Did you know January is National Walk Your Dog Month? No, passed us by at runABC Towers as well! However, if you are a runner who is owned by a dog, why not use this time for both of you to get fit and prepare for Battersea’s Muddy Dog Challenge?

Now in its eighth year, Muddy Dog Challenge is an outdoor obstacle course that you can tackle with your dog by your side while raising money for Battersea. There are six locations across the country from April to October. Why not join in the fun and duck, dive and weave through the dizzy dangles in Leeds, Derby and Stansted or scramble over log jumps in Tunbridge Wells, New Forest and Windsor?

Participants choose between 2.5K and 5K – both courses are equally fun (and muddy). Dog lovers will face a variety of wacky obstacles to jump under, over, or through, including wading through mud in the Canine Crawl, weaving through Mutt Mazes and not forgetting to unleash your inner child while crawling through Ball Pit Tunnels.

People of all ages and abilities are welcome to take part – they can run or walk, with or without a dog, bring the whole family along, join up with friends and their canine companions as part of a team, or take on the challenge solo. To see what it's like, watch Hamza and his dog Vinny in this short video.....

Each participant is encouraged to raise a target of £100 for Battersea so the charity can continue to be there for dogs and cats everywhere. For ideas and inspiration, the Battersea website has plenty of fundraising tips. Once registered, participants will receive their very own Muddy Dog Challenge T-shirt and dog bandana to take part in on the day, as well as a well-earned medal and rosette for making it across the finish line.

Jasmine Monk, Senior Challenge Events Officer at Battersea, said: “We are so excited to be back again for Battersea’s Muddy Dog Challenge 2023 and we can’t wait to see animal lovers across the UK get muddy and tackle our obstacle course with their canine companions by their side. Battersea continues to go above and beyond for every dog and cat – caring for animals in our centres and supporting other rescue and rehoming organisations across the UK and beyond to help more animals. Every penny raised by our wonderful supporters will help us continue our mission to be here for dogs and cats everywhere".

Registrations are now open with an early bird offer of £10 off adult tickets. For details visit the Muddy Dog Challenge website here.

Image and video courtesy Battersea Muddy Dog Challenge