Born and raised in Harlem, New York, Bean Brumfield is one street smart puppy. When not providing emotional therapy for the NYC Triathlon, she's training hard to keep her lean physique. The envy of the dog park, Bean has been known to run an easy breezy half marathon before spending the remainder of the day chasing squirrels. Bean is a Boston Terrier who refuses to admit her age but swears she doesn't do Botox.

Check out her blog here!

As a puppy, Basil was very skeptical of water until he fell of off a dock and realized there was nothing at all to fear. Ever since, the five year-old English Spring Spaniel has been at the side of his owner, Todd, as he has trained for extreme trail runs, 1/2 Ironmans, and traditional triathlons. After all of that, the Doggy Du's should be no problem--we'll find out this July!

Three years ago Besame's owner Stella was sidelined, unable to compete in triathlons for over seven months! Luckily Besame, a three year-old weimaraner was there to buoy her spirits and assist in her rehabilitation. With the duo back in top physical shape, Besame is eager to make the transition from permanent TriLife mascot to Doggy Du World Champion. Besame has also helpedraise almost $5,000 towards getting a little boy named Jack a therapy dog from the North Star Foundation. The website for the cause is www.helpmehelpjack.com

What Kona is to an Ironman Triathlete, the Doggy Du World Championship is to Boo, who has been training for just such an event his entire life. Boo first got a taste for competition as a Puppy, when the Labrador Retriever jumped out of his parked car window to swim after his owner, Stephen, who was doing a practice swim in a nearby lake. Boo and Stephen plan to exhibit their skills in July and have high hopes--failure is not an option.

Competing in the Shaquille O'Neal division of the Doggy Du is Bruno, a seven year-old pooch out of Pasadena, Maryland. This chocolate lab honed his sea legs while swimming in the Magothy River, chasing wildlife and orange buoys along the way. Alongside his owner Josie, Bruno is slowly building up his endurance for what he hopes will be a dominant display this July. 

Since the announcement of the Doggy Du World Championships, the racing world has been all abuzz at the prospect of an appearance by doggy racing legend, Buc. Indeed, the nine year-old Jack Russell Terrier will make his triumphant return to the sport he helped build alongside owner and business partner, Robert. Buc may not train as vigorously as in the past (much of his free time is spent campaigning for park leash law reform) but he is still in top shape and this July may teach the field's young pups a thing or two about being a champion. 

The field's sentimental favorite, Deuce is a therapy dog at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, DC. The two year-old chocolate lab and his owner Harvey spend their days assisting service members recovering from devastating injuries. So stand up and salute when you see Deuce swim or run past you; he's already hero and may soon be a world champion.

They say that younger children are extra competitive when it comes to sibling rivaly. That is exactly what will be on display in the Doggy Du's, as Dosi-do takes on her older sister, Nala. She might be less-experienced than her big sis, but Dosi has boundless energy and true spirit of competition that might lead to a gold medal.

Happy might be the oldest dog in this year's field, but she is as fit as a golden retriever at any age. The cagey nine year-old works out several times a week with her owner Anne and her sister Luna. Happy hopes to show that with age comes valuable experience and plans on taking home first place this July.

When your owner is a USAT All-American, being trained as a premier athlete might as well be a birthright. That's exactly the case with Jane, a four-month old Vizsla from Manhattan. On race day, Jane will be full grown and in top shape--ready to show her owner William what competition is really all about.

Josie is the Vice President of Dog Resources at Dogtopia of Alexandria, owned by Josie's owner, Jeff. In addition to interviewing daycare applicants, the four year-old golden retriever spends her time training, from the trails of McLean, Virginia all the way to the Outer Banks of North Carolina and hopes to parlay her efforts into a World Championship.

Like so many canines in this field, Keaton has long trained for endless hours without a chance to race competitively. Now entered in the 2008 Doggy Du's, Keaton's owner Jennifer will no longer have to look past Keaton's pleading puppy dog eyes, as she loads up the car for a marathon or triathlon. The five year-old mutt is ready for the chance to prove he's top dog.

To be or not to be a Doggy Du champion, that is the question Layla hopes to answer in the affirmative this July. The one year-old is the child of actors, but she's no drama queen. This Irish Setter is a well-trained athlete with a penchant for goofyness who plans on adding competitive racing to her repertoire this summer.

Lucas has come a long way since his days of bouncing around between doggy foster homes. Now, Lucas is a finely tuned athletic machine who has run and hiked all over the midwest with his owner, Michele. Lucas is now focused on exhibiting his talents in the big city this July.

While they say everything is bigger in Texas, that saying doesn't do much to describe this Lone Star pooch. But, don't count out this diminutive doggy on appearance alone. Along with her owner Melanie, the six year-old Cocker Spaniel has completed a 30K and 20 mile races, each in under three hours. Those kind of numbers make Maalei a favorite to turn some heads this July.

If ever there was a dog ready for an event like the Doggy Du's to come along, it's Murphy. The six year-old Border Collie/Golden Retriever mix has long been a training partner and sideline coach for his owner, Jeanelle. Now it's Murphy's chance to show the world who the true superstar is, by taking home the title!

Las Vegas has already pegged him a 160-1 longshot, but don't tell Murray that he's an underdog! While the three year-old English Bulldog has been known to go paw-to-paw with much smaller animals in doggy wind sprints, Murray's owner Michael says it's that endurance thing that might be a problem. Regardless of his finish time, Murray is sure to add a touch of class, and a whole lot of heart to this year's Doggy Du's.

Known around Alexandria, Virginia as the Energizer Bunny, Nala is one of those dogs that keeps going and going and going. The four year-old Black Lab/German Sheppard mix has been known to run upwards of eight miles at once alongside her owner Erik. Nala will have some additional competition this year, as she'll be up against her little sister Dosi-Do, with both the World Championship and family bragging rights at stake.

One of the most talked-about young athletes to come along in years, Riley has chosen the Doggy Du's as her coming out party in the world of competitive racing. Riley and her owner Tom train from the bike paths of Manasquan all the way to the Jersey Shore. The one year-old golden retriever hopes her hard work will payoff with a title in her debut race.  

As winter grows ever nearer, you'd be hard pressed to find a human daring enough to brave the waters of Lake Canandiagua. Samantha, an eight year-old Catahoula Leopard, has no such fear. Gone are the days when she would train alongside her owner Dudley only to become a spectator on race day. With the Doggy Du's looming, Samantha has begun preparations that she hopes will result in her name at the top of the Doggy Wall of Fame.  

 With the name of a lion and a heart to match, Simba is ready to take on the competition in the Doggy Du. Simba has been at the side of her owner, Javier, as he trains for an Ironman in September, so she'll be more than ready for the rigours of New York City. This three year-old Chow/Border Collie mix just can't wait to be queen--that is, Doggy Du World Champion.

Having spent his entire life training alongside his owner, Heather, Simon has long desired to taste the glory of competition. The Doggy Du World Championships offers the perfect opportunity for this eight year-old Weimeraner to showcase his athletic prowess. A strong swimmer since birth, Simon is the favorite to hold the lead as the field exits the Hudson in July.

Abandoned as a puppy, Spottie was found wandering the streets at six months old, but has now found a home with his owner Anneka. Now healthy, happy, and brimming with confidence, the one year-old American Bulldog is ready to try his paw at competitive racing. Spottie has long trained on Manhattan's west side and in Central Park; this July he'll look to defend his home turf in the Doggy Du's. 

Like a canine Joe Namath, Z has guaranteed victory in the first Doggy Du World Championships, brazenly wearing a replica medal as he trains. The four year-old Vizsla has been prepping for triathlons since birth alongside his owner Vincent. Dog multisport enthusiasts from across the globe will be waiting with baited breath to see if the bold prediction comes true this July in New York City. 

Already a local legend in Fairfield, Connecticuit, Zulu plans to use the Doggy Du's as a springboard to international acclaim and stardom. The deer, squirrels, and chipmunks of Lake Mohican know and fear Zulu as a tremendous competitor in peak physical condition. The two year-old French Mastiff is now pumped to compete against fellow canines this July.