Dogging It

The Lowell Police Academy took to the historic streets of Concord, Mass. Sunday to pound the pavement in the name of a good cause - specifically, for Concord K9 Mikayel, seen here with his handler, Concord Police Officer Sylvia Toumayan.  At far left is Lowell Police Officer Erin Byrne, who pulled the LPA runners together for the event, known as the Concord 5K9.

About half of this year's class took part in the fund-raiser along with a good chunk of the LPA PT staff.  Lots of you are probably used to seeing them running the streets of Lowell most mornings from June through October.   Most of the this year's class ran the 3.1 mile Concord loop, carrying their LPA standard all along the way.  They're joined here by Lowell Police Sgt. Mark Leblanc, the Academy Director.

In case you haven't run them, the Concord streets around the downtown, along Monument Road and the Minuteman National Park are a true gem.  Why the E Streeters aren't down there running the trail off-shoots more often is a mystery to me.  Sounds like I need to chart a course there sometime soon.

Four Horsemen heading in to the home stretch

After the race, fellow PT instructor Tim Bousios and his personal trainer were proud to take part

As was the rest of the class, joined by Lowell Police Sgt. Marisol Nobrega

And it didn't hurt that members of the LPA team took home some hardware for their age group division finishes, including E Streeter Carlos Borges of the Tyngsboro PD

Props to Cambridge PD's Kyle Galuski and Melissa Miceli for their medal places!

Lots of credit to the students from Concord-Carlisle High School who helped organize the whole shindig.  It was especially heartening to see so many dogs running in the race, considering what the cause was all about.  Proceeds are being used to purchase a ballistic vest and provide for the care of the newest member of the Concord PD, Mikayel.  The 5K9 was dedicated to K9 Charik, who had participated in the marathon bomber manhunt in Watertown, and ended his tour in April and was well known to the children of Concord and Carlisle.
A really great time had by all, and an important cause bolstered by everyone running until they were dog tired.