Running the Grand to Grand for homeless pets

This September, five Best Friends Animal Society supporters will take on the Grand to Grand Ultra, one of the toughest footraces on Earth. Plus, all gifts are matched up to $25,000!

The Grand to Grand Ultra is a seven-day, self-supported ultramarathon covering some of the most remote terrain in the U.S., with runners carrying all their own gear, food, and determination.

Best Friends supporters have come up with some original and creative ways to raise funds for the animals through the years. And this fall, a team of long-distance runners are taking that creativity to the extreme by competing in the grueling Grand to Grand footrace to help the animals of Best Friends.

Most years since the race began, one or more participants — including late Best Friends co-founder Gregory Castle — have run the Grand to Grand to raise funds for the animals. Part of the course winds through Best Friends Animal Sanctuary, where dogs, cats, bunnies, parrots, horses, wildlife, and other animals have found healing and second chances — and where the animals themselves serve as inspiration to keep runners moving toward the finish line.

To further encourage this year’s runners, we are thrilled to share that we have received a $25,000 match from Best Friends supporters Jeff and Sherry Hotham.

They hope you’ll cheer on this year’s Grand to Grand runners by making a donation that will help twice as many homeless pets in shelters around the country find loving homes. We are immensely grateful for their generosity and devotion to animals.

Thanks to animal lovers like you, the Best Friends Grand to Grand team is on their way to raising $25,000 for the animals. When you make a gift today, every dollar will be matched!*

*Every gift made through 11:59 p.m. PDT on September 26, 2026, will be matched up to $25,000.

Support the Best Friends team

You can make a lifesaving gift to the animals at Best Friends on behalf of Suzanne, Emily, Matthew, Dallas, or Victoria in the Grand to Grand Ultra.

Hear from the runners

Each runner on the Best Friends team is raising funds to support homeless pets at the Sanctuary and across the country.

The path to saving homeless pets isn't always a smooth road. For this dedicated group of animal lovers, it’s a 171-mile run through sand, rock, and desert heat.

Suzanne Sandrue

My life changed once I met my soul dog, Tootsie, five years ago. I have learned so many lessons from her, mostly about enjoying every moment, big and small. I’m excited for the Grand to Grand to make new connections with people and nature, challenge myself, and raise money to support the important work that Best Friends does for all soul animals out there!

Give Today in Support of Suzanne

Emily Keddie

I’m an endurance athlete with a proclivity for adrenaline-packed adventures. You can find me free-soloing rock of somewhat questionable quality, running 100-mile races, or taking off on lengthy and extremely remote backpacking trips involving the need for navigational prowess. I’m rarely without my furry best friend, Jolly, a Hovawart who loves adventuring just as much as I do.

Give Today in Support of Emily

Matthew McGrew

I’m thrilled to be running the Grand to Grand for Best Friends. I’m passionate about animal welfare and excited for this adventure. I grew up caring for all kinds of animals — horses, cattle, ducks, chickens, goats, dogs, cats, parrots, and fish. Summers were spent on a 550,000-acre ranch in northern New Mexico, where both wildlife and domesticated animals were part of daily life.

Give Today in Support of Matthew

Dallas Kittrell

I work as an air ambulance pilot serving southern Utah. I love helping people and animals and staying active. At my last job, I was flying into places all over the U.S., and I loved finding the local animal shelter and taking the dogs for walks. I currently have two rescued dogs, who are a cherished part of our family — me; my wife, Baylie; and our two sons, Clayton (2) and Coast (9 months).

Give Today in Support of Dallas

Victoria Johnson

It's an honor to celebrate 16 years at Best Friends by competing in the 2026 Grand to Grand Ultra. This challenge combines my favorite things: running, hiking, adventure, and raising money for animals. I have quite a few marathons under my belt but nothing that has asked so much of me. As we strive closer toward no-kill nationwide, it requires a little bit more from all of us — so I plan to give this race my all. Let's do this!

Give Today in Support of Victoria

Join other supporters from across the country in support of the Best Friends team

Are you an endurance athlete who's interested in running a future race? Email DIY@bestfriends.org and let us know!

The Grand to Grand Ultra

September 20–26, 2026

275 km in six stages over seven days

The Grand to Grand Ultra, now in its 13th year, is the first self-supported stage footrace ever to take place in America on a world-class course that has been experienced by few brave adventurers.

It is the only stage race to start from one of the seven natural wonders of the world, the awe-inspiring north rim of the Grand Canyon, and finish at the Pink Cliffs, which are the top layer of the Grand Staircase, one of the world's most iconic geological formations.

Simply put, the Grand to Grand is the adventure of a lifetime.

Learn more about the race »

About Best Friends Animal Society

Best Friends is working to end the killing of dogs and cats in U.S. shelters in part by getting more pets out of shelters and into loving homes.

We’ve come a long way since the first known city reached no-kill in 1994, and now we’re closer than ever to making the entire country no-kill. Of the roughly 3,900 shelters operating in America today, 1,300 of them are not yet no-kill, but nearly half are close with 100 or fewer additional pets to be saved, and we know what to do to get them there.

Best Friends is committed to working with passionate people like you to save homeless pets through adoption, volunteering, fostering, and advocacy. In addition to our pet adoption centers around the U.S, we also founded and run the nation's largest no-kill sanctuary for companion animals.

Working together, we can save homeless pets in our communities and secure a better future for our best friends. Together, we will bring the whole country to no-kill.