Kahlua stayed with the pack during the national race yesterday, earning a respectable finish in the top 10. Although Kahlua didn’t place in the top four spots, we are pleased with her performance and could not be prouder of our little champion.
Several competitors complained that the start of the race was confusing. We were told the start would be announced via microphone, but that didn’t happen. As a result, most of the competitors did not hear the announcer start the race. Had the announcer clearly and loudly announced the start of the race, who knows where Kahlua might have finished. Hopefully, the Petco reps will take this as a lesson learned and find a more efficient way to announce the start over the roar of the cheering crowd.
Additional video of the race is provided below courtesy of Petco, but the quality is poor. Kahlua is in lane 12. Our friend, Brownie, is in lane 13 and our pal, Pancho Villa, is the black ball of fur in lane 10.
Tiger, of Bakersfield, Calif., won first place. This is his second national championship win. In second place was Piccolo, of Woodlands, Texas; Pancho Villa, of Lopez Island, Wash., took third; and Mia, of Elizabeth, Colo., placed fourth. We think Kahlua came in around fifth, sixth or seventh, but it’s hard to tell. (EDIT: Another competitor believes the judges were incorrect in their ruling of the second through fourth place dogs. Based on my review of the videos, this might be true. She also believes there was a three-way tie for fourth place, and according to her, Kahlua may have finished as late as ninth.)
We had an awesome weekend in San Diego and enjoyed meeting the other competitors. We’re so thankful that Petco produces this event annually and are already looking ahead to next year’s regional contest with high hopes. If all goes well, we’ll be back at Petco Park competing for the national title in 2009. 
