Maryland dog escapes, joins charity half marathon

ELLICOTT CITY, Md. (AP) — A Maryland dog is raising money for cancer after escaping from his yard and running part of a charity half marathon.

The 3-year-old golden retriever-poodle mix named Dozer joined runners near his home, at mile five of the 13-mile race in Howard County near Baltimore on May 15.

Runners reported seeing him at several points and there’s video of him crossing the finish line at 2 hours and 14 minutes. He then found his way home.

Race officials later honored him with a medal. Video of him crossing the finish line has been viewed thousands of times on YouTube.

Dozer’s family set up a fundraising page to benefit the race’s beneficiary, the University of Maryland’s Greenbaum Cancer Center. Race organizers said the page has raised more than $13,000.