‘Canicross’ running with her rescue dogs had positive impact on Edinburgh woman’s arthritis

AGATA Aleksandra Zaremba has found the perfect running partners to keep her motivated during the long winter nights.

They’re energetic, enthusiastic, fast, loyal… and have four legs and a waggly tail.

Edinburgh-based sales manager Agata has been running with her two rescue dogs for the past 18 months.

Needing a way to exercise them on the lead, she decided to adopt a sport that’s gaining in popularity in Scotland – canicross.

And what started as a hobby hasn’t only led her to compete at an international level, but taking up the sled dog-inspired sport has also had a surprising effect on Agata’s arthritis.

“I get very bad pain in my hands, which makes it difficult to grip things and open jars,” said the 32-year-old, who developed arthritis five years ago.

“Sometimes the pain was so bad I didn’t want to get out of bed but, since I’ve been running with the dogs, I feel mentally stronger.

“The pain doesn’t bother me as much now and even the doctor said my arthritis isn’t progressing like it should.”

Agata dedicates close to 24 hours over six days every week to training her staffie border collie cross Rodger and pointer cross Laferra, a stray she rescued from Greece as a puppy.

She explains canicross as “basically running off-road with your dog, with a two-metre elastic lead connecting you.

“The dog runs out in front and is the driver. They need to follow your commands on which way to go, and that also helps their mental agility. My dogs love it. The smiles on their faces after a run are priceless and it’s made me happier and healthier too.”

Having played volleyball in both her native Poland and in Scotland, where she’s lived for 10 years, Agata always considered herself fairly fit.

But running with her dogs six nights a week through the woods and forests in Lothian and Fife has upped her fitness levels and seen her drop 10 kilos.

“Because we are always outside I haven’t been sick once in 18 months,” Agata added.

“Even though I played volleyball all my life I used to hate running. Now I love it. I’ve never been this fit.”

She added: “I think without the dogs my arthritis would drag me down and I wouldn’t be as dedicated to training

“But when they see their running harnesses, they get so excited. That helps motivate me.

“When I’m running with the dogs, it clears my head and helps me forget everything else.”

Canicross clubs meet regularly across Scotland. Competitive events that see runners and dogs race through forests and over cross country trails can attract up to 150 entrants.

Agata came third in the fastest newcomer in Scottish Canicross Championships and sixth at the British National Championships.

The 32-year-old will return to her native Poland later this month when she competes for Team GB in a world championship race.

And while she’d love a medal, Agata says competing in the top canicross race during the International Federation of Sleddog Sports World Championships is an opportunity to promote adopting rescue dogs.

“I want to show not only that rescue dogs can compete and be champions but also the impact they can have on you as a person,” she said.

“I’d love to encourage people to consider rescue dogs because you’re not just giving them a chance at a good life, they can also really help with your health and mental wellbeing, like Rodger and Laferra have with me.”