Dog News

Dog Is Let Out to Go Potty, She Runs Half Marathon Instead

by Melanie

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When you live in an area devoid of traffic and you have a very loyal dog not prone to wandering, it’s easy to get into the habit of letting them out to do their business off-leash in an unfenced yard.  But every once in a while, even the best dogs sneak off.  This one did, and completed a half marathon, finishing in seventh place!

 

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Earlier this month, April Hamlin of Elkmont, Alabama let her hound dog, Ludivine, out to do her business.  The sweet girl is well-behaved and though she’s allowed to meander a little on their farm, she isn’t typically a runner (mom says she’s pretty lazy).  But that day she heard the noise from the race and decided that having a good run was exactly what she wanted to do.

Ludivine ended up on the trail for the Trackless Train Trek Half Marathon, and she completed the 13.1 mile course in just over an hour and a half.  She even received a medal for her impressive seventh place finish.

 

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At first, Hamlin wasn’t too pleased with what Lu had done when friends recognized the dog and sent her photos of the competitor.

“I was mortified because I was scared she had gotten in the way of the people who had trained for the half marathon,” she explained to the Huffington Post. “I’m glad it ended the way it did.”

 

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Now she’s proud of her girl, and is pleased as punch with how much people adore Ludivine.  She’s also happy that attention has been brought to the cause, which helps support the Elkmont High School Cross Country and Track and Field Programs.

Lu has made such an impact that on the group’s Facebook page it says the event will now be renamed “Elkmont’s Hound Dog Half” in honor of her. She’s so popular that the group even created a shirt featuring her likeness.

 

 

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You asked for them! Hound Dog Half shirt with Ludivine supporting our 2017 race!Screenprinted on front and back! …

Posted by Elkmont’s Hound Dog Half on Friday, January 29, 2016

 

 

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When your interview gets a little frisky… Meet Ludivine, the amazing half marathon runner:) Check out this sweet story http://bit.ly/1Sg3HwU 🙂

Posted by Molly Mitchell WHNT on Monday, January 25, 2016

 

 

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