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  Dog owners are required to run together with their dogs. Photo courtesy: Guang Ming Daily.

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  Dogs are eagerly drinking water. Photo courtesy: Guang Ming Daily.

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  Maze games for dogs. Photo courtesy: Guang Ming Daily.

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  A dressed up dog posing in front of the camera. Photo courtesy: Guang Ming Daily.

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  Dogs must go through a medical examination before they are allowed to participate in the marathon. Photo courtesy: Guang Ming Daily.

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  They are ready for the competitions. Photo courtesy: Guang Ming Daily.

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  The dog is ready for the competitions, so does its owner. Photo courtesy: Guang Ming Daily.

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  A special performance presented by students. Photo courtesy: Guang Ming Daily.

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SERDANG: The Dog Marathon returned again! The annual event started 13 years ago has received great response from dog lovers especially in 2008 when it attracted 611 dogs to participated and created a Malaysian record. Therefore, the organiser hoped to have 800 dogs participate in the event this year to break the record.

Dog owners had brought their dogs to the University Putra Malaysia (UPM) early in the morning on Sunday 8 August 2010 to spend a delighted day with their dogs.

Dogs were meticulously dressed up by their owners. And dogs owners hoped that their dogs could make friends with other dogs.

In fact, the marathon was not only a competition for dogs as dog owners were required to finish a 2.2km long journey with their dogs to tighten their relationships.

In addition to the marathon, the organiser (The Veterinary Medicine of UPM) also held various competitions like dog beauty contest and games like maze games, so that all participants would enjoy themselves.

There were dogs of various breeds, including Poodle, Chihuahua, Shih Tzu, German Shepherd, Golden Retriever and Labrador. Some dog owners also brought along dog strollers so that their dogs could rest in them.

The main purpose of the event was to create a platform to tighten relationships between dogs and their owners. At the same time, it was also to raise money for the UPM Veterinary Medicine stray animal fund to help and control the number of stray animals.

At the same time, the organiser also hoped to cultivate responsible dog owners so that they would not simply abandon their dogs.

Guang Ming Daily