Mushing Mutts Canicross Race and Dog Friendly 5k

  • Date Sat 6th December 2025 - Sat 20th December 2025
  • Time 9:00AM EST
  • Location Holly Springs, North Carolina
  • Price $32.80 - $43.40
  • Races 3 races
  • Distances 5km

Event summary

Get ready for an unforgettable day of fun and fitness at the Mushing Mutts Canicross Race and Dog Friendly 5K on December 6th, 2025! Located in the beautiful Holly Springs, Wake, North Carolina, this exciting event invites dog lovers and their furry companions to join in on the action. Whether you're a seasoned runner or just looking to enjoy a day outdoors, this event has something for everyone.

The highlight of the day is the Canicross Race, where human and canine runners team up in a thrilling dog-powered race. Participants will navigate a scenic 5K course filled with gravel, grass, and thrilling trails that cater to both canines and their humans. For those who prefer a more casual pace, the Dog Friendly 5K is open to all, with or without a furry friend. Plus, there’s a virtual 5K option for those who want to support the cause from afar!

This year, we're excited to partner with Saving Grace NC, a dedicated dog rescue group, with all profits and donations supporting their mission. Each participant will receive a finisher medal and a goodie bag filled with treats for both humans and pups! So mark your calendars for December 6th and get

Organiser's Description

JOIN US ON DECEMBER 6TH, 2025 FOR THE BEST DAY OUT WITH YOUR DOG!

NORTH CAROLINA URBAN MUSHING IS BACK FOR THE 2ND YEAR HOSTING MUSHING MUTTS CANICROSS RACE, A DOG FRIENDLY 5K (for those with or without dogs who want to enjoy the course!), AND A VIRTUAL 5K (for those who want to support the cause and get some cool swag)

WE ARE EXCITED TO ANNOUNCE WE'RE PARTNERING WITH SAVING GRACE NC, A DOG RESCUE GROUP, AND THAT DONATIONS AND ANY PROFITS FROM THE RACE WILL GO TO SUPPORT THEIR MISSION!

EVERY PARTICIPANT WILL RECEIVE A FINISHER MEDAL AND A GOODIE BAG WITH ITEMS FOR YOU AND YOUR PUP. THE TOP 3 MALE / FEMALE / NON-BINARY /JUNIOR /MASTERS IN THE CANICROSS CLASS ARE AWARDED!

_*NOTE: DUE TO COST INCREASES, RACE T-SHIRT IS AN OPTIONAL ADD-ON THIS YEAR FOR ALL BUT THE VIRTUAL RACES_

WHAT IS CANICROSS?: CANICROSS IS DOG-POWERED TRAIL RUNNING WHERE BOTH THE HUMAN AND DOG RUNNERS ARE IN HARNESSES CONNECTED BY A BUNGEE LINE.

CANICROSS EVENT REQUIREMENTS FOR THIS CLASS: NON-RESTRICTIVE HARNESS FOR THE DOG, HANDS-FREE WAIST BELT FOR THE HUMAN, BUNGEE LINE CONNECTING DOG TO HUMAN. THE DOG SHOULD NOT LAG BEHIND THE HUMAN RUNNER.

DOG FRIENDLY 5K: THIS EVENT TAKES THE SAME 5K COURSE AND IS OPEN TO ALL RUNNERS (WITH AND WITHOUT DOGS). REQUIREMENTS FOR THOSE WITH DOGS: NO HALTIS _(OR OTHER HEAD/MOUTH-BASED HARNESSES)_ WHILE RUNNING, AND NO EXTENDABLE LEASHES OR LEASHES OVER 6FT.

CHILDREN UNDER 15: will need to run with a registered adult.

The course contains gravel, grass, dirt, roots, and hills, it is mostly double track trails, but one uphill section through the woods is single track

RACE DAY SCHEDULE: All races will be timed via a provided chip device and have a rolling start based on event size. We will have groups of 3-5 runners/teams start lines in regular intervals to reduce crowding and bottlenecking on the course.

Packet pickup will begin at Bull City Running Co. in South Durham on Friday at 2:30 - 5:30pm along with a 7:00 am day of registration check-in

7:00 AM - Parking area opens
8:00 AM - Packet Pickup begins
8:45 AM - Canicross Race Briefing
9:00 AM - 5K Canicross Start
9:45 AM - Dog Friendly Run/Walk Briefing

10:00 AM - 5K Casual Dog Friendly Run/Walk Start

There will be one water/aid station approximately halfway into the course.

We will have a professional photographer located on the course, who will have photos available for purchase after the event.

DOG POLICY: Although this is a dog friendly event, we have a "NO GREET" POLICY. Dogs must be kept on a leash, and under handlers' control at all times including in the parking lot and the event area. Dogs should not interact with other dogs or humans while attending our event. Muzzles are allowed and can be worn on the course if the dog has ample room for panting. Remember, YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR YOUR DOG'S ACTIONS AT ALL TIMES.

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED! If you can help during race day it would be much appreciated! We will need help with setup, breakdown, and during the race. If you would like to run and participate, we can accommodate you and offer our volunteers a discount on registration for participating.

EVENT AREA: Stick around for some of our vendors and dog-related sponsors! If you are a business and are interested in vending or sponsoring our event, please fill out our vendor/sponsor form and submit it no later than November 15, 2024.

SPONSORS: We are excited to feature vendors and sponsors that support dog-related sports and activities. If you want to become a vendor or sponsor at our event, please review our sponsor packet (HERE) [https://drive.google.com/file/d/1HOEOd2N_nDEziohlQqnvw5Yi8K7uKM7J/view?usp=sharing] and complete the _FORM _ [https://forms.gle/bNLLN9ecKpnV9op77] . SPONSOR deadline November 15, 2025, VENDOR deadline December 1, 2025

WEATHER CONTINGENCY PLAN: The race committee feels that aside from a particularly extreme weather event, the race should be able to proceed as planned. However, in the event that conditions prevent the race from proceeding as planned, the first alternative will be to delay the start of the race until the weather event has cleared the area. The second alternative option is to convert the race to virtual if there is no way to continue as planned.

MEDICAL RESPONSE PLAN: The Race Directors have considered a full spectrum of possible incidents and injuries in planning the event. The nature of dog-friendly and Canicross racing requires competitors to be cognizant of needs of themselves and their dog. Additionally, emergency response planning is required to address potential human and canine issues. Competitors will be allowed to carry their own cellular devices on course to call for help if race personnel are not in sight. Additionally, all race personnel must always carry a cellular device while on race grounds. We will have a medic on site for human injuries/illnesses.

SAFETY BRIEFINGS/COMPETITOR BRIEFING: Participants will be briefed before the race starts. The race brief will include course details, known hazards, race rules, and emergency procedures. In the event of a minor injury to a human competitor, participants are to locate an aid station volunteer to seek access to first aid care. In the event of a significant injury to a human competitor, participants are to use their phone to contact 911 or contact the nearest course official or aid station volunteer. In the event of an injury to a canine competitor, we aim to have a _vet tech on-site to determine appropriate next steps,_ otherwise local vets that are open on Saturdays are Petfolk Veterinary Urgent Care and Triangle Veterinary Referral Hospital- Both in Holly Springs.

Races

  • Canicross 5k Race

    Incl. $2.80 Fee & T-Shirt

    Sat 6th December 2025 (9:00AM EST)

    $32.80

    Canicross is Dog Powered Trail Running. Requirements for this event: 1: Appropriate Gear: Non-restrictive (Y-front) dog harness, bungee line, hands free human belt 2: Dog should be running in front of the human runner and should never be behind the human runner.
  • Dog Friendly 5k Run/Walk

    Incl. $2.80 Fee & T-Shirt

    Sat 6th December 2025 (10:00AM EST)

    $32.80

    Run or walk the 5k (with or without a dog) Requirements: NO Flexi-leashes, or haltis (head halters).
  • Virtual 5k

    Incl. $3.40 Fee & T-Shirt

    $43.40

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Location

Sugg Farm- Grigsby Ave, Holly Springs, 27540, NC, United States

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Courtney Behrle

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Dec 6, 2025

$32.80 - $43.40