Runner Khemjira Klongsanun was seven miles into the Chombueng marathon in Ratchaburi, Western Thailand, when she saw runners dodging a puppy. Stopping at the side of the road, Klongsanun attempted to coax the trembling puppy over to her.
With no houses nearby, Klongsanun concluded that the pup must have been abandoned. Rather than leaving it behind, she carried it for the next 19-miles, crossing the finish line with the pup in her arms.
She later shared an adorable photo of the puppy, evidently exhausted after being a passenger on the marathon, curled up on her race number with her medal.
Fortunately for the pup, this isn’t where his story ends. Klongsanun appealed for the owner of the puppy to come forward, and when nobody did, she adopted the pup, naming him Chombueng. He now lives with her and her other two dogs.
Telling press, “'It seemed to me that this little guy was lost. There were no houses, no other dogs, or no people around. So, I picked up the puppy, if only to take him out of the unsafe environment.
“Running almost 20 miles carrying dog was truly a challenge. It was two times tiring than a normal marathon but I did it anyway just because he is adorable.
“It took a lot of time to take the new dog for checkups, vaccinations, and treatments but I'm glad to save him and willing to have him with other dog members in the family.
“It might take a while for him to adapt himself. But Chombueng is a very smart boy. I'm sure he is going to be happy living with us.”
