How we won our first Canicross race 🥇 - Mountainman 2025

Wow. We just won our first CaniX race.

The plan was simple: Pepe (our sporty English Setter) and Benzino would participate in the Canicross race at the Mountainman Wintertrail in Mittersill. Full of excitement and perhaps slightly naive about the logistics, we arrived about an hour before the start. And that’s when the adventure truly began.

What is the Mountainman Competition

The MOUNTAINMAN is the ultimate adventure for trail running and hiking enthusiasts, set in stunning alpine locations. Whether you're chasing the thrill of the trails or just out for a good time, you can bring your dog along for the ride. Participants can choose from various trail distances, ranging from 5km and 300hm to 42km with over 2.000hm.

Pre-Race Chaos

Luckily, I managed to park right at the start line, a small victory in the battle against time. But then the real chaos kicked in: hydrating the dog, dressing myself, dressing the dog (yes, that’s a thing), and getting our gear checked. Believe me, the checklist for even a short XS race is surprisingly long.

Meanwhile, my number one priority was simple: get Pepe to do his business before the race. Easy, right? Wrong. I spent what felt like 30 minutes walking him back and forth until he finally decided to bless me with the moment I’d been waiting for. The joy was real.

The Start and the First Kilometers

The starting line was a mix of excitement and chaos. XS and S runners were released together, and suddenly there were 30 dogs all ready to charge. Pepe and I held back a little at the start, but the first few meters were still a whirlwind.

Then, mid-race, it happened: Pepe needed another pit stop. I lost a good minute cleaning up, stuffing it somewhere (don’t ask where), and getting us back on track. Naturally, this meant I had to overtake the same people I’d already passed - twice. Uphill, no less.

Thankfully, I’d decided to bring trekking poles, which turned out to be a lifesaver for the steep climbs. My quads owe me a thank-you.

Uphill Struggles and a Cooling Break

Pepe was all energy for the first 600 meters, pulling like a champion. But then I noticed he was starting to fade. He veered to the side, lay down, and clearly just wanted to cool off. Cue the guilt of feeling like the world’s worst dog owner. But Pepe being Pepe, he rallied, and together we powered through the 300 meters of elevation gain.

On the downhill, though? That’s where Pepe found his groove. He was pulling so hard I had to focus more on not face-planting than enjoying the scenery. There were even a few flat sections where we hit a proper running rhythm—finally, some flow!

The Finish Line: A Surprise Ending

As we approached the finish line, the noise picked up. The announcer was talking nonstop, and I barely registered what he was saying until I heard something about being the fastest on the XS course. Surely, I misheard. But no - after receiving my medal and checking the results, it turned out we actually wo

The Verdict

This race was a rollercoaster of chaos, crap, and elevation gain. But in the end, Pepe and I were an unstoppable team. Sure, my main goal was just to get him to poop in time, but somehow, we pulled off a win.

Now I’m already looking forward to the next race. Maybe next time we’ll have a smoother start. But honestly, where’s the fun in that?

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Date raced: 18/01/2025