Mutts & Mayhem sees record-breaking participation at annual canine obstacle course challenge in Greenfield

Putting their speed, agility and teamwork to the test, the dogs and humans competing in the fifth annual Mutts and Mayhem obstacle course challenge battled to see who was the fastest and the furriest in this year’s competition.

The annual challenge, hosted by the Greenfield Recreation Department on May 17, was bigger than ever before, Recreation Director Christy Moore said. A total of 91 dog-and-human pairs registered and competed, navigating a course packed with 22 different obstacles at the Green River Swim Area.

“We had a record number registered. We had 91 people registered this year, and I really want to break a hundred,” Moore told attendees during the closing ceremony. “So let’s do that for the sixth year.”

Participants were tasked with completing obstacles such as crossing a teeter-totter, jumping over hurdles, climbing a ramp, navigating a slip and slide and leaping through hoops. Dogs unwilling or unable to conquer any challenge could still clear the course, provided they or their handlers performed a penalty task: a “sit” or “stay” for the canines, and push-ups, sit-ups or burpees for the humans.

Participant Molly Richard said her dog, Hardy, was willing to do everything except the hoops. This was their first time competing in Mutts and Mayhem, and Richard said the competition lived up to expectations. While they didn’t train for the event, she felt she and Hardy did a good job completing the course.

“It was actually more than I thought; I was like, ‘holy crap this is fun,'” Richard said. “We were just winging it, and he did everything except the hoops, and I’ll take it.”

Stacey Bowers and Emily Puglielli traveled from Meriden, Connecticut, with their French bulldogs, Ike and Beedle, to compete. This marked their fourth year competing with Ike, hoping he would set a good example for his younger brother, Beedle, a first-time competitor.

“This was our fourth year with the big guy (Ike), and he loves it. He does great at it, and the little one (Beedle), he’s just a baby. We were hoping his big brother would teach him, and it went great,” Bowers said. “We walked because our French Bulldogs were not made for running, so we walked, but they did great. They thought it was great fun.”

Bowers added that both dogs have distinct strengths and weaknesses. Traversing the slip-and-slide and crossing the river proved especially challenging for Beedle, who has not yet developed his brother’s love for the water. At the end of the course, a sand-covered Ike rolled contentedly onto his back to celebrate finishing the race.

Baillee and Antonia Battista said that this was their first Mutts and Mayhem as well. Having returned to Greenfield from Ohio recently, they were looking for things to do to get connected to the community and keep their two dogs Chase and Creek active.

“We moved out of state for a while, so we’re back near things and wanted to get the dogs out,” Baillee Battista said. “He’s [Chase] getting older, and he’s [Creek] not getting any younger so … we did it. We got through it.”

In the small dog category, the results were:

1. Holly Scarfone and Kevin of North Adams with a time of 11 minutes, 34 seconds
2. Madeline Zagy and Mavis of Hatfield with a time of 11 minutes, 56 seconds
3. David Terrasi and Zoey of Greenfield with a time of 11 minutes, 56 seconds

In the large dog category, the results were:

1. KC Mattson and Birdie of Colrain with a time of 11 minutes, 54 seconds
2. Rynne Bucynski and Myla of Hudson, New Hampshire, with a time of 13 minutes, 18 seconds
3. Amy Kenny and Andy of Haverhill with a time of 13 minutes, 42 seconds.

Additionally, the Rec Department issued a few special awards

• Pawsome Job: Jennifer Hydefrost and Callie of Greenfield
• Muddiest Mutt: Samy Aleman and Athena of Acushnet
• “It was rough, but we made it”: Kortney Boos and Daisy of Pittsfield