Cactus the dog is running one of the toughest races on earth in Morocco

Cactus the dog joins one of the toughest races on earth through the Moroccan desert after he started following the other athletes (and is now putting his competitors to shame)

  • Thousands of human runners are competing in Marathon Des Sables in Morocco 
  • They have been joined en route by a dog named Cactus who runs alongside them
  • Cactus has run 80 miles and is now taking a rest before completing the race 
  • Owner Karen Hadfield, who had no idea Cactus – whose real name is Diggedy – was competing, plans to meet him at the finish line and take him home 

It is one of the toughest races on earth – 140 miles on foot through the scorching Sahara desert in Morocco that sees thousands of human athletes battle it out.

Except this year the 22,000 people competing in the Marathon des Sables have also been joined by a dog called Cactus who has been putting them to shame.

Cactus joined the marathon runners during the second stage earlier this week and his stuck with them ever since, running a total of 80 miles so far.

More than 130 km later, Cactus the MDS’ dog is still in a really good shape ?? Today is the day off so he will be able to rest at the camp ? For all those wondering we’re in contact with the owner and she will get Cactus back! Would you like to see Cactus finish the adventure? ?

Posted by Marathon Des Sables on Thursday, 11 April 2019

Cactus the dog joined runners in the Marathon des Sables during the second stage on Monday and has stuck with them ever since

Having run more than 80 miles through the Moroccan desert, Cactus has been putting his human competitors to shame and is among the top athletes

Having run more than 80 miles through the Moroccan desert, Cactus has been putting his human competitors to shame and is among the top athletes

He completed the race’s most grueling stage – which spans almost 50 miles in a single stretch –  in a mere 11 hours 15 minutes, compared to the 31 hours allotted for human runners.

That pace put him 76th out of 800 runners, earning him the respect of his fellow athletes, along with their friendship.

Speaking to the New York Times, British runner Theo Holzapfel said: ‘That dog was a beast; he ran right past me and I couldn’t keep up. 

‘I kept following his footprints; I figured he knew where the hard sand was.’

Other runners say Cactus has helped them along the way, including American Stephen Homesy, who said the dog guided him back to the track after he got lost. 

Runners described Cactus as 'a beast' and said they were unable to keep up with him, while others described how he led them back to the track after they got lost

Runners described Cactus as ‘a beast’ and said they were unable to keep up with him, while others described how he led them back to the track after they got lost

Cactus the dog

Cactus the dog

Race organisers have fitted Cactus with a GPS tracker (right) so that fans can keep track of his progress online

Worried observers have been reassured that Cactus is being fed and given water along the route, and rests with the other athletes at the end of each day

Worried observers have been reassured that Cactus is being fed and given water along the route, and rests with the other athletes at the end of each day

Cactus is now just 30 miles from the finish line, taking part in the last competitive marathon stage before a final four mile charity run on Saturday.

There he will be met by owner Karen Hadfield – who says his real name is Diggedy – who had no idea he was taking part until seeing his progress online.

Writing on the marathon’s Facebook page, she said: ‘I am the owner and was told he had left the camp yesterday.

‘If I can pick him up I will but I also know he’s having the greatest time so please people let me know where he is now and where you are heading tomorrow.

‘I miss him but he’s having fun. He is a nomad dog and often travels 40km a day around this area just for fun. Please look after him and get him home.’

Race organisers have even given Cactus his own GPS tracker so people can follow his progress through the dunes online.

When Cactus crosses the finish line on Saturday he will be met by owner Karen Hadfield, who said she had no idea he was competing until seeing his progress online

When Cactus crosses the finish line on Saturday he will be met by owner Karen Hadfield, who said she had no idea he was competing until seeing his progress online

The annual Marathon des Sables sees 22,000 people compete in temperatures of up to 50C during a 140-mile race through the Sahara

The annual Marathon des Sables sees 22,000 people compete in temperatures of up to 50C during a 140-mile race through the Sahara

The fourth stage of the marathon is the longest and sees runners go almost 50 miles in a single session, with some taking more than a day to finish without stopping

The fourth stage of the marathon is the longest and sees runners go almost 50 miles in a single session, with some taking more than a day to finish without stopping

They have assured anxious followers that he is being kept well supplied with food and water along the route, and his feet are in good condition.

Cactus follows in the footsteps of Ludivine, the two-and-a-half year old Bloodhound, who ended up running in the Elkmont Trackless Train Half Marathon in Canada after being let out by his owner so he could go to the toilet.

But after relieving himself he crawled under the garden fence and joined the other runners at the start line before completing the entire 13.5 mile course.

Ludivine ended up finishing seventh overall, and received a runner’s medal as a reward for his efforts.



Read more at DailyMail.co.uk