The Rescue Dog From Sacramento Turns Into A Marathon Champion

Running a marathon takes dedication, heart, and plenty of training. For most athletes, that means long hours pounding the pavement, fueling up on carbs, and building serious endurance. 

But for one remarkable runner, the prep looks a little different. No warm-up routine, no fancy gear, and no protein shakes, just chicken, cheese, and a whole lot of heart.

Meet Jellybean, a six-year-old Chihuahua who weighs just 9 pounds and has already completed seven marathons and two ultramarathons. 

Powered by a vet-approved diet of chicken and cheese, this tiny dynamo is proving that big things really do come in small packages.

Jellybean was rescued from a shelter in Sacramento and now lives with her human dad, Andrew Owens, and his girlfriend, Melissa. 

Together, they’ve become a familiar trio at races around California, with Jellybean often stealing the spotlight. According to Andrew, the second she hears the crowd and the loudspeaker at a race, she knows something exciting is about to happen.

“The minute she starts seeing the people, the loudspeaker, then she knows that something big is about to happen.”

And it does, because not only is Jellybean running alongside her humans, she’s leading the pack in spirit. Her marathon personal best? An impressive 3 hours and 47 minutes. 

She’s also tackled ultra-marathons, logging miles that many humans would hesitate to take on.

Jellybean’s journey into the world of distance running started like most stories of great athletes, with a spark. 

Andrew first took her on short jogs around the neighborhood, just to burn off some energy. But it quickly became clear that Jellybean was more than just energetic, she was born to run.

As the word spread, Jellybean started inspiring fellow runners along the way. At one race, a fellow competitor approached Andrew and said,

“If she can do it, why can’t I?”

CBS Evening News crew pointed how Jellybean doesn’t look like a marathon runner, to which Andrew, in the video, explained:

“What I’ve learned is marathon runners come in all shapes and sizes.”

Not every dog is suited for marathon running, though. Craig Schmidt, who runs Inside Trail Racing, notes that pet-friendly races are becoming more popular, but it’s important to make sure a dog is physically ready for the challenge. As he explains:

“It’s definitely a lot of training that goes into it.”

Not every dog can handle the trail, the distance, or being around other runners. Jellybean, however, is no ordinary dog. 

At a recent Berkeley Trail Adventure Run, she powered through a five-hour, 28-minute ultramarathon, crossing the finish line with her tail high and her tongue out. Andrew shared:

“It blows my mind that she can go from being in a shelter, to an ultra athlete.”

And maybe that’s the most inspiring part of Jellybean’s story. She didn’t start out with elite genetics or high-end gear. She started out with nothing, and proved that sometimes, the greatest athletes come in the smallest, sweetest packages.

So next time you see a tiny pup trotting beside a runner, don’t be too quick to judge. You just might be looking at the next marathon legend, one treat-fueled mile at a time.