Dog-Friendly Races to Check Out in 2025
There’s no feeling quite like getting outside and putting down some miles with your canine companion. It’s fun, it’s good for the body and mind — and sometimes it actually even tires your pup out. But did you know that there are official dog-friendly races coming up in 2025? We’ve rounded up some of our favorites, from dog-friendly 5Ks to ultra marathons for ultra pups.
First-ever race for you or Fido? Make the training season a breeze with essential running gear for dogs, like the Trail Runner™ Running Belt for hands-free cruising. Pair it with the Trail Runner™ Dog Leash, whose lightweight Wavelength™ stretch webbing absorbs those sometimes jarring on-leash moments for a more comfortable stride for both you and your dog. Check out our 5K training plan for running with dogs, too.
Dog-Friendly 5Ks
ARF 5K Run & Walk with the Dogs – Beacon, NY
May 18, 2025
This year marks the 10th annual ARF 5K Run & Walk with the Dogs — an event hosted by a 100% volunteer-led animal rescue. With walking and running events, this dog-friendly 5K race is great for pups and humans of all experience levels. Best of all, 100% of event profits go to the Animal Rescue Foundation’s mission. Lace up — and leash up — for a cause, then enjoy some post-race music and more.
Bark and Bolt 5K – Hendersonville, NC
June 14, 2025
Located in the beautiful Appalachian Mountains of North Carolina, Bark and Bolt is an ideal place to spend a dog-friendly 5K weekend. And there’s more in it for your pup than just the views. Each race finisher of the canine persuasion will receive a commemorative collapsible dog bowl and bandana.
Got an agility fiend on your hands? They’ll love the Paw Pursuit 100 Meter Dash. This quick sprint will let your dog show off all their spryness and speed.
Dog-Friendly 10Ks
Mardi Gras Canicross & 10K 5K – Sarasota, FL
February 2, 2025
King cake, parades — and now dog-friendly races. You can add the Mardi Gras Canicross & 10K 5K to your list of favorite Fat Tuesday traditions. Tackle this scenic cross country course in the Sunshine State — just know that if you’re joining the Canicross event, you’ll need specific gear, like our Omnijore™ Dog Joring System. (Canicross, a combination of the words “canine” and “cross country,” is where dogs and humans run leashed together as a team, and began as an off-season training for skijoring.)
Good Dog-Dirty Dog Trail Runs – Granite Bay, CA
August 24, 2025
Located just outside of Sacramento, the aptly named Good Dog-Dirty Dog Trail Runs are a great choice for those seeking trails over pavement. If your dog’s paws need a little extra protection from rocks and rough trail, grab a pair of Hi & Light™ Trail Shoes. Make sure to wear them on some training runs before the race so your dog has a chance to get used to them.
With Granite Bay’s summer temps soaring into the 90s, brush up on tips for running with your dog in the heat. An aid station at the halfway point will serve cold water for you and your dog, plus electrolyte beverages and energy gels. After the race, explore nearby Folsom Lake for a relaxing cooldown in the water.
Dog-Friendly Half Marathons
Canine Classic at the Resort at Paws Up – Greenough, MT
August 25, 2025
When it comes to scenic dog-friendly races, the Canine Classic at the Resort at Paws Up is hard to beat. The course is located on a resort and working ranch about 25 miles outside of Missoula. Running through fields of tall grass with your sidekick, while the mountains sprawl in the distance — it doesn’t get much better than that. And the race’s slogan says it all: “Regardless of the finish, dogs always win.”
Make it an extra special weekend for you and your pup with a stay in a glamping tent or luxury cabin. Spend your days lounging after your big race, complete with a complementary bag of homemade dog treats.
Columbia Gorge Dog Leg Half Marathon – Hood River, OR
October 19, 2025
Did we speak too soon? While summer in Montana is a gorgeous backdrop for a dog-friendly half marathon, the Columbia Gorge Dog Leg Half Marathon just might take the cake. Located in western Oregon, this course offers 13.1 paved miles of fall foliage, rocky canyons and the wide blue waters of the Columbia River. You and your companion can train for running on hills, with an elevation gain of 1,112 feet — but the steepest grade is only 5%. Five aid stations will keep you hydrated and wagging along the way, especially if you grab a Quencher™ Packable Dog Bowl for plenty of midrace slurps.
Dog-Friendly Marathons and More
Peterson Ridge Rumble – Sisters, OR
April 13, 2025
For the PR-chasers among us — and their humans — the Peterson Ridge Rumble has you covered. Technically, this dog-friendly marathon course is 27.8 miles, but we believe in you. (There’s also a 20-miler option, or a 40-miler, if you’re ambitious.) Located in the Oregon high desert, you and your dog will enjoy beautiful scenery followed by a post-race burrito, baked goods, and more. Check out Left Coast Lodge after the race for a well-deserved cold plunge, hot tub, massage, dog wash, and more.
Need a little inspiration to tackle those longer miles? Check out Karl’s story of how his newly adopted pup inspired him to take up running and, eventually, ultra marathons.
OneWorld Canine Spring 2025 Obstacle Run – Anniston, AL
May 17 and 18, 2025
Maybe you’re not about distance — but you still like to get down and dirty. In that case, the OneWorld Canine Spring 2025 Obstacle Run is just for you. This dog-friendly obstacle course offers four miles of more than 30 obstacles designed to challenge you and your pup. You’ll traverse dense woodlands and splash through the water as you try for a high score together. It’s a great way to bond with your pup — and have some serious fun.
