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NORTH Nottinghamshire-based Alpha Feeds is supporting one of the country’s leading competitors in the sport of Canicross.
Based in the Forest of Dean, Gloucestershire, Kim took up Canicross – short for canine cross-country running – two years ago and has quickly established herself in the fast growing sport.
Kim competes with her Jack Russell Terrier, Fox who loves the sport and is a real winner, the pair having formed a great partnership.
With the new sponsorship from performance dog food experts, Alpha Feeds, Kim ensures Fox receives everything he needs to compete at his best.
Said Kim: “We are delighted to be sponsored by Alpha Feeds, the range is second to none and Alpha High Performance really plays its part in keeping the dogs at peak fitness levels. Fox needs to be extremely fit and well to compete in Canicross and it is great to know his nutritional requirements are in the hands of experts.”
Kim has always been a keen runner but with five horses to look after, she felt she was unable to pursue a serious athletics career.
Nevertheless Kim decided that Canicross sounded like good fun and decided to have a go. The sport is ideal for dog owners who like to keep fit and offers a variety of classes from the have-a-go 1-2km runs to the more competitive classes of 5km and the opportunity to progress to much longer distances.
With a feisty nature, Kim says Fox is ideally suited to this fast paced sport which he really enjoys.
Added Kim: “Although Fox is a small dog he is incredibly fast. I am a keen horse owner and rider so Fox is kept in top fitness as he comes on exercise with me and the horses as well as our training runs.”
Kim, Fox and her other dog Oki have been busy competing and finished in great form at their latest event, the Five Tors 10 mile race across Bodmin Moor in Cornwall.
Said Kim: “The race was organised by East Cornwall Harriers who allow runners to take part with their dogs. This was a fantastic opportunity for myself and the dogs to get some serious training and experience under our belts, in preparation for the Trophe de Montagnes, over the French Alps later this year. This is a 12 stage race over nine days so the dogs have to be very fit and well.
“The Canicrossers started at the back of the field, so we didn’t get in the runners way, but we had a fantastic run, the Tors (all five of them) were very steep indeed, but Fox and Oki ran exceptionally well all the way round, stopping briefly in places to allow them to drink from pools. We passed runner after runner, to finish up second lady overall and first veteran female.
“Everyone was very friendly and were amazed that my dogs, in particular Fox could cover the distance at such speed and with so much ease. They are very fit and it just goes to show how good and beneficial it is for them to be fed on Alpha High Performance. We were only six minutes behind the winning lady.”
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