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Prey drive is a natural—but frustrating—part of running with a canine companion. Expert trainers share their tips for improving on-trail obedience.Running with your dog can sure sound dreamy. In theory, your faithful companion motivates you to hit the trail each morning, burns off his extra energy, and then snoozes peacefully while you clock in at work. Positively idyllic—right?

The bad news is that reality can sharply differ. If your dog loves a good chase, you might feel less like you have a training buddy and more like you have a beast on a leash—a wild-eyed running partner that lunges toward rabbits, birds, even deer as you fight to remain upright.

If this sounds familiar, you might have a dog with a high prey drive. While this fixation on wildlife is a frustrating experience—and not the easiest behavior to control—there’s still hope of a breezy running partnership. Here’s what you need to know.

Prey drive describes how motivated dogs are to perform predatory behaviors. Most dogs have some inclination to predate (they’re descended from wolves, after all). But, compounding the issue, domesticated dogs sometimes show predatory behaviors that are even more exaggerated, says Tracey McLennan, a dog trainer specializing in prey drive. “For many dogs, it’s been deliberately bred into them.”

The late biologist Raymond Coppinger described predatory behaviors as happening in a certain order, which he called the “predatory motor sequence.” The sequence is as follows: Orient, eye, stalk, chase, grab-bite, kill-bite, dissect, and consume (though some scholars have proposed variations on this). Some breeds—especially those popular among runners—are predisposed to favor certain steps of this sequence. Picture a border collie working sheep: Their characteristic creeping and darting around the flock consists of amplified eye, stalk, and chase behaviors. Pointers, meanwhile, will prefer to orient toward and stare at prey (even as young puppies), just as they were bred to do to aid hunters. Many terriers, however, do it all— unsurprising, since they were bred to track down, chase, and kill rodents.

In other words, your wildlife-obsessed dog isn’t maliciously disobedient or unintelligent; it’s probably just doing what it has been bred to do.

It may seem counterintuitive, but giving your dog an opportunity to (safety) practice predatory behaviors can ultimately help you get them under control. Completely suppressing predation can leave dogs with pent-up frustration, says McLennan, making them more likely to jump after that rabbit and rip the leash from your hand. “I think that a lot of people are going around with dogs with [prey] desires through the roof because they never have an outlet.”

To find an outlet, think about what your dog likes to do. Most dogs are hunting well before they actually give chase, says McLennan. Some enjoy sniffing around for birds or squirrels, others like to scan for and stalk prey, and some do indeed live for the chase. Watch your dog’s body language on walks, or note their favorite ways to play with toys. Consider their breed type and what purpose they’ve been selectively bred for.

Most dogs love scent training, which engages their drive to search for prey and use their nose (which is at least ten thousand times as powerful as ours). This can be as simple as hiding your pet’s treats or toys for them to sniff out, or tossing their kibble into grass or a snuffle mat. Looking for a shared hobby? Try a scentwork class offered at a local training center or online.

Dogs that like to chase will likely go crazy for toys like the flirt pole—essentially a giant cat toy. And dogs that love to grab and bite prey tend to thrive on playing tug. Some canines also enjoy dissecting prey, so providing opportunities to chew and shred can help meet that need; this can include letting them tear apart toys or cardboard, or lettuce leaves if they are prone to swallowing the pieces.Better gear can instantly improve dog jogs. If she was running with a prey-driven dog, “I would 100-percent get a canicross harness,” says McLennan. In canicross, the dog wears a harness connected to their handler’s waist harness (not unlike a climbing harness), allowing the dog to forge ahead and give their owner a boost.

That said, before stepping into a canicross harness, it helps to train some skills. McLennan recommends teaching your pup one cue to stop running, and another cue to jog by your side. As much as a strong dog can boost your confidence when running uphill, they can also send you flying when you’re descending technical steeps.

If you’re not ready to put on a harness yourself, a waist leash with a bungee can reduce the impact of sudden pulls and save your wrists by allowing you to run hands-free.

Teaching—or refreshing—core obedience commands is also a critical foundation for harmonious runs. A pet well-versed in “heel,” “come,” and “stay” will be more manageable in all situations, including around wild animals, says Rachel Laurie Harris, a dog trainer who often hikes with her two American Staffordshire terriers in Colorado.

Mastering those skills may seem impossible when your dog can only think about rabbits. But breaking each skill down into small steps and getting in a lot of successful reps can improve your dog’s responsiveness. “As a general rule, if people can spend time bonding with their dog and working on training at home, it’s very likely that that’s going to yield more success with some of the prey drive on the trail,” says Harris.

For example, teaching dogs to come when called works best when you start in a distraction-free setting like your house, and reward heavily when your pup runs toward you. Then work up to practicing the same skill in busier places—like your local park—using a backup like a long line to prevent your dog from blowing you off.

If your dog is usually attentive and obedient in less-distracting and critter-free environments, it may be time to step it up to the next level: practice around prey. First, identify what animals your dog is most interested in, says Harris. For example, her dog Waylon is particularly tempted by larger animals like deer, moose, and mountain goats. (He doesn’t care much for chipmunks.)

Then, find an area where it’s likely you’ll encounter that kind of animal. Begin by training at a distance where your dog can see the prey but will still listen to you. No matter how well your dog has been doing at home, be sure to use a leash or a long line during this phase of training. “The hard truth is that if your dog gets opportunities to chase wildlife, that is always going to be much more relevant and reinforcing to them than anything we can do,” says Harris. “Prevention is key.”

Harris also recommends carrying rewards for your dog. If they love treats or toys, keep those handy to reinforce good manners around wildlife. You can even use their instincts as the ultimate reward—for example, letting them go sniff a bush a rabbit leaped into after they respond to “come” or “sit.” It’s just like grandma’s rule: If you eat your vegetables, you can have a little dessert.

Above all, be patient with your pup, trainers say. Predation is a hard-wired behavior and it’s not easy to convince your dog to choose you over the bird, rabbit, or deer. “We have to remember that good behavior change just takes time,” says Harris.

Jakob Ingebrigtsen brought his remarkable 2026 season to a fitting close on home soil, winning the men’s street 1500m at the inaugural Runfest Norway in Sandnes on Friday.

Competing in front of an enthusiastic hometown crowd, the Olympic and world champion took control of the race from the early stages and maintained his authority through the finish, stopping the clock at 3:40.7.

Andreas Fjeld Halvorsen followed in second in 3:43.3, while Sigurd Tveit completed the podium in 3:47.8.

The unusual street race added another dimension to the occasion, with 273 runners taking part on the same road and sharing the course with one of Norway’s most accomplished distance runners. For the recreational participants, it offered a rare opportunity to compete alongside Ingebrigtsen in an event that brought elite athletics and mass participation together.

The victory also provided a fitting final chapter to a season that began with significant uncertainty for Ingebrigtsen. After undergoing major Achilles surgery in February, the Norwegian was forced to miss a substantial portion of the summer campaign as he worked his way back to full fitness.

His return, however, quickly developed into another championship-winning chapter. In Birmingham, Ingebrigtsen captured European 5,000m gold before adding another major title at the inaugural World Athletics Ultimate Championship in Budapest, where he won the 5,000m.

Those performances transformed what could have been a disrupted season into another year defined by championship success and a determined return to the highest level.

Now, with the Sandnes victory added to his 2026 record, Ingebrigtsen closes the year exactly where it began in spirit — overcoming adversity, rebuilding his form and once again competing at the front.

From Achilles surgery in February to major championship victories and finally a 1500m win before his hometown crowd, the Norwegian has given his 2026 season a memorable final scene.

Olympic 100m hurdles champion Masai Russell has announced her engagement to longtime partner Robert “Robbie” Springfield, adding a major personal milestone to the remarkable journey of one of America’s leading track and field stars.

Russell shared the news with her followers, revealing that Springfield had proposed and that she had accepted. Reflecting on their relationship, the Olympic champion described him as her best friend and expressed her excitement about spending the rest of her life with him.

The couple’s relationship dates back to their college years at the University of Kentucky, where both were student-athletes and competed in track and field. Russell established herself as a standout hurdler, while Springfield competed in the long jump, giving them a shared understanding of the demands, sacrifices and pressures that come with pursuing success in athletics.

Springfield has since transitioned from competition into coaching. A former collegiate long jumper, he is now part of the coaching staff at Morehead State University, where he works with the programme’s sprinters and jumpers.

Their relationship has developed alongside Russell’s rise to the top of the sport. The defining moment of her career came at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, where she captured gold in the women’s 100m hurdles, securing her place among the sport’s Olympic champions.

Away from competition, Springfield has remained a familiar part of Russell’s journey, sharing in the demanding periods of training and competition that accompanied her pursuit of Olympic success. Their connection has consequently grown from a college athletics relationship into a long-term partnership.

The engagement now marks another significant chapter for Russell, this time away from the track. After reaching the pinnacle of her sporting career in Paris, the 100m hurdles champion is beginning a new phase of her personal life alongside a partner who has been part of her journey since their university days.

From competing on the same collegiate stage to building a future together, Russell and Springfield’s story has evolved alongside two careers shaped by track and field. The Olympic champion will now balance this new personal chapter with her continuing ambitions in athletics

The women’s race at the 2026 TCS Amsterdam Marathon is shaping up to be one of the most competitive editions in recent years, with a deep international field set to take on the fast Dutch course on Sunday, October 18.

At the centre of the contest will be four Ethiopian athletes who have already broken the 2:20 barrier, creating the prospect of a fascinating battle for victory and a possible assault on the course record of 2:16:52.

Defending champion Aynalem Desta will return to Amsterdam looking to retain her title after producing the biggest performance of her career at last year’s 50th edition. Desta won in a personal best of 2:17:37, establishing herself among the leading marathoners in the field and setting the benchmark for this year’s contenders.

Standing in her way will be fellow Ethiopian Meseret Belete Tola, a former Amsterdam champion who knows exactly what it takes to succeed on the course. Belete Tola captured the 2023 edition in 2:18:21, and her return adds another layer of experience and proven quality to an already formidable lineup.

The field also includes Mestawut Fikir Truneh, who arrives with an impressive marathon pedigree. Truneh finished runner-up at the 2024 Berlin Marathon in 2:18:48, demonstrating her ability to compete at the highest level on one of the world's major marathon stages.

Completing the quartet of sub-2:20 Ethiopians is Buze Diriba, whose personal best of 2:19:34 places her firmly among the leading contenders. With four athletes possessing credentials below 2:20, the race is likely to develop into a tightly contested battle from the opening kilometres.

The depth extends well beyond the leading quartet. Desi Jisa Mokonin, representing Bahrain, Yeshi Kalayu Chekole of Ethiopia and Nazret Weldu Gebrehiwet of Eritrea have all established themselves as serious marathon competitors with performances approaching the 2:20 mark.

Another major name to watch is Abeba Aregawi, the former 1500m world champion representing Sweden. Aregawi has successfully transferred her talents to the marathon and made headlines earlier this year by setting a Swedish national record of 2:23:12 on her debut. Her presence adds another intriguing dimension to an already high-quality field.

Amsterdam’s marathon course has consistently provided an opportunity for elite athletes to produce fast times, and this year’s women’s lineup has the depth to turn the race into a genuine test of both championship racing and outright speed.

With four athletes already inside 2:20, two former Amsterdam champions returning to the start line and several other accomplished marathoners ready to challenge them, the battle is expected to remain open deep into the race.

The ultimate target will be the Amsterdam women’s course record of 2:16:52. Whether the leading contenders can threaten that mark remains to be seen, but the quality assembled for October 18 ensures that the record will be firmly in the spotlight when the race reaches its spectacular finish inside the Olympic Stadium.

The 2026 Valencia Half Marathon is shaping up to be a thrilling contest of speed, endurance and tactical brilliance, with some of the world’s finest road runners set to converge in Spain on October 25.

Kenya’s Daniel Ebenyo and Alex Matata will be among the leading contenders, facing a formidable Ethiopian challenge spearheaded by Jemal Yimer and Tadese Worku. The field also features Rodrigue Kwizera, who boasts the fastest personal best among the leading entrants at 58:16.

Ebenyo arrives with a personal best of 59:04, placing him firmly among the athletes capable of sustaining a demanding pace over the 21.1-kilometre distance. Matata, who owns a 59:11 best, adds further Kenyan strength, while Andrea Kiptoo brings another sub-60-minute credential to the race.

Yimer has already established himself as one of the fastest athletes in the field with a 58:33 personal best, while Worku has clocked 58:35. Kenya’s Owen Korir, with a best of 58:58, further underlines the remarkable depth of the men's lineup.

Valencia Half Marathon 2026 Entries

1. Rodrigue Kwizera (Spain) — 58:16

2. Jemal Yimer (Ethiopia) — 58:33

3. Tadese Worku (Ethiopia) — 58:35

4. Owen Korir (Kenya) — 58:58

5. Daniel Ebenyo (Kenya) — 59:04

6. Alex Matata (Kenya) — 59:11

7. Andrea Kiptoo (Kenya) — 59:11

8. Thierry Ndikumwenayo (Spain) — 59:42

9. Said Mechaal (Spain) — 1:00:24

10. Adel Mechaal (Spain) — 1:02:30

Kwizera, who finished second in Valencia last year, leads the field on paper and will be seeking another standout performance on the famously fast Valencia course. With several athletes carrying sub-60-minute credentials, the race has the ingredients for an aggressive battle from the opening kilometres.

Beyond the headline names, the men’s field is deep and highly competitive, bringing together a strong collection of experienced international athletes with proven ability over the half-marathon distance. With so much quality packed into the lineup, the race promises an intriguing battle in which tactics, endurance, positioning and finishing speed could all play a crucial role in determining the eventual champion.

Yet personal bests will count for little once the gun goes off. The title could ultimately be decided by patience, positioning and the ability to respond when the pace begins to rise in the closing stages. Every surge, every tactical move and every second saved could prove decisive on the road to the finish.

With Kenya, Ethiopia and Spain represented by athletes of exceptional quality, Valencia promises a high-octane men's showdown in which the leaders are likely to be separated by only a handful of seconds. The final kilometres could provide the defining moments of a race packed with speed, ambition and anticipation.

On October 25, the question will be simple: who has the strength to command the streets of Valencia and claim the coveted half-marathon crown?

April 19, 1982. The Boston Marathon unfolded under unusually warm, sunny conditions, and by the closing stages, the race had become a private battle between two very different American runners: Alberto Salazar, already one of the biggest names in distance running, and Dick Beardsley, the Minnesota runner who had emerged as a serious marathon contender.

For roughly nine miles, from the Newton Hills toward the finish, Beardsley did much of the leading, with Salazar tucked close behind. Neither man could shake the other. They ran deep into Boston locked together, trading surges and refusing to surrender an inch as the crowds along the course grew louder.

Salazar finally made his decisive move with less than a mile remaining. He opened a small gap, but Beardsley refused to disappear. The Minnesota runner chased him through the final streets, closing again as they approached the finish.

Then came the final sprint.

Salazar held his form and reached the finish first in 2:08:52, with Beardsley only two seconds behind in 2:08:54. It was an extraordinary result: both men broke 2:09 in the same Boston Marathon, and both shattered the previous course record.

The race became known as the “Duel in the Sun,” and it remains one of the most celebrated head-to-head battles in Boston Marathon history. Beardsley had not won, but his performance established him as one of America's elite marathoners.

For Salazar, however, victory came at an enormous physical cost. Immediately after crossing the finish line, he collapsed and required emergency treatment, including several litres of intravenous saline. The combination of heat, dehydration and an all-out effort had pushed his body to the limit.

Salazar's marathon career would never again produce quite the same kind of performance. His celebrated 1981 New York City Marathon victory had produced what was initially considered a world record, although the course was later found to be short. His Boston triumph therefore became one of the defining victories of his career.

Beardsley's story would take an even more difficult turn. Injuries disrupted his career, and after returning to the highest level, he suffered a devastating farm accident in 1989. Further accidents, surgeries and severe physical pain followed, eventually leading to a long battle with painkiller addiction.

He eventually overcame that struggle and transformed the darkest chapters of his life into a story of recovery, resilience and redemption.

That is what makes the 1982 Boston Marathon more than a two-second victory.

For one extraordinary afternoon, Salazar and Beardsley produced a marathon duel in which neither man was willing to give way. One crossed the finish line first. The other finished only two seconds behind him.

Two seconds separated them at Boston. Decades later, their legendary duel remains one of the greatest chapters in marathon history.