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If you're looking for another good reason to try running, look to your dog. Running together can be a great way to make sure your beloved family dog gets or stays in shape right along with you. Many dogs are happy to run alongside their owners for short distances (up to 5K), while some breeds are perfect for longer runs. There are even special leashes and harnesses that make running with your dog a little easier. To give yourself a deadline and a challenge to face together, train for a dog-friendly race with your furry exercise buddy. To get into 5K shape, check out SparkPeople's 5K Your Way Training Program or the dog-specific Pooch to 5K program, which is spread over a longer amount of time to make sure you don't push your dog too hard. (Regardless of the training you choose, check with your vet first to make sure your pet is healthy enough for strenuous activity.) Dog-Friendly Races Most running events don't allow dogs, so before you sign up for a race, make sure that it explicitly states that canines are welcome to join. There are, however, numerous dog-specific races around the country, and for most of them, you can choose whether you want to run or walk the course with your pet. You could even plan a vacation with the whole family (and Fido, too) if there are no doggie runs near you. Here are 15 dog-friendly races to consider: Western US
California
Race for the Rescues Month: October and November Location: Rose Bowl in Los Angeles, CA, and Orange County Great Park in Irvine, CA Distance: 1K, 5K and 10K Colorado Rocky Dog Trail Run Month: June Location: Golden Peak in Vail, CO Distance: 1 mile or 5K Oregon Oregon Humane Society Doggy Dash Month: May Location: Tom McCall Waterfront Park in Portland, OR Distance: 1.5 or 2.5 miles Washington Furry 5K Month: June Location: Seward Park in Seattle, WA Distance: 5K Eastern US Maine Pineland Trail Running 5K Canicross Month: May Location: Pineland Farms in New Gloucester, ME Distance: 5K Massachusetts CapeK9Cardio K-9 5K Month: June Location: Beebe Woods in Falmouth, MA Distance: 5K West Virginia Dirty Dog 15K Trail Run Month: May Location: Kanawha State Forest in Charleston, WV Distance: 15K Vermont Central Vermont Runners Mutt Strutt Month: May Location: Little River State Park in Waterbury, VT Distance: 3 miles Southern US Georgia Atlanta Dog Jog Month: May Location: Piedmont Park in Atlanta, GA Distance: 1 or 2 miles Hot Lips Hustle Month: September Location: Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in Marietta, GA Distance: 5K New Mexico Doggie Dash & Dawdle Month: November Location: Balloon Fiesta Park in Albuquerque, NM Distance: 2 mile or 5K Midwestern US Illinois 5K-9 Run for the Rescues Month: September Location: Hopkins Park in DeKalb, IL Distance: 5K Kansas Run, Waddle, Wag Month: October Location: Main Street in Ulysses, KS Distance: 1 mile or 5K Ohio Pet Promise Rescue Run Month: May Location: Arena District in Columbus, OH Distance: 5K Minnesota Dog Day 5K Month: June Location: Lola's Lakehouse in Waconia, MN Distance: 5K General Racing Rules Every race will have its own set of rules, but here are the most common you're likely to find:
Know of a dog-friendly race in your area? Please share it in the comments! |
