Canicross South Africa was born from a personal journey, a love for running, and a deep belief in giving dogs a better quality of life through meaningful time with their people.
A few years ago, while I was heavily involved in running marathons and various trail events, I welcomed Chobe, my Rhodesian Ridgeback, into my life. As I began researching suitable harnesses to run safely with him, I was introduced to the sport of Canicross. It quickly became clear that this wasn’t just a way to exercise a dog, but a structured, ethical sport built around teamwork, communication, and welfare.
As my interest grew, so did the realisation that there was no established Canicross scene in South Africa.
With the support and guidance of the International Canicross Federation, to whom Canicross South Africa is proudly affiliated, I went on to become an internationally qualified Canicross Instructor. What started as a personal passion has since grown into a regional launch, with the goal of building strong, ethical Canicross communities across Southern Africa.
I am joined by my husband, Mike Richardson, who is also a qualified Canicross Instructor, along with a dedicated behind-the-scenes team supporting administration, logistics, and a growing network of regional hub leaders helping roll Canicross out on the ground.
Join the Team
If you are passionate about dogs, the outdoors, and community, and are interested in starting your own Canicross hub in your area, we would love to hear from you.
We support our hub leaders every step of the way, including guidance on:
Required qualifications and training pathways
Proven formulas, structures, and systems
Paperwork, compliance, and governance
Event planning and management
Course design and session structure
Marketing materials and brand support
In short, we provide everything you need to start running your Canicross business with confidence.
If you’re ready to be part of growing Canicross in Southern Africa, reach out and become part of the team.
