Vilnius Hosts Thrilling International Corgi Race

The city of Vilnius in Lithuania recently played host to a unique event that attracted dog lovers from all over the world. One hundred and fifty corgis gathered for an international race, celebrating these short-legged canines in a variety of entertaining ways. In addition to the races, the event featured a costume parade, a ‘best nose’ competition, and a loudest bark contest.

The Vilnius Corgi Race, now in its fifth year, saw the largest turnout to date, with participation from countries like Lithuania, Latvia, Poland, Estonia, Germany, Ukraine, the Czech Republic, the United States, and the United Kingdom. The British participants noted the significance, as the corgi breed is famously associated with the late Queen Elizabeth II. Edvinas Miskas, the event organizer, remarked on the growth from its initial gathering of 40 local corgis to this year’s 150 dogs from nine countries, highlighting the increasing recognition of Vilnius as a central hub for corgi enthusiasts.

Ninety-four of these dogs took part in the main racing event, which consisted of heats, semifinals, and a final race. The final, a 25-meter sprint, saw GG from the United States emerge victorious. Another American competitor, Mr. Corgington, finished close behind in second place, while Moka from Lithuania, a previous two-time champion, secured third.

While speed was a major aspect, the event also shined a spotlight on other talents. Thirty-eight corgis participated in the costume parade, donning outfits such as dinosaur suits, dresses, and sportswear. Amigo, displaying a knight-like appearance, charmed both the panel of four judges and the public vote on Facebook to win the costume contest.

The ‘best nose’ competition involved dogs locating hidden treats, with the Latvian corgis Tora and Rusty tying for first place. In the loudest bark contest, Duke, a 12-year-old Pembroke Welsh Corgi from Sedbergh, England, aimed to win despite not joining the main race due to his age. However, it was Mr. Corgington who claimed victory in barking. Known for his journeys, Mr. Corgington sought a rematch against GG after previously finishing behind her in an important race at Emerald Downs in Auburn, Washington.

This year, half of the corgis were newcomers to the event. However, six veterans, including costume contest winner Amigo, along with Foksas, Foksis, Madeira, Bulka, and Dziugas, have graced every edition.