We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Alexis Karpf a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Alexis, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Let’s kick things off with your mission – what is it and what’s the story behind why it’s your mission?
North American Canicross (NACC) was founded in June of 2019 for the purpose of promoting canicross as a competitive sport in the United States. Its rules and regulations were derived from rules in practice by the International Sled Dog Federation and have evolved into a framework that offers multiple title programs to meet the demands of a growing sport. North American Canicross defines canicross as the sport of cross country trail running with dogs. Canicross can be run with one or two dogs, always attached to the runner. The dog(s) wear a non-restrictive, free-motion harness that attaches near the base of the dog’s tail to a bungee cord or elastic line. The line reduces shock to both human and dog(s) when the dog(s) pull. The line must be the minimum of five feet in length and not exceeding nine feet when fully extended. The human teammate is attached to the dog(s) by a hands-free hip belt.
Alexis, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
When Alexis, Jacqui, and Lizzie met in 2017, they had no idea they’d be bringing a typically snow-centric sport to the south. It happened naturally when the trio of active friends found they had more in common than a love for their pups.
The three met as friends through their dog-related interests. Jacqui was already a passionate runner who met Alexis through the One World Canine Obstacle Run—an obstacle course race in Anniston, AL. Jacqui suggested they train for it by doing canicross together.
Alexis and Lizzie met through dog agility training. Together, the three friends discovered a shared love for running with their dogs. The more they began to train, the more they realized that this sport had a lot of potential with other dog lovers in their area. They just needed a way to get the word out.
In June 2020, they registered NACC and wrote the North American Canicross Titling Program Handbook. A sports program to commemorate the achievements runners and their dogs have accomplished through canicross. This initiative laid the foundation for canicross to be recognized as a legitimate sport for both canines and runners.
Titling Programs are not new to the dog sport community. Participants in many dog sports can earn titles or achievements with their dogs. Title programs allow members to track their individual progress and accomplishments, making their primary competition themselves.
“We were familiar with titling programs such as the North America Diving Dogs (NADD) and the United States Dog Agility Association (USDAA) because we compete in them ourselves. We decided it would be a great way to motivate others to participate in canicross,” says Alexis.
Using their prior experience, they began to create the titling program for canicross to motivate members—and themselves. “We were keeping track of our own mileage and thought: This would be a great way to commemorate the distances run with your dog,” explains Johnson.
NACC’s titling program seeks to maintain and promote the highest competition standards in canicross for dog and human running teams, as well as canine sports enthusiasts at all levels. In addition to the ongoing titling program, which can be pursued at your own pace, NACC hosts a series of in-person races throughout the year. This allows canicrossers to run with their dogs together. These events provide a wonderful opportunity to connect with others in the community.
“We have three different competitive programs that include the Lifetime Achieved Miles,
Race Dog Distance Titles, and Championship Titles, which have similar structures, but different competition standards in canicross,” says Alexis. “You can track your mileage however you want, whether it’s during a training session, race, or just for fun.”
The miles tracked count toward earning titles and commemorative challenge coins. Each is listed in the NACC handbook, so you can set new goals with each milestone you reach. NACC promotes canicross as a competitive sport in the United States. Its rules and regulations are derived from those put into practice by the International Federation of Sleddog Sports (IFSS).
The association welcomes people of all levels and skill sets. The online Facebook community, North American Canicross Fan Club, is a safe space for canicrossers from beginner to advanced levels to ask questions. Whether you’re wondering what kind of equipment to buy, how to train your dog, or how to improve a personal record (PR)—everyone is welcome.
“We have made it a supportive community because there’s no speed or breed requirement. We say all breeds and speeds are welcome,” says Jacqui.
Canicross could be considered a more accessible dog sport for the average person. Other sports like agility and dock diving require expensive equipment and a facility to train in. “For canicross, all you need is a trail, a waist belt, a harness, and a bungee line,” said Alexis. “You can invest as much into the equipment as you like.”
“Canine-powered sports are for everyone! You don’t have to start as a runner or even an athlete and you don’t have to have the ‘traditional’ dog breed to get a lot out of canicross,” agrees Lizzie.
It’s also open to a wide range of age groups. NACC currently has members aged 11 to 67 years. “Focus on your goals and your dog and just have a blast building a bond, being healthy, and connecting with an incredible dog sport community!” says Lizzie.
Training your dog to run with you is not as complicated as it might seem.
“We want the dog to understand basic left and right commands because they’re out in front,” said Alexis. “We teach them ‘left,’ ‘right,’ and ‘whoa,’ (or ‘easy’) so they slow when going downhill. Then we have motivational calls to get them moving faster, like ‘hike, hike, hike!’”
North American Canicross highly recommends getting clearance from a vet before starting Canicross. Some breeds can overheat faster than others, so it’s important to know your dog’s limitations.
“We always pick trails that have access to drinking water, lakes, or streams. You don’t want your dog to carry any sort of backpack because it puts additional strain on their body. When in canicross gear, the dog’s job should be forward motion and leaning into the harness ” adds Jacqui
NACC has big plans for the growing club. “Canicross is such an incredible outlet for dogs and their humans to get motivated, get outside, and chase a healthy, happy lifestyle together. Bringing that outlet to the masses will lead to a better life for so many dogs!” explains Lizzie.
“My vision for North American Canicross is to continue growing and fostering a strong community where canicrossers can learn from us and each other, share in each other’s victories, support each other in their challenges, and ultimately make the incredible sport of canicross more popular and more accessible nationwide,” she says.
“When you cross the finish line with your dog, you’re celebrating and experiencing it with your best friend,” says Alexis. “It’s a partnership. When you slow down your dog motivates you to go faster, it’s a team sport, but the team is you and your dog. That’s what makes it so special.”
If you want to join this unique community of dog lovers who also enjoy the outdoors, fresh air, and a morning sprint, then it’s easy to get involved. Even those who are completely new to the sport can find plenty of support available on the NACC’s site, nacanicross.com.
Not in the Atlanta area? NACC has over 40 ambassadors around the United States and Canada who host meetups throughout the year. Check out the North American Canicross Fan Club Facebook page to connect with ambassadors in your area.
How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?
Today, NACC has become far more than a pastime or hobby for the three friends. Not only do they train daily for competitions and events, but they plan new ways to share the sport.
“We currently have over 3,700 canicross enthusiasts in our Facebook group,” Alexis explains. “Next year we’re on track to reach 800-plus members in our titling program!”
NACC has already outgrown the United States Federation for Sleddog Sports, of which Lizzie is a board member. Lizzie has proven to be a top athlete in the sport which is a long way from her early days of not considering herself a runner.
“In the midst of a pretty trying time in my life, I decided to run a canine obstacle course race just to have some fun with my friends and my rescue dog, Motive. His joy for running was so infectious that I vowed to run with him for as long as he was still happy running, so canicross became our outlet! And, I can honestly say my life has improved because of it.”
Lizzie has already made a name for herself in the dryland mushing sport. For the 2023-24 season, Lizzie earned the impressive first-place title in women’s canicross for the International Sled Dog Racing Association (ISDRA). She’s also ranked first worldwide in women’s canicross for the IFSS.
In 2025, Lizzie plans on applying for the IFSS World Cup with her newest teammate, Alibi, a young Eurohound she is currently training.
“I was so worried that I would not be any good at canicross because I wasn’t a track athlete in school, but canicross is more about creating a bond of trust and training with your dog than it is about running a certain pace or distance,” Lizzie explains. “Focus on your goals and your dog, and just have a blast building a bond, being healthy, and connecting with an incredible dog sport community!”
Where do you think you get most of your clients from?
The desire to spread awareness about canicross and promote the sport is what inspired us to create North American Canicross. Initially, we reached out to local race directors to see if they would allow us to participate in races with our dogs, using our canicross gear. Since many households own dogs, and runners often enjoy exercising with their pets while being outdoors, it was a natural fit. When other runners saw us in action, they quickly realized how much more enjoyable canicross is compared to running with a traditional leash.
Canicross equipment allows both the dog and the runner to move more naturally. With the dog tethered to the runner’s hips, the runner’s upper body can engage in a proper core rotation, and their arms are free to swing naturally. This makes for a more comfortable and efficient run for both the dog and the human.
Introducing people to canicross in person has been key to growing the sport. To help newcomers explore canicross, we also offer a Dog-Friendly race category, allowing them to experience the sport firsthand without needing to fully commit right away.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.nacanicross.com
- Instagram: @nacanicross
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nacanicross
- Youtube: @northamericancanicross
Image Credits
Credited: Jessica Willis & Teri Sommer at Unbridled Imagery
https://www.unbridledimagery.com/