Talk about an amazing race!
New York City will host its first-ever “Doggy Du World Championship,” a doggie duathlon where dogs and their owners race side-by-side in a 1,500-meter swim down the Hudson River and a 10K run around Central Park.
Dog will don life jackets in the water and be treated to sports drinks, biscuits and even a pet shrink at the finish line during the July 2008 race, which will be held on the same day as the New York City Triathlon.
“The dog is the athlete,” says organizer John Korff in an interview with the New York Post. “The human is just along for the ride.”
NYU student and champion swimmer Brad Thornton has already signed up to compete with his friend’s dog, Boston Terrier Bean. “What’s better than getting in the Hudson with a dog,” Thornton says. “You don’t get to do that every day.”
Applications are being accepted until Oct. 19 for 20 dog-and-owner teams. Visit www.nyctri.com for details.