Canicross is exploding across North America, and few people have been more instrumental in that growth than athlete, organizer, and Team USA captain Lizzie Hill. Recorded live at the IFSS Dryland World Championships, this episode dives into what it really takes to compete at the elite level while also helping shape the future of dog-powered sports in the United States.

Lizzie discusses running at Worlds with her young dog, Alibi, how she qualified after an injury-filled season, and what it means to help lead the United States Federation of Sled Dog Sports. She shares the origin story behind North America Canicross, explaining how a small Facebook group evolved into a huge international community, and why their challenge coins and titling programs have become so popular among both new and experienced runners.

We also get into World Championship logistics, why organizers had to recruit competitors from Australia to make certain classes official, and how Canicross is one of the most accessible ways for anyone to enter dog-powered sports.

If you’re curious about Canicross, want to understand how the sport is evolving, or want a behind-the-scenes look at the World Championships, this is a can’t-miss interview.

Topics include:

• What it takes to qualify for IFSS Worlds

• How the North American Canicross community grew so fast

• Challenge coins, titling, and lifetime mileage programs

• Why Canicross classes were some of the largest at Worlds

• Travel logistics and racing with one dog

• How beginners can get started right now

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