People like to say that big things come in small packages, and when it comes to Jellybean, a nine-pound chihuahua who runs marathons, that definitely seems to be the case.
The running pup is six years old and has completed six marathons beside her owner, Andrew Owens. He says that she’s looking to break some records in 2025 for dogs running both half- and full marathons.
Owens adopted Jellybean in 2020, and though he says she wasn’t sure what to make of running at first, she grew to enjoy it.
At least, that’s how it seems.
“We just did a little bit because I didn’t want to hurt her. We did a half mile, and then she started running around at home. I thought, okay, I can take her on longer distances.”
They train every weekend, running between 20-30 miles together or with a larger group of friends. Owens says he keeps a close eye on her to make sure they’re not overdoing it.
Once those distances stretched to the length of a half-marathon, and then a full, he started taking her along to the races he entered.
As of now, her record for marathon times was at the Garmin Kansas City Marathon, which they completed in 3 hours and 47 minutes.
“Jellybean doesn’t look like the typical half-marathoner, let alone a marathon finisher. But as she sprints past runners or crosses the finish line, she challenges every stereotype and assumption. Jellybean reminds us that potential isn’t defined by appearances. It’s about heart, determination, and the work we’re willing to put in.”
He believes that seeing his little dog happily running more than 26 miles at a stretch inspires the other runners – and maybe the people on the sidelines, too.
“Runners at races say ‘No way, he carried the dog, that dog’s not going to make it,’ and then people will come up after and say, ‘Did that dog do all of it?’ and I’m like ‘Yeah, she did every single step,’ and they’re like ‘No way…if that dog can do it…'”
You never know where you might find the inspiration to start or keep training.
In this case, you’ll have to be sure to look close to the ground to catch a glimpse.
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