🐾 Weekly Club Social Run 🐾
This week, we’re hitting the trails at Riversands Farm Village! Thanks Mischa for hosting this social run for us!
Grab your pup, lace up and come join the pack for some trail time, wagging tails and plenty of fun!
Hope to see you all out there!
📅 Date: Saturday 26th September
⏰ Time: 07h00
📍 Location: Riversands Farm Village
📌 Meeting point: On the field between the coffee shop and the dam
🗺 Route and venue info:
The route is a well marked and maintained lap. The trail starts at the dam. Turn right for the 5 km route or continue straight for the 2.5 km option. The 5 km route leaves the property through a large gate on the perimeter, does a circuit close to the SPARK High School, then tracks back into the Riversands property, going around the perimeter before heading back towards the Riversands Farm Village area over the pedestrian bridge.
🚨 IMPORTANT NOTICE:
The gate between the pedestrian bridge over the river and the field at the start and finish area is now being kept locked. When you go over the pedestrian bridge at the end, continue straight up past the car park and return to the Start and Finish field via the main entrance gate.
You are very welcome to join everyone afterwards at the outdoor seating area at the Farm Village where you can enjoy a well deserved coffee together ☕🐕
🌦 Weather forecast (Saturday morning):
The weather is forecast to be mostly sunny, clear, and excellent for running with a temperature of 16°C. A perfect morning for canicross!
📊 Attendance
Please click on the link below and RSVP through the website if you’ll be attending this run. Pre-registration is required. ⬇️
⚠️ Important reminders
• Runs are postponed if temperatures exceed 25°C or if there is lightning nearby
• Please arrive slightly early; we run together as a group and share key info before departure
• Reactive dogs (yellow collars) go ahead, please give them a wide berth
• When overtaking, call out “passing left” or “passing right” clearly
• Reinforce the “on by” cue and praise your dog
• Allow dogs to settle before the start
• Redirect fixation calmly; avoid dragging your dog backwards on the leash
• Dogs must not interact in Canicross mode; keep two leash lengths between teams
• Water bowls will be available at the finish; bring a fold-up bowl if needed mid-run
• Mischa will have first aid and will be there to assist if you need anything
• Please advise of any medical updates, injuries, or if your bitch could be in heat
• Ensure vaccinations and tick prevention are up to date 🕷️
• Warm up properly, start slow, and cool down well
• No food and limit water 1 hour before running; offer small amounts post-run
• Bring poop bags and clean up after your dog
💡 Top tip:
Arrive with your dog in a normal walking collar or harness. Change into Canicross gear at the venue and remove it after the run. This helps signal working mode versus social mode.
🐾 Canicross guidance
In any Canicross activity, your dog should be running happily ahead of you. If your dog falls behind and you end up pulling them along, it’s instant disqualification. You’re a binomial team, you need to move together at the pace of the slowest teammate. If your dog lags, stop immediately and check why. If it’s unusual, or you notice tiredness, injury, or illness, get your dog checked by a vet before Canicrossing again. If it’s a fitness gap, slow down and build your dog’s fitness up more gradually.
And to address the more common issue in this regard, to our enthusiastic four-legged teammates: we ask that you please follow this rule closely too. Listen for the “steady” cue or your human’s cues, and be gentle with your human. You will need to gradually increase your human’s fitness levels over time.
🐾 Social run reminder
This is a social run, not a race. Enjoy the pack, practice skills, and condition your dog in a relaxed, supportive space. Go at your own pace.
We do track team PBs and times, so after the run please send your 2.5 km or 5 km time so we can update the log ⏱️
Have an awesome run everyone, and I’ll see you all back on the trails next week! 🐕🦺