Tara Davis-Woodhall and Hunter Woodhall Reveal How Their Dogs Keep Them Motivated

Tara Davis-Woodhall and Hunter Woodhall have found an unexpected training partner in their dogs, Milo and Winnie. The married track-and-field stars say their pets help make staying active feel less like work and more like something to enjoy together.

The couple recently partnered with IAMS and Strava for the IAMS Dog Run Marathon, a month-long virtual challenge that asks participants to complete 26.2 miles with their dogs between September 1 and September 30, 2026.

Tara Davis-Woodhall and Hunter Woodhall Make Fitness a Family Affair

For Tara and Hunter, exercise is already a major part of everyday life. Both have built careers around elite track and field, but their approach at home is more relaxed.

The couple says spending time with Milo and Winnie gives them another reason to get outside and stay active. Their dogs are also part of the couple’s shared routine, making workouts feel more personal and enjoyable.

The new IAMS and Strava challenge fits naturally into that lifestyle. Participants can log walks, jogs and runs with their dogs through Strava’s Pet Tag feature. The challenge has a daily distance limit of 5K to help encourage safer activity for participating dogs.

How Tara Davis-Woodhall Stays Motivated

Tara has previously spoken about the importance of motivation and competition in her training. Hunter, meanwhile, has described himself as someone who helps give his wife the cues and encouragement she needs during competition.

That supportive dynamic works both ways.

The two athletes have spent years understanding the pressure that comes with competing at the highest level. Their relationship has become part of that support system, particularly during difficult moments in their careers.

Team USA describes them as a prominent track-and-field couple. Tara competes in the long jump, while Hunter competes in para-track and field.

Tara and Hunter Both Made History in Paris

Their shared athletic journey reached a memorable point at the Paris 2024 Games.

Tara won Olympic gold in the women’s long jump, recording a 7.10-metre jump to claim the title. Weeks later, Hunter won his first Paralympic gold medal in the men’s 400-metre T62 at the same Stade de France venue.

Hunter also helped the United States win bronze in the 4×100-metre universal relay at the Paris Paralympics. Team USA lists him as a five-time Paralympic medallist, with one gold, one silver and three bronze medals across his Paralympic career.

The couple’s celebrations in Paris became one of the memorable personal stories surrounding the Games. After Hunter’s 400-meter victory, he went to the stands to celebrate with Tara, reversing the roles from a few weeks earlier when Hunter had watched Tara win her Olympic title.

Their Relationship Goes Beyond Competition

Tara and Hunter first met at a track meet in Idaho in 2017 and married in 2022. Their relationship has continued alongside their professional careers, with each athlete understanding the demands of elite competition.

That shared experience can be especially valuable when competitions do not go as planned.

Instead of treating every workout or race as another test, the couple have emphasised the importance of supporting each other and enjoying life away from the track.

Their dogs appear to be an important part of that balance.

What Is the IAMS Dog Run Marathon?

The IAMS Dog Run Marathon is a virtual challenge created with Strava. Participants are encouraged to complete a total of 26.2 miles with their dogs during September 2026.

The challenge runs from September 1 through September 30. Walks, jogs and runs can count toward the distance, and Strava’s Pet Tag feature is used to track the activity. A maximum of 5K per day is set for the challenge’s dog-related mileage.

IAMS says the initiative is designed to celebrate dogs as everyday activity partners while giving owners a shared fitness goal.

For Tara and Hunter, that message fits their lifestyle. Their professional careers revolve around performance, but their time with Milo and Winnie offers a reminder that movement can also simply be fun.

Tara Davis-Woodhall and Hunter Woodhall’s Next Chapter

Both athletes remain active in their respective sports while also looking toward life beyond competition.

Hunter has previously talked about wanting to run a marathon after his competitive career. For now, however, he and Tara continue to balance elite sport, their relationship and their life with their dogs.

Their story shows that motivation does not always have to come from a medal or a stopwatch. Sometimes, a walk with the family dog can be enough to get moving