The proud owner of 15 Australian K-9 marathon running records, she had a busy September completing the 21km half marathon event in Forster’s annual Running Festival, swiftly followed by her own Bridge to Bridge awareness event which she ran in honour of north coast paralympic equestrian Dale Johnston. 

Dale is currently looking for a dressage horse to work with him in training, competitions, and squad clinics. 

Ty, who was rescued from death row by her now proud owner Mark Jensen, has again defied the odds after successfully negotiated her way along the busy Pacific Highway in the early hours of the morning on Sunday September 28, with Mark running faithfully behind her.

Whilst her 5am departure from the Forster Tuncurry bridge was marred by a dog attack 15 minutes into the run, with over 30kms still to go, Ty managed to put the distressing incident behind her. She powered on through the darkness of the morning towards the highway. 

And then, 14 km into the run and several drink stops later, a cold Mark was covered in a layer of frost, which edged away as sunlight hit at the end of The Lakes Way.  The challenges added up once the pair joined up with the freeway and ran alongside traffic surging past at over 100 km an hour. 

“I began to think that running a dog along this freeway might not be such a good idea, and was perhaps bordering on the psychotic,” said Mark. 

But trust between an owner and their dog should never be underestimated and Ty relaxed as Mark guided her along the freeway, taking the Taree turn with relief.  

Before long, Taree’s Martin Bridge was in sight, and after 33kms, 4 hours and 10 minutes of running, Ty and Mark crossed their finishing line covered in sweat, dust, grime, cobwebs, mosquito bites, and prickles. 

Ty’s 2015 K-9 Marathon running season will re-start in the second weekend in March and there are high hopes that Dale Johnston will find the horse he so desperately needs. 

In the meantime, Ty is preparing to receive a Tuncurry Beach Bowling Club Member For Life, Honorary Canine Membership Card. Who knows what services she will be able to access.