Meet the man who beat the world record time for running 5k- with his dog – Gloucestershire Live
Meet the man who beat the world record time for running 5k- with his dog Gloucestershire Live
Ben Robinson competes in the unique sport Canicross.
A Gloucestershire man has been selected to represent the UK as part of an elite dog athletics team.
Ben Robinson, from Gloucester, is the current British, European and World champion of Canicross, a unique sport in which athletes compete attached to their dog running partners.
The 30-year-old will be completing as part of the International CaniX Team at the upcoming world and European champions in October and November this year, sponsored by leading Norwegian dog athletics equipment provider Non-Stop Dogwear.
“It’s a real honour to be part of the team and be selected alongside big friends around the world of mine from the sport,” said Ben.
He will compete as part of the team at the upcoming European and World championships in Belgium and Sweden respectively in October and November this year.
The 12-person team features competitors and their canine partners from Norway, Germany and Spain amongst many others.
In 2017 Ben and his dog Blake beat the longstanding world record for running five kilometres by 13 seconds with a time of 12 minutes and 24 seconds.
Originally a runner in his teenage years, Ben began competing in Canix events five years ago at a local race in Cirencester.
“We won the debut race and by the end of that season I’d won my first title,” he said.
“I’ve got a team of dogs that I train with every day that spur me on.
“It’s not just about improving my own fitness, but their fitness and showing off their ability.
“The dogs are crazy for it.
What is Canicross?
A growing sport across the UK, Canicross is cross-country running with a dog.
Runners are attached to their dog by a waistband and a purpose made harness, connected by a bungee cord.
Running with the dog improves the athlete’s overall speed over long distance.
The sport originated in the UK in 2000.
The primary dog breeds competing were huskies and malamutes, however, smaller crossbreeds have become more common in recent years.
In Gloucestershire, CaniX Canicross events are held in the Forest of Dean.
“They see the harness and they go wild, they want to run and pull.”
Ben currently has six dogs that he competes with – Bolt, Blake, Zofie, Nero, Nova and Skye.
They are all purpose-bred crosses of Pointers, Greyhounds and Alaskan Huskies.
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Ben’s father Matthew and four-year-old daughter Amelia have even started getting involved in Canicross, including team events that feature six to eight dogs.
Even though the sport in more popular in Scandinavian countries due to the weather, Ben thinks it can only become more popular in the UK.
“There are 300-500 starts across the country each weekend across all disciplines, so it’s a growing sport,” he said.
“The foundation is there, people love being out their dogs and it’s really simple for people to get involved in.”