Imagine lacing up your running shoes, grabbing a dog water bottle for the road and going on a brisk trot along a dirt trail with your pup. Now imagine doing so while attached to your pooch by a bungee cord. It's a style of running known as Canicross, and it might become your favorite way to exercise with Fido.
What is Canicross
“Canicross is the sport of cross-country running with dogs,” said Dawn Richards, owner of CaniX, a British-based Canicross events company. What makes it unique is that your dog gallops in front of you while attached to your waist with a bungee line, a bit like dog sledding but without the snow. Or the sled.
“Canicross started as a dry-land means of exercising sled dogs when no snow is available,” said Dawn. “In the UK, this is pretty often! It started in sled dog communities, but why limit this fantastic sport to traditional sled dog breeds?”
Harness the Power
Before you hit the trails with Fido, make sure you’re equipped to get out there. Canicross requires a little more preparation than going out for a quick jog. You and your dog will need a Canicross harness before you take to the grassy slopes and muddy tracks.
“The special harnesses the dogs wear are designed to allow them to pull with their chest, powering into the harness and physically moving the runner through the air. These differ from many off-the-shelf harnesses designed to stop the dog from pulling on a lead, or which might restrict the dog’s rib expansion and breathing,” said Dawn.
Healthy and Happy
The benefits of taking part in Canicross can extend far beyond the regular health perks of being active together.
“It strengthens the bond between human and dog,” said Dawn. “Many of our competitors have lost weight and got fitter (both human and canine). I know when I visit our vet with my dogs, she always says she loves to see our dogs as they are so fit! We also have a strong social side to the events and meet up for post-race social activities and fun events. People have made friends with whom they now do other activities, outside of CaniX.”
The most common dog breed in elite Canicross is the Grayster, which is a pointer and greyhound mix. These dogs are bred to get places fast, but not all Canicross runners have to reach warp speed.
“We love the fact that we have all breeds running with their owners who compete for fun, alongside the more elite athletes who hold international titles,” said Dawn.
“Any dog that is fit and healthy can take part at our events. Most are family pets,” she explained.
The World’s Grrreatest
Serious racers will put their skills to the test at the IFSS Dryland World Championships in Jämijärvi, Finland. The competition is held by the International Federation of Sleddog Sports from October 16-20, and includes Canicross elite categories for men, women and juniors.
Although Canicross originated in the colder regions of Europe, Americans have adopted this unique sport, too. Kenosha Running Company based in Kenosha, WI, hosts several Canicross events each year and is the largest series of its kind in the US. Canicross USA is the place to find out about other upcoming races and meetups across the country.
Pet-Friendly Trails
Practice is the only pathway to the top of the Canicross mountain. This means getting your heads down, hitting the trails and working together to reach your goal. Whether you’re counting down the weeks until your first-ever race or trying to place a paw on that podium, you can start your journey on one of these trails.
Runyon Canyon, LA
This 160-acre park is full of winding trails to explore with your dog. Run together on Runyon Canyon Park’s 2.7-mile pathway which is perfect practice for budding Canicross champions. If your dog behaves well on the trail, reward her by playing fetch at the 90-acre off-leash dog park on the premises. Dog owners are reminded to go slow around other park users. If you want to run for the hills (the Hollywood kind) again, book a pet-friendly, Mid-Century Modern room at Loews Hollywood Hotel located nearby.
Dismal Swamp State Park, NC
Don't let the name fool you! Dismal Swamp State Park in South Mills, NC is home to more than 16 miles of former logging roads for Canicross through scenic and peaceful wetlands. The Bull Boulevard trail is 2.25 miles each way and offers a quiet, grassy path deep into the swamp. If you’re traveling from out of town to the park, check out Hampton Inn Suffolk for dog-friendly accommodations.
Tahoe Rim Trail, CA
“The Rim Trail” (as locals call it) is a multi-use trail that spans 165 miles around Lake Tahoe. Depending on where you join it, you’ll enjoy weaving through forests and meadows, past alpine lakes and alongside granite boulders. Not every trail user is comfortable with dogs, and it’s best to yield to others while you’re running it. Stay at Fireside Lounge, a log cabin-style lodge in South Lake Tahoe which welcomes four-legged guests with dog covers, bowls, treats, and dog towels.
Mid Mountain Trail, UT
Park City, UT is a perennial playground for outdoor enthusiasts. Here you’ll find The Mid Mountain Trail, one of the prettiest running trails in America. The 20 miles of pristine, moderate, single-track pathways cut across the Wasatch Mountain Range between Deer Valley and The Canyons. If you’d like to treat you and Fido to an overnight stay in the area, book a room at Park City Peaks Hotel where four-legged guests receive treats, food & water bowls, and a mat upon arrival.
Chattahoochee River National Recreational Area
Go for a long run at Chattagoochee River Nationl Recreation Area, a 10,000-acre, pet-friendly open space along a 48-mile stretch of the river in Sandy Springs, GA. After you and Fido Canicross along a woodland trail, reward him with a swim in the river. Then get high with your pup when you stay at nearby at Oasis Treehouse Atlanta perched in the trees.
Wildwood Trail, OR
Oregon's rugged coastline and verdant woodlands are tailor-made for this sport. Try the Wildwood Trail in Forest Park, a moderate run ideal for Canicross because of the well-trodden terrain and shade provided by heavily forested sections. Stay nearby in pet-friendly accommodations at La Quinta by Wyndham Portland NW.
Mesa Trail, CO
Boulder’s Mesa Trail is a moderate option that runs just over seven miles from one end to the other. The trail’s varied terrain makes it a great practice location for Canicross. You can rest weary paws afterward at Fairfield Inn & Suites Boulder.