Have you ever ran a marathon? If so, you know how much time and effort it takes to prepare for something even as short as a 3-mile run. You need to put in those extra hours of training, watch your diet so your heart is in good shape, and just be ready to have a few hundred others just as prepared as you are.
That’s exactly what all the runners at the Elkmont Trackless Train Half Marathon, held in Canada, were doing leading up to their marathon of 13.5 miles, or 20 km. Each participant was even ready to race against some tough competition, but nobody knew what they were in for the day they got there.
Somewhere not too far from where the marathon was being held, 41-year-old April Hamlin let her dog, 2-year-old Ludivine, out so she can pee. April thought she was going to relieve herself and come back inside like every other day. But, this time around, Ludivine had different plans in mind. She snuck out from under the fence and decided to take a stroll down the street, heading straight towards to the Elkmont Trackless Train Half Marathon. What happens after her escape is hilarious and commendable at the same time.
Dog mom April Hamlin opened the back door to let her 2-year-old pup Ludivine pee outdoors and come back inside.
Ludivine found the marathon runners and decided to join in on the fun! She hadn’t registered for this race, nor had she prepared herself for a grueling 13.5 miles, but boy did she run! Reportedly, she even stopped at the 2-mile mark to inspect a dead rabbit! She veered off track more than once, but the funniest has to be when the pup went on to join a herd of cows at one point. I’m sure you can’t believe the story, but it actually happened!
Ludivine snuck out of the garden from underneath the fence and joined the Elkmont Trackless Train Half Marathon happening not too far from home. Everyone was impressed!
It turns out that Ludivine is quite the runner. As if a 2-year-old pup showing up and spontaneously participating in a marathon wasn’t enough of a story, it just so happens that Ludivine placed 7th! So, of all the runners who were vying for a place in the top 10, Ludivine was one of them, and she made it! The pup even got a medal for his efforts!
The pup ended up placing 7th in the whole marathon, finishing the race in 1 hour 32 minutes and 56 seconds—unbelievable. She even received a medal for his efforts. Impressive isn’t it!?
If you’re wondering how April felt about this whole ordeal, here’s what she had to say to Runner’s World: “All I did was open the door, and she ran the race on her own accord. My first reaction was that I was embarrassed and worried that she had possibly gotten in the way of the other runners. She’s laid back and friendly, so I can’t believe she ran the whole half marathon because she’s actually really lazy.”
We’re sure this came as a shocking yet pleasant surprise for Ludivine’s entire family!
Click on the video below to check out more of this fun story!
