Dog Days: Where Fitness Meets Family | Lawrence News

For over 40 years, Dog Days has turned morning and evening runs on a middle school track into a beloved community family—started by “Red Dog” Don Gardner and Jim O’Connell in 1984. Once for high school football players, it now welcomes anyone, free of charge, with one golden rule: never put anyone down. Even at 87, Red Dog still hangs out with the crew for coffee six days a week, while his wife Bev, “Bev Dog,” helped build a legacy of connection and belonging so strong it inspired a youth center in their name. Members hold each other accountable, celebrate milestones, and even find love—proving that sweat, solidarity, and a little auburn hair can forge something timeless. Listen in comfort:Get a discount on a Soli Pillow: http://solipillow.com/discount/dnn. Advertise on DNN:[email protected] This is an automated, high-level news summary based on public reporting.Report issues to [email protected]. View sources & latest updates:https://sources.thednn.ai/5e2fd619c7987551