Dog Accidentally Runs an Entire Half Marathon, Finishes in Seventh Place!

Half marathons are tough no matter how much you train. Running a half marathon without training one bit--nearly impossible. Finishing in seventh place overall after not training one bit--unfathomable. But that's exactly what Ludivine Hamlin did, a resident of Elkmont, Alabama, and also a dog.

The 2-year-old Bloodhound woke up on race day with not a care in the world. Her roommate let her out to soak in some of the morning rays, and no doubt sniff around for any unmarked territory. But then inspiration struck.

She meandered her way to the parking lot of where the race was to begin--perhaps her keen sense of smell played a role in discovering the location--and mingled with fellow racers until the race began. She then proceeded to run the entire 13.1 miles (probably closer to 14 miles when you add in her brushups with rabits, and the tomfoolery down by the creek), finishing with an unofficial time of 1:32:56, which was good enough for a place inside the top ten.

And while Ludivine's little adventure wasn't all that surprising--she's been known to go romping through the woods or downtown on more than one occasion--what was surprising was the fact that she took part in, and completed, an entire half marathon. Even her owner couldn't believe it, who found out about the whole ordeal after Ludivine had already finished the race.

"She's laid back and friendly, so I can't believe she ran the whole half marathon because she's actually really lazy," April Hamlin, 43, Ludivine's roommate/best friend/owner, told Runner's World.

As for whether or not Hamlin persuaded the dog in any way, shape, or form, she had this to say:

"All I did was open the door, and she ran the race on her own accord."

Fair enough. But what was she--the person not the dog--feeling?

"My first reaction was that I was embarrassed and worried that she had possibly gotten in the way of the other runners."

No worries, April. Ludivine was a welcome addition. In fact, the race has been renamed the Elkmont's Hound Dog Half in her honor. Which will be held next year on Jan. 21, 2017. And perhaps with a little training, Ludivine could eyeball a podium finish!