Dog accidentally runs half-marathon, comes seventh

A FAMILY dog in Alabama accidentally entered a half-marathon and came in seventh place.

A FAMILY dog in Alabama accidentally entered a local half-marathon and beat most of the runners, finishing in an impressive seventh place.

This wasn’t what April Hamlin, 43, had expected when she let her two-year-old dog Ludivine out for her morning stroll.

While cruising the streets of Elkmont — a small town with a population of only about 400 people — the bloodhound came across the Trackless Train Trek Half Marathon.

Rather than turning around and heading home, the dog, who is prone to roaming around town at will, decided to join in on the endurance race.

Picture: G Gelmis & J Armstrong

The physically fit pooch not only entered the gruelling 21km race, but put most of the competitors to shame after finishing in just over one hour and 30 minutes.

So impressed by his efforts, organisers of the half marathon awarded the dog with her very own medal.

Picture: G Gelmis & J Armstrong

Her owner remained oblivious to Ludivine’s adventure, and said she only became aware of the epic run when friends started sending her photos of Ludo at the finish line.

“My first reaction was that I was embarrassed and worried that she had possibly gotten in the way of the other runners,” Hamlin told Runner’s World.

Picture: G Gelmis & J Armstrong

Tim Horvath, 49, ran most of the race with the pup.

“I saw her for the first time in the parking lot before the race,” said Horvath, a resident of Huntsville, Alabama.

“She came bouncing up, and I patted her on the head. I saw her collar, so I just figured she was somebody’s dog.”

Picture: G Gelmis & J Armstrong

To add insult to her fellow runners, Ludivine didn’t even seem to be trying for most of the race. At the 3km mark she stopped to investigate a dead rabbit.

“One time she went over and met another dog next to the course,” Horvath said.

“Later on, she went into a field with some mules and cows.”

Rumour has it that next year the race is going to be named the ‘Hounddog Half’ in Ludivine’s honour, and a special award will be given for seventh place.

Originally published as Dog accidentally runs half-marathon, comes seventh