Canicross, is a physical activity combining the pleasure of running outdoors with your inseparable companion, a dog. Canicross is a form of sled-dog sport. In Scandinavia, using dogs for work as draft animals has a long history. For example, they were used to transport mail, which was carried on sleds pulled by dogs. The handler, meanwhile, was connected to the sled by a rope and helped keep it on the snow-covered road. This type of joint work between humans and dogs was soon adapted as a sport, which took its name from the sleds – pulka.
In European countries where snow is not the primary surface for roads for most of the year, sleds were detached and replaced by equipment moving on wheels, or the dog simply became connected directly to its handler while moving across the terrain. In countries such as France and Belgium, sports practised in snow-free conditions have been popular for more than 30 years. In recent years, however, this sport has also become increasingly popular in other countries, including Poland.
How do you start practising canicross?
No special requirements need to be met to begin this adventure. Once one general rule is fulfilled – “The dog pulls the person” – nothing can stand in the way of enjoying a shared run. Canicross equipment is not a barrier preventing people from taking up the sport either, as it is becoming increasingly popular and therefore affordable for everyone.
A great fan of this sport is also Bolesławiec resident Rafał Śmiałkowski, who has been deeply involved in individual sled-dog sports for several years. “During every run with my dog, I feel an immense closeness to nature. The greatest joy comes from the shared effort, for me and my dogs. It builds a very strong bond between a human and a dog,” Rafał Śmiałkowski explains.
Rafał and his dogs have already achieved many sporting successes. Last year, they won the Polish Canicross Championship. Meanwhile, at the Polish Sled-Dog Sports Championship held in Szamotuły on the weekend of 5–6 November, they took first place, winning the title of Polish Champion in the “Scooterjoring” event (riding with a dog on a special off-road scooter).
Rafał runs the Canine Training Centre – canid.pl – in Bolesławiec. If you are interested in the form of physical recreation described above, we encourage you to comment and ask questions. Rafał will be happy to answer your questions on the portal. Soon, Rafał and his dogs will represent our country at the European Championship, which will be held in Great Britain.
