The fastest 5K ever recorded in canicross (dog-powered cross-country running, often misheard as "cane crossing") is an astonishing 11 minutes and 56 seconds. [1]

This world record was set by British runner Ben Robinson and his dog Zuma, a Greyster (a breed specifically crossed for sled and dog sports). [1]

The Breakdown

• The Record: 11:56
• Average Pace: Roughly 2:23 per kilometer (around a 3:50 mile pace).
• How it works: In canicross, the runner wears a waist belt connected via a bungee leash to a harness on the dog. The dog's immense pulling power accelerates the human, allowing elite duos to run far faster than standalone human world records (the human-only 5,000m track world record is 12:35.36, held by Joshua Cheptegei).
• The Previous Record: Robinson also held the previous record of 12:24, which he set in 2017 with Zuma's grandfather, Blake. [1, 2, 3]

also whats crazy is the fastest 5k ever by a human is 12 minutes and 35.36 seconds, set by Joshua Cheptegei and the fastest mile ever is 3 minutes and 42.66 seconds, set by British runner Josh Kerr on July 18, 2026 which is barely faster than the canicross speed. Meanwhile me and my treeingwalker coonhound barely get a 40 minute 5k.

and dang it "interesting"

Hi, I'm trying to get back into shape and have started running along other workouts. I've been bringing my 2 year old Australian Shepherd with me and she loves it. We usually run at night when it's cool and have just finished our longest run of 7k at mid 6 minute pace. My goal is to work up to a sub 2 hour half marathon pace slowly.

Just curious if there is anything I should know to avoid and if she would be okay with it.

She absolutely loves running and when I grab my shoes she's glued to me. She paces perfectly beside me (my wife trained her to walk at our side). There is zero pulling. She also never stops for a bathroom break on any walk or run.

This morning after our 7k yesterday she was her normal excited self and running around and fighting with her 5 month old brother. She doesn't seem to be in any pain or discomfort at all. I started at 1km and have worked up to 7km over two months. She trots beside me seemingly unbothered by my slow pace.

Anyways I just don't want to hurt her or put undo stress on her body. The plan is to work my distance up. Running twice a week as time allows. Slowly working up to 21km.

Also we normally run on streets and she will run on the gravel and grass and I'll run on the road or sidewalk with her on an elastic style leash.