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Mushing Mutts Canicross Race and Dog Friendly 5k

Name: Mushing Mutts Canicross Race and Dog Friendly 5k
Start: 2026-12-05
End: 2026-12-19
Location: Holly Springs

Holly Springs, North Carolina, United States

calendar_today 05 Dec, 2026 – 19 Dec, 2026

directions_run Running

language Official Website

sell $30.00 – $40.00

Register Now

About the Event

🐾 Welcome to the 2026 Mushing Mutts Canicross Race & Dog-Friendly 5K!
Join us on Saturday, December 5, 2026, in Holly Springs, NC for an unforgettable day of trail running, dog-powered fun, and community connection — now in its 2nd year, hosted by North Carolina Urban Mushing!

🏃 Event Options:
Canicross Race – A competitive, dog-powered trail run
Dog-Friendly 5K – Open to runners and walkers with or without dogs
Virtual 5K – Run from anywhere, get awesome swag, and support a great cause!

💙 Why We Run
This year we’re proud to partner with Turtle Pants Farm, an all animal sanctuary and rescue adopting out cats and dogs in Pittsboro. All race profits and donations will go directly toward helping them help more animals find their best forever homes.

🎁 What's Included:

Finisher medal (LOGO TO BE UPDATED SOON)
Goodie bag with treats for you and your pup
Awards for top 3 in each of the following in the
- Canicross Race: Male / Female / Non-binary / Junior / Masters categories

T-Shirts will be available for Purchase on registration (LOGO TO BE UPDATED SOON)

🐕 What is Canicross?
Canicross is dog-powered trail running: both human and dog wear harnesses connected by a bungee line and the dog is encouraged to pull you. It’s an exciting, teamwork-driven way to enjoy the trails!

Canicross Class Requirements:

Non-restrictive harness for your dog
Hands-free waist belt for the runner
Bungee line connecting dog to runner
Dogs must run ahead or alongside, not behind the runner

🐾 Dog-Friendly 5K Rules:

Open to all runners and walkers — with or without dogs
Dogs must be leashed (no retractables or leashes over 6 ft)
No head collars (e.g., Halti or Gentle Leaders) while running

👧 Kids & Families:
We encourage Junior Participation, but request Children under 15 run with a registered adult

🏞️ Course Info:
Distance: 5K
Terrain: Gravel, grass, dirt, roots, and hills
Trail Type: Mostly doubletrack with one singletrack uphill section
Water/aid station located halfway through the course

📅 Race Day Schedule:
All races are chip-timed with rolling starts to reduce crowding.

Friday, December 4
📍 Packet Pickup: Bull City Running Co. (South Durham)

Saturday, December 5– Race Day
🕖 7:00 AM – Parking opens
🕗 8:00 AM – On-site packet pickup
🕣 8:45 AM – Canicross race briefing
🕘 9:00 AM – Canicross race start
🕤 9:45 AM – Dog-friendly 5K briefing
🕙 10:00 AM – Dog-friendly 5K run/walk start

🕙 10:45-11 AM – Awards begin

🕙 12:00 PM – Vendor Market Closes

📸 Photography:
A professional photographer will be on course. Photos will be available for purchase post-race.

🐶 Dog Policy (Very Important!):

NO GREET policy – No dog-to-dog greeting, and please ask the dog's handler before any dog-to-human greetings
Dogs must be leashed and under control at all times on the grounds unless you are in the designated dog park
NO RETRACTABLE LEASHES or leashes longer than 6ft
Basket Muzzles allowed if they permit full panting
You are responsible for your dog’s behavior at all times

🙋 Volunteer With Us:
We need help before, during, and after the race. Volunteers receive a free race shirt. Let us know you’re interested when registering or use this link: Mushing Mutts Canicross Race and Dog Friendly 5k Volunteer Registration

🛍️ Vendor Market & Sponsors:
Stick around after the race to browse our on-site holiday vendor market, featuring businesses that support dog-friendly sports and outdoor fun!

Interested in becoming a vendor or sponsor?
📅 Sponsor deadline: November 15, 2026
📅 Vendor deadline: December 1, 2026
📩 Sponsor Signup Link & Sponsor Packet Link

🌦️ Weather Plan:
The race will proceed rain or shine, unless extreme weather occurs
In that case:

We may delay the start time. If it would be unsafe even with a delay we’ll switch to a virtual format

🆘 Medical & Safety:
A medic will be on-site for human injuries
We will have a veterinarian on-site for minor dog emergencies
Runners may carry phones; all staff will have phones

In an emergency:

Human: Use phone to call 911 or notify race staff
Canine: Nearby Emergency vet clinics include our sponsor: Peak Paws Advanced Veterinary Hospital

🔊 Race Briefings:
Safety briefings will be given before each event. We’ll cover:

Course layout
Known hazards
Emergency procedures
Race rules (passing/ect)

Races Offered

Canicross 5k Race

Dec 05, 2026

straighten

Distance — 5K

terrain

Type — Running

timer

09:00

sell

$30.00

Dog Friendly 5k Run/Walk

Dec 05, 2026

straighten

Distance — 5K

terrain

Type — Running

timer

10:00

sell

$30.00

Virtual 5k

Dec 05, 2026

straighten

Distance — Virtual 5k

terrain

Type — Running

timer

10:00

sell

$40.00

Weather History

These values represent the 3-year monthly averages for December in Holly Springs.

thermostat Temperature

2.8° / 12.2°

wb_sunny Feels like

-1.3° / 9.0°

light_mode Avg sunshine hours

7h 8m

water_drop Avg rainfall

2.9 mm

ac_unit Avg snowfall

—

air Avg wind speed

10.8 km/h (Light breeze)

opacity Sweat loss rate

Low

terrain Course conditions

Firm and slightly soft

sunny Max UV Index

Low (2.0)

humidity_mid Humidity

69.6%

wb_twilight Sunrise

08:17

nightlight Sunset

18:04

About Holly Springs

Learn more about the host city, Holly Springs.

Holly Springs is a city in Mississippi Hills.

Hotels & Places to Stay

Race Results

Official finishing times from previous editions of Mushing Mutts Canicross Race and Dog Friendly 5k.

Place	Name	Gender	Age	City	Time
🥇	Joy Weis	F	38	Lebanon, MO	—
🥈	Michael Mcilrath	M	53	Johns Island, SC	—
🥉	Kelsey Mitchell	F	32	San Jose, CA	—
4	Neichie C Etienne Booker	F	30	Erwin, NC	—
5	Jennifer Carter	F	55	Louisa, VA	—
6	Christina Krueger	F	51	Dove Canyon, CA	—
7	Susan Farr	F	51	Nolensville, TN	—
8	Anna Abney	F	45	Woodruff, SC	—
9	Margaret Lawler	F	47	Apex, NC	—
10	Vanessa Bogdan	F	31	Lebanon, TN	—
11	Gee Basilone	F	24	Cartersville, GA	—
12	Katie Willis	F	34	Mount Juliet, TN	—
13	Rachael Ray	F	17	Franklin, GA	—
14	Mackenzie Sok	F	48	Rome, GA	—
15	Anna Johnson	F	56	Grants Pass, OR	—
16	Laura Figurski	F	40	Houston, TX	—
17	Tammy Kaufman	F	63	Wake Forest, NC	—
18	Amber Chamberlain	F	31	Wendell, NC	—

Place	Name	Gender	Age	City	Time
🥇	Vladimir Tejkal	M	40	Durham, NC	16:15.28
🥈	Zachary Ferguson	M	36	Southern Pines, NC	18:21.35
🥉	Adam Vilmin	M	35	Durham, NC	19:48.01
4	Brigid Brennan	F	28	Durham, NC	21:39.69
5	Nathan Berry	M	47	Memphis, TN	22:10.27
6	Tomi Gustin	F	27	Rock Hill, SC	24:37.24
7	William Sendor	M	35	Chapel Hill, NC	25:07.95
8	Taylor Hobgood	M	41	New Hill, NC	25:35.3
9	Zachary Shaffer	M	35	Richmond, VA	25:39
10	Jacqui Wilson	F	57	Raleigh, NC	27:03.76
11	Kevin Earley	M	52	Garner, NC	27:07.5
12	Amanda Manship	F	34	Carolina Beach, NC	27:33.12
13	Scott Pierce	M	60	Cary, NC	27:46.55
14	Dennis Weidner	M	43	Apex, NC	27:49.72
15	Amber Chamberlain	F	30	Wendell, NC	28:15.45
16	Katharine Lenhart	F	33	Richmond, VA	29:46.59
17	Terrick Munn	M	45	Stone Mountain, GA	30:27.39
18	Katie Smiley	F	43	Fall Branch, TN	31:06.54
19	Emeline Wilson	F	24	Raleigh, NC	31:10.46
20	Anya Wilson	F	22	Raleigh, NC	31:12.54
21	Bacon Baucom	M	54	Chapel Hill, NC	32:02.52
22	Jeannie Losey	F	51	Cary, NC	33:17.04
23	Scott Mason	M	50	Apex, NC	33:31.75
24	Tina Carico	F	60	Raleigh, NC	34:19.13
25	Natasha Foss	F	34	Lillington, NC	34:31.9
26	Maureen Brennan	F	64	Raleigh, NC	35:17.01
27	David Halama	M	39	Raleigh, NC	36:37.46
28	Jennifer Brennan	F	33	Raleigh, NC	36:38.08
29	Erin James Crook	F	39	Durham, NC	37:00.39
30	Rogger Alcalde	M	36	Greensboro, NC	37:05.21
31	Diane Lewis	F	56	Raleigh, NC	37:49.08
32	Sean Vandenham	M	17	Columbia, SC	39:16.37
33	Heather Vandenham	F	39	Columbia, SC	39:40.24
34	Laura Cox	F	35	Decatur, GA	42:08.59
35	Lucie Alcalde	F	36	Greensboro, NC	42:09.06
36	Derek Vandenham	M	39	Columbia, SC	45:02.02
37	Crystal Martineau	F	36	Elgin, SC	1:05:05.28

Place	Name	Gender	Age	City	Time
🥇	Frances Hope	F	21	Edenton, NC	23:55.91
🥈	Summer Grubbs	F	24	Raleigh, NC	26:15.19
🥉	Amy Sorensen	F	46	Fuquay Varina, NC	26:54.2
4	Lucas Elijah Hunt	M	18	Holly Springs, NC	28:09.01
5	Travis Tracy	M	34	Willow Spring, NC	28:10.44
6	Tomi Gustin	F	27	Rock Hill, SC	29:11.53
7	Misha Becker	F	51	Chapel Hill, NC	29:16.93
8	Hanah Terhune	F	26	Angier, NC	30:24
9	Debbi Ferm	F	50	Holly Springs, NC	31:05.11
10	Karen Cseh	F	57	Apex, NC	33:40.51
11	Marvin Holcomb	M	65	Princeton, NC	33:51.68
12	Stephanie Rutkowske	F	38	Raleigh, NC	34:01.21
13	Christie Walker	F	41	Holly Springs, NC	34:25.87
14	Anonymous Anonymous	F	29	—	35:46.32
15	Shelby Tracy	F	34	Willow Spring, NC	36:23.75
16	Kelli Kaspar	F	46	Raleigh, NC	37:08.55
17	Virginia Knowlton Marcus	F	62	Raleigh, NC	38:07.92
18	Tanner Rogers	M	25	Fayetteville, NC	40:10.76
19	Abigail Del Rosario	F	26	Fayetteville, NC	40:11.14
20	Angela Buckles	F	47	Raleigh, NC	40:23.1
21	Devon Richter	M	27	Fayeteville, NC	40:59.33
22	Samantha Wolfe	F	26	Fayeteville, NC	41:01.37
23	Alison Leathers	F	49	Apex, NC	41:14.46
24	Madilyn Leathers	F	14	Apex, NC	41:15.51
25	Corey Martin	M	40	Raleigh, NC	43:51.13
26	Autumn Welles	F	36	Raleigh, NC	44:04
27	Daniel Shinaman	M	28	Raleigh, NC	45:02.42
28	Kathryn Hart	F	28	Raleigh, NC	45:02.91
29	Christina Covin	F	46	Willow Spring, NC	47:57.51
30	Stephanie Taggart	F	49	Willow Spring, NC	47:57.68
31	Hope Lucas	F	59	Clinton, NC	53:46.4
32	Olya Tkachenko	F	53	Raleigh, NC	53:56.32
33	Alex Tkachenko	M	56	Raleigh, NC	53:56.47
34	Tessa Schwartz	F	30	Fredericksburg, VA	55:26.79
35	Sarah McKinney	F	35	Fredericksburg, VA	55:27.2
36	Leslie Rossner	F	50	Raleigh, NC	55:41.67
37	Skyler Rossner	F	19	Raleigh, NC	55:41.87
38	Paige Rouse	F	53	Goldsboro, NC	58:35.43

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Mushing Mutts Canicross Race and Dog Friendly 5k

About the Event