This Pug is Running a Mini-Puppy Marathon
Alice the pug is fundraising for Pug Rescue of New England while she “trains.’’
You’ve heard of the Puppy Bowl, but what about the Puppy Marathon?
Well, not a full marathon. Alice, a.k.a. “Big Al,’’ the pug is running .262 mile—pugs’ short legs, squished faces and “rolls like the Pillsbury Doughboy’’ aren’t ideal for running long-distance—to raise money for the nonprofit Pug Rescue of New England.
Next week, Alice’s owner Julia McGovern will run her second Boston Marathon. Her decision to involve Alice is twofold, she said, stemming from the fact that she’s a self-described “crazy pug person’’ and because she enjoyed her experience fundraising for House of Possibilities while she trained. She also wanted to involve Alice’s Instagram followers.
“People really love Alice, so I thought, what an amazing way to tap into an already engaged community—engaged around the Boston Marathon, around her Instagram,’’ McGovern told Boston.com. “It’s the perfect time to raise money for a cause that’s close to home.’’
Alice with her owner’s Boston Marathon medal from 2014.
McGovern lives in Santa Monica, but grew up in Hopkinton—the start of the Boston Marathon. She said Pug Rescue of New England was an easy non-profit pick based on her love for “all things New England’’ and her love for pugs.
“The marathon’s been part of my blood for as long as I can remember,’’ she said. “We like to keep our ties to Massachusetts and Boston on a short leash. We like to feel close to home.’’
McGovern and Alice are flying to Boston Thursday. This is Alice’s first trip to New England, and she’ll be visiting the finish line prior to the race.
“I just think the Boston Marathon itself triggers feelings of community and pride and it’s really nice for other people to feel a part of [that],’’ McGovern said. “I like the sense of Alice creating a little community of pug supporters tied to the Boston Marathon, which is near and dear to my heart as well.’’
Visit Alice’s DreamFund page to see her fundraising status.
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