Corgis run, bark and sniff their way to glory at a growing international race

VILNIUS, Lithuania (AP) — It's not all about short-legged speed when 150 corgis gather for an international race celebrating the little dogs. There's a costume parade, the "smartest nose," and — of course — the loudest bark.

The fifth Corgi Race Vilnius drew dogs and their owners to the Lithuanian capital's Vingis park on Saturday for what organizers said was the biggest edition yet. There were competitors from Lithuania, Latvia, Poland, Estonia, Germany, Ukraine, the Czech Republic, the United States and Britain — the country most closely associated with the breed, famously a favorite of the late Queen Elizabeth II.

“In the first year, we gathered 40 corgis from one city. This year, it’s 150 from nine countries, and for the first time we have a participant from the place where the breed originated,” organizer Edvinas Miskas said.

“We call Vilnius the European capital of corgis, and when people from the breed’s homeland start coming to us rather than the other way around, that title begins to sound a little more serious.”

Ninety-four dogs took part in the main running event, competing in qualifiers, semifinals and the final.

In the final, which pitted corgis against each other over 25 meters (82 feet), the winner was American competitor GG, short for Gustave the Girl Dog. Another U.S. entrant, Mr. Corgington, finished a close second. Lithuania's own Moka, a two-time former champion, was third.

But much of the program dispensed with speed to explore the other skills of the dogs — and their owners.

There was a costume parade featuring 38 corgis in diverse outfits including a dinosaur suit, a dress and doggy sports gear. Amigo swept both the four-judge jury and the public Facebook vote for a flawless costume entry with a knight-like look.

In the “smartest nose” challenge, dogs searched for hidden treats. Latvian corgis Tora and Rusty shared the win.

And then there was the loudest bark competition. The first British competitor, 12-year-old Pembroke Welsh corgi Duke from Sedbergh in northwest England, didn't participate in the main race because of his stately age but was a hopeful in the barking stakes after, as his owner put it, training for his whole life.

It was Mr. Corgington who won the loudest bark contest, though.

He was one of the most traveled competitors. The final race offered him a rematch after he finished second against GG at a major race at Emerald Downs in Auburn, Washington — her second consecutive win there.

Half of the corgis registered in Vilnius this year were taking part for the first time. But six veterans — costume winner Amigo, Foksas, Foksis, Madeira, Bulka and Dziugas — have attended every edition.

A corgi dog participates in a fashion show during a international event Corgi Race Vilnius 2026 in Vilnius, Lithuania, Saturday, Aug. 15, 2026. (AP Photo/Mindaugas Kulbis)

A corgi dog participates in a fashion show during a international event Corgi Race Vilnius 2026 in Vilnius, Lithuania, Saturday, Aug. 15, 2026. (AP Photo/Mindaugas Kulbis)

A corgi dog participates in a fashion show during a international event Corgi Race Vilnius 2026 in Vilnius, Lithuania, Saturday, Aug. 15, 2026. (AP Photo/Mindaugas Kulbis)

A corgi dog participates in a fashion show during a international event Corgi Race Vilnius 2026 in Vilnius, Lithuania, Saturday, Aug. 15, 2026. (AP Photo/Mindaugas Kulbis)

A corgi dog participates in a fashion show during a international event Corgi Race Vilnius 2026 in Vilnius, Lithuania, Saturday, Aug. 15, 2026. (AP Photo/Mindaugas Kulbis)

PARIS (AP) — Champions League titleholder Paris Saint-Germain strengthened its attack even further by signing left winger Mika Godts from Dutch club Ajax on a five-year deal.

PSG announced the transfer late on Saturday without giving any financial details. Sports daily L'Equipe estimated the fee to be 55 million euros ($64 million) including bonuses.

It was the second signing of the day after Spain's World Cup-winning forward Ferran Torres joined from Barcelona for a reported fee of 50 million euros.

The 21-year-old Godts came through the youth ranks at Anderlecht before joining Genk and then Ajax. He played for the Amsterdam-based club's highly rated youth team, Jong Ajax, before breaking into the senior side.

In his first full season, the right-footer scored eight goals in 47 matches overall and made an impression in the Europa League. Last season, he stepped up a level with 17 goals and 15 assists in 44 matches and broke into the Belgium side.

“I can’t wait to pull on this (PSG) shirt and experience the Parc des Princes and its supporters," Godts said. "I’ll give my all on the pitch to repay the faith placed in me."

How much playing time he gets remains to be seen, however, given how strong PSG's attack is.

The arrival of Torres followed the summer signing of France winger Maghnes Akliouche from Monaco.

The three new recruits join an attack already featuring Ballon d’Or winner Ousmane Dembélé, France forwards Désiré Doué and Bradley Barcola — who is linked with a move to Liverpool — and Georgia star Khvicha Kvaratskhelia.

Dembélé set up Doué for PSG’s winner against Aston Villa in the UEFA Super Cup on Wednesday.

It was the first of a possible six trophies this season for PSG, which faced French Cup winner Lens later on Sunday in the Trophée des Champions — a match between last season’s league and cup winners.

See AP’s full soccer coverage here

FILE - Ajax's Mika Godts, left, duels for the ball with Besiktas' Jonas Svensson during the Europa League soccer match between Ajax and Besiktas, at the Johan Cruyff ArenA, in Amsterdam, Netherlands, on Sept. 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Maurice van Steen, File)