Fighting obesity at Crufts
Olympic hopeful, James Thie, stole a winning place in the first Crufts cross-country competition for dogs and their owners, which was launched to fight the country’s growing obesity crisis.
Ben Fogle and former Blue Peter Presenter, Matt Baker also joined James and 78 other contestants in the 2km Cani-Cross competition that was arranged by CaniX, the company that runs the UK’s only running competition for people and their canine companions.
James Thie, who came fourth in the IAAF World Indoor Championships and sixth and ninth in the European Championships, hopes that his Crufts success in the 17-39 age category is a good omen for his Olympic dreams.
He said: “I only realised that competitions like this existed about six months ago and now that we have won it is like a dream come true.
“Running is my passion and I always train with my dog, Pre Fontaine, so to be able to share the victory together is amazing – I haven’t been able to keep the smile from his face!”
James, from Cardiff, and his English Springer Spaniel, Pre Fontaine, named after the legendary runner Steve Pre Fontaine, run regularly in the competitions that CaniX run throughout the country all through the year.
Ben Fogle and Matt Baker, who competed in the Crufts competition with the husky dogs that belong to CaniX co-founders Richard and Eileen Cook, faired less well, coming in the last two places in their category.
Richard Cook, who started the company in 2003, said: “Poor Ben and Matt didn’t do so well because our huskies just didn’t want to run for them. But the whole race was so much fun and it is the perfect way to get fit.
“The obesity problem that we can see in NHS wards around the country and which is being mirrored by ours pets, is what inspired us to set this company up and it is going from strength to strength.”
For more information, images or interviews contact the Crufts press office 0870 761 3264 or email press.office@thekennelclub.org.uk.
- Date:
- 07-Mar-08
- Last updated on:
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