On your bark, get set, go! The annual wiener dog races turned Market Square into a sea of spectators as hundreds of people lined a track to watch dozens of dachshunds race for glory.
The crowd gathered around the fenced-in course in one of Oktoberfest's most popular attractions, according to a community announcement. Before the racing began, competitors took part in a "dog walk" around the square, giving fans a chance to meet the dogs and celebrate the pint-sized athletes before they lined up at the starting gate.
Among the competitors were Beanie, Olive, Nala, Schnitzel, Oscar, Louis and many more.
Each dog raced with a two-person team. One owner remained at the starting line while
another waited at the finish line as the designated catcher. To lure their dogs across the course, catchers waved favorite treats, squeaky toys and, in some cases, even a beloved canine playmate waiting just beyond the finish line.
The races were free to enter, and organizers encouraged anyone in the crowd with a dachshund to sign up and join the competition.
Three heats set the stage for the finale
The event featured three preliminary heats, with each winner advancing to the championship race.
As the crowd cheered from both sides of the course, the finalists sprinted down the track in a blur of short legs and flying ears. The championship race ultimately came down to Beanie and Olive, who battled neck-and-neck in the closing stretch.
When the race was over, Beanie edged out Olive to earn first-place honors and claim bragging rights as this year's top dachshund.
The races remain one of the biggest crowd draws of Oktoberfest, with spectators filling nearly every available viewing spot along the course. Organizers also reminded attendees that the final wiener dog races of the festival will take place on the last day of Oktoberfest, offering another opportunity for local dachshunds to compete.
This story was produced by reporter Gabby Sartori, [gsartori@usatodayco.com], with the assistance of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Journalists were involved in every step of the review, editing and publishing process. Learn more at cm.usatoday.com/ethical-conduct.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Wiener dog races draw huge crowd at Pittsburgh Oktoberfest
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