What Exactly Is Canicross?
Canicross is cross-country or trail running with a dog that wears a purpose-designed pulling harness. Dog and runner are linked by a bungee line and hands-free running belt, allowing the dog to run in front while the handler guides and communicates with them.
Imagine heading out onto a trail with your best friend beside you, except instead of simply walking or running next to your dog, you are connected as a team, moving together towards the same goal. Canicross is the sport of cross-country or trail running with your dog, where the dog wears a purpose-designed pulling harness and is connected to the runner by a bungee line and a hands-free running belt.
But Canicross is about far more than simply putting a harness on your dog and going for a run. The dog runs out in front, using its natural ability and enthusiasm to pull, while the handler provides direction, communication and encouragement. Together, they become a team, learning commands, finding their rhythm and working with one another on the trail.
The specialised equipment is an important part of the sport. A correctly fitted Canicross harness allows the dog to pull without restricting its natural movement, while the bungee line helps absorb sudden changes in tension. The runner’s belt keeps the connection hands-free and allows the runner to move naturally.
And you don’t need to be an elite athlete or own a Husky to take part. Canicross South Africa welcomes all fitness levels and breeds, from people looking for a fun new way to exercise with their dog to runners who want to take their sport to a competitive level.
With South Africa’s growing trail-running community and its incredible network of outdoor spaces, Canicross is perfectly suited to our country’s active lifestyle. Canicross South Africa places animal welfare, safe training and responsible participation at the heart of the sport, because ultimately, the dog comes first.
Canicross Arrives in the Western Cape
For runners in the Western Cape, Canicross is opening up a whole new way to experience the trails with your dog running as your teammate, rather than simply alongside you.
The arrival of Canicross Winelands and Canicross Southern Suburbs means local runners and their four-legged companions can now become part of a growing Canicross community, with structured training, social runs and opportunities to explore some of the province’s beautiful outdoor spaces together.
So, What Can Runners Actually Expect?
For newcomers, the first step isn’t simply arriving at a run and being expected to know what to do. Canicross South Africa offers an Introduction to Canicross programme covering the foundations of the sport, safety, equipment fitting, commands, welfare, running technique, trail etiquette and Canicross biomechanics. The practical component then allows runners and their dogs to work on gear fitting, posture, leash tension, basic commands and building confidence together.
From there, runners can join their local club and start experiencing what makes Canicross so addictive: the social runs. Weekly Social runs range from 2.5 km for the not so fit to 5 km for the serious runners.
Meet the Clubs
Canicross Winelands
For Vicki Fox, running has always been about more than simply putting one foot in front of the other. It has been about adventure, the outdoors and, importantly, sharing those experiences with her dogs. Vicki started running in 2016, initially taking on road running before discovering trail running. The transition happened almost naturally when she realised that her first trail- running companion, Bella, could join her on the trails.
What began with 10 km and 20 km races has evolved into a much bigger passion. Since 2020, Vicki has moved into the world of ultra running, taking on longer distances and more challenging terrain. Most recently, she completed an incredible 320 km journey along the Wild Coast over seven days. A true test of endurance, determination and a love for the outdoors.
Today, Vicki’s trail companion is Cobalt, her Border Collie, who joins her on training runs when conditions are suitable. Their typical training runs together cover around 15–20 km, giving Cobalt the opportunity to run, explore and work alongside his human teammate. But these days, Vicki and Cobalt’s passion is about more than their own kilometres. Their biggest passion is helping others take their first step.
Through Canicross Winelands, Vicki wants to introduce newcomers to the incredible experience of running with their dogs, helping them understand the sport, learn how to use the right equipment, build confidence and, most importantly, discover the joy of becoming a team.
You don’t have to be an ultra runner. You don’t need to run 20 km. And you certainly don’t need to be the fastest person on the trail. Everyone starts somewhere. For some, that first step might be their first Canicross session. For others, it might be their first kilometre running alongside their dog. The aim is to meet people and dogs where they are, build gradually and celebrate every milestone along the way.
The Winelands provides the perfect playground for that journey, with its mountains, forests, vineyards and incredible network of trails.
Canicross Southern Suburbs
For Kayla and Marion, Canicross Southern Suburbs grew out of a friendship, a love for dogs and a shared appreciation for adventure. The two met while studying together in the equine industry and, hailing from Tokai and Noordhoek respectively, have remained best friends ever since.
Marion, now a dog trainer, shares her home with a pack of three dogs and has always loved a good trail adventure. Time spent in the mountains with her dogs is, in her words, some of the best therapy there is. Kayla, the more extroverted half of the duo, also has a pack of three dogs and naturally takes the lead when it comes to the social side and PR of the club, an area where her passion for people really shines.
Interestingly, neither Kayla nor Marion considered themselves runners before their dogs came along. It was seeing the benefits of Canicross on their own high-energy dogs, both mentally and physically, that convinced them to give running a try. What started as a way to help their dogs has grown into a shared passion for the sport and for the community that comes with it.
Together, Kayla and Marion host runs and training sessions throughout Cape Town’s Southern Suburbs, with social runs taking place on the beautiful trails of the South Peninsula. Their approach is centred around the health and wellbeing of both dog and human and the partnership between them. Whether you have never set foot on a trail before or you’re a seasoned ultra runner, the aim is to help you and your dog find your rhythm as a team.
Between them, Kayla and Marion are always on hand to offer support, whether you need help choosing or using your gear, advice on training, or guidance around nutrition and building fitness. But more than anything, Southern Suburbs Canicross is about creating a welcoming space where people and dogs can enjoy the outdoors together.
You don’t have to be a runner to start. You don’t have to be fast and you certainly don’t have to tackle big distances. You just need a dog, a willingness to give it a try and a desire to enjoy the trails together.
For Kayla and Marion, Canicross is ultimately about more than running. It’s about healthier, happier dogs, stronger human-dog partnerships, good people, beautiful trails and discovering just how much adventure you can share with your best friend.
Canicross Equipment in South Africa
Getting the right equipment is an important part of starting Canicross. Unlike ordinary walking or running, Canicross requires a purpose-designed pulling harness, a bungee line and a hands-free running belt.
The good news for South African runners is that specialist equipment is now readily available locally. Canicross South Africa offers a range of Canicross-specific gear, including South African-made options, as well as sizing and fitment advice. Their range includes harnesses, running belts and bungee lines. For those looking for an international performance brand, Non-stop dogwear equipment is also available in South Africa through Alphapacks, including pulling harnesses, CaniX belts and bungee lines.
But choosing equipment isn’t simply about buying a harness. Fit is critical. The harness needs to allow the dog to move naturally while comfortably distributing the pulling force and the belt and bungee system need to create a secure connection between dog and runner.
For newcomers, getting advice from an experienced Canicross runner or attending an introductory session can make the process much easier. Canicross South Africa’s introduction programme includes equipment fitting and practical guidance on using the gear correctly, so that both dog and human can run comfortably and safely as a tea.
From Western Cape Trails to the International Stage
What makes the growth of Canicross in South Africa particularly exciting is that this is far more than a recreational activity. Canicross is an internationally recognised sport, with athletes and their canine partners competing at World Championship level. In June 2026, Canicross South Africa was officially recognised as a full member of the International Canicross Federation (ICF), an important milestone for the sport locally. South Africa now forms part of an international Canicross community that spans countries around the world.
For Western Cape runners, this creates an exciting pathway. What might begin as a Saturday morning social run with your dog can develop into structured training, local events and, for those who want to take it further, competitive Canicross. The 2026 ICF World Championships will take place in Poland from 5–8 November, bringing athletes and their dogs together from around the world.
But international competition isn’t the only measure of success. For clubs like Canicross Winelands and Canicross Southern Suburbs, the real excitement is watching the sport grow from the ground up. Introducing new runners and their dogs, building confidence, developing responsible teams and creating a community around a sport that puts the dog first.
The destination may be different for every team but the journey starts with the same first step: learning to run together.
Other Clubs in South Africa
The national club network currently includes Canicross Fourways, Canicross West Rand, Canicross Pretoria, Canicross Meyerton and Canicross KZN Upper Highway, alongside the two Western Cape clubs, Canicross Winelands and Canicross Southern Suburbs.
For further information: www.canicross.co.za
Note: Always monitor your dog for signs of overheating in hot weather, and consult your vet if you have concerns about your dog’s health.
Vicki Fox | K9 Adventures & Strand Agility Centre
Vicki Fox works with dogs in search and rescue, canine conditioning, and adventure activities. Through Strand Agility Centre, she focuses on helping handlers and their dogs become a confident, connected team. When she is not training dogs or helping handlers improve their dogs’ fitness and recovery, she and her dogs — Cobalt, Storm and Captain Morgan — can often be found exploring dog-friendly destinations around the Western Cape. Her husband Michael occasionally joins the adventures too… usually when he remembers to listen.