[Dhaka Tribune] Some people train ahead of a race for months, but this fit as a butcher's dog just decided to turn up on the day.A canine from Alabama has become an internet star after running a 13.1 mile half-marathon and finishing an impressive seventh place with a time of 1:32.56.
Ludivine, a two-and-a-half year-old pet hound dog, snuck out of her owner's garden and joined runners at the start of the Trackless Train Trek Half Marathon.
Her owner April Hamlin admitted she was “embarrassed” that her dog may have got in the way of those participating in the race and told Runner’s World her pet regularly wanders off without her in the town of Elkmont.
“I saw her for the first time in the parking lot before the race,” said one Alabama resident. “She came bouncing up and I petted her on the head. I saw her collar, so I just figured she was somebody’s dog. Elkmont is a small town where everyone knows everybody, so it didn’t strike me as unusual.”
Another explained: “Every time I thought she had dropped off to go back home, I would hear her coming back up to me, and she would race past me up to the two leaders. She would run off to romp through streams and into yards to sniff around for a while.”
Volunteers who helped organised the race sent her owner pictures of the dog at the finish line after an impressive seventh place finish.
Ms Hamlin explained: “It’s the first half marathon in Elkmont, and the people who started it are parents of the kids who run cross country.
“They wanted to try and fundraise because our school system doesn’t have a ton of money for cross country. Because of this dog, they are getting so much publicity, and I think that’s the best part.”