Just three hours after an early morning earthquake disrupted the sleep of many people in Costa Rica, more than 300 dogs and their masters gathered at Campamento (Campgrounds) Oikoumene in Ochomogo, province of Cartago, for a special athletic competition. In the end, the experienced canine-human pair of Alexander Alvarado, a 33-year old Tico, and Togo, an adult Rhodesian Ridgeback, took top honors in the expert category at PerroCross.

PerroCross is a fairly new athletic discipline in Costa Rica. As its name suggests, it is a cross-country foot race that features canines running alongside their human masters. Karla Barquero of sports daily Al Dia has been covering the PerroCross scene in Costa Rica since last year, when Mr. Alvarado and Togo won the expert category for the first time after finishing previous races in second place.

In 2013, PerroCross attracted 260 dogs and their masters; this year it attracted 40 more pairs of competitors. Here’s how PerroCross works: Competitors can enter the competition as children, beginners or experts. Children run a distance of 2.5 kilometers; beginners run one lap of a 4.5 kilometer cross-country trail and experts run two laps around for a total distance of 9 kilometers.

Depending on climate conditions, the race organizers may call for three-minute pit stops so that veterinarians can check on the dogs. No health checks are needed for the masters since they sign a disclosure stating that they are basically on their own when it comes to medical attention during the race.

In 2013, Mr. Alvarado told Al Dia that he has four canine companions, but only Togo is a PerroCross athlete. Togo has even completed half marathons, but only cross-country because running on hot asphalt is harmful to dogs. PerroCros (also known as CaniCross) requires that canine competitors be at least a year old and of a good nature. Race monitors are allowed to put a leash on an aggressive dog and drag it out of the circuit if necessary. Humans can only run behind their dogs, and they can never be dragged along unless they are being disqualified. Costa Rica presents an adequate situation for PerroCross insofar as featuring plenty of suitable terrain and mild weather.

Although some breeds such as German Shepherd and Weimaraner are considered to be natural PerroCross athletes, the best performers tend to be zaguates (mutts). To learn more about PerroCross, visit the Facebook Timeline of this unique competition. PerroCross is not the only physical activity you can enjoy with your canine in Costa Rica. As  previously reported by The Costa Rica Star, there’s also “Doga,” which is essentially yoga with dogs.