Dog News

Celebrating Pet Day with Doggy Marathon

by Katherine

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For its second year, dog lovers in Lima, Peru, took to the streets to celebrate Pet Day with a short run race called “Perrotón” (Dog-athon).

Dog food companies sponsored the event and this year they welcomed 1,700 dogs and their owners to run the fun race.

This year’s event took place Sunday, Sept. 29, 2013, and had two courses, a 2K race for smaller dogs and a 4.K race for larger breed dogs.

2013 Perrotón - Lima, Peru
2013 Perrotón – Lima, Peru

The winners of the 2K race were canine ABB Vikila and its owner Aldo Ramirez. ABB is a 2-year-old, black, mixed breed dog.

“I usually run with my children and my dog,” Ramirez told RPP Noticias. “The entire family loves to do sports. We would have been faster if I had run faster. My dog was pulling me.”

Many pet owners said this event is an excellent way to celebrate pets.

“It’s a lovely experience for you to have with your pet and it’s the taking part that’s important and letting pets know that we love them and they are part of our family,” said Enrique Quichiz, another race participant.

Race registrants were asked to bring empty dog food bags. In return, sponsors pledged to donate dog kibble equivalent to the weight of empty dog food bags to the local rescue organization Animalistas Sin Fronteras.

Race prizes for the winning canines were:

  • 1st Place = One year of dog food
  • 2nd Place = Six months of dog food
  • 3rd Place = Three months of dog food