Endurance, strength, power. These are all things you need to make it 26.2 miles and cross the finish of a marathon. Although chihuahuas are a mighty breed, endurance and strength are typically reserved for the big breeds.
At just 9 pounds, Jellybean isn’t exactly big. She is a chihuahua mix, and she has no problems trotting her way through an entire marathon. Through her love of running, she is helping others reevaluate what it means to be strong, and how sturdy this little breed is.
Born to Run
Jellybean was adopted by Andrew Owens, an avid runner who already had a running partner in the form of his German Shepherd, Kodie. He didn’t plan on Jellybean becoming a running partner, but Jellybean had other ideas.
She kept insisting on coming along for runs, so Andrew started letting her. Over the course of several months, they slowly built-up mileage, until Jellybean could handle official marathon level training.
In 2020, Jellybean completed her first marathon. She has since gone on to complete 6 marathons and 3 ultra-marathons.
Jellybean and Andrew are planning to shatter a world record very soon. They’ll be running their first 50 mile ultra marathon together, the longest Jellybean has run yet.
Interview with Andrew Owens
Naturally, as chihuahua fans, we were all ears when we heard about Jellybean. At one point we had four active chihuahuas who loved hiking, and could easily go 10 or more miles without feeling tired or slowing down at all.
We’ve also met and chatted with many owners who have very fit, active chihuahuas. Despite this, Jellybean is to our knowledge the only marathon running chihuahua at this time, and this blog wouldn’t be complete without knowing more about her.
We found Jellybean on Instagram (follow her!!) and caught up with Andrew Owens there. Andrew generously agreed to let us interview him. Below is our questions and his answers on his incredible dog.
You mentioned Jellybean was going for a record sometime this year. How is she doing on that?
We’ve actually shifted her big goal to May 2026, when Jellybean will attempt her first 50-mile ultramarathon at the Utah Salt Flats Endurance Run. We postponed it from 2025 because I’m committed to running the Cincinnati Marathon that same weekend, and I want her attempt to have my full attention.
Right now, she’s not just in training—she’s my full-time training partner. We currently log around 30 to 40 miles a week together and will ramp up to 70 miles per week starting in August as I train for an intense fall race schedule. I’m signed up for:
* Six marathons
* Two ultramarathons
* Two half marathons
* One 10-miler
* One 10K
Jellybean will be running two or three of the marathons with me (depending on course and weather), along with one half marathon, the 10-miler, and the 10K. She’s an essential part of my training—she motivates me, keeps pace like a pro, and reminds me to enjoy every mile. Her endurance is real, and watching her run is just pure joy.
What goes into conditioning a small dog for endurance like this? Are there any accommodations you have to make for her?
Conditioning a small dog like Jellybean really comes down to starting slow and building a solid base over time. When she was younger, she surprised me—she could casually run 3 miles like it was no big deal. But we didn’t jump into long distances. We started with a simple structure: two minutes of running, one minute of walking, gradually increasing mileage over an 18-week period. By the end of that cycle, she was running a full marathon distance of 26.2 miles.
To maintain her conditioning, we have a pretty steady routine. Every Saturday morning, we do at least a 10-mile run together. She also runs 3–4 miles on Tuesdays, and another 5 to 10 miles midweek, depending on our schedule. When we’re not actively training for a race, we still stay consistent—averaging 30 to 40 miles a week, but always with 3 to 4 rest days to give her time to recover.
I’m also very mindful of the weather. I won’t run her if temperatures are too high, unless there’s ample shade. I’m extremely cautious about hot pavement and paw safety, and I carry a hydration pack just for her with chilled, iced water. Her health and comfort always come first—every run is on her terms.
3. How does your first dog feel about being outpaced by a chihuahua?
Kodie, my German Shepherd, is Jellybean’s biggest fan. He’s 11 now and more of a dignified observer than an endurance runner, but back in the day, he logged miles and could run 7 minute miles like it was nothing. These days, he mostly cheers her on from the couch—or waits at the finish line for snacks. There’s definitely some playful rivalry, but no jealousy. Kodie is more like her security detail and mentor than a competitor.
4. How much does she have to eat to have enough calories to do this?
I don’t count Jellybean’s calories precisely—I go by how much she’s running and how her energy looks. Since she runs so much, I’ve had to double her food intake compared to what a typical Chihuahua might eat. I also give her extra protein, like chicken or beef, to help her recover and stay strong. After long runs, people in my Davis running group will even bring her eggs or dog-safe human food as a treat—she’s become a bit of a local celebrity.
One surprise: she loves cheese. One time she got into a charcuterie board and ate half of it without getting sick—which is honestly kind of impressive for a 6-pound dog.
During races or long runs, I always make sure that whenever I fuel, she does too. I give her Blue Buffalo dog training treats, which are easy to carry and digest. She’s picky about texture—she prefers moist treats over hard ones like Milk Bones. She knows what she likes and has no problem turning down something that doesn’t meet her standards…she has spit out milk bones and Trader Joe’s treats on many occasions.
5. Lots of people tend to look down on and dismiss chihuahuas due to their size. What made you think Jelly Bean could do this?
From the beginning, Jellybean had grit. She wasn’t yappy or fragile—she was focused, curious, and kept up with me on walks far longer than I expected. I started noticing she wanted to run and had
incredible stamina. I think being raised alongside a German Shepherd really gave her that can-do attitude.
My own personal belief is that we are all capable of great things if we’re willing to put in the work. Over time, she just kept surprising me with how far she could go. People assume Chihuahuas are just lap dogs, but Jellybean’s proven they can be so much more. Through Jellybeans Instagram, I have met so many people that have very active Chihuahuas.
It warms my heart to meet other people that are inspired by jellybean’s story as it hopefully breaks the stereotype. What I hope people see with a dog like Jellybean is that she’s small, but she’s also mighty.
6. What is Jelly Bean like when she’s not peddling her way through a marathon?
Off the course, Jellybean is equal parts diva, athlete, and social butterfly. In the kitchen, she’s often on her back legs, trying to charm food out of me while I cook. She’s relentless—and with a face like that, it’s hard to say no.
She absolutely loves meeting fans—at marathon expos, local racing events, run clubs, and even on airplanes. She works a crowd like a pro. And while she’s only a few pounds, she’s got the confidence of a Great Dane. She’ll walk right up to big dogs like she’s their equal—sometimes forgetting she doesn’t always have her German Shepherd sidekick Kodie there to back her up.
One of her favorite pastimes? Chasing squirrels. In fact, that’s the secret behind many of those great running photos where she’s out in front—her magic word is “squirrel.” The moment she hears it, she bolts like she’s on a mission. It’s basically her version of a turbo boost.
7. Do you have to cut her nails very often?
Surprisingly, Jellybean doesn’t wear her nails down much at all from running—it really comes down to her running form. Despite all the miles she logs, I still take her to Petco every two weeks to get her nails buffed and her teeth brushed.
I’m a big believer in maintaining her oral hygiene, especially since she’s a small breed and dental issues can pop up quickly. Plus, let’s be honest—Jellybean has a brand to maintain. She knows she has fans on social media, and she’s committed to looking her best for them. She’s not just a runner—she’s a runner and a professional.
8. Have you had any injuries along the way? How did you manage it?
Thankfully, Jellybean hasn’t had any injuries, which I attribute to slow progression and proactive rest. I’m very protective of her and pay attention to the little signs—if she’s hesitant, or slows down early, we stop. I’ve turned around on long runs if she seems off. We also see the vet regularly to make sure she’s in peak condition.
9. How does a typical marathon go?
Yes—Jellybean runs full marathons with me. Our usual strategy is to start around the 4:45 pacer marker and ease into the race. We keep the first few miles slower to warm up our muscles, and once we’re both feeling good, we turn it into a game: we pick runners ahead of us and try to catch them one by one. It keeps things fun and gives us mini goals throughout the race.
Along the way, we make a ton of friends. People are constantly amazed by her endurance and enthusiasm, and many end up joining us for stretches of the race. I always encourage it—it gives runners something joyful to focus on, especially when the miles start to wear them down. We’ve actually made some amazing friends and Instagram followers this way. Jellybean doesn’t just run marathons—she lifts the energy of everyone around her.
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