All Dog-Friendly Races Are Not Created Equal

All dog-friendly races are not created equal.

Running with a dog can be very rewarding. You get exercise. Your dog gets exercise. You bond with and learn more about one another. You become a happier runner. Plus, a running dog is usually healthier than a sedentary dog.

So, have you ever wanted to have your dog run with you in a 5K or other race?

Finding a dog-friendly race that you will enjoy can be a real challenge.

Unfortunately, they are not all created equal.

You should be aware of seven “problems” when looking for a dog-friendly race.

Problem #1
They are often combined with non-competitive events.

In and of itself, this is not a problem. However, if you are not careful when registering, you might sign up for the non-competitive event instead of the competitive event — the race.

Problem #2
Not all vaccination requirements are equal.

Some dog-friendly races require a slew of vaccinations. Some races ask for vaccination proof at registration. Some races require that the dog be vaccinated in the state in which the race occurs, which can heavily discourage participation by out-of-state runners. Still other races require that you have vaccination proof with you at the race — either at packet pick-up or for spot-checking by race officials.

Problem #3
Not all races allow more than one dog per runner.

If you have two dogs that are matched well from a pace and endurance perspective — say, because they are from the same mother — then you may want to race with both of them. Unfortunately, some race organizers do not document on their websites whether they allow or prohibit multiple dogs per runner.

Problem #4
Some races allow female dogs in heat to participate.

Although most race organizers prefer altered dogs, some have not yet thought about the potential disruption that a female dog in heat could cause in a dog-friendly race. If you have a male dog, then it’s especially important to know about this.

Problem #5
Not all races benefit dog-related causes.

If your charitable-giving budget is limited but you want as much of it as possible going to dog-related causes, then this could be a deciding factor regarding whether you choose one dog-friendly race over another one.

Problem #6
Not all races have dog-friendly water stations.

Remembering my advice — STAY HYDRATED, my friends! — if it’s crucial for you that there are water bowls for dogs at the water stations along the race course, then be sure to investigate this.

Problem #7
Not all races require participants to have dogs.

While this may not seem like a problem on the face of it, you should investigate whether there is a distinction in how awards are given. For example, some races make no distinction between runners with dogs and runners who are “dog-free” when looking at chip-times to decide who won or placed second or third. If you are registering for such a race, then you must decide whether racing with your dog gives you a competitive advantage or a competitive disadvantage when compared to dog-free runners.

A Comprehensive Solution to These Seven Problems

My latest book — Running with Dogs: Dog-Friendly Races in the USA — is the single, comprehensive solution to all of these problems. It addresses every one of them, and it helps you to find races by distance, by state, and by month of the year. Plus, because it’s a Kindle eBook, Amazon will let you download major updates — at no extra charge!

Read all about it and order it here.