HELEN - CEO & HEAD instructor
I’ve been teaching canicross since 2014, and absolutely love it!
For me there is nothing more rewarding than being right at the beginning of someone’s canicross journey, to then witnessing the growing bond and blossoming partnership between dog and handler.
I believe canicross is hugely beneficial, and a perfect activity for dogs – it gives them a job! Canicross provides a channel for energy. Sustained and controlled exercise together with a mental workout (through verbal requests) = physical and mental stimulation – win win!
Canicross is a sport which welcomes all abilities. You don’t have to be an athlete to enjoy spending time running, jogging or power walking, with your best friend.
I'm a confident and experienced dog handler through showing my dogs and have attended PDTI (Pet Dog Training Instructors) residential course gaining valuable knowledge and understanding of the importance of structured classes and the wellbeing of both dog and owner. I'm also qualified UKA LIRF (Leadership in Running Fitness).
Being a Jan Fennell Dog Listener, my approach to dog training might differ from others. I consider your dog as your best friend. My ethos is that your dog makes the choice to run and pull of its own free will – with emphasis being on creating an enjoyable experience! For this reason you will hear me use the terms “request and reward”, rather than “command”.
For extra peace of mind I am a qualified Canine First Aider and have a canine first aid pack with me at all times.
Competing as part of Team GB in three Canicross European Championships was pretty special. Currently back competing with my Vizsla/GSP cross Archie
This year I’m looking forward to taking on a new challenge - sharing my knowledge and years of experience to develop the next generation of Canicross UK Trainers.
Calvin - Sporting Director
I’m a passionate advocate for all canisports and love challenging the common misconception that canisport is “cheating.” My mission is to dispel this myth by highlighting the incredible skill, training, teamwork and bond required to compete across the different disciplines.
I’ve been involved in canicross and bikejor for over a decade. Before discovering canisport, I spent much of my free time surfing, windsurfing, snowboarding and mountain biking.
Over the years, I’ve competed throughout the UK and Europe, including at three Canicross World Championships and the Tour de Montagne in the French Alps. I’ve raced across a wide range of distances, from fast 5km sprints through to full marathons.
I have two amazing dogs:
• Archie – a Vizsla/German Shorthaired Pointer cross
• Stark – a Weimaraner/German Shorthaired Pointer cross
I compete with both dogs, and Stark and I achieved a world ranking of 25th during the 2024/2025 season.
I’m also a founding member of Canicross Cornwall, which is now in its 14th year. Over the years, the club has hosted numerous events and introduced many newcomers to canicross and the wider world of canisports.
My deeper involvement with Canicross UK began during the 2020 lockdown. While housebound, I organised two virtual canicross events that attracted participants from around the world and proved to be a huge success.
Since then, we’ve hosted our first full Canisport Weekend, which was extremely well received, and we’re excited to continue developing more events, training opportunities and ways for people to get involved in the sport.
At Canicross UK, we provide training, tuition, event support and advice for everyone from complete beginners through to experienced competitors.
We also wanted to give something back to the sport that has given us so much. For several years, the Canicross UK Athlete Programme provided financial support, equipment and promotional opportunities to a team of exceptionally talented competitors.
For the 2026/2027 season, we’re evolving this into the new Canicross UK Champions Programme. Our Champions will help us promote canisports, support and inspire the wider community, welcome newcomers and represent the positive values of Canicross UK both at events and online.
We’re also incredibly grateful to have the support of Sledwork UK, BetterDog and Naturavetal for the upcoming 2026/2027 racing season.
Kim - Senior Instructor
For many years I sought out exciting outdoor adventure, spending my younger years in the French Alps living, working and snowboarding.
But when life settled with my young family the urge to seek out high velocity outdoor exercise simply escaped me!
Until September 2020, following lockdown, when I discovered Canicross. My nervous black labrador rescue Alf and I joined the walk/jog group sessions - and we soon fell in love with this fantastic sport. Alf had a real purpose, we made great friends and canicross has now become a huge part of our lives.
Alf and I trained hard from that point, and have now qualified as Canicross UK Instructors (yes, I consider Alf an Instructor too - setting a good example of etiquette and courtesy to new dogs in the pack).
So I rediscovered my love of exhilarating outdoor pursuits (there's nothing quite like running downhill with a pack of excited dogs)! But nonetheless I had come from a starting point of low fitness and confidence, to now loving the thrill of running at full speed with my best friend.
I am a firm believer that canicross really is for everyone, whatever your fitness level, and whatever you wish to achieve. Some of the best fun can be had at low impact, a walk/jog pace, where you have time to bond with your dog, enjoy your beautiful surroundings and the company of like minded people.
I am really looking forward to warmly welcoming all newcomers and their dogs, to this inclusive and fun sport. Having been on the canicross journey ourselves, Alf and I love guiding others through theirs.
I am a qualified journalist, and also help the team behind the scenes writing copy for the press and social media.
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