@marathonDsables/TwitterDogs love nothing more than going for lovely long walks, happy to run on and on even when their panicking owner is already five minutes late for work and trying to tempt them home with the promise of biscuits.
However, one very good boy has taken things to the next level, running for over 100 miles in the Sahara Desert heat alongside hardy racers in the famously grueling Marathon des Sables.
The enthusiastic little dog – whose name is Cactus – joined the marathon runners during the second stage of the 140.7 mile marathon, finishing at a very respectable 52nd place out of approximately 800 runners.
Bear in mind, the Marathon des Sables is known to be one of the toughest endurance tests on the planet, whether you’re on two legs or four.
I’m at the finish line of the @marathonDsables AND THE DOG FINISHED!! GO CACTUS!! 🐕#CactusTheMdsDog @runnersworlduk #mdsmedia2019 #mds3019 pic.twitter.com/ros7NEOdum
— Susie Chan (@Susie__Chan) April 12, 2019
PUPDATE: the good boy got a medal 🐕 @runnersworlduk #mdsmedia2019 #mds2019 pic.twitter.com/sW72NVr0mb
— Susie Chan (@Susie__Chan) April 9, 2019
He reached CP3, drank water and rested for a while, and now he’s gone again 😮
How should we name him?#MDS2019 #MARATHONDESSABLES pic.twitter.com/qSeNcbxPIW— MARATHON DES SABLES (@marathonDsables) April 9, 2019
Athletic Cactus completed the third stage of the marathon in an extremely impressive four hours and 30 minutes. He finished the fourth stage in 11 hours and 15 minutes, battling a sandstorm while running.
By the time the furry warrior reached the fifth stage, he was given his very own marathon number – 000 – with his new fans cheering him on as they followed his incredible progress through a tracking device.
Fellow runners reportedly helped him out along the way by giving him water, while his social media fanbase tweeted words of encouragement.
After he crossed the finishing line, Cactus was greeted with a well-deserved round of applause and his very own hard won medal.
Good bye Cactus ❤️
See you soon in the desert 🌵🐕☀️#MDS2019 #MARATHONDESSABLES #CactusTheMdsDog pic.twitter.com/no1kJv1NOh— MARATHON DES SABLES (@marathonDsables) April 13, 2019
Cactus the finisher 🏅🐕🌵
He made it! He’s the first dog to run the MDS 👏💪
He did great on today’s 42 km stage 😃
Who’s a good boy? 🐶#MDS2019 #MARATHONDESSABLES #CactusTheMdsDog pic.twitter.com/5MmFtyESRN— MARATHON DES SABLES (@marathonDsables) April 12, 2019
Sharing amazing footage and pictures of Cactus wearing his medal with pride, Marathon des Sables organisers tweeted:
A dog who started to follow runners during the second stage of the race. After finishing it, he took the start of the third and the fourth finishing them all.
He has run more than 120 km and is in good shape! Is treated as a prince here at the camp.
He did it! Cactus ran the whole long stage of 76 km 😮
He is in a very good shape, has eaten, drunk, he keeps running everywhere in the camp 😅#MDS2019 #MARATHONDESSABLES #CactusTheMdsDog pic.twitter.com/NJDo7ci6lD— MARATHON DES SABLES (@marathonDsables) April 10, 2019
Cactus is going home 🤗🏅😍
After joining the adventure of the 34th MDS, his owners came to bring him home 😃
It was an emotional moment, thank you for all the support ❤️😊#MDS2019 #MARATHONDESSABLES #CactusTheMdsDog pic.twitter.com/nuPtjcR94o— MARATHON DES SABLES (@marathonDsables) April 13, 2019
A very, very well done to Cactus. An inspiration and motivation to long walk loving dogs everywhere!
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Jules studied English Literature with Creative Writing at Lancaster University before earning her masters in International Relations at Leiden University in The Netherlands (Hoi!). She then trained as a journalist through News Associates in Manchester. Jules has previously worked as a mental health blogger, copywriter and freelancer for various publications.