🐾 Welcome to the 2025 Mushing Mutts Canicross Race & Dog-Friendly 5K!
Join us on Saturday, December 6, 2025, 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
We’re proud to partner with Saving Grace NC, a Wake Forest-based dog rescue. All race profits and donations will go directly toward helping them save more lives.
🎁 What's Included:
- Finisher medal
- 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
🐕 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 5
📍 Packet Pickup: 2:30–5:30 PM at Bull City Running Co. (South Durham)
Saturday, December 6 – 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
- 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, 2025
📅 Vendor deadline: December 1, 2025
📩 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)