Morning rains can’t stop annual Running of the Chihuahuas
WINTER PARK — Not even an early morning downpour could keep Lucky from crossing the finish line at the annual Running of the Chihuahuas.
The little tan and white dog — thought to be 3 years old — was adopted last July after having been crushed by a car. He had surgery to implant metal pins into his back legs, which allow him to run. His coat is patchy and he’s quiet, but the little guy still hustled across the finish line first in his opening heat.
Madison Barger, 10, hoisted Lucky into the air victoriously to celebrate and pumped her fist. Prior to his race, she was nervous how he’d fare.
“He doesn’t really sprint,” Madison said. “He can run, but he mostly likes to prance because of his pins.”
The annual run drew more than 100 Chihuahuas and this was the 6th year Cocina 214 has hosted the run. All of the money raised was donated to Winter Park Lost Pets and Poodle and Pooch Rescue of Florida.
Rain began falling early Sunday, and the race originally planned for Welbourne Avenue was pushed to a parking garage across the street.
So music boomed and Chihuahua’s ran even as the weather worsened.
“We’re grateful that we have this garage and rain or we’re going to have this run and we’re going to come down to a top dog,” said Cocina’s events manager Jenna Dever.
Each dog has a two-person team accompanying it: One person helps the dog start and another is at the finish line to make sure all four paws cross it.
Some Chihuahuas rifled across the green turf track in seconds, while others were distracted by crowds or more interested in meeting the others.
In one such heat, a Chihuahua named Bella finished in second, while Tina barely budged and instead sniffed the turf and looked around at the cheering crowd of hundreds.
Later, Riley, running for the third year, trotted across the finish line with the runner-up trailing close behind just trying to get a sniff of the winner.
“He usually wins one or two heats,” said Teri Bergin. “[The event] is tons of fun and it’s an excuse to drink margaritas for breakfast.”
The winners of the first round races advance to the semifinals before ultimately a final heat determined an overall winner. A brown Chihuahua named Zeus was the overall winner.
Winners received baskets from Woof Gang Bakery, Petco and Tito’s Handmade Vodka, Dever said.
While Lucky met his match in the semifinals, he won over fans who heard his story from the Bargers.
“He’s been a total joy,” said Sherry Barger, Madison’s mother. “He’s a survivor.”