Runner who takes visually impaired collie on marathons says dogs capable of ‘so much more’ than a walk round the block

A distance runner who takes her visually impaired border collie on marathons has said dog owners need to know their pooches might be capable of “so much more” than a walk round the block.

Sophia Thompson-Kelly, a 31-year-old veterinary nurse from Alton, East Hampshire, overcame 26 miles (42km) of challenging terrain and more than 3,000ft of elevation to achieve a second place finish in the Endurance Life Pembrokeshire marathon alongside her eight-year-old rescue dog Dill in April – despite many other runners not having a dog harnessed to them.

Dill started going blind at age one due to progressive retinal atrophy, but he is a successful competitor with Sophia in Canicross – a sport where dogs are harnessed to a runner by a bungee cord – regularly taking him on jogs of more than 10 miles through the wilderness.

Sophia, who lives with her husband Sam, 39, and their other two dogs, Juno, a seven-year-old German shepherd cross, and fellow collie Mossy, three, was not a runner before she met Dill as she finds running without a dog “boring”.

Coaching herself back to peak fitness, they were able to successfully cross the finish line this year for a podium finish on the course along the Pembrokeshire Coast Path in Wales on April 27.

Sophia said some people think she is “mad” for taking her dog with her over such long distances, with some concerned about Dill’s wellbeing – but as a veterinary nurse she says she is aware if he ever feels any discomfort and takes the time after racing to “stretch out his limbs” to ensure he does not feel soreness.

When asked what message she hopes to share with dog owners, Sophia told PA Real Life: “I just think you and your dog might be so much more capable than a walk around the block.

“It’s such a special bonding experience.

Sophia and Sam adopted Dill and Juno in 2018, following the death of their old collie, Hobie.

She had specifically applied for dogs with sporting potential and received two simultaneous responses from different rescue centres, leading to them adopting the duo within two weeks of each other.

“We got them pretty much at the same time, which is not something we were planning, but they got on well,” said Sophia.

Dill was originally from Ireland and had been in a rescue centre for a whole year before Sophia and Sam rehomed him.

“They go blind within about two years but he was diagnosed seven years ago and still seems to be able to do agility.

“He was really nervous at first, and we just sort of let him get used to life with us.”

Sophia said she started running with Dill in 2019.

“I thought, he’s got loads of energy, I might just start running a bit with him,” she said.

“I tried to run with both of them, but Juno was not a willing participant.

“Then we just got super into Canicross and started racing a lot – we race all around the country.”

Dill also takes part in agility and trick training – running a full course which sees him do jumps, tunnels, weaves and contact equipment, as well as competing against fully sighted dogs.

In 2020, he earned an international Expert Trick Title with Do More With Your Dogs.

Sophia had no prior running experience before doing so with Dill.

“It was something for him and something for me to do – it’s a good hobby with your best pal.”

Sophia built up to the marathon gradually, first doing 5k and 10k runs and then a half marathon.

“He copes so well with it and just absolutely loves it – he lives for racing,” she said.

Originally booked for spring 2023, the unlikely running pair were dealt a crushing blow when Sophia broke her leg through a stress fracture to her femur that extended through the bone.

“It was so disappointing, it felt like such a big letdown,” she recalled.

Sophia felt the training was for nothing and had to build up her strength and fitness again.

Dill’s age and deteriorating vision were a concern for her but he remained resilient and Sophia credits him with supporting her through her recovery, calling him her “little training and rehab partner”.

“Our training plan would start on New Year’s Day so that we would have the classic 16-week training plan, and that was for four days a week,” she said.

Sophia and Dill were finally able to take part the following year in spring 2024, armed with dog snacks for the long journey.

“I almost cried on the start line, but all went well and we did it and it was amazing,” said Sophia.

Speaking of Dill’s resilience in the race, she said: “Dill just did amazing.

“He was pulling out in front the whole way and loved saying hello to everyone.

“He was cheering everyone up when they were a bit battered towards the end.

“All the people were cheering for him.”

They completed the marathon in five hours, 24 minutes – a fast time over a course which climbs more than 3,000ft (914m).

She said: “He took us to a sprint finish and I was literally in tears.

“I was elated to get across that line.”

Sophia said friends thought she was “mad” and were even more “shocked” to learn Dill would be accompanying her.

She recalled: “Everyone was obsessed with him, everyone wanted to talk to us.”

However, Sophia was met with some criticism from those who were concerned for Dill’s health and wellbeing.

She responded: “They can’t imagine a dog being able to do something like this.

“Being medical myself, I feel like maybe I would be a little bit more tuned in to realising that he wasn’t enjoying it, or that he was finding it hard.

“I know how to stretch out all his limbs and make sure he’s got no soreness.”

When they are not running marathons, Sophia’s pooches still get plenty of exercise.

“They go out six days a week, twice a day,” she said.

“We do loads of camping, go and do big hikes.”

Looking to the future, Sophia has no intention of slowing down, with a half marathon planned later this year.

“Dill is a really keen swimmer so we would quite like to do an aquathlon,” she added.

There are no plans for more pets anytime soon but Sophia is already lining Mossy up as Dill’s successor.

“He’s like Dill’s little apprentice,” she said.

“Dill is showing Mossy the ropes and he does everything that Dill does – so he’s been amazing.”

To find out more about Sophia and her dogs, visit: www.instagram.com/junoanddill.