Sugar House, Utah - On Oct. 1, runners around the valley tied up their shoelaces and made their way to Sugar House Park for the 5th-annual Dodo Dash sponsored by The Dodo Restaurant and the PRATT Coalition. The proceeds from the race went towards the PRATT Coalition, a project that is helping connect the Bonneville Shoreline Trail to the Jordan River Parkway Trail. 

In years past, the run has usually sponsored the “stomp out hunger” campaign that supports the Utah Food Bank, but this year they decided to change directions. 

“We decided to change directions a bit last year and again this year by dedicating the proceeds directly to the Parley’s Trail that runs through Sugarhouse Park,” Stacey Deittman, marketing director for The Dodo Restaurant, said, “We wanted to give back to the running community and thought the trail would be a great way to do that. We also hold a special place in our hearts for the park as we are directly  across the street.”

This year the run hosted around 55 runners, an increase from last year. The run went around Sugar House Park, which is already a part of Parley’s Trail. The park connects with the trail just underneath 1300 East to Hidden Hollow where it will soon connect with a trail that runs down Sugarmont Drive. The trail has been a big project in Salt Lake City and is continuing to add and connect trails to different parts of the city.  

“We are really happy to support the PRATT Coalition,” Deittman said. “We feel that community trails in our city are important for connectivity, health, wellness, and serve as a positive outlet for travel as well.”

Those who participated in the race and fun run included adults and kids of all abilities. Before the race, kids warmed up with lifestyle coach Angle Martindale by running in place and doing stretches. 

“Each kid got a medal for competing,” Deittman said. “We also had radio station NOW 97.9 there to play some fun jams to get the energy going, along with fresh coffee from Rimini.” 

“The PRATT Coalition has been working over 15 years on this project and millions of dollars are needed to complete these awesome trails,” Deittman said. “Any part we can do to help is appreciated by the PRATT team and we think they are doing a great job.”