Tift County Animal Shelter’s Brandi Conway (left) needed a bit of friendly help in posing all of the dogs that were available at Run for Love for adoption. The six dogs, Annie, Dozer, Ty, Marco, Ira and Max are all still available to go to new forever homes.

TIFTON — There was a party at Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College Saturday night, a party called Run for Love.

There was music blasting, T-shirts handed out, snacks of water and bananas, information from Tiftarea Greenways Association on display and dogs available for adoption from the Tift County Animal Shelter as the event celebrated its 28th year.

There were also a couple of races run, a one-mile fun run and a 5K.

Over 100 runners and walkers participated, according to cross country coach Mike Beeman.

Beeman was very thankful for the support that Run for Love has received over the years, from businesses, parents and the running community.

Run for Love is the sole fundraiser for Tift County’s middle school and high school cross country teams.

While the school system is “great,” Beeman said, money raised from Run for Love will go towards incidentals, such as awards, shirts and refreshments.

“The money goes back to the kids,” Beeman said.

Middle school cross country coach Laural Mullen said the team at Eighth Street continues to grow.

Mullen had an all-time high of 43 runners competing in 2016. She has 35 athletes currently, but is hopeful of a few more joining the team.

Practice has already started, with a focus on strength and conditioning.

“We had a good first week,” Mullen said. “A lot of new faces.”

Several of the team’s most outstanding runners have moved on to the high school level.

“I’m looking for my next leaders,” she said.

The one-mile fun run started a few paces north of the Red Hill Athletic Center and finished in front of it.

Landon Johnson was the top male runner in the one-mile fun run, with Summer Erskine the fastest among females. Both are from Tifton.

Runners took a break after the fun run, then reconvened at ABAC Place for the start of the 5K.

Beeman introduced both races.

Before the 5K, he told the crowd, “We really appreciate you, the runners and the parents. You are second to none.”

Caleb Watson of Douglas was the fastest runner in the 5K, with Tifton’s Emily Golden the fastest female in the event. Bret Wagenhorst and Penny Peters were the men’s and women’s masters winners, respectively.

Unfortunately, all six dogs available for adoption were still available after Run for Love.

The six — Annie, Dozer, Marco, Ira, Max and Ty — did receive plenty of attention during the event and delivered their own kind of love with tails wagging and slobbery kisses.

Officer Brandi Conway of the Animal Shelter said the dogs available were primarily picked for two reasons.

“These guys were spayed and neutered,” she said, meaning that they could have been taken home immediately after being adopted. Also, “They are very friendly.”

The dogs can still be adopted from the Tift County Animal Shelter. For more information, call (229) 382-7387. Additional photos are available via the Friends of Tift County Animal Shelter & Save Our Pets Facebook page (www.facebook.com/tiftcountyanimalshelter).