Sacramento Rescue Chihuahua Stuns The World By Becoming A Marathon Champion
You know those stories that make you smile so big your cheeks hurt? This is one of them.
Meet Jellybean, a tiny 9-pound Chihuahua from Sacramento who’s rewriting what it means to be an athlete.
Forget protein shakes, fancy gear, and endless warm-ups; this little powerhouse fuels up on chicken, cheese, and a whole lot of heart.
Jellybean’s story began in a shelter. At six years old, she might seem small and unassuming, but don’t let her size fool you.
This little rescue has already completed seven marathons and two ultramarathons, inspiring runners and dog lovers alike.
Her humans, Andrew Owens and his girlfriend Melissa, have watched in awe as Jellybean transformed from a tiny shelter pup into a full-blown marathon champion.
Together, they travel across California to races, and Jellybean has quickly become the star of the show. Andrew shared in a YouTube video:
“The minute she starts seeing the people, the loudspeaker, then she knows that something big is about to happen.”
And indeed, something big always happens. Jellybean doesn’t just run; she runs with spirit. Her personal best for a marathon? 3 hours and 47 minutes, an incredible feat for any human, let alone a little Chihuahua.
Her adventures don’t stop there. Jellybean has taken on ultra-marathons, tackling miles most people would think twice about.
Jellybean’s path to becoming a long-distance runner began just like many great athletes’ stories do: with a small, shining spark.
She started with short neighborhood jogs, just a few laps to burn energy, but it didn’t take long for Andrew to realize Jellybean was born to run.
As her story spread, she became an inspiration to everyone who saw her. At one race, a fellow runner told Andrew:
“If she can do it, why can’t I?”
And it’s true. Watching Jellybean, you realize that dedication isn’t about size or fancy equipment. As Andrew said:
“What I’ve learned is marathon runners come in all shapes and sizes.”
Of course, not every dog is built for marathons. Craig Schmidt, organizer of Inside Trail Racing, explains that pet-friendly races are growing in popularity, but training and preparation are key, as he shared:
“It’s definitely a lot of training that goes into it.”
Jellybean, though? She’s extraordinary.
At a recent Berkeley Trail Adventure Run, she completed a five-hour, 28-minute ultramarathon with her tail wagging and tongue out, proving she was born for these long-distance challenges.
Andrew couldn’t hide his amazement:
“It blows my mind that she can go from being in a shelter, to an ultra athlete.”
And maybe that’s the most beautiful part of her story. Jellybean didn’t come from a racing lineage, she didn’t have high-tech gear, and she certainly didn’t start with fame or fanfare.
She started small, with nothing but love and a willingness to try, and now she’s showing the world that courage and heart can take you farther than you ever imagined.
So next time you see a tiny pup running alongside a human, don’t underestimate her. That little dog might just be the next marathon legend, running one treat-fueled mile at a time.
