He didn’t train. In fact, he didn’t even prepare at all. Yet, Ludivine ran the entire length of Alabama’s 13.1 mile Elkmont Half Marathon, also known as The Trackless Train Trek, and ended up finishing seventh out of 165 runners.
Ludivine was the highest female placed in the race and the only bloodhound or dog in the race.
Ludivine’s owner, April Hamlin, let her dog out to go to the bathroom and had no idea that she had run off.
“Apparently she went to the race start and took off win the runners at the starting shot. She stayed with a few of the front-runners, ran off to sniff some animal carcasses, romp in the water, and then back to the race. I understand she stayed on the course for 13.1 miles, finished seventh, and was the highest placed female,” Hamlin told CNN.
Hamlin had no idea that their dog was competing until she got a text message from a friend with pictures of Ludivine running the race.
“All I did was open the door, and she ran the race on her own accord,” Hamlin told Runner’s World. “My first reaction was that I was embarrassed and worried that she had possibly gotten in the way of the other runners.”
But those involved in the marathon didn’t seem to mind.
“Her owner doesn’t even run,” Race Director Gretta Armstong told CNN. “That’s what makes the story even better.”
Though Ludivine was one of the top 10 individuals to finish in the race, she wasn’t considered an official participant though she did earn herself a medal she got to wear around her neck.
Lots of race volunteers and runners decided to take some pictures with the victorious pup.
“I saw her for the first time in the parking lot before the race,” said runner Tim Horvath. “She came bouncing up, and I pet her on the head. I saw her collar, so I just figured she was somebody’s dog. Elkmont is a small town where everyone knows everybody, so it didn’t strike me as unusual. “
The race raised money to benefit the local school’s cross country/track and field program which benefitted from Ludivine’s interaction.
“It’s the first half marathon in Elkmont and the people who started it are parents of the kids who run cross country,” Hamlin said. “They wanted to try and fundraise because our school system doesn’t have a ton of money for the cross country. Because of this dog, they are getting so much publicity, and I think that’s the best part.”
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