Ludivine the Bloodhound has made quite the splash in the small town of Elkmont, Alabama, recently when she decided to forgo her morning potty break and instead decided join the Elkmont Trackless Train Trek Half Marathon.

Elkmont Trackless Train Trek Half Marathon

Ludivine’s mom April Hamlin had let her outside to do her business when she escaped the yard and went to see why everyone in the race was at the starting line. As soon as the gun went off, she began running.

One of the runners, Tim Horvath, ended up running most of the race with the Bloodhound and had simply assumed her owner was nearby somewhere.

He told Runner’s World, “I saw her for the first time in the parking lot before the race. She came bouncing up, and I petted her on the head. I saw her collar, so I just figured she was somebody’s dog. Elkmont is a small town where everyone knows everybody, so it didn’t strike me as unusual.”

Elkmont has a population of 400.

Ludivine ended up running the entire 13.1-mile race! She even made a few stops along the way to the bathroom, say hello to some cows and sniff around!

Elkmont Trackless Train Trek Half Marathon

The organizers even timed her, placing her 7th overall with a time of 1:32.56 (unofficially, of course).

But the race volunteers couldn’t let the unexpected participant go away empty pawed so they arranged to give her her very own medal when mom came to pick her up. April was texted about Ludivine’s presence by friends at the race.

Elkmont Trackless Train Trek Half Marathon

It all came as a complete surprise to April, who said, that Ludivine is usually quite lazy. She was worried at first that Ludivine might have gotten in the way of the runners. But, as it turns out, Ludivine’s participation has raised the profile of the small event, which helps raise money for the local school district’s athletic programs.

Race organizers say they have been “overwhelmed at the amount of support that has been generated by this sweet, sweet dog!” So, they have decided to pay it back and announced their race has officially been renamed.

“It took us a long time to come up with a name for our race and nothing we came up with seemed to be the ‘it’ name. After news of Ludivine broke, it was suggested we rename it and without any argument, it was decided that in honor of Ludivine and her accomplishment, the name of our race will be changing to Elkmont’s Hound Dog Half!”

That seems to be very fitting!

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10 Of The “Most Loyal” Dog Breeds On The Planet
Giving love and support to humans is something that some dogs do better than others.

While many dogs love everyone they meet and are willing to take treats or belly rubs from anyone, the pups we found are just the opposite.

These 10 dogs are some of the most loyal breeds on the planet. They are rock steady in their loyalty to their owner no matter what.

1) Akita

When the American Kennel Club (AKC) lists loyalty to describe the temperament of the Akita, you know they mean business. The beautiful double-coated working dog of Japanese ancestry is considered hardwired in protecting those she loves. They should be socialized with other dogs and people from the time they are puppies. Their silly, fun, but dignified personalities round out the loyal Akita.

Source: NicoMonaco/Flickr

2) Boxer

This working dog is smart, full of energy, and oh so loyal to their family. They get along great with kids and have an innate instinct to protect their pack. He’s a watchdog with a heart of gold who oozes dedication to his owner.

Source: Pierre Pocs Photography/Flickr

3) Skye Terrier

Known as the “small dog with the big ears,” this adorable breed hails from the Scottish Isle of Skye, hence the name. Whether you live in the city or the country, this small dog with a big personality is steadfast in snuggling, playtime, and remaining loyal to his owners.

Source: WaketheSun/Flickr

4) Beagle

This merry hound is friendly, curious and incredibly loyal. While he doesn’t mind the occasional couch potato time, this spunky pooch is energetic and merry. A fun fact about this hound: the breed standard is for 13 inches and under and another in the 13-15 inch category. No matter how you size him, these adorable dogs just want to cling to you.

Source: Simon Hameau/Flickr

5) Shar-Pei

This wrinkly non-sporting breed is standoffish to strangers but very loyal to his owner. His ancient Chinese roots are part of the charm of the Shar-Pei. Regal, strong, and smart, if you want a BFF for life, this loose-skinned pooch may be the right choice for you.

Source: Alessandro Persano/Flickr