Most Chihuahuas enjoy soaking up their 12-15 hours of required sleep, but they’ll come to life for a chance to go for walks the second they hear the jingle of house keys—especially when those strolls involve their favorite humans. But are Chihuahuas good at running? Some take their walks to another level entirely.
Enter Jellybean, the six-year-old female Chihuahua adopted from Mather’s Bradshaw Animal Shelter in 2020 by Andrew Owens, who, to his surprise, was eager to join him on a run for her first mile not long after they met. With careful training and loving care, that mile soon turned into marathons—and eventually, ultramarathons. Her little legs can carry her nine pounds up to 7:30 per mile, far beyond your average daily dog walk around the neighborhood. Together, they completed the Garmin Kansas City Marathon in three hours and 47 minutes in October of last year, with features in People, the Sacramento Bee, and Fox News, among others.
Jellybean’s Training: How Chihuahuas Can Excel in Running
According to Andrew, “What started as a simple hobby of accompanying [him] and [his] German Shepherd (Kodie) on [his] runs quickly grew into something extraordinary. Her natural endurance, boundless enthusiasm, and undeniable charm made her a standout in the running community.”
They began with a mile, then two, then three—until her energetic personality carried her through a 26.2-mile marathon. If there’s one thing a Chi can do, it’s spread smiles, and Jellybean is no exception. Every Saturday, Andrew and Jellybean join their local running community in Davis, CA, where neighbors even remember to bring her treats. With Andrew’s encouragement and special care, they’ve won six marathons and three ultras, inspiring others to hit the pavement with their pets. This endeavor has led to connections with other dog enthusiasts and animal lovers, allowing Jellybean and her running partner to “make some wonderful friends across the United States,” Andrew says.
Building Endurance: Are Chihuahuas Good at Running Long-Distance?
While training Jellybean five days a week, Andrew stresses the importance of not only building her endurance but also ensuring that she remains healthy while enjoying the experience along the way.
Eighteen weeks before a race, they begin a well-rounded training schedule, incorporating a mix of “strength, speed, and stamina.”
Mondays start with a 65-minute aerobic run at a slower pace; Tuesdays, they pick up the pace for 3-3.5 miles, with a focus on speed and agility; Wednesdays combine the use of hills and track runs—with 200-meter and 400-meter intervals between 7:30 and 8:15 per mile—building stamina and power; Thursdays they slow things a bit to focus on “consistency and recovery” for 5 miles; then Saturdays provide what Andrew calls “the backbone,” beginning with a minimum of 10 miles and building to 20 miles with 2-mile increases every week.
They reduce Saturday training to 9 miles within a week of the intended race, reserving Fridays and Sundays for rest and recovery. This intentional schedule has been crucial to the level Jellybean has reached.
Jellybean’s Legacy: Can Chihuahuas Inspire Runners?
Having won several races since her journey began, Andrew says they now have their sights set on achieving the Guinness World Record for the “fastest small dog to complete both a half marathon and a marathon distance,” which he feels would highlight “her endurance, speed, and love for running.” While making sure Jellybean remains happy and healthy, he also hopes she’ll inspire pet owners to mirror their love of an active lifestyle, leaving “a legacy of joy and determination,” a win he believes would outdo the races themselves. This could definitively answer the question, “Are Chihuahuas good at running?”
The Power of Community: How Running with Chihuahuas Brings People Together
Jellybean’s heartwarming and encouraging story of creating friendships and spreading cheer at a time when it’s needed most has allowed her popularity to grow, bringing with it a sense of community among those watching her journey unfold. Andrew tells us that one of his favorite memories is of Jellybean meeting some of her followers at the California International Marathon expo, which she seemed to relish. Fans have cheered them on from the sidelines and have asked to take pictures with the little Chihuahua who has motivated them to move, proving that “no goal is too big, even for a pint-sized pup,” Andrew notes. After all, if she can do it, why can’t we?
You can follow Jellybean’s adventures on Instagram: @Jellybean26.2, with more exciting record-breaking achievements and marathon runs planned for 2025. If you’re lucky enough to catch this duo at a marathon this year, be sure to cheer them on. In true Chihuahua fashion, this pup packs a big personality in a tiny package. As Andrew says, “Jellybean became a symbol of resilience, joy, and the unbreakable bond between a dog and her human”—a bond that any Chihuahua parent can relate to.
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