One might state that Ona, a punky 12-year-old Yorkshire Terrier, has actually taken pleasure in a pretty brilliant and breezy lifestyle over the years taking in the sun in Southern California. Well, as it turns out, she wishes to run!
Almost 50 races and counting
Ona likes to take the lead throughout the races, so her daddy and running partner, Jeff, follows her nearly the whole time. © Alan De Herrera
In the last 6 years, shes finished nearly 50, 5k runs with a common speed just over an 8-minute mile. This animal can run!
” I began treking with Ona after she turned 3 and she enjoyed it,” mentions Onas dad, California Highway Patrolman Jeff Jones. “She constantly had a lot energy.”
Well, as it turns out, she desires to run!
” She declined and merely desired to keep running,” he included. Not long after, the duo signed up for various more races and for this reason Onas running journey began. “Nothing was going to stop Ona from running!”
Last December, I joined them one morning for their 41st race at the Christmas-themed Santa Claus for a Cause 5k run.
As an educated long-distance runner himself, Jeff decided to sign both of them up for their first race together at the Homeward Bound 5k run in 2016.
” We had actually currently done various long walkings in the past however I didnt comprehend how she would do running cross nation.”
When they reached the midway mark, Jeff informs me he supplied and stopped Ona a quick water break. “She declined and just wanted to keep running,” he included. “People were shouting that pet ought to have a medal as we ran by.”
Not long after, the duo signed up for numerous more races and thus Onas running journey started. “Even throughout the pandemic we did 19 virtual races,” stated Jeff. “Nothing was going to stop Ona from running!”
Exceeding
Ona remains concentrated on the objective during her races. She doesnt get sidetracked by other pet dogs or people. © Alan De Herrera.
Last December, I joined them one early morning for their 41st race at the Christmas-themed Santa Claus for a Cause 5k run. Dressed up in a warm Christmas neck gaiter dawned with little green doggy bones and striped sweet walking canes, Ona looked for at her papa among the crowd of runners towering above her. With a number of wags of her small tail, she represented she was prepared to go.
At the sound of the buzzer, Ona sprinted out of the starting gate tugging on her leash with all her might, keeping her head forward and concentrated on the course ahead. “She enjoys to go out in front of me, so Im really just chasing her the whole time,” specifies Jeff.
A recognized Ona charged along, unfazed by the cheering viewers or other pets along her course. “Shes so razor focused when she runs,” Jeff gladly informs me.
They crossed the goal not just breaking their all-time record at 24 minutes and 45 seconds, however also making the podium with a first place title in Jeffs age classification. “The older she gets the much faster she runs,” Jeff whispered in my ear as they got their respectable medals.
There is a small wood rack on Jeffs bed room wall showing 45 ribboned medals: A homage to their running experiences together throughout the years.
” We will need a larger rack quickly,” Jeff notifies me with a chuckle.
Not long after, the duo signed up for various more races and hence Onas running journey began. “Nothing was going to stop Ona from running!”
Last December, I joined them one early morning for their 41st race at the Christmas-themed Santa Claus for a Cause 5k run. Quickly after, the duo signed up for numerous more races and for this reason Onas running journey started. “Nothing was going to stop Ona from running!”
