Judy V Spencer 5K-9 Fun Run/Walk
June 8, 2025 | 8:00 AM | 800 John F. Kennedy Dr, Bay City, MI
​Please join us for our annual 5K-9 Fun Run/Walk and don't forget to bring your dog!
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Through this race, it is our mission to give hope to survivors of violence by raising awareness, engaging in education with the community, and providing funds to support the boarding costs for pets. All funds raised through this event support the Judy V Spencer Fund held at the Bay Area Women's Center to cover the boarding costs for survivors seeking shelter with their pet.
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The event is hosted at the Bay County Community Center, 800 John F. Kennedy Dr, Bay City, MI 48706. Race entry comes with a canvas tote bag and other treats. The race is a fun run/walk, but it is timed and prizes will be awarded to top overall finishers. Packet pickup begins at 7 a.m. with an 8 a.m. race start. You do not need a dog to participate. Please note that this is a dog friendly event, and you will be racing with dogs on the course. All dogs must be leashed.​
Become a Sponsor
There are plenty of sponsorship opportunities available with great perks at every level! Download the sponsorship form or contact Lindsay at lrichardson@bawc-mi.org or 989-686-2251 to learn more.
Moxie is excited to share this year's swag with you - a custom canvas tote bag!
Who is Judy V Spencer?
Judy V Spencer is the inspiration for this race. She was a dedicated mom of four, and a brave survivor of domestic violence. When she passed, her youngest son Michael promised her that she would be remembered and that he would do whatever he could to provide support to survivors like his mom. This race grew from that promise. His promise has helped provide support to several survivors and their pets throughout the years. We are grateful for this son's dedication to his mother which continues to positively impact the lives of so many people after all these years. Below is Judy's story as written by her son Michael Spencer:
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"My mom was a survivor of domestic violence. Having stayed with her husband for 7 years, she endured years of abuse, both mental and physical. When her youngest son was 8 months old, she courageously took him and her three older children out of that abusive situation to give them a better life.
They lived a great life beyond the abuse, but in December of 2009, after months of not feeling well and having a multitude of tests, the doctors came back with a diagnosis. She had 3rd stage ovarian cancer. The doctors told her she had a 90% chance of living less than three years and a 10% chance of living longer than three years. She was devastated, but the next day, there were no more tears. No more sulking. All she said was, "So what's the plan?" She knew that in order for her to take control of her life and beat this cancer, she was going to need a plan of action. So she did.
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After getting a second opinion, she decided to go through chemo and radiation. She battled this dreaded disease for 23 months until she succumbed to it on November 2nd, 2011. Prior to her passing, her youngest son Michael, made her a promise to do whatever it would take to keep her memory alive, so the Judy V. Spencer Fund was started.
The Judy V. Spencer Fund, in partnership with the Bay Area Women's Center, provides support to cover the boarding costs for the animals of domestic violence survivors who are entering emergency shelter. Judy's dog, Montana, was her trusted companion and huge source of comfort as she fought cancer. Many survivors of domestic violence find the same comfort in their pets and need to know their pets are safe before they will seek safety too. Since 2014, we have hosted a dog-friendly 5k-9 run/walk where all proceeds from this event support the fund in Judy's name. Her name continues to live on by helping those in need and remains a beacon of hope that reminds others, no matter your struggle, that they are not alone and there is always a light at the end of the tunnel."