Round-island relay first canicross event
A DOZEN dog owners and their pets took just over six hours to complete a circuit of the island in the first canicross event to be held here.
The 12 teams ran or cycled in a relay, with each completing distances of between four and seven kilometres. Dogs are attached to their owners at all times by waist belt and bungee line.
It was organised by Rachel Ferbrache, who has previously taken part in triathlons in the UK run by K9 Trail Time with her dogs.
‘When the UK went into lockdown for a second time they organised a virtual baton relay event,’ said Miss Ferbrache.
‘They asked if we could start it here.’
Because Guernsey was not in lockdown, teams passed over a bandana which the dog wore on its collar. The relay started at Woodies at Bordeaux and went towards Town. It took in the cliff path to Portelet and returned to Bordeaux via the west coast.
Four teams joined the designated one for the first leg and two for the last.
In September, Miss Ferbrache organised the first aquathon event for dogs and their owners and she hopes to form a club going forward.
She said it was something that most dog owners could take part in.
‘I started running but felt a bit guilty as I was having to leave my dogs at home,’ she said. ‘This is a chance for people to spend quality time with their dogs and they really enjoy it too.’
The event was not suitable for short nosed dogs, which tend to have breathing issues, but most other dogs including cross-breeds and the likes of cockapoos could take part as long as they were fully grown.
The next event will be a race in Talbot Valley on 28 December in which anyone is invited to take part. Equipment such as harnesses and bungee lines can be loaned.
Details of it can be found on the Canicross Guernsey page on Facebook.
Miss Ferbrache is part way through a course to become a qualified canicross trainer. Anyone with questions can contact her via the Facebook page, call her on 07781 193850 or mail her at rachel.vandola@cwgsy.net.
