There’s something uniquely Sacramento about combining Memorial Day morning, William Land Park’s tree-lined trails, and a couple thousand four-legged friends all racing toward the same finish line. That’s exactly what happened this year at the Barks&Brews 5K, the dog-friendly run that’s become a staple of the city’s spring calendar.
The event—rebranded from its former name, No Excuses 5K, back in 2023—pulled in well over a thousand registered participants, with dogs and their humans looping through Land Park on a course that delivers both a solid workout and plenty of tail-wagging moments. It’s the kind of race where finishing times matter less than the joy of getting out there, moving together, and supporting something that actually changes lives.
Which brings us to the real heart of it: Canine Companions. The organization provides service dogs free of charge to people living with multiple disabilities, and for folks like Goga Moore from Canine Companions, the difference is transformative.“It is unbelievable what that independence does to somebody like me,”Moore said. That’s not hyperbole—it’s the whole reason the race exists. Every entry fee goes directly toward raising and training these animals and recruiting the volunteers who make the program run.
What makes Barks&Brews work so well is its simplicity. You run or walk with your dog (or without one—plenty of people come solo). You loop through a beautiful park on a Sacramento morning when the weather’s cooperative. And when you’re done, there’s a beer garden and an awards ceremony celebrating the fastest pups and their humans. Tracy Parrott, another Canine Companions volunteer, nailed why the partnership feels so natural:“It just works beautifully, hand-in-hand that we’re at a dog friendly race and we’re the beneficiary being Canine Companions, and getting to get the word out about the service dogs that we raise and the volunteers that we need.”
That last part—the need for volunteers—isn’t just throwaway sentiment. Organizations like Canine Companions run on people willing to show up, train dogs, and believe in the mission hard enough to do it without expecting a paycheck. The Barks&Brews 5K does double duty: it raises funds and spreads the word to a crowd that already loves dogs. It’s a reminder that some of the best local traditions are the ones that solve real problems while making a Saturday morning unforgettable.
About the Author
Andrew Johnson
Andrew Johnson is a contributor to LocalBeat, covering local news and community stories.
