TWO East Cornwall Harriers – and their dogs – competed in the 2015 European Cani-Cross Championships which this year were held in Scotland.
Cani-cross is the sport of cross-country running while being attached to a dog and, after making the long drive up from Cornwall, East Cornwall Harriers team captains Ian and Louise Littlewood (with their dogs Thelma and Ava) competed in the senior men and masters female categories.
Conditions on the Saturday were fairly favourable but rain overnight and during Sunday morning saw parts of the 5km course, of which the majority was grass underfoot, turn into a skating rink.
Due to their mid-table positions on Saturday, Ian and Louise were seeded in the second wave of competitors. Carnage ensued as athletes and their excited dogs tried to take the first few corners together – and still stay upright.
Ian managed to hold his position from the previous day and was ‘exceptionally pleased’ with his 13th position out of 20 (fourth UK competitor) in the senior men category. Louise was 10th after the 3km sprint but was disappointed to be pushed into 11th out of 18 (fifth UK competitor) after Sunday’s 5km time was added to that of her 3km time.
The UK finished second with five gold medals behind Belgium who won 10 golds in the 30 categories on offer.