Dozer the Goldendoodle Crashes the Maryland Half-Marathon

A 3-year-old dog named Dozer joined the University of Maryland Greenebaum Cancer Center annual benefit marathon after escaping from his yard.

According to today.com, “Dozer’s owners had no idea that the active young dog had joined more than 2,000 runners around mile 5 of the 13.1-mile race.”

Maryland Half Marathon co-founder Jon Sevel told ESPN Page 2 that although many runners saw Dozer running the course and even drinking water from cups at the water spots, none of them realized that the dog was on his own.

The energetic Goldendoodle, muddy paws and all, crossed the finish line with other runners at an impressive 2 hours and 14 minutes.

However, since he joined the race late, he did have a bit of an unfair advantage.

Today.com states that the Maryland Half Marathon is trying to find ways to incorporate the energetic pooch in the future.

Dozer currently has his own fundraising page on the race website and he’s already raised nearly $1,900 for cancer research. He even received his very own finisher’s medal for this year’s race!

Sevel told ESPN Page 2 that they would love to have Dozer join them for next year’s race, saying, “At the very least, Dozer will have his own bib number — K9.”

Lifewithdogtv.com reports that “Dozer has been given a clean bill of health by his vet, and this week race co-chairmen will be honoring him with a medal and dog treats.”

Watch Dozer cross the finish line here.

PHOTO: Raduwem

Kara Ogushi

Contributing writer Kara Ogushi is a pet mom to two dogs and five rabbits. When she isn’t writing travel tips for pooches, she’s exploring new ways to share and create media.