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October 6, 2012
Wildcats Tackle Legendary “Dead Dog”

With no meet on the schedule, the Wildcats headed to the Yamhill County countryside for a traditional hard run with roots that date back to the early 1980s.  The team ran a hilly ten-mile workout that included the infamous “Dead Dog” Hill.  The name “Dead Dog” has filled countless Linfield runners with dread since the legend began three decades ago. 

The Lady Wildcats warm-up prior to taking on Dead Dog.

The story goes that former Linfield coach George Oja and some of his top runners were running a workout over a hilly farm road outside McMinnville, when a stray dog decided to trot along with them.  As the grade of the hills continued to increase, so too did the dog’s apparent suffering.  Eventually the group, with panting dog in tow, hit an absolutely brutal climb.  As the runners ascended the hill, they noticed that the dog’s heavy panting had subsided.  Looking over their shoulders for their four-legged companion, they saw the canine’s collapsed and lifeless body on the side of the road.  The legend of “Dead Dog” had been born.

An artist's rendering of what the original "Dead Dog" may have looked like.

Though there is no record of any Linfield athletes collapsing on this particular run, all who run the workout would admit that there is a point on the climb where the possibility of death crosses one’s mind.  “This run is a gut-check,” stated associate head coach and former Linfield harrier Greg Mitchell.  “About 10 steps into it, you are presented with the dilemma:  am I going to be tough and press on or am I going to let the hill win?”

The 'Cats celebrate after conquering the hill.

Linfield Cross Country