Rescue greyhounds spur on Canberra Times Fun Run team

"Greyhounds are sprinters so there's no way they'd have the endurance for a marathon," Ms Finn said.

"The dogs will wait for us at the end."

The two are among several friends who will take part in this year's event to raise money for Greyhound Rescue.

The organisation began several years ago to rescue and re-home ex-racing greyhounds which had finished racing or never started one.

It has since found homes for more than 600 dogs.

Ms Finn, of Crace, met the other fun run participants through the ACT Greyhound Support Network, a Facebook group which has about 250 members.

It helps owners of former racing greyhounds who share tips on settling their pets and behavioural problems.

It also publishes details of greyhounds in need of a home.

"I had wanted a greyhound for ages and Henry popped up on the group and he was in the pound at Cootamundra," she said.

"He was originally meant to be a foster but I couldn't let him go. How could I?"

It was her efforts to complete a 24-hour endurance obstacle course in April, which raised $5000 for Greyhound Rescue, that prompted her to sign up for the Canberra run.

For Ms Finn, it's an opportunity to raise awareness about the breed and boost funds to give dogs better care.

"Obviously there was all the debate over live-baiting of greyhounds earlier this year, it's the animal welfare side of the racing industry that frustrates me," she said.

"But what really frustrates me is the over-breeding of greyhounds in Australia.

"More than 20,000 are bred in Australia every year and you can't re-home that many, it's impossible, so the numbers of dogs destroyed for no reason is horrible."

She hopes money the team raises will go to Greyhound Rescue to help build more kennels for about 80 dogs in foster care.

"Greyhounds are such lovely dogs, they're very easy-going and they're great around people."