A sport, from start to finish

A stray dog competes with runners in a 22-km marathon and is graciously allowed to breast the tape.

LEADING THE PACK: Susie, the dog, leading the Karunagapally- Kollam marathon race organised as part of Onam celebrations.

Marathons are common during Onam. But, the one conducted by a city-based club on Sunday had a speciality. One of the runners was Susie, a dog.

Susie maintained her pace and lead throughout the 22-kilometre run from Karunagapally to Manayilkulangara. And, the human co-runners even let her touch the finishing tape first.

Susie's ties with Manayilkulangara Jawahar Arts and Sports Club — which organised the race — began when she turned up there as a pup some time ago.

Permanent address

With food and shelter assured, the stray chose the club as her permanent address. On Sunday morning, when the club members were preparing for the race, Susie was found to be unusually active.

When the members boarded a lorry to transport the marathon runners to Karunagapally, Susie too wanted to tag along. She pestered the club members, who finally put her in the lorry.

On reaching Karunagapally, she jumped down and stood on the starting line with the two-legged competitors.

The whistle was blown and Susie joined the race. Some time later, two admirers garlanded her and Susie ran the rest of the race with a string of marigold on her neck.

A car preceding the race announced Susie's participation and more greetings by admirers followed.

The race which began at 8 a.m. reached Kollam by 11.30 a.m.