12 Dog-Friendly Races from 5K to Ultra Where You Can Cross the Finish Line Together
After spending months training for your next big race, sometimes it feels a little unfair that your most frequent training partner is left out of all the fun. We thought it might be good to checkout some great dog friendly races to add to your calendar.
Dog friendly races have grown into a real category of their own, with events popping up across the country that genuinely welcome your pup on the course rather than just tolerating them at the finish line festival. Whether you have a seasoned trail dog who logs more miles than most humans or a social butterfly who just wants to be wherever the energy is, there is a race on this list built for both of you.
Before you register, a few things worth knowing: most dog friendly events require proof of vaccination, ask that your dog runs on a non retractable leash, and have breed or size guidelines that vary by race.
Always read the fine print before you sign up so race morning goes smoothly for everyone. We’ve got additional tips after the race list, so be sure to check those out as well!
All right with that, let’s checkout our current list of great dog-friendly races. And of course if you know one that we missed please drop it in the comments to help out other runners.
1. Fort Ord Trail Run
Date: February 2026
Location: Monterey, CA
Profile: Rolling Hills
Type: Out and Back and Point-to-Point
Elevation Gain: 900ft (10K), 2250ft (25K), 4300ft (50K)
You can choose a 10K, 25K, or 50K with your dog in the gorgeous space near the Ford Ord National Monument. The area was originally set aside as a US Army post in 1917, but was eventually converted to civilian use and set aside as a reserve for the endangered Smith’s blue butterfly.
It’s also home to Cal State Monterey Bay and Ford Ord Dunes State Park, both of which will provide interesting and beautiful views along your run. The federally protected land is home to extensive non-technical trails through oak woodlands, dunes, and rolling coastal terrain.
Your dog has to stay on-leash and runners who are bringing their pup have to start in the back of the pack.
Aid stations are situated along the course but are “cupless,” so make sure to bring your own vessel for water.
Runner colleenannsaylor says the race was beautiful and well-run:
It was very beautiful. Lovely smooth trails and I felt like it was a fast course you can really fly through. Not too many roots or rocks at all. I had a lot of fun and plan to do this race again. Maybe one day I can jump to the 50K. Totally recommend. The course was marked so well too. No way to get lost.
2. Prairie Spirit Trail Races
Date: March 2026
Location: Ottawa, KS
Profile: Fast and Flat
Type: Out and Back
Elevation Gain: Negligible
You can choose your distance for you and your dog with this one; they offer everything from a 5K up to a 100 miler, with a host of options in between. There are frequent aid stations where you and your dog can grab a drink and a quick break.
The flat, paved and gravel course is excellent for runners looking for a PR, but make sure your dog can keep up!
The course traverses both quaint, small Kansas towns and the prairie itself. You can see forever, it seems like, and the quiet course is a great space for contemplation.
Dogs are welcomed as long as they are kept on leash and are polite to other runners and dogs they might encounter on the course.
Bioprofsd is a return customer and has great things to say:
This is the second time I have run this race. To be honest, the reason that I signed up was the dirt cheap early registration fee. I think it was only $45 when I signed up over a year ago. I had to defer to this year though due to the Covid pandemic. We weren’t able to stage inside the Celebration Hall like they usually do, but the weather was nicer this year, and the wait before the start wasn’t bad at all.
I was lucky in that the weather was much nicer this year than during the last time I ran in 2019. I started out wearing a light wind jacket, but had to stop and take it off after only a few miles as I was sweating too much. It never really warmed up that much though, as there was a still breeze coming out of the north.
I had a good run even though my training wasn’t that great during the prior week, and also having run a 100-mile race just a couple of weeks before. I ended up with the fastest time that I have run in the last several years, even though I didn’t feel like I was racing.
3. Knickerbocker Canyon
Date: March 2026
Location: Auburn, CA
Profile: Technical and Hilly
Type: Out and Back
Elevation Gain: 3000ft (Half Marathon)
This course is not for the faint of heart, no matter the distance you and your pup choose to tackle. It runs along the historic Western States trail and over “No Hands Bridge” before heading to the K2 training hill.
Even the shorter distances, like the 5K and 10K, trace tough trails along the canyons of the American River. The longest of the courses heads back down to the river through a series of switchbacks that will challenge the fittest of runners.
Since the race takes place in the spring, runners will be treated to a lush, green canyon popping with wildflowers. The scenery, which includes views of the American River gorge, oak and pine-laden hillsides, small waterfalls and creeks, along with the No Hands Bridge, is always a big draw.
Your pooch is welcomed but must remain on leash. Additionally, runners with dogs will begin in the rear of the pack.
Topher311 verifies that the views were worth the trouble:
This was one of the toughest, but most beautiful courses I have run! Started with a wild, downhill single track, bringing us to American River Canyon, with sweeping views of the river.
After passing Calcutta Falls and crossing No Hands Bridge, we started the arduous K2 Training Hill (about 1.5 miles, with 1000+ feet of elevation gain) This was followed by a fast and furious downhill section before flattening out for a bit before the last climb to the finish.
Course was extremely well marked and pre race communication was thorough.Delivered burritos at the finish, along with cookies and fruit. Nice shirt, finishers medal, and age group awards 🙂
4. Peterson Ridge Rumble
Date: April 2026
Location: Sisters, OR
Profile: Rolling Hills
Type: Out and Back
Elevation Gain: 1600 ft (Marathon)
This course offers the pros of Central Oregon – Ponderosa pine forests, open ridge lines, and views of the Cascade Mountains on clear days – along with the potential for wet and muddy soil, especially in spring.
That said, the trail is doable for the terrain-type, with a gentle uphill leading into a gentle downhill for the second half. The views will also do their best to distract you! It’s a great choice for first-time trail runners, or for people going out to tackle their first ultra, too.
The atmosphere is fun and festival like, with a lot of community support and spirit.
Your dog is welcome for the marathon distance, and technically, leashes are required. Other runners often bring their (well-conditioned) dogs, and all of the aid stations will have water for your pooch as well!
Girls Gone Wildwood wishes they would have tried it out sooner:
What a fantastic event! Now we know why everyone raves about it.
This is definitely one I’d like to do again and push myself to see how fast I can be on this idyllic course.
5. Doggie Dash
Date: April 2026
Location: Nashville, TN
Profile: Fast and Flat
Type: Loop
Elevation Gain: Negligible
This half-mile run is all about fun and raising money for the Nashville Humane Society. It starts and finishes at Nissan Stadium in downtown Nashville, and is part of the larger Rock N’ Roll Running Series weekend in the city.
The Doggie Dash takes place after the main race events of the day and weekend, so the atmosphere is relaxed and festival-like, with plenty of music, food trucks, vendors, and the opportunity to adopt a new furry friend if you’re so inclined.
It’s also a great day to bring your kids, as there are kids races and other events that coincide with the Doggie Dash.
Your dog must be leashed, vaccinated, and each dog requires a human companion to take part in the race.
Marspetcareus says it’s a great way to spend some quality time with the pups of Nashville:
It’s a great chance to bond with your best friend for a half mile run/walk on 4/28.
Proud to help support it!
6. Zoomies 50K
Date: April 2026
Location: Aurora, IL
Profile: Fast and Flat
Type: Loop
Elevation Gain: Negligible
The Zoomies 50K is a road-style ultra marathon experience that offers a 5K, 10K, 15K, and 50K options. The race is all completed on paved surfaces, which makes this a fast and flat experience perfect for beginners or those looking to hit a certain time.
The scenery of Waubonsee Lake Park is beautiful, but if you’re running the 50K, anything on a loop is going to seem repetitive after awhile, so beware of that hazard with a loop-style course.
Dogs are not only welcome to race, but are the centerpiece of many of the aid stations you’ll see along the way – or the “Pittie Stops,” actually.
Adoptable dogs will meet and greet you when you stop for fuel and hydration, and Humane Society of Aurora staff will be on hand to answer any questions about them that you might have.
This is a small field that feels cozy and benefits adoption agencies throughout the state of IL.
Runner bioprofsd says this was a well-run event:
This race was put on as a fundraiser for Rover Rescue, a decentralized organization that fosters dogs that are available for adoption. The race was run on a 1.55 mile loop that we ran 20 times around the scenic Waubonsie Lake Park in Aurora, IL. The area appeared to be a clean, upscale suburb of Chicago. It was an open course, so there were a lot of people walking and running on the path, some with their dogs, but it never felt crowded. There were plenty of people to watch as we ran, so it never seemed boring.
The swag included a hat, which did not arrive in time for the race, but the race director said that they would be mailed out. The 50K finishers were also given a small, but colorful belt buckle as a finisher award.
There was water, HEED, Coca-cola, and Ginger ale provided for hydration, and snack-type food such as cookies and mini muffins for nutrition. It would have been nice to have some peanut butter and jelly sandwichs or wraps, but it wasn’t bad for a small race.
The nice thing is that we went by the aid station every 1.55 miles. I had to be careful not to spend too much time at the aid station, as there was an 8.5 hour cutoff which I easily met by almost an hour.
The trail was paved and was flat and fast with just slight undulations. Garmin Connect said that there was only 125 feet of elevation gain over the 31 miles, so it is a very fast course.
There was one short stretch of maybe 200 yards with dense shade, otherwise it was fairly open which wasn’t a problem with this spring ultra.
7. All-Out Dog Days
Date: July 2026
Location: Westminster, CO
Profile: Mostly Flat
Type: Out and Back
Elevation Gain: Negligible
This race is held along the Big Dry Creek Trail as it winds northeast between Denver and Boulder. There are breathtaking views of the Flatirons and the Front Range on the horizon, and is challenging enough to make you and your dog feel like you’ve gotten a good workout in the process.
Your dog can even win a medal along with you, and can participate in a costume contest, if that’s your vibe!
The trail is paved with a soft-surface path alongside it that is popular with locals, and the vibes are those of a charity fundraiser event. The day and the race is focused on community and loving on the participating dog, but the scenery along the trail really sets this one apart.
The aid stations offer water for both runners and their canine companions, toilets (for humans), and are placed strategically along the course. All finishers receive a medal and a t-shirt, and the professional photos are complimentary.
Your dog will need to stay leashed, as the Westminster municipal codes require it, so keep that in mind.
8. The Nitty Gritty Marathon
Date: August 2026
Location: Red Lodge, MT
Profile: Rough Trail Terrain
Type: Loop
Elevation Gain: 3600 ft (Half Marathon), 7200 ft (Full Marathon)
This is a race for runners who not only prefer to bring their dog along, but who enjoy getting back to the roots of how running began, both in America and abroad.
The course is run in south-central Montana near the Beartooth Mountains, so there is no lack of scenery.
There is also no lack of rough terrain, steep climbs, bushwhacking, and the possibility of running into an actual bear (bear spray is a race requirement).
Aid stations are located only at the start and finish line, so you’ll have to bring the rest of what you and your pooch need with you along the way.
The course offers a fair bit of shade due to the heavily forested areas, mountain views, and a cozy atmosphere at the finish that includes camaraderie, snacks, beer, and lots of doggie pets.
Dogs are welcome to run on or off-leash, but should have good recall in order to stay safe – and to leave the snacks at the finish alone.
Runmouse says not to expect a whole lot of support, but the views are spectacular:
Beautiful location great course would have liked to have seen the race itself a little more organized but all-in-all couldn’t have asked for a better day.
If you just want to run in the mountains with the chance of seeing Wildlife this is the best race you could do.
9. Hell Creek
Date: August 2026
Location: Sylvan Grove, KS
Profile: Some Hills
Type: Loop
Elevation Gain: 1300 ft (Half Marathon), 3000 ft (50K)
The Hell Creek 100 Miler takes place on the only EPIC rated mountain bike trail between the Rockies and the Ozarks, and the views are just beautiful. Runners on the Switchgrass Mountain Bike Trail will get to experience Wilson State Park and Wilson Lake up close and personal. Wilson Lake is known as the clearest lake in Kansas and the unobstructed water views will feel like a reward, for sure.
The half marathon and the 50K are both run mostly on trails, with only the starting line on pavement. The course is flat and fairly runnable, though all runners will have to tackle “Hell Hill” on their way to their finish line.
There’s not a lot of shade, so an August race is going to require the proper gear, hydration, and training to make it through.
Fur-Baby awards are given to the dogs who finish the race – they’ll receive a medal they can proudly display on their leash or harness. Aid stations will have treats and water available for dogs as well as humans.
Runner Ken Carter can confirm it was a rough but worthwhile course!
I did the half marathon at Hell Creek Half & 50K on Saturday and man was it brutal. A big shout out to all the bucklehead volunteers who kept everyone alive. They did a tremendous job. Casey Cross and Lindsay at the start finish and the race directors Chase Hammond and Casey Hammond who worked their rears off to make this event happen.
Congratulations to all who finished and also to those who gave their all on this course.
10. Canine Classic at Paws Up (Half-Marathon)
Date: August 2026
Location: Greenough, MT
Profile: Rolling Hills
Type: Loop
Elevation Gain: 1304 feet
This half marathon is a trail run through scenic outdoor, trap-free lands that are part of a ranch resort. Your dog can participate on or off-leash, so you’ll want to make sure you’re bringing a dog who is comfortable being approached by other four-legged friends.
The course is on designated trails and dirt roads, so expect uneven footing throughout. On the plus side, you’ll be treated to classic Big Sky scenery like forests, meadows, and mountain views. In fact, the area is fairly remote overall, so keep that in mind when thinking about and planning for travel.
The event is also “cupless,” so you’ll want to make sure you’re carrying your own hydration.
After you’re finished you and your dog can enjoy a picnic lunch and a swag bag, along with the opportunity to win a few prizes. The event benefits Working Dogs for Conservation.
Runners describe the experience as relaxed and and focused more on atmosphere than competition. There are different waves at the start for runners without and with dogs.
Runner Dawn (and her dogs!) would definitely recommend:
Super fun – huge open property, tons of space for the dogs. Trails were really well labeled, everyone was super nice. Got great dog-friendly freebies and a big buffet after the race.
We had a great time last year and are excited to run this race again!
11. Oakland Hills Trail Run
Date: October 2026
Location: Oakland, CA
Profile: Rolling Hills
Type: Loop
Elevation Gain: 1250 ft (10K), 2900 ft (Half Marathon), 4550 ft (35K)
The redwood trees are quintessential California, and this small grove just a few miles from Oakland has all of the Bay Area trail-running vibes a person could want.
The trail is technical, rolling dirt trails with some non-technical stretches of fire roads.
Redwoods Regional Park and the EBMUD Southern Watershed will offer views other than redwoods, as well – the 1830 acres are home to evergreens, chaparral, grasslands, and rare wildlife like the golden eagle.
Both the park and the watershed allow leashed dogs, and you’re encouraged to run with yours as long as you stay at the back of the pack at the starting line.
There are aid stations along the way for you and your dog, but this is a cupless event, so make sure to keep that in mind when packing.
Slackerrunner says this one was a challenge, for sure:
This course is the opposite of most of my trail races. Here, runners go mostly downhill for the first half and then climb back the last half. It’s a trap.
The trails were my favorite kind, hard dirt, surrounded by tall redwoods with views for days. The was the sun cut through the trees sometimes was just awesome. I think I took a couple hundred pictures while I was out there. Mile 3 started to take us through a more user friendly section of the park but it was just as pretty. However I also knew we were in for some serious uphill to come as we were fairly flat at that point.
Reader- I didn’t know. I was not prepared.
People- miles 5 and 6 were 22 and 33 minutes. Strava shows my moving time was around 16 minutes for each mile, ha! Mile 5 averaged a 19% grade and mile 6 was 20%.
Don’t get me wrong this was a great race, I was just so not prepared. Maybe next year?
12. Deception Pass
Date: November 2026
Location: Oak Harbor, WA
Profile: Technical and Hilly
Type: Loop
Elevation Gain: 4300 ft (50K), 3000 ft (25K)
Deception Pass is the narrow channel that separates Whidbey and Fidalgo Islands in the northern Puget Sound, so if you’re looking for immaculate Pacific Northwest vibes to experience with your dog, look no further.
The race covers two distances, and both courses run through a variety of coastal areas. The trail takes runners over rugged coastline, up to breathtaking cliff-top views, and through shady, dense forests in between.
There aren’t huge, long climbs, but some of the rollers are steep and can present a challenge. The trails are fairly technical all the way through.
You’ll also get the bonus of crossing the Deception Pass Bridge twice, which is 180 feet above the water and likely something you’ll never forget.
Leashed and “well-mannered” dogs are encouraged and welcome at the race and at the aid stations.
Everyone can grab local pizza at the finish-line party (it’s the PNW so of course there are gluten free and vegan options!), and you’ll love the friendly and comfortable atmosphere.
Participant Duma confirms “breathtaking” is the word for the whole thing:
This run offers breath-taking views as you run several different loops on Whidbey and Fidalgo Island. The race is not for acrophobes – the Deception Pass bridge connecting the islands is 180 feet above the deep and turbulent water.
Prior to the race, there is an announcement reminding runners that they can die on this course with the numerous cliffs next to the trail, and signs along the way remind you that falling can be deadly. Combined with the wet and slippery wood bridges, rocks and roots, this course requires careful footing, which can be difficult at times when you want to take in the spectacular views!
Rainshadow running does a great job of marking trails, and providing post race food (pizza from a wood-fire oven and beer) and music. My only complaint was that the race start was delayed by over 15 minutes, yet no announcement was made to let us know what was going on. I suggest getting there an hour before to get through registration, which had long lines and probably caused the delayed start.
Also, the weather can vary dramatically from year to year, so be prepared. We had perfect running weather with temps between 45 and 50, but it can definitely be much cooler and wet.
And look at the map carefully before the race so you aren’t surprised by the ‘summit’ that you have to run up around mile 12. Finally, this race is popular and entries are limited, so you should definitely sign up as soon as registration opens in spring of each year.
Racing With Your Dog Tips
Here are a few things to keep in mind when you’re traveling and running some of these technical courses with your dog.
Make Sure Your Dog is in Shape
- Before you think about taking your dog on a long run like some of the ones above, they need to be able to consistently join you on double-digit runs at home.
- Your dog should be athletic, in it’s prime (2-7 years old), and in shape. You can increase their mileage by 1-2 miles per week, but not more.
- Watch for injuries after the fact, not just during the run. Dogs often won’t “complain,” but will show signs like limping, excessive licking, or stiffness on rest days.
Consider the Heat
- Dogs don’t handle heat as well as humans do, so cooler races are going to be more ideal for your canine companion.
- Watch your dog closely for signs of overheating on race day, and provide plenty of water breaks.
The Surface Matters for Them, Too
- One reason so many of the races above are great for dogs is because they are trail runs. Dirt and trails are easier on your dog’s pads than pavement.
- Running long distances on paved surfaces can cause damage to a dog’s paws and joints over time.
Understand the Course Rules
- Most courses require your dog to be a on leash, but not all.
- You know your dog best. If they are uncomfortable in crowds, are easily distracted, or don’t mind well when food is involved, this might not be the best activity for the two of you to do together.
Have a Backup Plan
- If your dog isn’t behaving as expected, becomes overheated, or is injured, you need to have a backup plan.
- This could look like exiting the course yourself, or having a friend available to meet you at certain points to check on the dog/take him or her if things aren’t going well.
- Pushing through in this situation is dangerous, so an exit strategy is necessary (even if it’s not your first time).
- Consider a plan to run the first half of a course with your dog, then finish without them, especially if you’re looking to push pace.
You (and your dog) are all set – so hit the road (or trail)!
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