Purpose
The Race Series is an annual celebration of motivation, competition, and accomplishment designed to support dog-friendly events in the greater Kalamazoo area and beyond. Participants are encouraged to set goals, challenge themselves, and connect with the running community. Although most series participants are handler-dog teams, runners without dogs are welcome to join the fun.
Non-Discrimination Statement
Our race series welcomes participants of all backgrounds and abilities and is committed to ensuring equal opportunity for participation. Discrimination, harassment, or exclusion of any kind based on race, color, ancestry, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, disability, medical condition, veteran status, or any other legally protected status is strictly prohibited.
Sportsmanship
Good sportsmanship is expected of all participants. Participants must compete fairly, respect fellow competitors, Race Directors, volunteers, and series officials. Any conduct that undermines the safety, dignity, or inclusion of others may result in disqualification from the series at the discretion of the race series official(s).
Qualifying Races
The Kzoo Canisports Race Series features dog-friendly trail and road races across a range of distances for participants of all abilities. Road races are included in the series to provide more accessible race opportunities for participants with disabilities. Many races have a virtual option which counts as a qualifying race for our series.
Our race series is NOT a titling program. If you are running with your dog to earn titles through the North American Canicross Association (NACC), races must typically be run in person on a non-paved surface using appropriate Canicross gear. Participants are responsible for consulting the NACC Canicross Titling Program Handbook to determine if a race listed in our series counts toward NACC titles.
Races that are 2 races in one day (such as the Carpe Diem-Carpe Noctem) will count as 2 qualifying races and be scored accordingly. Mid-Union Sled Haulers (MUSH) events that consist of 2 days will be counted as 2 qualifiers, however, points will only be awarded for Overall placement at the conclusion of the event. If a participant is entered in a MUSH event and finishes both days in Canicross and one day in Fun Run, they will earn 3 qualifiers. No points will be awarded for the Fun Run.
Equipment Rules
Dogs running in a qualifying race must use safe, non-restrictive gear and be under the handler’s control at all times. Dogs should be neutral towards people and other dogs. Prohibited equipment includes prong collars, electronic/shock collars, head halters, choke chains, and retractable leashes. Participants using prohibited equipment will be disqualified from the race series. Individual races may include additional Race Director–specific rules. By participating, runners agree to follow all rules.
Location
The Kzoo Canisports Race Series is currently limited to races in Michigan and Indiana. Many of the races in Michigan have a virtual option which opens the series to participants in other areas.
Maximum Participants
The race series is capped at 30 total participants in 2026 to ensure our first year runs smoothly. Participation in the 2026 race series is free for pilot testers. Future years will have a sign-up fee but participants will receive additional swag.
If the registration form is closed, all spaces in the series have been filled and/or the series has already started.
Race Series Scoring & Awards
Points are awarded for Overall and Age Groups placements for Men, Women, and Non-Binary divisions. A series Champion will be announced for each division by November 30th of the year. Age group is determined by a runner’s age as of January 1, 2026 and remains the same for the duration of the year.
Overall Placement Points (Top 5)
| 1st | 24 points |
| 2nd | 20 points |
| 3rd | 16 points |
| 4th | 12 points |
| 5th | 10 points |
Age Group Placement Points (Top 3)
| 1st | 18 points |
| 2nd | 14 points |
| 3rd | 10 points |
Scoring Rules
- Runners may earn points in one category per race: Overall or Age Group.
- For each race, runners receive the higher of their Overall or Age Group point totals.
- Points accumulate across all races in the series.
- Only official final results are used for scoring purposes.
Series Eligibility
Runners must complete at least 6 qualifying races to be eligible for:
- Division Championships
- Finisher’s Award
Tie-Breaking Procedures
Ties in division points are broken in the following order:
- Most higher placements
(More 1st-place finishes, then 2nds, then 3rds, etc.) - Head-to-head results
(Best finish when both runners competed in the same race)
If all criteria remain tied, runners will be declared Co-Champions in their division.
Rules Interpretation
The race series official(s) will interpret the rules and all scoring decisions are final. Please remember that we are all here to have fun.
Recognition
Series Champions
- Awarded to the highest point-scoring runner in each division
Finisher’s Award
- Participants completing 6 or more qualifying races will receive a Finisher’s Award
- The Finisher’s Award is typically a medal
- Awards may be picked up at the year end awards ceremony or mailed for a fee (actual postage fee)
Special Recognition
Additional awards may be presented for:
- Sportsmanship
- Other discretionary categories
These awards are not points-based and are selected by the series official(s).
Dog-Friendly Qualifying Races
2026 Michigan Races
| Date | Race Name | City | State |
| 01/03/2026 | Yankee Springs Winter Challenge Trail Run | Middleville | MI |
| 01/10/2026 | Time Travel Half-Marathon, 5K/10K | Ypsilanti | MI |
| 01/11/2026 | Time Travel Half-Marathon, 5K/10K | Grand Rapids | MI |
| 02/14/2026 | Winter Trail Fest (WTF) Eastside Trail Run | Brighton | MI |
| 02/21/2026 | Winter Trail Fest (WTF) Westside Trail Run | Middleville | MI |
| 04/04/2026 & 04/05/2026 | MUSH Ft. Custer Sled Dogs Spring Dryland (Canicross & Fun Run classes) | Augusta | MI |
| 04/11/2026 | Carpe Diem-Carpe Noctem 13.1 and 10K | Commerce Township | MI |
| 06/13/2026 | Summer Trail Fest Ultra | Laingburg | MI |
| 11/07/2026 & 11/08/2026 | MUSH Ft. Custer Sled Dogs Fall Dryland (Canicross & Fun Run classes) | Augusta | MI |
| 11/27/2026 | Black Toenail Friday 13.1 & 7.5 Miler Trail Run | Commerce Township | MI |
2026 Egress Endurance Races TBA
2026 Indiana Races
| Date | Race Name | City | State |
| 01/01/2026 | Resolution Run | Middlebury | IN |
| 01/03/2026 | CLRS Frozen Feet 5K | LaPorte | IN |
| 01/17/2026 | CLRS I Love Coffee Road Run | Porter | IN |
| 02/07/2026 | CLRS Cereal Killer 15K Trail Run | LaPorte | IN |
| 02/21/2026 | CLRS Yeti Half-Marathon Trail Run | Westville | IN |
| 04/04/2026 | CLRS Save the Drama for Your Llama Trail Run | LaPorte | IN |
| 05/25/2026 | JH Memorial Trail Run | Hebron | IN |
| 06/21/2026 | CLRS Love Is Love Run | Westville | IN |
| 09/13/2026 | CLRS Running With the Big Dogs Run & Walk | Porter | IN |
| 11/14/2026 | CLRS Bigfoot Half-Marathon Trail Run | Hebron | IN |
| 11/27/2026 | CLRS Frozen Turkey Toss Road Run | Porter | IN |
How to Participate
- Join the Kzoo Canisports Race Series (entry form currently closed).
- Finish qualifying races on the list.
- Like our Facebook Page, post a photo from each race (or from your virtual run) in our Facebook Group and submit race results manually through the online Kzoo Canisports Race Time Entry form.
- Most importantly, have FUN.
Kzoo Canisports 