Dog accidently finishes half-marathon in seventh place after being let out to pee
Ludivane completed the race despite stopping to sniff a dead rabbit at the two-mile mark
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.An inaugural half marathon received a surprise entrant when a bloodhound accidently joined the race after being let out to go to the toilet.
Two-and-a-half year old Ludivane mingled with runners at the start of the Elkmont Trackless Train Treck Half Marathon in Canada after escaping from her back garden when her owner let her out to pee.
When the starting gun fired Ludivane set off with the athletes, proceeding to run the entire 13.1 mile circuit and cross the finish line in just over an hour and a half, finishing in seventh place and even receiving a medal for her efforts.
Working on results...Wanted to share this photo of that was sent to me after the race. This is Ludivane - she ran the entire half marathon and finished 7th overall with a time of 1:32.56
Posted by Elkmont Half Marathon - The Trackless Train Trek on Sunday, 17 January 2016
Ludivane completed the race despite stopping to sniff a dead rabbit at the two-mile mark and deserting the track to investigate a stream and play with cows in a nearby field.
“All I did was open the door, and she ran the race of her own accord,” her owner April Hamlin, 43, told Runner’s World.
Ms Hamlin said she only discovered Ludivane’s achievement after receiving texts and photos from friends volunteering at the event.
According to her owner, Ludivane is fond of going on unaccompanied strolls through her hometown, so race organisers were not surprised she had left home again.
Jim Clemens, 48, who finished fourth in the half marathon said: “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 the streams and into yards to sniff around for a while.”
Ms Hamiln did express some surprise her dog had managed to complete the race.
“I can’t believe she ran the whole half marathon because she’s actually really lazy,” she said.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments