This is probably my favorite 5k race.  I enjoy it so much because I get to run with my favorite running partner, Shadow.  This race allows dogs and has a prize for the first dog to finish called “Top Dog.”  Shadow, my 85 lb. golden retriever, loves running and took the Top Dog award last year. 

 Our goal was to repeat and be the first two-time Top Dog Champion.  I felt pretty confident.  I felt we could run the course in 20 minutes or better.  However, before the race, a guy that beat us last year, without a dog, came up to speak to me.  He is a very nice guy, but he informed  me he was racing with his dog this year.  Plus, he mentioned numerous times that she is really “fast.”  The only caveat is that she only has three legs.  This got my competitive juices flowing and I could tell Shadow was amped when he laid eyes on the three-legged dog. 

 Shadow and I started the race about 7 seconds behind the gun.  The five-legged team was a couple rows ahead of us at the start and they shot out like a rocket.  Shadow and I got caught in the traffic and I had to run in a ditch to keep him out of other runner’s way.  Soon, we were behind by 200 meters.  Shadow wanted to charge and catch them right away.  He was really pulling on his leash.  I told him that we would catch them in due time.  I gave a couple of tugs on his collar and he eased up the pace. 

 Slowly, we started to make up ground.  Heading through downtown Wake Forest, we were within a hundred meters.  A mile into the race we were about twenty meters back and gaining.  I could hear that the three-legged dog was laboring.  She was breathing very loud.  We made our move around the 1.25-mile mark.  I told Shadow to go and we surged until we had comfortable lead. 

 Soon, I stopped hearing the sounds of dogs behind us.  Shadow and I eased the pace just a bit.  I wanted to save something in case some dog made a late charge.  Luckily, that charge never came.  We eased into the finish and I stopped my watch as we crossed the line.  I was overjoyed to help Shadow defend his title, but was a little disappointed when I read our time, 20:00.  Well, now we have a goal for next year: 19:30.

 Shadow was a true champion and gracious with all his fans.  At one point he had six kids giving him a belly rub.  Shadow was proud to race in a RRO shirt I borrowed from my girlfriend.  He looked great and received a doggy gift basket for his win. Shadow hope to continue his winning ways in another dog-friendly race two Saturdays from now.