miles, my pace was right in line. - With Gunner this year, Next year, Hunter will be ready, if I make it that long...he's sooooo tough, just about 5 months now!!! http://www.runnersworld.com/cda/finishtimecalculator/0,7160,s6-238-283-316-0-0-0-0,00.html.  Thanks, Charlie Lewis

Thanks for a GREAT race.  It is our third year running and we had a blast.  Don’t worry about the abbreviated course, we did not mind a bit, and Lucy appreciated the shorter distance (think in the end I did too).  See you next year.  Susan Stevenson

Your race was fabulous, despite the mix-up.  No one seemed upset (mostly you).  It is, after all, a day for the dogs and they had a blast!  I took a video of both Sunchi and Oreo finishing (with John and Amy) and of you giving out awards.  Once I figure out how to upload them to my computer, I can send them to you.  Barb VonHalle

Attached are some pictures of Kelsey & Molly Dyer.  The race was fun, even with the mix up!  Kay Dyer

It was a pleasure to get to meet you at the starting line of your race. I have to say it was one of the most interesting and fun races I have ever been a part of.  Baxter and I had a great time.  I can tell you without reservation that no one had a problem with the course mix-up.  Just listening to people talking in the crowd, they took it in "stride".  Like me, I am sure everyone was just so excited to finally get to race with their dog.  Baxter and I get up every morning ~5am and go out running (marathon training).  We enjoy the running in the dark, dodging cars, and a bear every now and then, but this was his reward for hitting the road with me each day.  That dog just pulled me to one of my fastest times I ever ran, even for 2.5 mi.  The whole time I was yelling to him to slow down, but as long as there was a dog ahead, he had to catch em, and give him a sniff before passing.

I will send pictures in a day or so, my son took some at the start, but being the teenager that he is, he missed the end of the race, he was listening to his IPOD in the car when we came in.  The only complaint I heard was from Baxter.  He was upset that his 5th place ribbon was pink.  He won't wear it for a picture.  I told him to finish higher next time to get a different color!

I was wearing a GPS watch (forerunner 205) and am attaching a picture of the course I ran.  I got 2.45 mi. on the watch; should be pretty accurate to actual.

You such a GREAT race organizer. You care so much.  Thanks for the opportunity to race my dog!  Joe Curran and Baxter

My daughter and I and Bandit had a great time at the race and it was a beautiful day.  We did not care at all about the course issue.  Carl Deddens

It is the best event.  I get such a kick out of seeing all those different dogs and their owners.  And the pairings are sometimes interesting too.  Definitely, keep this good race running.  Nancy Barrett, volunteer

I want to thank you for a great race. To me this is a fun event and should be taken that way. If people are upset that it was too short or was not "official", they should lighten up. It was a beautiful day in the park. I am glad to have shared the experience with such nice people.  Peter Brody, Murray Hill Veterinary Associates, the official race veterinarian.

I also wanted to thank you for all you do for this event! Scotty (my dog) and I had a great time, as well as Libby (our other rescue dog) who came with my dad to watch.  Hopefully she will be running the race next year!  Thanks again!  Kim Brown

I truly enjoyed Saturday.  It was such a well organized, fun event.  WOW. The weather was just fabulous.   And, my new sweatshirt is beautiful.  Take care.  Hope to see you real soon,  Ruth Selle. 

It is the best event.  I get such a kick out of seeing all those different dogs and their owners.  And the pairings are sometimes interesting too.  Definitely, keep this good race running.  It was a great time on Saturday.  Don't worry about the course mix-up.  As someone said, the dogs didn't mind, and I don't think the people did either.  Nancy Barrett

I missed the race.  Unfortunately, I have to put Chopin down.  I do not believe in that, but my wife made an appointment and I went through with it.  He could not walk or stand up and was not able to control defecation or urination and was not happy.  Thanks for the fun for him.  I still have picture of first race.  William P. Pape  (winner of the 1^st Hounds and Harriers Run with Chopin in 97)

We did manage to take one picture of the ceremony at the end, and the rest were of me and my dogs.  Since Rex, my GSD couldn't run because of his stomach, Poppy, my lab ran for him and gave Rex his ribbon! The ribbons were so nice! Hope these pics help.  Grace Cabanillas

You measured the off course with that web site, so it's accurate, so my pace was faster than last year.....I really didn't expect that, but conditions were perfect and Dillon pulled hard...

Great to see Sunchi still running at 14...She looks great....Hopefully she'll run next year....John said Daisy ran well.  You never know with dogs, but I think Sunchi has a lot of gas left in her tank.....I don't know her but she seems "young", very alert, spy, looks good physically......

You said you wanted to create the best day of the year for the dogs...I sure you did........One of my more enjoyable days too !  Mark Depiano

 Just an FYI - when I came down the final path to the finish on Saturday I knew that something was wrong as we had only been running for 10 minutes or so. When I saw you at the finish we actually stopped before the finish to find out what to do next. That is when I was "edged" out as the next runner ran by after we had stopped. No big deal - we might have been passed in the 3rd mile anyway, but I want you to understand what had happened. It was a very confusing scene and it was my mistake to stop. Nonetheless, we had a fun time. Sorry I had to leave so soon after the run but I had to get to work.

Sneakers had a great time - he was a running monster right from the get go and he pulled me along to a very fast 2.08 miles. Don't beat yourself up too much - it was still a great day. See you soon.  Kevin Higgins

Just got finished reading your latest update on how the race went on Saturday.  Wow!  It sounds like quite a hectic day for you with the race course.  I'm sure that everyone involved had a blast no matter what.  It's always great day just to get out with all the other dogs and owners. I was so glad that you had such good weather (a far cry from last year's downpouring of rain) for race day.  Michele Kraweak

Bear & I had such a great morning.  When we came over the finish-line, my mom was there and she shed a few tears ....she found it so touching (and I'm 44!).  Next year my Mary hopes she can run instead of me, and then I'll get to shed the tear.  Great job of organizing!  I know it must've been soooo much work.  Michelle Migton

 I’ve been meaning to write to let you know how much fun Ruby and I had at your race.  You shouldn’t for a moment think anyone was upset about the course.  Everyone surrounding me was just happy to be there with other dogs and dog lovers.  It was a wonderful day and you should be very proud of yourself.  You did a fantastic job.  We thank you.  Ruby and Peter Smith

Once again my family and I had a great time.  You always the say the race is about the dogs having a good time and I think the mix up on the course made E.D. happy.  He ran his best pace for the distance we ran.  I am not sure if he could have kept that pace for the full distance.  I think the only one having more fun than me and E.D. was my daughter.  She loves seeing all the dogs. But I think the highlight for her was the fact that the woman manning the food table let her have a doughnut with sprinkles on it during the race.  She was thinking, 150 dogs and a doughnut with sprinkles, it does not get any better.  Anyway I would not worry too much about the confusion on the course I think everyone had a great time.  .Peter Hyland

I have wanted to sit down and drop you a line, but life carried me off too quickly! (After the run, we had to rush off to a soccer game, marching band competition, and Margo's UPenn parent's weekend in Philadelphia. Whew!). Then, this past weekend, we took Stargazer down to DC to visit Aaron - another parent's weekend at American University. So, alas, I'm back to my computer and eager to touch base with you!

We had a wonderful time at this year's Hounds and Harriers Run. I know you must have been quite dismayed by the course confusion.  But you handled it like the champ you always are! It is ingenious to suggest that we mustn't tell the dogs about our misguided run. What a great reminder about who this event is largely intended to serve (i.e. our canine companions!).

On that note, Shadow and Relic had a wonderful outing that morning. (And it was perfect for our four furry friends, since we later left them to snooze quietly while we were away for the next 24 hours). It really was a glorious day - could not have been more perfect for the occasion. I hope you felt some satisfaction by how the morning proceeded. I know I would have been extremely frustrated by the errors that surfaced, especially after all of the safeguards you had put in place, all the thoughtful planning, preparation, marking, and stationing. But you are so careful to acknowledge the efforts of all those involved. And as you mentioned, they are, after all, volunteers. As such, there is no place for reprimands. Thank you for your remarkable graciousness. I could never achieve the same were I in your shoes!

I wonder if Michael and I (mostly Michael) could be of assistance for this preliminary portion of the morning~? In particular, I wonder if most - if not all - of these older dogs could run/walk a longer "retiree" course - maybe 1/4 or even 1/2 mile so that they get greater satisfaction from their participation. I'm aware that this means starting earlier, and a little more planning. But we would love to offer our assistance in this endeavor (as our own dogs continue to move into the "retired" category!). Stargazer and Chinky were somewhat dismayed that they had but a few seconds on the path, and then were placed back in the car for the remainder of the morning. (Most participants do not share our particular logistics, I know!). I do love it that you typically announce each veteran dog, and allow them to proceed one at a time. Do you think it might be feasible to give them a slightly longer walk to the finish?

Anyway, thank you as always for making this great day available to us. As you know, we look forward to this special, shared, recreational celebration with our loyal four-legged friends each autumn. We marvel at the profound contribution you make to the cause of animal welfare as we partake of this joyful occasion with so many like-minded souls!.  I hope you can relax now and enjoy these beautiful fall days (which are rapidly getting COLDER!). 

THANK YOU for the extra copies of Runner's Gazette, where you paid tribute to our family. You are most kind and complimentary! Also, I appreciated your acknowledgement and praise of my triathlon participation. (Yours was also a stellar performance in that impressive challenge. It was TOUGH!).  Shelly Prebenda, mother of 6 and owner of 4 dogs.  All family members including Dad have participated in the H&H Run

Thanks for the update from NJ and about your race  Glad to hear the weather was great, but I really understand how you felt when runners made a wrong turn.  The best way to make sure the course is marked so there is no doubt at all where to go is to have a person who have no idea where course goes to run through it before the event starts. We have done similar mistakes with a few of the races our club is putting on. We can’t understand how some runners are able to make a wrong turn. We think we have marked the course very well, but we see it with other eyes than those who have not been there before.  But it sounds to me that people were happy anyway and the dogs had a great day.

Over here it is getting cold, we have already put on winter tires on our Saab. It seem like the cool weather has arrived in your area as well.  Jack checked the 10 day forecast for New York and right now it looks like it will be cool. A lot cooler than last year.  Ha det bra.  Hilsen Grete Waitz (former world record holder 3,000 meters, marathon, 9 time winner NYC Marathon, 5 time winner World Cross Country Championships)