Great Global Greyhound Walk set to take place on Sunday
The red carpet will be rolled out for the Great Global Greyhound Walk 2022 on Sunday! Photo credit: Eddison Te Reo.
It is anticipated that up to 10,000 greyhounds/sighthounds worldwide will participate in the Great Global Greyhound Walk 2022 (GGGW) which will be staged in at least 27 countries this Sunday.
The GGGW started in Great Britain in 2010 and grew to become international in 2014. The GGGW is an annual dog-walking event that brings together greyhounds/sighthounds and their owners to raise awareness of the breed and to show the public what wonderful pets they make.
The event primarily involves hundreds of organised walks across the globe, that all take place on the same day. All walks are free to attend and are open to everybody, whether they are a greyhound/sighthound owner or not.
Full global details can be viewed by clicking here: The Great Global Greyhound Walk - We're International!
Last year’s GGGW walk attracted 7,509 hounds, walking in 26 countries, incorporating 343 global walks – and that was despite Covid-19 restrictions being in place in numerous countries.
The theme for all walks internationally this year is Red, while local regions offer their own event content/information. The bulk of the 24 planned New Zealand walks have been organised by Greyhounds As Pets (GAP), although some regions have local organisers making their arrangements, with most venues getting underway from 10am.
For example, the GAP-hosted Auckland walk in Cornwall Park is promoted as "On the Red Carpet: think glamour, think glitz, think pupparazzi! Your creativity is welcome!”
Check out your local region by clicking here Find Your Local 2022 Walk Here! - Great Global Greyhound Walk
New Zealand will kick-start the Great Global Greyhound Walk with the Chatham Islands hosting the first walk worldwide, commencing at 10am in Waitangi. The Chatham Islands are 45 minutes ahead of the New Zealand mainland.
New Zealand conducted walks will encompass the entire country, ranging from Whangarei in the north down to Invercargill in the deep-south. The walks vary in length from 40 minutes to an hour, while a shorter version is also offered at most venues.
GAP NZ National Events & Volunteer Coordinator Nicky Pratchett says, “GGGW was developed by greyhound loving people who get together to walk as a group to raise awareness amongst the public. Last year, we had 502 greyhounds walking and hopefully we will exceed that number this year.
“We are encouraging participants to dress their greyhounds up in red. At Cornwall Park, we will have a red carpet where people can be photographed with their dogs after the walk.
“In Christchurch, there will be an after-party, with a local brewery donating a keg of beer where people can have a cup for a donation.”
And GAP Marketing & Team Leader Emelia Lake says, “It’s the perfect way to show off the full spectrum of greyhound personalities; elegant, gentle, goofy and totally lovable. We look forward to this event all year as it provides invaluable visibility for this beautiful breed.”
“Greyhound adoptees are an incredibly close-knit community and are steadfast ambassadors of the commonly misunderstood breed. They‘re all here, at the end of the day, for their love of greyhounds.
“Famed for their athleticism, greyhounds are actually lazy pets. With many enjoying 18 hours of sleep and one short walk a day, they make great apartment dogs and enjoy accompanying their human to a cafe or the pub. Their affectionate, gentle and loving nature is what makes these retired racers thrive as loyal companions.
“It will be hard to miss large groups of greyhounds dressed in red, and we welcome any members of the public to join us for a pat and a chat,” adds Lake.
“That’s why we participate; because the more people who meet a greyhound for the first time, the more people we have across New Zealand who have fallen in love with this beautiful breed.”
Auckland-based Jean Wan has participated in a number of the Auckland walks since 2015 with her pair of adopted greyhounds.
She will be at Cornwall Park on Sunday with 10-year-old Jesse (formerly Uncle Jesse) and 9.5-year-old Lani (Mockingjay).
“It’s pretty cool taking part in the walks and it creates fantastic public exposure for greyhounds. Greyhounds are a breed who fit in with people’s lifestyles,” expressed Wan.
“It’s a great way to introduce people to greyhounds if they are looking to adopt a greyhound, with the majority of them being in the same place at the same time.
“And it’s great to also catch-up with other like-minded people with greyhounds,” enthused Wan, who is frequently involved in weekend activities organised by Auckland GRC board member Dave Bryn.
Pawnote: For those participating in New Zealand GGGW walks, don’t forget that NZ daylight saving commences at 2am this Sunday.
By Peter Fenemor